Page 12 of Snowbound Lovers
I wish a telltale pink wasn’t flooding my cheeks. I’m not used to someone else’s words making me blush; it’s usually my own that embarrass me. After all, I am the most embarrassing person I know.
I turn my back on him. “Oh you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
His eyes squint at me. “Yes, I would,” I hear him say in a voice that should come with a warning.
I slowly move up another step, and while he can’t see my eye roll, it makes me feel better. “Argh, you’re so annoying.”
He chuckles. “And you’re crazy.” Then, in his best panty-melting voice, he continues, “But in a cute, sexy kind of way.”
I force a loud huff from my lips because it’s better than a sigh.
I turn sideways, saying, “Please don’t let me hold you up,” waving my hand at him to pass.
He murmurs, “thanks,”then bounds up the remaining stairs two at a time. I hate that man and his sexy athletic body making me feel even more pathetic, the dark denim of his jeans stretching tight over his ass with each step. I don’t care if that makes me no better than him, it’s only fair I look.
At the top of the stairs, he turns, grins broadly down at me, and says, “Goodnight, Madison.” Then he strides off to his room. Dammit, that grin saidI know you were checking me out.
DAY THREE
Today was another bluebird day on the slopes. Who even knew that is what you call a sunny but cold day with crystal clear blue skies? Well Jarrod did, as he was the one who told me.
I was determined to enjoy it and not let the grumpy man with the rare fleeting smiles ruin my mood. So once I’d said goodbye to him and my friends this morning, I wiped all thoughts of him from my head. Well, most of them anyway.
Another bonus was once my muscles warmed up, I could move freely enough to improve my skills, and with my lesson drawing to a close, I’m really pleased with my progress.
I’ve had such a fun day swooshing along the beginner tree trails behind my group, getting my snow bearings, gaining confidence, and trying not to build on the bruises from yesterday.
Every so often, Mark runs us through a series of exercises to improve our turns, and it seems to work. Even Rodney can manage to get a few turns in on the gentle green slopes.
Mark checks his phone, then announces this will be our last run for the day as we all wait for the lift. I’m keen to make it a good one, as tomorrow I plan to board with the girls instead of doing another lesson. Head down, I shuffle forward, paying no attention to the people in the line beside me. I’ve been getting on and off the lifts solo all day, so my confidence is high.
That was my first mistake—being overly confident. My second mistake was more dramatic. Getting a loop on my jacket caught on the lift seat. I flailed my arms like a dodo bird trying to take flight as I frantically tried to unhook myself before the lift went past the ramp and rose higher above the ground again. Luckily my frantic tugging paid off, and with a ripping sound, I managed to unhook myself before the drop was too high.
The drop feels like feet, but probably more accurately, is only inches before my board hits the snow and––Oomph! I land in an unceremonious heap of limbs.
Ouch, that hurt, and my pale, purply bruise just got some more color. More black and blue, no doubt. Conscious that I’m right in the way of skiers and boarders exiting the lift behind me, I try to crawl to the side, but I’m so shocked by the whole experience, I can’t get my limbs to move in any way that will scoot me forward.
Before I can even think to unclip the board from the one foot it is still attached to, strong arms are lifting me out of the danger zone and over to the side.What the heck?I try to see who my rescuer is, but my helmet won’t allow me to look up. Before I can get too worried, I’m already being gently laid down on a heap of soft snow.
A familiar cologne reaches my senses, and I groan into my neck warmer. Of course Jarrod has to be the one person to witness my humiliating fall, and worse still, be the one to rescue me. Why is Jarrod always around to witness my most embarrassing clumsy moments?
“Are you okay?” he asks, unclipping my board from my foot, then lifting the goggles high on my helmet.
I blink furiously, determined not to let the tears welling in my eyes fall. It really did hurt, but crying in front of Jarrod would just be too much. “Yes, I think so … What’s a few more bruises?” I attempt a smile.
He starts brushing snow from my jacket, beginning at the back before moving around to the front. His large hands move down my chest, and even the multiple layers of clothing and the thick gloves on his hands don’t stop my nipples pebbling beneath his touch.
“Madison, look at me, please.” I look up reluctantly, as I don’t have the fortitude at this point to ignore his command. He raises his hand to tilt my chin up. “Are you hurt?”
“Really, I’m okay … My dignity is lying squashed flat in a pile of snow over there, but otherwise I’m okay.”
“Good girl. Now stand up and show me before you put the board on again.”
He holds his strong, supportive hand out to help me up, and as I get to my feet, I slip a little on the icy ground. His arms wrap around my body, steady and firm. I want to lay my head against his chest, but no, that wouldn’t be good, as I may never want to move again.
I place one hand on each of his arms. “See? All good. I can stand.” I look up at him and instantly regret it. Standing this close, his arms still at my waist while I look into his dark intense eyes, and I’m melting. Which is totally ridiculous because I’m at the top of a snowy mountain. “Jarrod, thank you.”
“Any time … Mads.” He uses my nickname for the first time, and I like the way it sounds coming from his mouth.
