Page 2 of Spoil
I take in the controlled chaos around me, the smell of the snow, the nip of the wind on my cheeks. Adorable kids in full ski suits glide past me, trailed by already tired-looking parents. It must be so hard to be a parent.
I’m a daycare worker, and I still can’t imagine it. I can control the chaos in my room for eight hours, but at least then I get to go home and be selfish. I can eat whatever I want and sleepwhenever I want. I don’t have to cook, clean, or entertain anyone but myself.
I know I want kids. My biggest dream in life is to be a stay-at-home mom. I know it sounds small, but it’s my dream. I’m just glad I still have to find a man, date, fall in love, and get married before then. I’ve got a few more years before I sign myself up for the most challenging and rewarding job on the planet.
As I scan the skiers and snowboarders of every age, my stomach drops. The woman who took my name is a hundred yards away, talking to the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.
And pointing at me.
Chapter two
Daniel
My heart punches the air out of my lungs when I look up to where Cathy’s pointing and see the most stunningly beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. She’s my one-on-one for today. Penelope Sills. What a gorgeous name. And she’s all mine.
I stride over to her, eager to talk to her, to see her, to be next to her, to have her eyes on me. I have to get closer to see if she really is as beautiful up close.
And of course, she is.
Her cheeks pinken even more as I approach, an easy smile on my face.
“Are you here for me?”
Her gorgeous green eyes widen, and I realize how that sounded.
I laugh. Growing up wealthy and then years of working with the public have given me confidence I probably haven’t earned at twenty-five, but it always works in my favor.
“I meant, are you my lesson for today, Penelope?”
She’s having a hard time holding my gaze, and I’m hoping that means she’s as attracted to me as I am to her. But she gives me a tiny nod.
“Great, why don’t we go over here and get out of the way?” I motion to a spot in the roped-off section designed for lessons, but away from the crowd and traffic.
She struggles with the equipment, so I scoop up hers in one hand and carry mine in the other. I catch a grateful and surprised glance from the corner of my eye.
“Have you ever skied before?” I ask her. It’s a professional question, of course, but I’m also dying to learn everything about this woman, who will be mine for the next eight hours.
She lets out a self-deprecating laugh before she covers her mouth, almost horrified. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to... I just... it never...”
I drop our equipment at our feet once I’m satisfied we’re not in danger of getting run over by runaway snowboarders.
I turn to face her, and maybe I’m standing closer than what would normally be appropriate, but I want her to relax with me, and maybe hint that I’m interested.
I grip her by her shoulders and dip my head to look her in the eye. She bites her lip and stares over my shoulder.
She shakes her head. “I’m sorry. I just... skiing is expensive. I could never afford it. My friend bought me this lesson as a birthday present. The idea of me,” her eyes widen comically as a gloved hand hits her chest. “... doing this...” That same glove waves at the slopes behind me, and she shakes her head again.
Ah, my sweet girl doesn’t come from money. In a flash, I get the mental image of spoiling her. Taking her on vacations, buying her jewelry, and expensive gowns. I grew up privileged, but money’s never held much value in my mind. I bet she’d be fun to spoil.
“Alright,” I say with a clap of my hands. “Do you have any goals for today? Anything you want to accomplish?”
She shakes her head instantly. “I’d like not to get hurt?”
I laugh at her simplistic wish. She’s charming as well as gorgeous.
I touch her shoulder again, reveling in what an honor it is to be able to touch a woman like her. She doesn’t shy away from my touch. In fact, it feels like she’s leaning closer to me.
“I promise we’ll take it slow.”
