Page 5 of Cabin Kisses

She laughs and smacks me on the chest. It’s the first time she’s touched me, and I grab her hand and hold it to me. “Race me,” I tell her again. I don’t want this to be over, but I know she’s about to tell me she’s done for the day.

“Why would I race you? You’re going to win.”

I lift my shoulders. I’d lose if it meant I could spend more time with her. “Okay, we won’t race. Down the slopes one more time.” We haven’t made it to the big slopes yet, but she’s doing well on the intermediate one.

She nods. “One more time. Then I’m going to have to go in.”

I don’t argue with her. We go down the slope, and I pull my phone from my zippered pocket. I take pictures of her smiling and laughing as she goes down, and I can’t help but smile with her.

On the ski lift to the top of the mountain, she’s staring off into the distance. “You had fun, didn’t you?” I ask her.

She nods and looks at me with surprise. “I did. I really did.”

I reach for her hand because I can’t go any longer without touching her. “Have dinner with me.”

Before I even get the question out, she’s shaking her head.

“Why not?” I ask her.

She points between the two of us. “Because we don’t make sense, Levi. You’re... you. And well, I’m me.”

I shake my head. “I don’t understand.”

She blows out a breath. “Look, you don’t know how much I appreciated today. You were able to get my mind off... everything, and I haven’t been able to do that, so thank you. I’ll leave you a tip at the check-in station. You’ve definitely earned it today.”

My jaw grits. “I didn’t do this for a tip. I’m not charging you for a lesson. I wanted to spend time with you,” I tell her. We’re getting to the top, and I’m anxious because I know she’s going to escape as soon as she gets off.

When we’re finally on our feet, she pulls off her skis, and I do the same. I’m done before her, but something tells me not to help her, that she doesn’t want my help. As soon as she stands up, though, I crowd her, trying to get close to her. “Look, Gina. I don’t know what it is, but I feel something when I’m with you. I had fun today, and I don’t want it to end. Just dinner. Just have a meal with me.”

She wants to. I can see it in her eyes that she wants to. But she shakes her head. “I can’t, Levi. Look, I caught my ex cheating. He hurt me and I know, I know,” she says, holding her hands up when I start to cuss, “he’s not worth it. But this trip was supposed to be our honeymoon, so see, I just need time. I can’t get involved with someone else right now.”

“Do you love him?” I ask. I hold my breath, waiting for her answer. If she loves him, this is going to be harder, but I’m still not going to give up.

She tilts her head to the side as if she’s thinking about it. “Do I love him?” She shakes her head. “No, I don’t love him. He has made me question my self-worth. I’ve never had a problem with who I am or how I look, but I feel like I need time to heal.”

She looks so sad it makes me wish I had five minutes alone with her ex. Five minutes is all I’d need to fix him right up. Gina turns to go, and I know I should let her, but I race after her. “Will I see you tomorrow?”

The sadness is back on her face. “Maybe. I don’t know.”

I wait, hoping for more, but she doesn’t say anything else. This time when she goes to leave, I let her go, but I know I’m not going to just let her get away. One afternoon with her is not enough.

Chapter5

Georgina

Isit back in my chair with my hand over my belly. I ate the steak special, and it was probably the best steak I’ve ever eaten. I’m waiting on the check, ignoring the couples and families around me when I hear him. The one person I would never want to see again.

“Georgie, is that you? What are you doing here?”

My mouth falls open, and I look in the direction of the voice.It can’t be. No way.

But my stomach plummets because I know it’s him. I would recognize that voice anywhere. “Hello, Richard,” I say, taking in the gorgeous redhead on his arm. The same woman from his condo.

I wait for the jealousy to surge after seeing my ex-fiancé with another woman, but it doesn’t. The only thing I feel is anger.

He towers over me, trying to intimidate me. “I thought you canceled this trip.”

I roll my eyes. “It was nonrefundable, so I decided to come on my own.”

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