Page 6 of Cabin Kisses

He laughs out loud, and I can feel the eyes of the people at the other tables turning to see what’s going on. I look for my waiter. I need to pay and get out of here. I had no idea that Richard would be here. I need to get off the side of this mountain.

“Georgie, we both know you can’t ski. Are you following me?”

Richard barely gets the words out, and I feel hands on my shoulders. “There you are, baby. I’m so sorry I’m late.”

I lean back, and Levi is standing over top of me. He had to have heard what was going on because his face is filled with sympathy and anger all in one. He takes the opportunity of me looking up at him to lean down and press his lips to mine.

I gasp, and I should pull away, but the soft heat of his lips on mine is more welcoming than I would have imagined. I lift my hand and hold it to the base of his neck, forgetting that we’re in a crowded restaurant. He deepens the kiss, and when a small whimper escapes me, he reluctantly pulls away. His eyes are shades darker as he stares down at me. “Are you ready to go? I’m ready to get you home.”

I blink, completely dazed by the fact my ex is watching us, the redhead is eyeing Levi, and Levi is watching me as if I’m the only woman on the mountain. “Uh, yeah, I’m just waiting on the check.”

He shakes his head. “Don’t you worry about it. I’ll take care of it. Let’s go.”

I put my hand in his and slide to my feet. Richard is not one to be ignored and moves in front of us. “Georgie, who is this?”

“Georgie?” Levi says. He looks at me. “I thought you hated that nickname. I thought your ex-fiancé was the only one that called you that.” Levi wraps his arm around me, pulling me into his side. My hand goes to his chest, and I can feel his heart racing under my palm. He then looks straight at Richard. “And we don’t like the ex-fiancé.”

Richard’s face turns red, and he starts to sputter, looking between Levi and me. “Georgie, I’ll ask you again. Who is this guy?”

I start to stutter when Levi presses his lips to my forehead. I feel an instant calm from his touch. “I’m her boyfriend. Now I’m sorry, but I’ve been away from her for three hours now, and I’ve missed her. I need my Gina time, and unfortunately for you, I don’t like to share. Come on, baby.”

Levi grabs my jacket off the back of my chair and pulls me with him. I hide my smirk when I see Richard get even madder as he watches us leave the restaurant. I’m busy enjoying his anger, but as soon as we’re out of sight, Levi stops. “Gina.” He puts his hand to my cheek. “Last chance. I don’t know what happened between the two of you, but I can tell by the look on that man’s face he’s regretting his decision. If he wants you back...”

I interrupt him. “Are you trying to get rid of me already?”

He crowds me, lining his body up against mine. “Never.”

Levi lets out a breath and leans down, pressing his forehead to mine. “I wish our first kiss wasn’t in a restaurant—under those circumstances.”

I freeze in his arms. What does that mean even? “You didn’t have to kiss me,” I tell him.

He smiles and pulls away, pulling my chin up to look at him. “I wanted to kiss you then, and I want to kiss you now. But what do you need?”

I look up at him in awe. I’m still surprised by everything that’s happened today, but I know I want to spend more time with him. “Take me somewhere fun, somewhere we can talk and have a good time. I don’t want to think about Richard...”

He nods and holds his hand out. “Okay, you want to go into town and play local?”

My eyes light up. “I’d actually love that.”

He wraps his arm around my shoulder and leads me to the front of the lodge. When we get outside, he’s parked right by the front doors. He opens the door of a big truck that has chains on the wheels.

He helps me in and even puts the seatbelt around me. I inhale deeply as he leans into me, and when he draws back, he’s looking at me with flared nostrils. “Did you just smell me?”

He looks so serious, and I know my face turns red. “Yes, but I mean, it’s not my fault. You smell yummy... a mix of Christmas cookies and man.”

He puts his hand on my thigh and squeezes. “Fuck, Gina, you keep saying things like that and I’m not going to make it into town.”

He doesn’t wait for me to respond. He shuts the door and walks around to his side of the truck. His eyes are on the road in front of us. “Where are you from?”

“Tennessee. A small town called Whiskey Run.”

He nods. “I like Tennessee.”

I laugh. “Me too. So what about you? How long have you been a ski instructor?”

He shakes his head. “I’m not a ski instructor.”

I look at him in surprise. “Levi, you taught me how to ski today.”

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