Page 7 of Cabin Kisses

He nods. “Yeah, okay, well, I guess you can say I’m a ski instructor. I sort of do a little bit of everything. My family owns the mountain.”

My jaw drops. “Your family owns the mountain? Like the whole mountain?”

He shrugs as if it’s not a big deal. “Yeah, I mean we own the lodge and the slopes... the mountain.”

As I take it all in, he points to the lit-up bar in front of us. “This is it.”

The trip down the mountain was short, and he’s pointing at a sign that says High Noon. It looks like something you’d see from an old Western. “Wow, this place looks awesome.”

He parks and walks around to meet me. “It’s where I come when I want to let go.”

He holds my hand when I climb out of the truck, and he doesn’t let it go. He holds it the whole time we walk toward the entrance of the bar.

As soon as we’re inside, I turn my head in every direction and take it all in. There’s people line dancing in front of us. There’s a bar in the back, off to the side are pool tables, and everywhere around there are high tables with people mingling about. I smile up at Levi. “This is amazing.”

He nods. “Right? I love the atmosphere.”

I point to the dance floor. “Do you dance?”

He shakes his head. “Never. But if it means I’d get to hold you in my arms, I’ll make an exception tonight.”

I take in a deep breath. My stomach does a little somersault. He’s watching me closely, and he pulls my hand he’s holding up to his chest. “Let’s get you a drink... then we’ll dance.”

We each drink a beer, and it isn’t long before I’ve coaxed him onto the dance floor. I try to ignore it, but the number of women that openly stare at Levi is hard to miss. When a slow song comes on and he pulls me into his arms, I go easily. I haven’t drunk a lot, but it’s enough to warm me and make me a little uninhibited. “What are you doing with me?” I blurt out.

He tucks me in closer to his chest. “Dancing with you.”

I shake my head and look at a trio of women off the side of the dance floor. They’re all watching Levi and me, and they look surprised to see us together. “Do you have a girlfriend, Levi?”

He pulls back enough to see my face. He puts his finger on my chin and lifts so I have to look him in the eye. “No, I don’t have a girlfriend. Why would you ask me that?”

I shrug. “Well, probably because I feel like you being here with me is breaking some hearts right now.” I nudge my chin toward the women, and he turns and looks.

He’s ready to defend himself when he looks back at me. “I’m not dating any of those women, Gina.”

I search his eyes. “It’s nothing to me—”

He cuts me off as his hand cups my neck. “Don’t say that.”

I don’t understand what’s happening here, and before I can say anything else, another fast song picks up and the dance floor is flooded. We line dance, and even though he says he doesn’t dance, he’s a fast learner. By the time the song ends, my sides are hurting from laughing so hard. We walk to the edge of the dance floor. “I’m going to the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.”

I get only a few steps away when his hand wraps around my wrist. “Do you want me to go with you?”

He looks all serious. “To the ladies’ room? No, I think I can handle it. I’ll be right back.”

He acts as if he doesn’t want to let me go. Images of that kiss from earlier fill my head. He tilts his head to the side. “What are you thinking about? Your cheeks are red.”

I pull my hand from his. “Nothing... I’ll be right back.”

I duck my head and walk away from him, fanning myself the whole way.

Chapter6

Levi

For the first time in forever, I feel that I’m in a good place. I take a seat at our table and keep my eyes trained on the hallway that leads to the restrooms. I’m not thinking about anything or anyone except for Gina right now and how I’m going to convince her to spend more time with me.

“Hey, Levi.”

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