I lie in the snow, staring up at the sky as the world rights itself. What the hell? Why didn’t they notice me? Did they think this place was a playground and they had the right of way?

“Are you okay?”

I see a person looming over me. It takes me a second to realize that it’s the girl who walked in front of me just before the collision. She looks worried.

“What the fuck?”

“Watch your language around my daughter.”

I turn my head and see the second figure. From the deep voice that makes my still throbbing body vibrate, it’s her father. His helmet and goggles are off, and he’s glaring at me, his jet-black hair fluttering in the wind.

I might have had a different opinion about him if I hadn’t just been made to take a tumble. But all I feel is annoyed, so I scowl at him.

“Given what just happened, I think I can be allowed some cursing.”

I’m generally not so harsh, but given his reaction, I don’t really care. His eyes narrow.

“She’s thirteen. You think she should be subjected to your curse words?”

“Oh, shut it, Dad!” The girl snaps. “I’ve heard worse at school, anyway. And I did walk out in front of her.”

“We had the right of way, Katie. She should have slowed down.”

“You think I didn’t?” I sit up slowly and gingerly move my limbs. Nothing seems broken, but I feel like I’ve been slammed into a wall. “You should have watched where you were going. Do you think you own the slopes or something?”

The girl looks uncomfortable, and I momentarily feel bad for shouting at her. She seems genuinely remorseful. But her father snorts rudely.

“Maybe you shouldn’t careen down the hill,” he growls.

“We’re on the red slope. You think you should be fooling around at the bottom of the advanced slope?”

“If it’s advanced, you should be able to stop in time.”

I’m not going to get him to back down. I reach down and fumble to take my skis off, my fingers struggling through the gloves.

“Let me.” The girl takes off her gloves and unsnaps my boots from the skis. “Can you stand?”

“I think so.” I give her a small smile as I take off my goggles. “You okay?”

“I’m fine. You didn’t hit me. But you did scare me.” She bites her lip. “I’m sorry. I really should watch where I’m going.”

“You shouldn’t apologize, Katie.”

Katie glares at him over her shoulder.

“Aren’t you the one who says I should say sorry when I’m in the wrong, Dad? Why are you telling me not to do that when I caused this lady to get hurt?”

Her father doesn’t respond, pressing his lips together. With my senses returning, I’m very aware of how gorgeous he is. There’s something about him that gives off a foreign appearance. Maybe it’s because of the golden tan that you don’t get living in Colorado. Perhaps he’s from Europe or of European descent. Either way, he’s pretty hot, even when he’s angry.

Why the hell am I thinking about how hot he is when he’s being so rude? I must have hit my head.

I get to my feet and stretch. I’m sore and will be battered and bruised soon, but nothing seems too wrong. I undo my helmet and take it off, shaking out my hair. Katie looks relieved.

“At least you’re not bleeding. I’m really sorry.”

“No harm done now,” I say and give her a smile. “Just be very careful where you’re going, okay? The next person might not be so lucky.”

Katie gives me a tiny smile, still looking a bit nervous. She picks up her snowboard and hurries away, her cheeks going a little pinker. Her father is still watching me, his stare intense. I wish he wouldn’t look at me like that. It’s making my insides flutter, and something tightens. What the hell is going on?