Page 29 of Christmas with the Elkin Billionaires

Tana raised her hand and gave him a wave.

Chase moved toward her, anxious to be close enough to touch her. Tana cocked her head to the side, for a friendly peck on the cheek. He’d forgotten almost too late they couldn’t kiss in the middle of the ballroom, but she’d remembered.

His nerves were singing at the sight of her. “Hey, beautiful,” he said, dropping his voice to a low whisper so no one would hear.

Tana blushed. “You look pretty good yourself.”

They were clearly both thinking of yesterday and the hot passion they shared. It wasn’t exactly forgettable. Chase glanced around and caught his grandmother watching him. She didn’t miss anything, did she? He tried not to look lovestruck. His grandmother already suspected it was Tana that day in the shed.

“Hey, you two.” Pete, one of the chair lift operators, approached, clapping him on the back. Saved by the bell from making a mistake in front of his grandmother and brother. “How have things been with you lately, Chase?”

“Hey, Pete. Good to see you here. I see someone I need to talk to, but I’ll catch up with you later, Chase.” Tana strolled away, not bothering to wait for an answer. It was hard not to watch the sway of her hips with every step like a hungry man.

Chase forced his attention back to Pete. “Good. Thinking about getting back on the slopes again someday.”

“That would be awesome.” Pete grinned. “It would be good for you to get your snow legs back.”

“It would definitely cause a stir with the guests if I announced a comeback.” He’d lost sight of Tana. No—there she was, talking with a group of women. He and Pete got into a discussion about new skis, which led them to clothes, which led them to jobs. Opportunities.

Chase sensed Tana behind him in the crowd, and he glanced over his shoulder to find her. She was standing next to his grandmother, and the two of them were deep in conversation. He watched as they embraced, then Tana crossed the room toward him. He needed to get her out of here. Chase wanted nothing more than to peel the dress off her body and have her all to himself.

Lindsey was gone for the weekend.

His heart raced. “Honestly, Pete, I might not be around the lodge much longer.”

“Really? Why?” Genuine concern filled Pete’s expression.

“I’ve been talking to my brother, Gabe, about heading out to California.”

“That’s great news!” Pete nodded a little. “Isn’t it? Except for the lack of snow.”

“Well, it does snow in California, but I admit I like the idea of year-round sunshine. Maybe I’ll take up surfing.”

“Telling everybody about your West Coast plans?” Tana spoke from directly behind him and a chill of regret went down his spine. She patted him on the shoulder and came to stand between the two men.

“A fresh start? You should take it.”

“You really should,” Tana seconded Pete’s opinion.

Chase gaped at her, not liking the sound of her support of getting rid of him. Especially not after he’d been fantasizing about the two of them together and waiting all night for her to arrive.

Tana smiled brightly. “What reason is there to stay here?”

You.“You’re right,” Chase’s heart broke a little at how confident she sounded. “Tana, can I steal you for a minute? I wanted to run something by you.”

He shook Pete’s hand, and he and Tana slipped out one of the side doors from the ballroom.

“What is it, Chase? Is something wrong?”

He stopped at a door halfway down the hall and opened it, then put an arm around her waist and pulled her into a windowed alcove. It looked out over the ski hills, lit up for the night by the big floodlights, snow machines on, tossing man-made snow into the air in a glittering fall.

“This,” he said. “This is what I wanted to run by you.” He kissed her, hard, like he might never get another chance. Any kiss could be the last kiss, Chase knew. There was no denying it—he wanted more of the same. He wanted to stay close to her and he wanted her toknow it.

But with her mouth on his and her body in that tight little dress, there was no dwelling on it. There was only action. He coaxed her lips open with his tongue and explored her. She tasted new all over again. Fresh. He could do this forever and never get tired of it. A stiff breeze hit the windows.

“Let’s go.” Chase took her face in his hands and looked down into her eyes. Her gorgeous, searching eyes. “My place or yours?”

“My place. It’s closer,” Tana said, her voice dropping a notch into a sexy purr.

---