“And you seem to be enjoying yourself, too. You must be pretty relaxed yourself.”
“I wasn’t, but I am now,” she said.
He hoped the reason was his forgiveness, but he couldn’t be sure and raised an eyebrow in question. “And what’s so special about now?”
“Your calmer attitude, for one thing.”
“And the other thing?” he asked.
She shrugged, her attitude playful. “Isn’t a girl allowed to have secrets?” She bit down on her lower lip.
His gaze followed the movement, his gaze drawn to her sensual mouth. So she was playing coy. Miss All Business was suddenly flirting, he thought, amused. Hmm. Well, he couldn’t say he minded.
She was one of the perks of being here. “I took a walk earlier and discovered an amazing place. Want to see?” he asked.
She glanced over at their hostess, who appeared pretty tied up with her drummer. “I don’t think they’ll miss us,” she said, a mischievous glint in her eye.
“Come.” He took her hand and together they walked through the lodge’s main lobby where people wandered, some alone, some in small groups, while others gathered around the big-screen television at the bar.
“Do you want to stop first and have a drink?” He gestured to two empty stools in a private area.
She shook her head. “I’d rather have all my faculties tonight. Nothing to drink. But thanks, anyway.”
He inclined his head and kept walking. Normally he’d think her unwillingness to indulge in alcohol was her way of reminding him they were only business associates, but something was different about her tonight. It wasn’t just her light mood or her teasing. It was her. She hadn’t removed her hand from his grasp and there was a sudden confidence emanating from her he hadn’t seen since meeting her at the wedding. Whatever had brought on the change, he was thankful for it. And he had the sudden hope that her unwillingness to drink had more to do with her desire to remember each and every minute between them.
He led her past the gift and sundry shop to a point beyond the restaurants. While working off his frustration earlier, he’d come upon a solarium that was being cleaned. He let himself inside and found himself viewing a winter wonderland beyond the glass. It was a place he’d spent a quiet, contemplative hour.
The door was closed and he knocked once. When no one answered, he pushed it open and led her inside. Instead of turning on the lights, he kept the room dark, and when the door slammed shut behind them, he quietly turned the lock, giving them complete privacy.
“What is this place?” she asked.
“A sunroom,” he said. “I asked Lisa and she said it’s usually only open during the summer. But when I walked by, a crew was dusting and I peeked inside.” He’d looked out the wall-to-wall windows at the snowy landscape beyond and immediately knew he wanted to share the sight with Amy.
She strode to the windows and stared outside. Instead of looking at the scenery, he watched her. Eyes wide, she stared at the frosty view, lit up by outdoor lights and the ski trails in the distance.
“Wow. It’s beautiful,” she said in awe. “I’ve never seen snow like this before. I mean, I’ve seen the dirty slush in the city this winter but nothing like this.”
He hadn’t realized what she’d missed growing up in Florida. “Then I’m going to have to get you outside to experience the snow for real while we’re here.”
“Ooh, I’d love that.” Her voice dropped to a deeper husky sound that resonated inside him.
He stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and looking out from over her shoulder. White snow covered the bare branches and stars filled the night sky. Without even realizing it, he eased himself forward so his body pressed more fully against her back. His hands splayed across her stomach, and of its own volition, his penis grew hard and aching. It thrust against his jeans and pressed insistently against her rear end.
She sucked in a deep breath, but she didn’t protest or try to escape his hold. Obviously much had changed and he wasn’t about to question why.
He rested his chin on her shoulder. “It’s beautiful,” he said, turning his head slightly and nuzzling his lips against her neck.
“Mmm. Growing up in Florida, I always thought I had it all. Sunshine and beaches, warm weather. But now I know what I was missing. Will you really go outside with me? I want to touch the snow and feel it between my fingertips,” she said, her excitement rising.
He was rising, as well.
“I want to make a snow angel like I’ve seen on TV,” she continued.
Her enthusiasm was contagious, and he felt as if he were experiencing the same surge of emotions as Amy—all for the first time. “I?
?ll take you anywhere you want to go,” he promised her.
She tipped her head backward. “I believe you,” she whispered.