“Just had to find the right incentive, I guess,” Dominic said, the innuendo clear. He smiled, and Kate thawed a tiny bit from its warmth.
Michael nodded a little curtly. “Well, be careful, Kate. This isn’t the best resort for beginners. I could have taken you to a couple of other places more appropriate if you really wanted to learn.”
“Kate’s doing fine,” Nicole interjected. “Although I learned to ski when I was around three, so I don’t really remember the learning process. But it looks like she’s in good hands.” Nicole brought her snow goggles down and over her eyes. “I’ll see you guys at the bottom. Michael, are you ready to eat my dust?” she challenged him.
Michael glanced uneasily back at Kate. He actually looked like he wanted to stay and make sure she got safely down, and she couldn’t ignore the rush of excitement she had at the prospect that he still cared. And might actually be jealous.
“She’s right,” she finally said and gave him a big smile. “Dominic and I can manage. In fact, before you know it, I’ll be ready to ski the diamonds or black hills—or whatever you call them,” she added with false bravado.
“I think you mean black diamond,” Dominic said and smiled at her fondly. He turned to Michael, his voice warm but authoritative. “We’ll be fine.”
Despite the fact she could not longer feel her face, Kate smiled at how easily Dominic dismissed Michael. And how much she actually believed his assurance that they’d be fine. She was almost convinced she’d make it to the bottom in one piece.
Not looking entirely convinced, Michael nodded. “Okay. I’ll see you later, then.” He brought his own goggles down and, without waiting another moment, followed Nicole.
Dominic said something under his breath that sounded a lot like “schmuck” before turning back to her. Which kind of surprised her. Usually people—men and women—were drawn to Michael. He could be funny and personable. But it she wasn’t mistaken, Dominic had taken a definite dislike to him. It was ridiculous how giddy that made her.
“Ready?” he asked.
A group of three skiers flew by, spraying snow up around them.
“Not really.” She sighed. “But it doesn’t look like I have much choice.”
And with steely determination, she tilted her body forward and slid into the turn. She went about five more feet before she fell on her butt. Again.
It was certainly going to take some time, but she’d get there.
Even if it was in a body cast.
Chapter Nine
From his seat on the couch in the living room of the hotel suite, Dominic tried to block out the sounds coming from the room behind him. And the images.
He heard Kate turn the water off and a minute later heard her loud groan.
Good God. What was she doing in there?
“Kate? You all right?”
A long pause. “No. I’m hurting in places I didn’t know was even possible.”
Damn. That put an interesting picture in his mind. He flipped the television on and started switching stations, aware of the swishing of water coming from behind the door.
“This is completely your fault, you know,” she continued. “Making me ski today. Risking my life.”
“Hey, my deal was that you tried skiing for an hour. You were the one who insisted on skiing another two. Come on. Admit it. You had fun.”
She muttered something he couldn’t hear, but it didn’t sound very favorable.
“What time do you want to leave tomorrow?” he asked again, needing something to distract him from the image of her naked body, immersed in the water. Feet away from him.
“Whenever we want. But I was thinking no later than ten. I want to make sure I’m at the nursing home in time to have lunch with my grams. When should I be at your parents’ for dinner?”
“We eat about six, but usually everyone arrives the hour before. Helps with the preparation.”
Another moan slipped from her lips. She was killing him. “Is there anything I can get you? A glass of wine, some ibuprofen? You know, I actually give a killer back massage. I might be able to make you more comfortable.”
“It’s not my back that’s hurting.”