"I'm not your baby, and I don't need your help." She kept her glare locked into place and some part of me expected it to fade, but it didn't. She was serious.
"Well, if I knew your name, I wouldn't have to call you by a common nickname for lovers." I shrugged and moved up behind her. "You know my name. Give me yours."
"And then, you'll hop off? I'm not interested."
She let out a soft sigh, and I worked like hell to keep my eyes on hers and not take in the rest of her beautiful face. I wanted to memorize her, but I hated it when people did that shit to me. I was standing on the other side of the situation for the first time in my life – and it was thrilling.
"Yes, but if you're trying to learn to ski, I'm a local and there are much better bunny slopes around the back side of this mountain. I would be more than happy to help you learn. Nothing else. Promise." I held up my hands and gave her my best innocent expression.
"I'm Stacy, and I'm not buying that face for a second." She shook her head.
The smell of strawberries and vanilla filled my senses and I stifled a groan at the sweet smell of her shampoo. I glanced behind me and pointed to the narrow passage that would lead to a little bit of privacy.
"Well, Stacy, which isn't your name, at all," I looked back at her and winked, "if you can get through that narrow passage, I'll show you a secret slope that honestly will help you much better than what these guys are going to do."
"Nothing else? No phone number, no see you around and then you stalk me?" She lifted an eyebrow.
"Nope, so giving me your real name would be good. If I need to call out to you, you ain't responding to Stacy."
"Ain't isn't a word." Her hand dropped from her hips and she shook her head. "Okay on the teaching session, but I only have an hour. So cut to the chase and save your flirting for someone it might work on."
I reached out and took her hand, helping her to the opening in the mountain and squeezing in behind her as I let her go. She had to be the most naturally beautiful woman I'd ever seen. If she were wearing makeup, she hid it well.
"So, California or Florida?" I asked and moved up beside her, offering my hand.
She slapped it as if we were exchanging a greeting. The smirk on her face caused my stomach to tighten. I had to have her. The cocky bitch needed a man like me for the night, and she would bring me back down to reality, if nothing else.
"California, and my name is Mindy." She winked, and I chuckled, unable to help myself.
"Alright, Lindy."
She turned and growled softly. "Mindy. You've already forgotten my name. You should switch to baby or hun."
"How do you know that trick?"
"I go to school at UCLA. Man whores are a dime a dozen." She positioned herself at the top of the slopes and glanced over at me as I flinched from her comment, without meaning to. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was just teasing."
"Sorry about what?" I deflected and nodded toward the slope. "Alright, so let's try this little one first and we'll move up. I'll go right beside you should something happen. You skied at all before?"
She watched me for a second, analyzing something about me, but I didn't ask what. Two could play her game.
Man whore…
It was a proud badge to wear, as most guys would know. Only girls seemed to use it as something derogatory.
"As a kid, I skied. Up here, actually." She turned and bent her knees a little before pulling her glasses into place. "How long have you lived here?"
"All my life, baby." I winked at her and moved up beside her. "Take it slow and if you need me, well, you know my name. Let's hope I don't nee
d you."
She chuckled and lifted her pole, smacking me in the chest with it. "It's Chloe and stop being so damn cute. I'm only here for a few weeks. I don't sleep around, and I'm only looking for a friend. Be nice and I might let you put in an application."
"Ha! Who said I want to?" I pushed off and she moved up right beside me as the wind blew around us.
Her voice was sexy as hell and filled to the brim with confidence as she responded. "Oh, you want to."
I did. Badly.