Addicted

We made it to the bottom of the circle and I pulled her to a stop, seeing that she didn't seem able to figure out how to slow herself.

She turned toward me and reached out, taking a hold of one of my arms as she wobbled a little.

"Wow. What a rush." She turned and looked back up the mountain. "I love it. Let's do it again."

"You skied as a kid, but you don't remember how to stop yourself?"

"It's been a long time. I much prefer the beach and the heat." She turned back to me and smiled before reaching up and brushing something from the side of my cap.

Her nearness stole my breath and for the second time in the hour I felt light-headed over this woman. I needed her number, needed to figure out something I could offer her that would have her taking up another one of my afternoons.

"You only have an hour. We can do this two or three more times and then we need to get back." I pointed down at my skis and turned both of them inward. "Do this to stop, okay?"

"Okay. I'll try it this time, but stay close just in case." She licked her lips and looked back up the mountain. "How do we get back up there?"

"We walk around to the lift. That's why we'll only get a few more times to make the run."

She growled and the sound of it shot an arrow of lust into the center of me. "I want more time. I might actually get this down this year."

"You're already doing good. Tell you what..." I bit my lip and looked out toward the valley below as she turned her attention on me. "Let's do this and then I'll give you my number. If you want to learn the next level up, just call me and if I'm free, I'm your man."

She chuckled and moved toward the lift. "Let's go, playboy. You can give me your number, but whether or not I call it is an entirely different story."

"And, why wouldn't you?" I moved up beside her and reached out to catch her as she stumbled again. I tugged her back as she dropped her poles and pressed her hands to my chest as she looked up at me.

"Because you're dangerous." The smirk that lifted her lips did something to my insides and a shot of fear ran through me. I could fall for this girl, which would be bad – really bad.

"Dangerous? I've saved your ass twice today. I'd say I'm safe." I smiled and released her before bending over and picking up her poles.

"Yes, a gentleman in the devil's disguise." She moved up beside me and took my hand and Jerry's to help her get back up on the platform.

I got up beside her and chuckled as Jerry winked at me again. "Jerry. She thinks I'm trouble. Tell her I ain't."

She turned and pinned me with a stare – over using the word ain't, no doubt. I chuckled again, enjoying the feeling of freedom to just be me and nothing else with her.

"He's a good man and has been far better than most of these boys around here. He's pushed the pause button on his own life to help his daddy." Jerry patted my chest and smiled with pride. "He's a great boy, and I'm glad to know him."

"Well, damn, Jerry. I didn't need you to go that far." I smiled and moved up to the lift, taking Chloe's hand and making sure she was safe as the back of the chair hit our legs.

"You're helping your father here?" She glanced over at me, her attitude seeming to have dulled a little.

"Yeah, but it's nothing like Jerry made it seem." I shrugged and pulled my goggles off. "Dad’s worked his whole life to build up his snow removal business, and I plan to open a lodge one day up here, so leaving wouldn't work, anyway."

"So, you're helping him with his business?"

"Yeah." I looked over at her and smiled.

"What?" Her eyes narrowed a little and I shook my head.

"Nothing." I leaned back and let out a long sigh. "You're staying through Christmas?"

"Yep, and not a minute longer." She turned and looked out at the horizon. "It's beautiful here, but my home is in California now."

"Your family there, too?" I couldn't help but dig a little.

"My mother passed away eight years ago, but my father and brother are in Arizona most of the year and here for the winter." She looked back over at me. "We've been doing the back and forth thing since I was little. Used to be fun. No so much anymore."

"Skiing in the winter isn't fun anymore? Why not? Seems absurd to me." I extended my hand as we got closer.