“I am. You’re good. Hard to keep up with.”
“You shoulda said somethin’, darlin’.” Jace put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. “I woulda slowed down for you.”
She shifted away from him and walked toward the lodge.
“How about some hot chocolate?” he offered.
“Add some butterscotch schnapps to it and I’ll be all in.”
He smiled and went to the bar while she found them a table.
When he got back, she’d taken off her helmet and gloves, and was about to loosen her boots.
“Where’d you learn to ski, pretty girl?”
She grinned and rolled her eyes. “With my dad.” She laughed. “You’re such a cowboy.”
“Now, why’d you say it that way, like it’s a bad thing?”
“It’s cute. That’s what it is.”
“Hey now, you don’t call a cowboy cute, darlin’. Unless he’s five years old.”
He shifted his chair closer to her and put his arm around the back of hers. He turned so he was facing her.
“You know what they say about cowboys, don’t ya?”
She laughed again. “No, I don’t know what they say, and I’m not sure I want to.”
“Better if I show you anyway.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips over hers, just barely. He stopped, but didn’t move away. Her eyes were closed and her cheeks were flushed.
“Jace—” she murmured.
“Shh now,
I know what you’re going to say.”
“You do?”
“Yep. You’re gonna say that we shouldn’t do this, and then you’re gonna say somethin’ about Tuck. So before you do, let me remind you, I was the one who spoke first.”
She nodded and smiled.
“Okay, then. Let’s enjoy our date, darlin’. We’ll see ol’ Tuck at dinner. Until then, let’s you and me put him out of our minds.”
She nodded again, but her eyes were focused on his mouth. She gave him no choice, he had to kiss her. He put his hand around the back of her neck and held her still. He leaned forward and slowly brushed his lips over hers again. This time he didn’t stop. When her lips opened to his, he seized the opportunity.
She was so soft and warm. He wanted her closer. He broke their kiss and pulled her toward him, off her chair and onto his lap. When her arms circled his shoulders, he kissed her again.
“I like kissin’ you,” he murmured against her lips.
She pulled back and took a deep breath, but stayed where she was, on his lap.
“There you are,” said Renie. Billy was behind her and caught Jace’s eye.
Blythe got up and sat back in her chair. “Hot chocolate break.”
Billy pulled a chair out for Renie. “Looks like a little more than hot chocolate to me.”