The moment shattered into a thousand pieces.
My skin flamed as I shoved myself off him, making sure to jab my elbow into his face as I did so.
“Negative one thousand,” I hissed. “Times infinity.”
Josh’s laugh erased any goodwill he’d accrued during our ski lessons.
I couldn’t believe I thought he might be somewhat tolerable. One semi-decent morning didn’t change the fact he was the same insufferable, cocky ass he’d always been.
The worst part was, he wasn’t entirely wrong. There had been a moment, just the briefest one, when I’d imagined what his hands would feel like on my skin. What his mouth would taste like, whether he liked it long and slow or fast and hard.
A ball of angry embarrassment formed in my throat. Clearly, I needed to get laid, and fast, if I was fantasizing about freaking Josh Chen.
“Methinks the lady doth protest too much.” Josh pushed himself up, his mouth curved into a smug grin even as his eyes simmered with banked heat. The sight made me feel somewhat better. At least I wasn’t the only one affected by our proximity. “We can make it happen, you know. I’m no longer opposed to the idea. Our relationship is progressing.”
“The only relationship we have is in your dreams.” I yanked my cap off and ran a hand through my tousled hair. “We’re done with lessons.”
“Quitter.” The soft mockery prickled against my skin, but I didn’t take the bait again.
“I’m not quitting. I’m postponing.” I jutted out my chin. “I’ll sign up for real lessons with the resort tomorrow. Maybe I’ll get the guy from the lobby as my instructor.” Blond hair, eager smile, muscled body. Lobby Guy might as well have Ski Bro stamped on his forehead. “I’m sure I’ll actually enjoy my time with him.”
Josh’s grin took on a hard edge. “Whatever you need to tell yourself, Red.”
Instead of responding, I turned on my heels and stormed away as gracefully as I could in skis. I should’ve taken them off before my grand exit, but it was too late now.
The dull ache of irritation throbbed in my stomach and intensified the closer I got to the lodge. God, I was an idiot. I should’ve known better than to—
Out of nowhere, the ache escalated into blinding pain. It ripped through me like a serrated blade and forced me to double over with a small gasp.
No. No, no, no.
My pulse roared in my ears.
It was too early. It wasn’t supposed to happen until next week.
But when another spike of pain caused tears to form in my eyes, it was clear Mother Nature didn’t give a damn about my schedules.
It was happening now, and there was nothing I could do about it.