Fierce: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 4) (23 page)

When we emerge, Neal is here and flirting with Brianna and Tasha. When I catch Christian’s gaze his lips twitch, holding back laughter. I walk up to Neal. “How wonderful of you to stop by. Can I get you some champagne?”

He glances over at the bin, and I have no doubt he’s judging the brand. I wasn’t about to give away more in alcohol than I’m going to sell today. “No, thank you. I actually came to bring you something.” Neal hands me a beautifully wrapped bottle from his wine shop. “I think you two will like this one. Congratulations on Rhinestone Cowgirl. I wish you great success.” He glances over at Christian, and I don’t notice anything evil simmering under the surface.

I peek inside and smile, seeing it’s a Merlot. He does know my taste in wine, and it’s bound to be another I’ll love. I kiss his cheek because he’s being gracious to Christian. “Thank you, Neal.” I look toward Christian and then back. “I’m sure we will.”

Ruby has been browsing through the clothing and walks over to us. She waves her fingers at me. “We’ll talk soon. Thank you.”

“Thank you, Ruby. Bye.”

When she leaves, Neal asks, “Who was that enchanting creature?”

I grin and shake my head. “My taken friend who happens to be a clothing designer too.” She’s not, but the shy girl doesn’t need to deal with Neal’s flirting.

His face falls a little. “Oh.” He shrugs. “I should be going.” Looking past me at Tasha and Brianna, he says, “Bye, ladies.”

They smile and return the good-bye, and I notice he managed to charm them both. I’m so glad I never even entertained taking that bullet.

The afternoon flies by as local business people stop in to congratulate me, and we have customers straggle in to buy things. I manage a sizable sale to Gerry Jones’s daughter, Sandy, even before her second glass of champagne. I think I have my first regular customer. And it was nice for the girls to see what I mean by dressing the customer. Sandy bought almost everything I added on.

Tasha and Brianna were scheduled to go at five, and they’ve just left. I expect Casey, Megan, and Lori to stop by at some point tonight, but based on Rebecca’s reports, the evening should be slow.

I stretch my arms up in the air and yawn. I say to Christian, “My gosh. It’s great to finally be open, but I’m exhausted.”

He yawns too. “I know.”

I move closer to him and wrap my arms around his waist. “I’m so happy to have you with me for this. We make a pretty good team.”

He lifts my chin with a finger. “That we do.” His lips brush mine, and I lose myself for a moment in Christian.

The side door to the courtyard opens, and cold air blasts toward us as we step apart. It’s Casey and Megan. Casey says, “Jeesh, you two can’t stop touching each other.”

She’s grinning and Megan gives her a little shove. “She’s just jealous. You know how couples get boring after a long time.”

Casey says, “Speak for yourself; my sex life is still quite active, thank you very much.”

Megan rolls her eyes and starts to wander through the shop. “It looks great in here.”

A cork pops as Christian opens a bottle of champagne for the girls. He brings them each a glass. “We couldn’t have done it without your help. Cheers.”

Megan says, “You’re welcome. I’m excited for my first shift. Have you sold anything yet?”

I nod. “Sandy Jones was in. She likes it here.”

Casey snorts, “I’ll bet. She has quite the rocking wardrobe.” Casey works for the Jones Real Estate office, taking pictures of listings in the summer.

Christian says, “Now that you’re not alone, I’m going to go get our dinner next door. Still want that salad?”

“Yeah, that would be great. Thanks.”

The moment he leaves Casey says, “I thought he would never leave.” Her green eyes widen. “So? I’ve been dying to know what happened between the two of you. Talk!”

“Oh, my gosh.” I take a deep breath. “Well, I asked him what was holding him back from being with me. And he said nothing and then kissed me.”

Megan takes a sip of champagne and crinkles her forehead. “It was that easy?”

“No. I think he’d already decided to make a move, and I just hurried it along a bit.”

Casey says, “Well, I’m glad.” She gives me an evil grin. “Is the sex good?”

Megan hits her on the arm, and Casey’s champagne threatens to spill over the glass. “I swear she has a one-track mind.” Casey rubs her arm as Megan asks, “So, is it?”

My cheeks heat up, thinking about our session in the office. I nod and bite my lip.

Casey says, “Sweet. I like knowing all my besties are getting some good loving.”

That makes Megan and me laugh.

I say to Megan. “She really does have a one-track mind.” I change the subject. “Did either of you see Gretchen today?”

They shake their heads. “Well then, stick around, because she’s coming to help any minute. Derrick made their engagement official.”

Megan says, “Oh, my gosh! I can’t wait to see the ring.”

Casey says, “She texted me a picture, but I anxious to see it in person.”

I look over at Megan. “You know, I think you’re next up for getting engaged. You and Nick have been together forever, haven’t you?”

She smiles, “Not forever. But it’s been over two years.”

Casey says, “Lori seems to think he’s considering it. She has a sixth sense about these things. She may be right.”

I recall Lori telling me Christian was into me before I was sure it wasn’t just lust.

Megan shrugs, but the way her hand has tightened on her glass I think something’s bothering her. I don’t press because if she wants to share, she will. Of all of us, Megan’s the secretive one, and I respect her need to keep things private.

Christian walks through the door and she relaxes. Yup. Something about her relationship isn’t right. Worry for her flutters in my stomach.

We’re all silent, and Christian asks, “What did I walk in on?”

A grin covers Casey’s face. “Wedding talk, and who’s next.” She tilts her head at him. “I wonder if it might be you.”

Christian opens his mouth to say something, but then snaps it shut. “I’m not stupid enough to touch that.” He looks over at me “Dinner’s here.” His face is slightly flushed.
Is he embarrassed?
As if Casey has revealed something he didn’t want her to?

The girls move over to the cowboy boot section, and I step behind the counter to eat with Christian. “We were talking about Gretchen and Derrick.”

“I figured.” He diverts his gaze quickly, and I wonder what’s going through his mind because something tells me all this wedding talk is affecting him. I just don’t know how.

Chapter 37

De
rrick and Gretchen leave us Sunday morning. Our good-byes are tearful because we won’t be seeing each other for Christmas, which is a first for Derrick and me. But they’re returning after the holiday, and I have New Year’s week to look forward to.

Christian is still in his pajamas as I prepare to go to the shop. He’s staying home with the dogs today, and I’ll be leaving Tasha and Brianna alone after I open. Most of the tourists are on their way out of town, and we’ll be slow.

Christian says, “Want to take a few runs when you get back?”

I haven’t skied much since I began working on Rhinestone Cowgirl, and I miss the slopes. “Yes, that sounds like a fabulous idea.”

“Great, I’ll tire out the dogs with a snowshoe in the woods and be ready for you. Think you’ll be home by noon?”

“Definitely. See you then.” I grab my coffee and head out the door.

The drive is pleasant with the sun shining and a blue sky. The mountains look majestic, their white peaks forming an irregular line on the horizon, and it will be a fun ski day. I’m anxious to relax with Christian. We haven’t taken much time off from the business, and it’ll be nice to focus on enjoying each other’s company.

I leave the girls and feel confident they can handle the shop without me. Ruby and Lori will be in for the evening, but no one besides Christian and me have a key yet, so I plan to return and close at nine tonight.

When I get home the car is loaded up with our skis. I already miss the convenience of a locker room and am not happy about having to carry our things when we take a shuttle to the lodge. I jog up the stairs as I call out, “I’ll be ready in ten.”

Fifteen minutes later we’re in the car. Christian is driving, and I sneak a peek at his profile. He’s wearing sunglasses, and they emphasize his strong facial features. The light stubble on his chin gives him a dangerous look. So sexy.

I flip the visor down and lift the cover to the vanity mirror. Sunscreen squirts out of the bottle, and I apply the greasy cream to my face. I sigh. “I love the location of my house, but right now I wish I lived on the mountain.”

Christian teases. “Someone’s having a princess moment.”

I smile. “I am. But don’t worry, I’m already over myself.”

“You know, you have a strong boyfriend now. I’ll carry your skis for you, if you want.”

This time I don’t bother to hide my gaze as I turn in the seat to get a better view. “You’ll get special favors for that, and it’s not just because you’re the sexiest man I’ve ever known.”

His smile widens. “I like special favors. It’s just us in the house now, so maybe we should break out of your bedroom.”

I wonder if red felt would feel soft under me. “It’s been a while since we’ve played pool.”

The heat of Christian’s hand sears through my ski pants when he places it high on my thigh. His voice lowers. “My thoughts exactly. You started something a while back, and I think we need to finish it.”

“Wait one minute. I believe you started it.”

He grins. “That’s right. I did. And I’ll be happy to finish it too.”

I squirm in my seat. “Want to place a bet on who wins?”

“Wins what?”

I would continue the banter, but I’m having trouble thinking straight. Good thing we’ve pulled into the parking lot.

***

The way my skis propel me down the mountain is a feeling like no other. It’s as if all my worries are miraculously lifted from my shoulders. The sensation of my metal edges slicing into the soft surface of snow, and my muscles moving effortlessly, is one of power and finesse. Halfway down I stop when Christian pulls over to the side of the trail for a break.

My face is chilled with the wind, but my body is warm from the exertion, and the thrill of speed has my heart beating with joy. “That was nice.”

“It was; the snow is incredible. Funny how I haven’t thought much about the weather, and this was supposed to be my year to be a ski bum.”

“Sorry. I stole you away from that decadent lifestyle. It would have been a shame to waste that beautiful brain.”

Christian tilts my chin up with a gloved hand. “What a sassy little mouth you have. It’s a good thing it’s pretty too.” He kisses me, and I melt into him. Our goggles make it difficult to get too carried away, and it ends while still sweet.

I don’t give Christian any warning and take off skiing again. This time I give in to speed and let the invigoration of going fast pulse through my veins. I’m breathless when we reach the chairlift.

Cuddled into him as we ride up the lift, I say, “Your house is getting close, isn’t it?”

“Uh-huh. I think I can move in next weekend.”

My heart sinks, thinking he won’t be in my bed every night. I try to hide my disappointment. “Are you excited?”

“Yes and no. I’m anxious to live in the space I’ve spent time customizing for me, but it means I won’t be living with you.” His arm is around my shoulders, and he gives me a squeeze. “I’m going to miss you.”

I blurt out, “You don’t have to go.” I sigh. “I mean, I’m going to miss you too. I don’t want you to leave, but I would want to live in my new house too.”

“I’m only three doors down; we can take turns having dinner at each other’s place.”

I lift my goggles to look into his face, and Christian lifts his as well. “Sleepovers too?”

He leans in, and before he kisses me, he says, “Every single night.”

We almost miss getting off the chair because we don’t want to let go, but I finally break our kiss just in time, and we scramble off laughing. Banging on the window of the lift attendant’s shack makes us turn, and the guy inside gives us a double thumbs-up.

While I rearrange my clothing, Christian slides his skis to the outside of mine so our bodies are touching. He pulls me tighter to him by my hips. “I love you, Dannika. Moving into my house won’t change us, I promise.”

I do believe him, but sadness licks at me, knowing I’ll be alone in my big home once again.

Chapter 38