Ichuckled. “Itdidn’t feel so little whenIwas doing the tumbling.”
“Assomeone who’s had his share of falls, here’s my advice.Takea break but don’t stay away too long.Otherwise, the fear of falling might prevent you from going back out.”
Noway wasIgoing back out this afternoon.WhatIwanted after this drink was to return to my hotel room and change into pajamas, at least for a couple of hours. “Maybetomorrow.I’mdone for the day.”
“Makesure you take a hot shower when you head back to your room,”Valensaid. “Andstretch out your legs.Itwill make your body feel less sore tomorrow morning.”
Icaught his eyes, and my mind snapped to a visual of a hot shower withhim.Notwhat he intended—or maybe so?Therewassomethingbetween us, unlessIwas still dazed by the fall and hallucinating about my rescuer.Thatmight be more accurate.
Butnow that the idea of being with him in my room was in my head,Icouldn’t pry it out.Spendingthe night with someone as sexy as him to snap me out of my dry spell warmed me more than the hot beverage.
“Willdo,”Imanaged to say, although my voice sounded slightly strained.
Hiseyes gleamed with more brightness. “Onemore thing,Cassandra.”
“What?”
“Havedinner with me tonight.”
Iblinked at him.DidIhear him correctly?Wasthis hot wolf shifter asking me on a date?
Apleasant tingling grew inside, oneI’drecognized from so long ago—beforeIbecame a single mother and my life revolved around juggling caring for my daughter and work.Therehadn’t been any space for these strange sensations, but what happened inside me was definitelysomething.
Duh,Cassandra.You’renot that out of practice.
Hisbrows drew together. “AmIout of line?There’sa guy in your life.”Hegrumbled to himself. “Youdid say you had a daughter, after all.”
Igroaned. “Herdad is most definitelynotin the picture.”Ugh, with my gawking atValenwhile he waited for a reply, he must have thought it was a hard no.Ismiled and said, “I’dlove to have dinner with you tonight.”
Hegrinned with satisfaction. “Whereare you staying?”
“Thehotel across the street.”
“I’llmeet you in the lobby at seven.”Thenhe stood and said, “Ibetter get back out there.Seeyou tonight.”
Ashe walked away, my gaze lingered on him.Damn, he was huge.Allmuscle.Andthe way he carried himself with that slow, confident stride.Heturned before he exited the pub and caught me staring.Hesmiled and then walked out.
Aftercontinuing to gape,Ipulled my slackened jaw back together.
ItextedGianna:Chairliftdating was a bust.AndItook an embarrassing tumble down the mountain.
Areyou okay?
Fine.Actually, interesting twist.Aguy from ski patrol helped me.Andwe’re going out to dinner tonight.
Enjoy!
Iplanned to.
VALEN
AsIheaded outside to return to work, the snow glittered, reflecting the sunlight.Sinceconditions could change as quickly as a gust of wind blowing snow off trails to leave a sheet of ice,Itried to refocus on my job.Althoughthe lines for the chairlift were shorter than whenIheaded inside the pub, people still spread across the mountain like colorful dots sliding down.Themore people on the slopes, the more likely there could be a fall or collision, soIhad to get my head in the game.
Oneof the staff had started a fire in an outdoor pit.Kidsgathered around for marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate to make s’mores.
“Timeto get back to your lessons,” a woman encouraged a couple of school-aged kids.
Thekids finished their treats, evidence that was still visible with chocolate on their faces and headed in my direction over near the ski racks.Snowflakesdrifted from a tree, and they paused, tipping their heads back to catch them on their tongues.Theygiggled and continued to head to the ski rack.
