Werepeated the attempt with the second ski, and it went much smoother. “Thisone isn’t such a squirmer.”Igestured to her ski.
“Guessnot,” she agreed.
Onceshe was back on her skis and properly equipped again, she brushed off more snow from her maroon jacket and black ski pants.Shewore one of the ribbons for the chairlift dating.
“You’retrying chairlift dating?”
“Pasttense,” she answered with a groan. “Tried.Failed.Ranaway.”
“Thatbad?”
Shesnorted. “IthinkI’drather take another tumble down the mountain than try that again.”
Ichuckled.Shewas cute.OrIimagined she was beneath all the gear.
Iscanned her for any injuriesImight have missed. “Areyou sure you’re okay?Ican get you to first aid, and they can check you out.”
“I’mfine,” she declared, again avoiding eye contact. “I’mgoing to skedaddle down and try to forget my mortification with a stiff drink.”
“We’veall had unexpected yard sales,”Isaid with a chuckle, referring to when a skier loses their gear during a fall. “IthinkIspend most of my time as ski patrol rescuing lost skis and poles from a snow burial.”
Shelaughed. “Thanksagain.”
“Noproblem.That’swhyI’mhere.”
Shetook a deep breath and stared down the mountain. “IthinkI’mgood now.”
“Ican escort you to make sure you get down okay.”
Sheshook her head abruptly. “Oh, no.That’sokay.IpromiseI’mfine.”
Iassessed her once again to ensure she didn’t appear to be dizzy or off balance.Sheturned and glanced up the mountain before she positioned her skis and navigated downhill.
Don’tlet her go, my wolf said.Followher.
Yeah, that will make her feel comfortable—ifIstalk her after she’s already shaken up.
Youcan’t let her go, he insisted.She’sthe one we’ve been waiting for!
I’mnot waiting for anyone,Idismissed.
ButIcould check up on her later and see if she was as cute asIsurmised under all her snow-covered gear.Ifshe’d tried the chairlift event, that meant she was open to meeting someone new.
Perhapsmy wolf had a good idea after all.I’dgive her some space and then go find her in a little while.Afterall,I’djust be doing my job.
Andif it led to an exciting night later, even better.
CHAPTER3
CASSANDRA
AllIwanted to do was get to the bottom of the mountain without another incident.AsIskied down,Icould all but feelMr.SkiPatrol’seyes boring into me.Yes, he was helpful and doing his job, but it ramped up my self-consciousness.Didhe thinkI’dfall again, turning into a meringue asItumbled down the mountain?
Inavigated downhill with caution.WhenIreached the flatter area before the ski lodge,Iskied over, took off my skis, and set them against a rack.Thatwas it;Iwas done for the day.WhatIneeded was a long break and a hard drink to take off the edge.
OnceItrudged inside likeFrankenstein’smonster in my ski boots,Igrabbed my ski bag from its nook and found an empty bench.Thefirst thing was to get the boots off.Wieldingthem on or yanking them off was a short workout in itself.Ipulled and pulled and then exhaled.Themoment of relief after getting them off was almost orgasmic.Okay, not quite so euphoric, but it felt damn good.
Islid my feet into my fur-lined snow boots.Theyfelt so cozy in comparison—not slippers in front of the fire comfy but better than the alternative of having my feet clamped into the vice-like ski boots.Removingmy helmet, goggles, gloves, and ski pants was next.Everythingwas wet and bulky, andIdesperately wanted to warm up after that cold spill.Istuffed whateverIdidn’t need into my ski bag, shoved it back into the storage space, and stopped by the restroom.WhenIglanced in the mirror,Igroaned.Myhair still had snow clinging to it.Ifinger-combed through my curls, attempting to tame them to look somewhat decent.Ilaughed at the attempt, telling myself the tousled look was in.Forgetsummer beach waves;I’dstart a new trend with tumble-down-the-mountain style.Isnorted at the results and headed upstairs for a drink.
