“Worried about the qualie later?” A furrow appeared between Finn’s blue eyes.
“No, well, yes, I suppose so.” Sam grasped onto his explanation for her blatant ogling and for her sudden apparent lack of ability to string a sentence together. What else could she do? “I think I’ll be fine.”
“You’ll be more than fine.” Finn sat up. He slid closer to Sam, his eyes filled with concern. “Sam, don’t stressthis. Don’t freeze. Remember to have fun—that’s what you always tell me, and it works—every time.”
“Have fun.” Sam nodded. Her lips parted and she breathed in sharply as her eyes wandered down Finn’s torso, then back to his lips before she blinked and looked into his eyes. His eyes seemed to dilate as she whispered the word again. “Fun.”
Steam curled around them, rising into the crisp mountain air. The water bubbled softly as Finn leaned back, casually draping his tanned arms along the edge of the tub. His hair was a little damp, tendrils curled, and droplets of water clung to his stubble and eyelashes. His eyes flicked from Sam’s eyes to her lips and back. He looked a little confused but intrigued, exactly how she was feeling.
“Yeah, have some fun—you’ve been way too serious lately.” His voice was low, teasing. He cocked an eyebrow, as if testing her out. “You’re at your best when you loosen up.”
Sam’s heart, and between her legs, gave a traitorous flutter. How was she supposed to loosen up when he was there, bare-chested, gorgeous and staring at her like he wanted to have fun with her in ways that made aprés-ski look tame. The heat from the water did nothing but send her feverish thoughts into overdrive. Her skin prickled, not from the cold air, but from the way his gaze seemed to linger on her for just a fraction longer than necessary.
She swallowed hard, focusing on the conversation, not the sharp line of his jaw, the way the muscles in his forearm flexed as he tapped his fingers on the edge of the tub, or where she imagined his fingers might be if she leaned in tothis flirtation. And what if she did, what if she leaned right in to this flirtation—what would happen? They were adults now, on the edge of achieving—or losing—everything they’d worked for. But … surely if they crossed a line, itcouldbe seen as something inevitable, couldn’t it? It was only a stupid childish promise they’d made to each other, way back when they hadn’t understood the weight of it, that was holding them back. That was all. And anyway, their fake relationship could explain a slip. A touch. A kiss. A night. And God, how she wanted a night—just one night where she didn’t have to remember it wasn’t real, and that stupid promise.
They had promised each other no romance, no falling in love, no distractions—but all she could think about was how much she wanted to cross that line. Would he kiss her if she made a move? Or would he be horrified?
“What is going on in that head of yours?” Finn grinned playfully. “You look like you’re thinking of something you shouldn’t be.”
“H-hah!” Sam stuttered. She’d forgotten how easily he’d always read her. “What makes you think that I’m thinking anything other than about the qualie?”
“Because I know you.” Finn leaned forward slightly, the water between them suddenly charged with even more heat. “And right now, I know you’re not thinking of the qualie at all. You’re thinking of something that you absolutely shouldn’t be—you have your filthy mind face on.”
His voice was teasing, but there was an edge to it, and almost a challenge in his eyes that made her stomach flip. Was he thinking of them too? Thinking of pinning her beneath him, her arms above her head, her wrists held inone of his huge hands while the other ran down her body? Was he imagining how it would feel to have her legs wrap around his hips? Sam gazed at his eyes, then his soft lips, and back to his gorgeous blue eyes again. Maybe he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Heat rushed up her neck. Damn it. She needed to know if there was a chance.
“What if I am thinking of something I shouldn’t be?” she said, her voice stronger than she felt. She pushed her shoulders back. The zip on her bathing suit loosened of its own accord, revealing almost everything.
Finn’s smile faltered for a second. His eyes dropped to the zipper and to the deep V that revealed almost all of Sam’s breasts as they jiggled in the bubbling water. He looked back up at her, his blue eyes serious.
“Careful, Sam,” he said quietly. “That sounds like you want to break the rules.”
“Maybe I do. Maybe it’s a stupid rule.” Sam’s heart pounded. He looked so grim, as if he was weighing up the pros and cons of their stupid pact. The air between them crackled, charged with tension. Sam felt as if she were about to jump from a plane, and Finn was there with her—would he jump too?
“Stupid?” he said. He gazed at her lips, just for a moment before staring intently into her eyes. “Sam … I …”
Sam held her breath. She’d made a mistake; her heart dropped heavily in her chest.
“Forget I said anything,” she said. “I was just …” Closing her mouth she swallowed hard. If only she’d kept her mouth shut. Finn was looking at her as if he’d never really seen her before. His eyes, steady and piercing, roamed herface, like he was seeing something new in her, something that he hadn’t let himself notice until now. Was he noticing how flushed her skin was? Did he see the way her lips parted with longing for him? His gaze softened, lingering on her mouth for a moment. She felt her pulse quicken.He’s going to kiss me!But instead of leaning in, Finn pulled back ever so slightly. Sam could see it now, the conflict written all over his face. He was fighting with himself—she was sure of it—wrestling with the same storm of feelings that she was.Would he give in? For God’s sake, give in!
“So,” Finn said, his voice casual, forced. “Qualies, later. You going for that double cork 1260?”
Sam blinked, the abrupt shift in his tone hitting her like a bucket of icy water. She forced a laugh to mask the sting of his rejection. She felt her chest tighten, a bitter mix of embarrassment and hurt rising in her throat.
She shrugged. “I guess you’ll find out later.” She lightened her voice. There was no way he was going to see how he’d hurt her. “Oh, Maya and I bumped into Gabe on the way over.”
Finn’s head turned toward her. “Gabe? The guy who’s retired now.” He kept his tone neutral, but she was aware of the flicker of something in his eyes—recognition? Maybe even the slightest hint of annoyance. Gabe had beaten him in Japan last month. Obviously, it still stung.
“Yeah. He looks great, he really does. Like he’s still training, you know, or as Maya would say ‘a walking Dolce & Gabbana ad’.” She let the words hang in the air.
Finn snorted. “That sounds like Maya—she always had a type.”
“Yeah, that’s true. He was sweet, and they’d make a cute couple, wouldn’t they?” Sam said quietly, looking out across the mountains then back at him. When he didn’t answer she said quietly, “He wished me—and you—luck.”
“Mmmm.” Finn’s gaze drifted to the water. “Good for him.” He gave a small shrug, as if he was brushing the thought of Gabe away. “Let’s hope Maya doesn’t accidentally propose to him. Another proposal is all we need.”
Sam smiled, but her heart was still caught in her throat. She hadn’t meant anything by mentioning Gabe, not really. And anyway, he knew it was Maya who had a thing for Gabe. Not her. He kept his gaze on the bubbling water. The silence stretched long and heavy. Awkward.
“Anyway, I should go, get ready. Big evening ahead.” She stood up and grabbed a towel. The heat of the water clinging to her skin did little to chase away the cold knot in her chest. Why the hell did she have to mention Gabe at all when he meant nothing to her?
