When I look back up at her face, her perfectly styled hair is now messy, strands of her curly red locks busting free from the fancy updo. The bronze color accentuated by the glow of the fire.
Her teeth chatter as she speaks. “I think a snowstorm is coming in. It’s getting really cold and starting to snow.”
Taking her icicle hands in mine, I rub them in my palms, creating friction to initiate blood flow.
I’ve got lots of blood flow, but most of mine has moved south of my belly.
“Stranger things have happened in the mountains,” I tease, blowing on her hands to warm them up. “Why is a city girl like you even up here this weekend?”
If memory serves me correctly, Hollis lives in Denver, not too far from Bachelor Mountain, but a completely different climate altogether.
The heat finally begins to flourish, but I have no desire to stop holding her. In fact, I want to warm up other parts of her body.
“It was my idea to host this event, along with the TV show, so I had to be here to make sure it all went off without a hitch. Plus, I needed to meet with my new clients. Or soon to be clients.” She quirks a cute eyebrow at me.
Well, I guess it’s now or never.
“You know, there is a much better way to get you warmed up,” I hook a thumb over my shoulder. “Let’s go hot tub.”
Chapter Seven
Hollis
Each of the ten chalets at Bachelor Mountain has a private hot tub on the back patio, facing the non-skiable side of the mountain. It’s a perfect location for those guests who have spent their days out on the slope, to enjoy a relaxing, hot retreat out underneath a star-filled night.
But I did not ski all day nor am I here to soak in a hot tub. I’m only here tonight to get down to business. To talk business.
“Kellan,” I grouse, taking a generous step back to give us distance. We are far too close and feeling all-too natural to have his hands holding mine again. “I’m here to discuss your contract terms, not get freaky together in a hot tub.”
Kellan gives a quick chuckle but otherwise seems not to hear this complaint because he whips off the blue Henley over his head, and I track its flight as it flutters to the floor. When I look back up, he’s standing in front of me shirtless, his ripped abs textured and tailored like the ridges of the mountains, his skin warm and glowing in the flickers of the firelight.
My attention follows the path of his hands which expediently unbutton his jeans, and then they fall to the floor in a puddle at his feet. Now only in his black Calvin Kleins, I swallow nervously at the sight of him.
Oh Lordy, he is perfection. I wonder if his nickname came as a result off his powerful skills on the slopes or from the slopes of his abdomen. Because I want to traverse those hills and valleys with my fingers. And my tongue.
He lets out an amused laugh. “Hollis? You okay?”
I shake my head. “Yes, of course. Just a little stunned that you’ve gotten naked in front of me and geezus, I can see the outline of your package.”
I point toward his groin, which bulges noticeably in his shorts, and I avert my eyes, but not before I see Kellan’s tongue curl over his top lip in a very seductive manner.
“You’ve seen more than the outline, Hollis.”
“Stop it. Just stop it, Kellan.” I throw my palm out in a frustrated gesture. “I’m not getting naked with you tonight. I’m here for one thing and one thing only. And that’s to get you to sign that contract.”
“Yeah, about that. I’m only going to discuss it while I’m in the tub.” Kellan strides to the back to a set of French doors leading to the patio and opens it wide.
A gust of cold, snowy air comes breezing in and I shiver again.
“Fine, you can get in the jacuzzi, and I’ll stand over there and we can discuss.”
He lifts a shoulder. “Suit yourself, but you’re going to be cold.”
I haven’t moved, crossing my arms over my chest as I watch Kellan gracefully and easily climb over the side and submerge into the heated water. Steamy heat rises around him and he lets out a gigantic groan.
“Oh God, Hollis. This feels so fucking good.”
My belly lights up with a thousand fireflies because I remember him saying that exact same thing the first time he entered me. And he says it in the same tone now. With reverence and awe.
