“I promise. However, if I see Bourdin, all bets are off.” While she pats her sidearm, I suck in my breath.
“Don’t tip your hand to the mangy coyote. Let him believe you’re still his simpering victim.” The moment the words leave my lips, I wish I could take them back.
“Is that what you thought of me?” Her voice goes up an octave, so I pedal back real fast.
Damn, after everything she’s been through, she came out whole. “You have stones of steel.”
When she brightens, I ask about her service. Swapping war stories, we make it to the resort without another foot-in-mouth incident.
Inside, my stomach grumbles as we follow the enticing scents of breakfast sausage, waffles, and warm toast.
I request the booth facing the open entrance. From here, we can easily exit to the hotel’s elevator, the restroom, or the kitchen’s swinging door.
While the waitress takes our order, a Middle Eastern man in an expensive suit sidles up to the table. His smarmy smile doesn’t reach the soulless eyes.
I level my pistol under the tabletop and lift a brow. “Can we help you?”
Catching my intent, the guy inches back, palms up. “I work with Kelly’s ex-husband, Pete. I only wanted to convey my condolences… about her car and house. Hate to think what could’ve happened to sweet Mackenzie.”
As I snap his picture, Kelly’s phone pings. Face pale, she holds her device down below as she scrolls through pictures of her daughter.
Fists clenched, the angry momma bear rises up, hand hovering over her holster. “What did you say your name was?”
“S-S-Smith.” Sweating, the fortyish thin man glances over his shoulder.
“ID please?” The moment she sticks out a palm, he bolts, saying something about leaving it in his room.
“I know all of Peter’s coworkers. He’s not one of them.” Scowling, my border buddy plops back down in her seat.
After brunch, I snap a few more shots, before exhaling my frustrations. “Let’s head back to my place. We’ll figure out our next moves from there.”
She tucks an errant lock of hair behind her ear. “You’re not thinking of seducing me, are you, Mr. Wildlife?”
God, this woman.“It might’ve crossed my mind.”
Jumping up, she gestures at our waitress, who’s chatting up another lady near the cash register. “Hold on, I’m going to ask if they’ll add a couple of coffees to go to our bill.”
While she waits for her drinks, a young man approaches her. At first, I don’t think anything of it. Once I see it—his signet ring, I realize he was in the forest the other night.Holy fuck.
He tilts his pelvis. They lock eyes. He says something to make her blush. It takes most of my self-control to remain seated as she flirts with the undocumented man.
Paper bag in hand, she returns to our table. “Sweetheart, I just met the nicest guy. He told me about the new ski instructor. They have a spot open for two. Isn’t it simply perfect?”
She’s laying it on thick, but hell, I’ll play along. The jealous-boyfriend-routine it is. “I think he wants to give you private lessons, babe… and not on the slopes.”
“Don’t be silly. His name is Ahmad and has a wife at home in Iran.” Her fake giggle makes me laugh, for real.
“You learned all that while getting coffee?”
“Uh-huh. He’s here, working for the government, but has a few days off to go skiing. We have to hurry and grab our gear. The class starts in a couple of hours.”
Chapter 21
Kelly
In front of the lodge, my lover stares up at the mountain. Dressed in the latest ski gear, he’s every snow bunny’s wet dream. Lusting after him, I lean on my poles. His thoughts, however, remain hidden by those mirrored sunglasses.
“You’re doing fine, luv.” Scott’s friend Lucky resonates in my inner ear. “Stay close to the Persian who invited you to the lesson, he’ll probably arrange to sit next to you on the lift”
