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Maya arrived on the terrace and gave him a hug. He breathed her in, and those delicious memories of their teenage trysts permeated his brain. The feel of her soft, full lips on his. How she’d moaned when he’d slipped his hand under her top, then whispered to him that she didn’t want him to stop. And he wouldn’t have, if they hadn’t been interrupted by a colleague.
Sam released her. Shortly after that encounter, she’d made it very clear that she did want him to stop. Permanently.
He cleared his throat. “Katie’s taking our hot chocolates into the alcove.”
Her face brightened with that megawatt smile he loved so much. “Hot chocolate in the alcove. My favorite.” She turned to lead the way into the building.
“I know,” he said quietly, following on.
As they entered, Sam marveled at how festive Maya had made the place look. A tree glittering with red and gold tinsel and baubles sat in the corner opposite the fireplace, and twinkly white lights were draped around a garland made of holly that sat atop the mantel. Across from the table and adjacent to the fireside wall, the floor-to-ceiling window looked out onto crisp white snow bordered by the evergreen tree line.
Maya took a seat on one of the squashy leather sofas, removing her jacket. He went to follow suit across the other side, but she waved him over and patted the seat next to her. “Makes it easier to see the laptop screen.”
For a moment his heart had lifted that she wanted him to sit next to her, but it was only for convenience. Still, he wasn’t complaining about being close to her.
He sat down, taking off his coat and pulling out his laptop. “How did the class go?”
“Good. Except for this.” She pointed to the flap of material that was dangling from the arm of her jacket.
“What happened?” Sam asked with a frown. The jacket was ruined.
“Bear attack,” Maya deadpanned. Sam burst out laughing and she shot him a smile. “Not really. ’Twas an erroneous tree.”
“A tree, eh?” He raised his eyebrows. “Altercations with plant life, is it?”
She shrugged. “You should see the other guy. Bleeding bark all over the shop.”
Sam smiled, studying her and wishing she didn’t make him feel like this. He couldn’t remember a woman who had made him laugh, or fall, as hard.
Clearing his throat, he opened the web page with all the details of the events. Maya leaned in, and he had to be careful not to breathe her in too deeply lest he end up back in that boot room in his mind’s eye.
Katie came over with their hot chocolates, and Sam pushed a tip into her hand, eliciting a blush of her cheeks. As she departed, he caught Maya smiling at him before she glanced away. “What’s the issue with the race prizes?” she asked, eyeing the laptop screen. “This looks spot-on, mate.”
“Here,” he said, pointing to the second prize. “It’s fallen through. We need another one.”
“Oh, I see,” Maya replied as she scanned further down the list. “Ooh, a month’s free gym membership. Good old Nico.”
“Yep. Hence the issue. These are all favors from friends, and I’ve run out of friends.”
“Aw,” she said, lifting her gaze to his and giving him an unexpected kiss on the cheek. Heat rose in his face.
“I’ll be your friend,” she told him with a wink.
Heat began to rise elsewhere in his body, so he swallowed hard and glanced away. “Thanks, pal.” “Pals” don’t react like that to a mere kiss on the cheek.
Maya was frowning into the middle distance. “Shall I ask Brodie if his ski shop can donate anything? He said he’d give me a discount on a new jacket, so I can ask him then. Which reminds me.” She turned to look at him. “Can we stop off in town on the way home? I want to get the jacket before tomorrow.”
Sam smiled. “You don’t need to ask permission, Maya. You’re the one giving me a lift.”
She gave a mock sniff. “I’m merely being a courteous friend.”
Bumping her shoulder, he smiled. “And I appreciate it. But it’s fine.” Something occurred to him. “By the way, the garage called. My car will be ready tomorrow, so no more chauffeuring for you.”
Her face fell for a second before she seemed to catch herself, and smiled. “Aw. Does this mean I’ll have to turn in the hat and shades?”
Had that really been a flash of disappointment on her face? Was it possible she might miss their chats in the car as much as he would? He gave her a solemn look. “Yes. I’m afraid that the uniform must be forfeited.”
She rubbed her eyes as if wiping away imaginary tears.
