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Sam started to run at her and she screamed, sprinting away toward the center. But it was a cumbersome movement in ski gear, and she felt as if she were running through treacle.

Sam caught up and grabbed her from behind, lifting her off her feet as he kept walking toward the building.

“Put me down!” she shouted.

“I will,” he said, his warm breath tickling her ear and sending a shiver along her spine. “But then you’re helping me to find a bloody jumper before this race starts. I’m soaked to the skin.”

They reached the terrace and he set her down, grabbing her hand to tug her inside. She looked at him as they crossed the threshold, and he was grinning broadly.

“You started it,” she said, smiling back.

“No, you started it,” he said as they made their way across the back foyer. “By setting me up in that pizza and chips race with the kids. And telling them my middle name.” He let go of her hand to open the door to the stairwell.

They approached the stairs, and Maya shoved his arm.

He gave her a shove in return as they climbed.

Upon reaching the top, she went to shove him again, but he quickly opened his office door and stepped in, avoiding her touch. “Ha,” he said, flashing her the sexiest smile she’d ever seen. “Right. Check all of the drawers. I must’ve got a T-shirt or a jumper in here somewhere.”

“Me check?” Maya said, heading for the desk. “What’re you going to do?”

“Get this wet stuff off, of course. I’m freezing.”

He started pulling off his upper clothing, and Maya’s pulse throbbed. She’d seen him topless before and she wasn’t sure she could handle it again.

She kept her eyes off him as he undressed, searching the drawers until she found a top in one of them. She lifted it, trying to figure out how to pass it over without looking at him.

“Come on, Maya. I’m catching my death here.”

Maya glanced over and he was wiping his wet chest with his T-shirt, trying to soak up the moisture. She was frozen in place for a second, watching him rub the glistening beads of water from his skin with a burning ache in her belly.

He glanced up and she wrenched her eyes off him, holding out the top and keeping her gaze averted.

Sam took it from her. “Thanks.” He turned his head, following her eyeline toward the wall. “What’re you looking at?”

“Nothing. I’m trying to preserve your dignity,” she said, continuing to stare at the wall.

He laughed. “You saw me wearing much less than this at Kirsty’s house. And in the spa.”

“I know. But still. In your office is different.”

She could tell he’d finished dressing, so she brought her eyes back onto him, but the force of meeting his gaze threw her for a moment. She cleared her throat. “Let’s go get this party started.”

Leading him out of the office and back down the stairs, she tried to pretend that her escalating feelings for him didn’t exist.

Out on the terrace, the rest of the team had gathered, ready to begin the race. Sam directed everybody to their stations, and shortly after, the contestants arrived. Each one signed up at the desk they’d erected on the terrace, and took a race number, which they attached to their front and back.

Maya herded the spectators behind the barriers, finding Liv and Elise and making sure they had good spots at the front of the crowd, and perhaps also near to Arran, who was standing with Nico. Cupid was still doing her duty.

Eventually the racers were led to the top of the run. They’d drawn in a good number, especially once word got around regarding the new top prize. A large amount of sponsorship money had come in already, and that would only increase once the final amount was in, plus whatever they raised at the after-party.

Pride swelled in Maya’s chest at what Sam, and the rest of their colleagues at the resort, had achieved. Especially when the money was going to the children’s hospice.

Maya stood at her position on the finish line, shifting her weight from one foot to the other in anticipation. She signaled across to Rowan, who was posted on the other side, and Rowan gave her a nod.

Maya raised her arm to let the staff at the top of the hill know they were ready.

Sam took his place next to her. Once she and Rowan had conferred to agree on the winners and passed him their numbers, he would announce it over his megaphone.