Page 3 of Just One Chance

I should have asked her if she was here for business or pleasure. "How are you liking Colorado so far?"

She raised a brow. "I just arrived, and ordered a drink at the bar. The entire vibe is quaint. It has that small-town feel."

"Quaint?" I asked, wondering who this woman was.

She laughed. "It's cute. I can see the attraction."

"How is your room?" I asked, my mind immediately going to her bed.

She sighed. "It's lovely."

"I'm glad you're enjoying your stay so far." I should be talking to her from the point of view of an owner, not someone who was interested in one of our guests. She could be here with a boyfriend or a husband. Just because she was standing outside alone didn't mean that she was single.

A smile curved over her face. "Are you staying here?"

"Not in the hotel. I have a cabin on the property." It was actually an apartment over my workshop, but those were details I didn't intend to divulge.

"Oh? I didn't realize they rented out cabins."

We didn't, but I didn't want to tell her that I was part of the family that owned the inn. I didn't want her to shut down, because I was enjoying this conversation. It was helping me forget about my parents' announcement. "You have any plans while you're in town?"

Her gaze moved to the property. "I want to see everything this place has to offer. I read that there's a brewery that just opened."

I nodded. "The grand opening was tonight."

"I'm sorry I missed it. I'll have to check it out."

"Are you here for the skiing?" I asked, wanting to get to know her better.

"I want to try a little of everything while I'm here."

Should I stick around and talk to her more? What was the point if she was only here for a short time? Or did that make her more attractive?

"There's a hot tub on my deck," she said softly.

I chuckled. "Then why are you on this balcony?"

"I was curious about what was out here, and then you came. You looked so lost in your thoughts. And I was curious about you." She moved toward the French doors, and I wondered if I should follow her.

When she reached the door, she turned slightly, "Would you like to come inside for a drink? You can tell me what you know about the area."

I could go home by myself. Alone was my preferred state of being. But something about this woman was calling to me. I could forget about my parents' announcement and have one night with a stranger. A woman who'd be on a flight out of here in a few days, maybe a week.

One night.

Then I'd avoid her until she was gone.

It was the perfect arrangement.

She glanced at me over her shoulder, and my heart rate picked up. "Well?"

"I'd love a drink."

She grinned, and I reached around her to pull open the door.

"Such a gentleman."

"I can be when I want to be."