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“I’ve got you,” he told her.
He easily turned their skis and slowed them down. She wrapped both of her hands over his and said, “Why haven’t we been doing this the entire time? Let’s go, baby!”
He smiled and his breath shortened. He loved holding her close.
They skied with her in front of him, his arm around her waist, and her holding on to his arm, the rest of the way down the slope. It wasn’t going to teach her much, but he couldn’t complain about having Ayla wrapped up close. Quite a few people were watching them with interest as they skied into the lift line together. He didn’t care. Being with Ayla was as exhilarating as any ski run he’d ever raced down or any flip or three-sixty he’d ever nailed.
She was incredible and without even trying to, she’d broken through barriers other women had never been able to penetrate.
Would she really be gone by Monday morning?
ChapterSeven
Jace and Ayla did the same long, easy run three more times before lunch. He could see she was gradually improving each run down the hill. By lunchtime she was turning and stopping on her own but then she’d tell him, “Let’s go fast together,” and he’d wrap his arm around her, she’d hold onto his arm, and they’d fly down with his skis outside of hers. That was the best part.
They had lunch in the lodge restaurant. She opted for a chicken wrap and salad instead of pizza. He teased her about it. Unfortunately, with a busy Saturday he didn’t get much time to talk to her alone. He liked how friendly and gracious she was with everyone he introduced her to, especially his mom, who luckily held her tongue and didn’t beg Ayla to marry her son.
Ayla had taken her light purple ski coat, the helmet, goggles, and head sock off. He thought she looked adorable in the fitted gray thermal shirt with the crazy and bright patterned blue and green ski pants and her hair plastered to her head.
She went to use the restroom before they would head out again. When she walked back out, he saw the Bryan guy trailing her. He stood and hurried toward them, not liking that guy being anywhere around Ayla. There was another guy watching them from across the room. A bald guy with shifty-looking eyes.
Bryan peeled off the other direction as soon as he saw Jace. The bald guy casually followed Bryan, probably someone who Bryan had insulted or cut off on the slopes. Bryan could deal with his own mess. Jace did debate going after Bryan and telling him to stay away from Ayla, but the guy was her boss.
Jace was already having a hard time thinking about her leaving him, but to go back to an office where she was alone with that guy really bugged him. It was interesting how quickly Ayla had blasted into his heart. It was because she was irresistible, but he also knew his need to protect her from Bryan and the connection to another wounded soul was part of it as well. He wanted to get her alone and hear her entire life story. Then he wanted to figure out how to heal together, after he kissed her.
“Everything okay?” he asked when he reached her.
Her blue eyes were full of worry and frustration. “No.”
“Can I do something to help?”
“Are you really real?” she demanded, staring up at him. “Because I’ve never been around a hot, successful guy like you who not only wouldn’t lie to my face but seems to care deeply for everyone around him.”
“I think I’m real.” His heart thumped painfully against his chest. She’d clearly been lied to, manipulated by, and exposed to men who didn’t care for anyone but themselves. How could he change her perception? He held up his arm, trying to tease so he didn’t whisk her to a private spot and beg her to tell him her every secret and let him help her. “Pinch me so we can know for sure.”
She pinched him very softly and then she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. His entire body was warm.
“Thank you, Jace. Thank you for being real and nice and caring and fun.” She blew out a breath and then released him. “It’s not time to worry about stupid stuff.”
He thought it was great she could push away worries and be happy, but he wanted to help her.
“It’s time to ski or flee.” She punched her fists in the air. “Ski or flee, baby!”
A few twenty-something guys from out of town walked by. They all grinned at her and one whooped loudly. “Yeah, baby!”
“I’ll ski with you, beautiful,” another one told her.
Jace stepped protectively in front of her and gave the guy a challenging look.
“I mean … looks like you’ve got your guy to ski with.”
“Dang straight, I do.” She winked at Jace.
He laughed but found himself rubbing at his chest. Wasshereally real? She was an American citizen so she wouldn’t be using him for a green card, and he didn’t think she had aspirations of fame so she wouldn’t be using him for his connections or the little bit of media exposure he used to get as an accomplished skier and Olympic hopeful.
Could she possibly be misleading him in other ways? He sure didn’t think so, and for the first time in over ten years, Jace wanted to give a beautiful woman a chance and see what came of it.
The afternoon turned to bright sunshine. The lingering clouds from last night’s snowstorm completely dissipated. Ayla improved every time down the slopes, and contrary to his initial impressions, he thought she might be a natural. That made him very happy, but even more important was her willingness to try, listen, and work hard, and how much she seemed to be enjoying it.
