“And you seem to be enjoying yourself, too. You must be pretty relaxed yourself.”
“I wasn’t, but I am now,” she said.
He hoped the reason was his forgiveness, but he couldn’t be sure and raised an eyebrow in question. “And what’s so special about now?”
“Your calmer attitude, for one thing.”
“And the other thing?” he asked.
She shrugged, her attitude playful. “Isn’t a girl allowed to have secrets?” She bit down on her lower lip.
His gaze followed the movement, his gaze drawn to her sensual mouth. So she was playing coy. Miss All Business was suddenly flirting, he thought, amused. Hmm. Well, he couldn’t say he minded.
She was one of the perks of being here. “I took a walk earlier and discovered an amazing place. Want to see?” he asked.
She glanced over at their hostess, who appeared pretty tied up with her drummer. “I don’t think they’ll miss us,” she said, a mischievous glint in her eye.
“Come.” He took her hand and together they walked through the lodge’s main lobby where people wandered, some alone, some in small groups, while others gathered around the big-screen television at the bar.
“Do you want to stop first and have a drink?” He gestured to two empty stools in a private area.
She shook her head. “I’d rather have all my faculties tonight. Nothing to drink. But thanks, anyway.”
He inclined his head and kept walking. Normally he’d think her unwillingness to indulge in alcohol was her way of reminding him they were only business associates, but something was different about her tonight. It wasn’t just her light mood or her teasing. It was her. She hadn’t removed her hand from his grasp and there was a sudden confidence emanating from her he hadn’t seen since meeting her at the wedding. Whatever had brought on the change, he was thankful for it. And he had the sudden hope that her unwillingness to drink had more to do with her desire to remember each and every minute between them.
He led her past the gift and sundry shop to a point beyond the restaurants. While working off his frustration earlier, he’d come upon a solarium that was being cleaned. He let himself inside and found himself viewing a winter wonderland beyond the glass. It was a place he’d spent a quiet, contemplative hour.
The door was closed and he knocked once. When no one answered, he pushed it open and led her inside. Instead of turning on the lights, he kept the room dark, and when the door slammed shut behind them, he quietly turned the lock, giving them complete privacy.
“What is this place?” she asked.
“A sunroom,” he said. “I asked Lisa and she said it’s usually only open during the summer. But when I walked by, a crew was dusting and I peeked inside.” He’d looked out the wall-to-wall windows at the snowy landscape beyond and immediately knew he wanted to share the sight with Amy.
She strode to the windows and stared outside. Instead of looking at the scenery, he watched her. Eyes wide, she stared at the frosty view, lit up by outdoor lights and the ski trails in the distance.
“Wow. It’s beautiful,” she said in awe. “I’ve never seen snow like this before. I mean, I’ve seen the dirty slush in the city this winter but nothing like this.”
He hadn’t realized what she’d missed growing up in Florida. “Then I’m going to have to get you outside to experience the snow for real while we’re here.”
“Ooh, I’d love that.” Her voice dropped to a deeper husky sound that resonated inside him.
He stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and looking out from over her shoulder. White snow covered the bare branches and stars filled the night sky. Without even realizing it, he eased himself forward so his body pressed more fully against her back. His hands splayed across her stomach, and of its own volition, his penis grew hard and aching. It thrust against his jeans and pressed insistently against her rear end.
She sucked in a deep breath, but she didn’t protest or try to escape his hold. Obviously much had changed and he wasn’t about to question why.
He rested his chin on her shoulder. “It’s beautiful,” he said, turning his head slightly and nuzzling his lips against her neck.
“Mmm. Growing up in Florida, I always thought I had it all. Sunshine and beaches, warm weather. But now I know what I was missing. Will you really go outside with me? I want to touch the snow and feel it between my fingertips,” she said, her excitement rising.
He was rising, as well.
“I want to make a snow angel like I’ve seen on TV,” she continued.
Her enthusiasm was contagious, and he felt as if he were experiencing the same surge of emotions as Amy-all for the first time. “I’ll take you anywhere you want to go,” he promised her.
She tipped her head backward. “I believe you,” she whispered.
She stared out the windows some more while he continued to nuzzle her neck with his lips, which quickly turned to suckling her soft skin. He couldn’t get enough of her taste, her scent, all of her.
He slipped his hands into the waistband of her jeans. She didn’t object, so he let his fingertips dip lower until he passed the low band on her panties and brushed the soft hair beneath.
She sucked in a shallow breath, and at the moment, he let his waist jerk forward, seeking relief he knew he wouldn’t find just yet. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy and he intended for her to do just that.
In the silken silence that surrounded them, he unbuttoned her jeans and lowered the zipper, never once turning her to face him.
“John?” she asked, her voice uncertain.
“We’re alone,” he reassured her. “I locked the door. Besides, no one comes back here. And with the thick trees out there, no one can see in. It’s just us,” he promised her. “Isn’t that what you wanted for me? Peace and quiet? Time to focus on what’s important?”
He let his words settle, let her make of them what she would. He wasn’t about to think or dig too deeply into his meaning now. The words had escaped, and right now he meant them.
Before she could back away, he picked up where he’d left off, easing her jeans just low enough on her thighs to give him access, but not too low that she couldn’t pull them up and get decent if she wanted.
“Trust me,” he whispered in her ear.
“I do.” Then, as if to prove it, she shifted and spread her legs slightly, opening for him.
He’d been waiting for this moment, more desperately than even he’d realized, and as he slid his fingers past the triangle of hair and down to her damp heat, desire the likes of which he’d never known swept over him.
A soft moan escaped her lips.
“Do you like that?” he asked, already knowing the answer. Proving his theory, he pressed his forefinger between her dewy folds. Moisture licked at his skin and a rush of heat suffused him from inside out.
If this is what nearly entering her with his finger did to him, heaven help him when they made love. And they would. Soon. But her pleasure came first. He shifted positions and slid his finger inside her.
She shook and trembled, clearly already on the verge.
“I’ve got you, so don’t be afraid to let go.” As he spoke, he pushed his fingertip into her, then slowly eased out, making sure his thumb hit on the tight nub of desire with each slide.
She clenched her hot, wet inner walls around him, which only served to increase the friction of his finger’s glide. Unable to control his own body’s reaction, he began to pump his hips against her back in a steady rhythm.
He had control, but barely.
And then without warning, she turned toward him, releasing his finger from between her legs, taking him off guard. With shaking hands she reached for the zipper on his jeans and pulled them down.
She glanced down and stared. “Commando,” she practically stuttered.