She snorted. Actually snorted. And it was the sexiest snort he’d ever heard. He couldn’t hide a smile as he pulled his truck into the parking lot of Snowpeaks Powder Guides and cut the engine. He turned in the seat to face her as he unbuckled his seat belt. “Come on, be honest. You’re still hot for me.”

Her jaw dropped slightly, but she quickly recovered. “You wish.”

“Maybe.” It was suddenly hotter in the cab of his truck, as the truth of the simple word hit him. He did want her to want him.

“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but that night in the woods, a long time ago, was the one and only time I’ll be falling asleep in your arms,” she said, opening the door and climbing out of the truck.

It was more of an escape.

Remembering the way she’d kissed him a few nights ago, Reed couldn’t help but hope that she might change her mind.

* * *

THE SEVEN-MINUTE SCENIC helicopter ride over the Chugach Mountain Range would have been breathtaking, if Erika could have focused on the mountain peaks and valleys, covered in the freshest dusting of powder on earth. But seated next to Reed in the back of the helicopter, her pulse was racing and her heart echoed loudly in her ears.

Thank God for the hum of the helicopter and the large, noise-reducing headphones they wore. She didn’t want him to know how much he affected her. How right he was in assuming she was hot for him. Playing it cool and unfazed was her game plan for the day—one she’d spent all night figuring out.

Too bad it had gone straight to shit the minute his truck had pulled up in front of Cassie’s. For a day that wasn’t a date, it was the closest thing to one that she’d had in a long time, especially with a man as gorgeous as Reed.

He was dressed in a dark blue ski suit that hugged his muscular body in all the right places, and Erika suddenly wasn’t as interested in skiing. His thigh was casually resting against hers in the small space of the Eurocopter AS350 but the contact, even through layers of clothing, felt anything but casual. Heat continued to rush through her as he moved closer to point at the trails coming into view beyond the trees.

He smelled amazing—like a combination of fresh mountain air and sexy alpha hunk—and she found herself leaning closer to breathe him in.

Such a big mistake. She clenched her legs together as her body sprang to life like awakening from a long, deep slumber.

It had been months since she’d had sex...scratch that...years. And most days she was too exhausted after her eighteen-hour shifts to even think about using the vibrator that was still in the packaging on top of her closet.