CHAPTER NINE

“Oh, my Groot. We’re up so high. So very high,” Tara squeaked. Seth was sitting right beside her with his strong arms wrapped around her. Her personal seat belt. So romantic. Yet, her freak-out kept climbing. “Are you sure you’re not defective?”

“Tara.”

When she turned to face him, he crushed his mouth against hers. One moment she was scared and the next moment, she wanted nothing more than to climb onto his lap. She opened her mouth wider to give his tongue easier access. She moaned softly. Then she was rudely—but gently—set apart from him.

“Ready to jump?” he asked in a husky voice.

“What are you talking about?” she said, completely confused why he’d stopped kissing her.

“We’re almost at the top.”

“What—oh.” She’d forgotten she was even on a lift. He’d kissed her to distract her from her fear. And boy, had it worked.

“Ready?” he asked again.

“Yeah. Sure. I’m ready.”

Then they dropped together onto solid ground. Well, not exactly solid. The snow was softer up here since they didn’t groom the slopes and fewer people ventured up this high. She loved how her skis sank into the powdery snow.

The air around them felt eerily calm. There were other skiers and boarders on the slopes, but their voices sounded far away and muted. The anxiety she’d felt moments before melted away, and anticipation raised goose bumps on her arms.

“Oh, Seth. It’s so beautiful here,” she whispered. The tall, viridescent trees behind them stretched to pierce the crisp blue sky, and the glistening powder down the slope cast a crystal-like glow to the entire picture. It was as serene and magical as a dormant snow globe.

“I knew you’d like it.” He chuckled softly. “Let’s take this one easy, so you can get a feel for it.”

“After I get a feel for it, I’m going to redeem myself and beat you to the bottom.”

“Sure, you will.” His smirk was all cocky arrogance. It was so annoying how much it turned her on.

“Yeah, you’re such a big, tough man that you managed to beat an intermediate skier by a few seconds.”

“What can I say? Winning is a thrill no matter how small the challenge.”

“I may not be able to beat you, but I’m going to be on your ass all day. You won’t be able to shake me off.”

“Promise?”

Grrr. He was infuriating. And oh so entertaining. With a delighted laugh, she pushed off ahead of him. Skiing down the pristine snow and challenging her skills was a sweet high. The air was colder up here and the wind stung her cheeks as she picked up speed. When it got too fast for her, she swerved left and right, drawing long zigzags on the snow.

Seth skied ahead of her but always slowed down and waited for her, so she never lost sight of him. Despite his insistence that she would love the diamond slopes, he was watching her carefully. She liked this protective side to him. She loved her parents and older brothers, but they sometimes made her feel claustrophobic with their overprotectiveness. Seth gave her space and didn’t hover, but still let her know he was there for her.