A Chance This Christmas(40)

“I’ve never been more sure about anything.” Relinquishing the pillow, she held a hand out to him.

Returning to her open arms, he touched her all the ways he’d been dreaming about, spinning out the pleasure until her breathless pleas in his ear threatened sensual retaliation unless he followed her sweetly explicit directives. Gavin caved to her every wish, burying himself deep inside her, moving, kissing her beautiful face until they both cried out with release.

Light-headed from the rush, he held her for long moments afterward, caressing her shoulder, waiting for his heart rate to slow. His breathing to return to normal. He hoped he’d be able to make some sense of what had just happened. For now, he kissed her hair, inhaling the scent of her shampoo and wishing he could have her with him always.

Always?

He’d never felt as close to another woman. Ever.

And as sense slowly returned, he knew what they’d shared wasn’t about one night. He had feelings for her before this and now, a new tenderness for her threatened to pull him into uncharted terrain. Normally, he was so careful with relationships, keeping things light and easy.

With Rachel, that hadn’t been possible and that rocked him. He was grateful for the quiet, needing a moment to figure out his next move as she tucked closer to his side under the sheets. He had to get on a plane tomorrow. He’d promised his coach. He was committed to the team.

What had he been thinking to forget about all of that and indulge himself with a woman he truly cared about? A woman he…

His gut clenched hard as he struggled to name the feeling, knowing damn well what it was but unwilling to admit it, even to himself. Somehow, labeling it gave the feeling more power, especially when he had no idea what Rachel wanted from him. She was a free spirit and a strong woman. She’d been able to walk away from him eight years ago without a glance back, just like everyone else he’d let get close. What made him think he could trust her now to do anything different?

Even now, his legs buzzed with the need to get up. To race down a mountain and clear his head while the cooling snow spray showered his face. He couldn’t snowboard in the dark though. He’d have to wait until daylight, but then—wedding or no wedding—he knew the mountain was the only place where he’d find his answers. The only spot where he could think.

So until dawn, he would lie right here, beside this incredible woman he cared about far too much, and hope he hadn’t already taken the biggest fall of his life.





Chapter Eleven





Sunshine stole through the blinds in Gavin’s hotel suite the next morning, awakening Rachel with a spill of warm light on her face. Not ready to open her eyes, she clung to the last moments of half-sleep, her body languorous and sated. The sheets tangled around her legs and the pillowcase smelled vaguely of Gavin’s aftershave.

She buried her nose deeper into the down, breathing in the scent of him. A smile pulled at her lips as she remembered their night together. She’d turned into him once—long after midnight—and his arms had wrapped around her automatically, reeling her near. Today, they would attend a wedding together, the most romantic sort of date imaginable.

Would it bring them closer? Or would the sudden shift in dynamic between them add an element of romantic pressure and expectation? Rachel cranked open her eyes at the worrisome thought. She would be fine. But would Gavin?

Turning to his side of the bed, she reached an arm out to him.

Or…to the spot he’d vacated.

“Gavin?” Sitting upright, she took the sheets with her.

His rumpled pillow assured her she hadn’t dreamed what happened the night before. But where was he? She didn’t hear him stirring in the living area or bathroom.

Wrapping the bed linens around her, toga style, she wondered if he went out to get coffee. Barefoot, she padded along the cool wood floors, trying to hopscotch from one area rug to another. She didn’t see him out on the balcony that overlooked the mountain. Her heart sank, even knowing that he could be downstairs in search of the continental breakfast.

She’d envisioned waking up together and getting ready for the wedding. Should she simply drive herself home like she’d planned last night and meet him back here later? Jittery nerves rushed over her skin as she headed toward the bathroom. There, trapped between the mirror and the medicine cabinet behind it, she spotted a sheet of hotel stationery—pinned where she was sure to see it.

Levering open the mirror to free the paper, she read the handwritten message:

Thought I’d better take a few runs on the mountain before I need to be at the church. My flight is at 8 p.m., so this will be my last chance to work on things before the team race. Sorry not to be here when you wake up, but I’ll see you soon.

Gavin

Disappointment stung. No mention of their night together or what it meant. No hint that anything had changed between them. He’d been careful to mention his flight out, however. A sure sign his mind was on the upcoming separation as opposed to…what?

What had she expected to change by taking a leap and making her feelings for him so obvious? She’d been determined to show him that she cared about him. That she was ready for more.

But she hadn’t really considered how she’d feel if the risk didn’t pay off. Of course, that would have negated the whole idea of taking a risk. If the outcome had been certain, she wasn’t gambling a darn thing.