Bound for Me (Be for Me #4)(52)

“Where are your friends?” She snapped back, rattled. “You sit at my bar night after night, alone.”

“Because they’re in Manhattan, mostly. But we’re in touch all the time.” He looked at her solemnly. “I’d be lost without them.”

“No you wouldn’t. You’re too strong ever to be lost.”

His brows lifted. “Is that a compliment? From you?”

“It’s the truth.”

He placed his arms either side of her and leaned over her. “If I’m at all strong, it’s because of my friends. My brother. They’re all f*cked up, but they’re awesome with it.” He reached out cupped her jaw. His hand was too gentle. “Is it an ex? Someone giving you trouble?”

She looked at that damn protective concern in his eyes and whispered before she could think better of it. “It’s my mom.”

“Your mom?”

“She’s having a baby.”

His lips parted. “Wow.”

“Exactly.” Savannah pulled back out of his gentle touch. What was she thinking confiding in him? In anyone? Long ago she’d learned not to trust in people. They always betrayed you at some point. “So, you mind giving me a minute, I’d like to shower and get dressed.”

“I’ll be in the other room. Take as long as you like.”

No. She needed to get going. She’d take the day to pack up and then tell Luca she was finishing. She’d sort out her father and then start again.

But ten minutes crying her heart out in the most amazing shower ever was one weakness she couldn’t overcome.



Connor looked up from his computer when she eventually walked out of the bedroom. Judging from the paperwork on his desk he’d been working for a while this morning. Yeah, she’d been wrong about him in so many ways.

“New plan for the day.” He stood, not giving her a chance to speak first. “We’re having an adventure.”

“You can have an adventure. I’m going to work.” Handing in her notice.

“Not ’til later. You have all morning to have fun.”

She really wasn’t in the mood for fun.

“It’s not negotiable.” He didn’t take his eyes from her as he walked round from behind his desk. “You’re working at one of the country’s best ski resorts and you’ve never skied.”

“We’re not all born to such privilege. Or born in states with snow.”

“I’ll teach you.”

“No, thanks.”

“Scared of falling over in front of me?” He walked until he was standing right in front of her. Tempting. Challenging. “Scared of needing me to help you? You’re really frightened of that, aren’t you?”

“You think you’re so smart.”

“I can have you competent in a day.”

“Competent?”

“Not good enough for you? She who must be the best.” He teased and bent to whisper to her. “Or are you too chicken?”

“I’m not afraid of falling in the snow in front of you.” She turned and paced away from him so she had some chance of being able to think. This was him doing his charming hero act. Trouble was, she was finding it hard to say no. The thought of escaping her screwed-up family for just a few more hours? One last morning of fantasy? “I’d have thought you had too much work to do. That you can’t afford the time to have fun.”

“I can always find time to spend up on the mountain.”

“So it’s the mountain you’re investing the time in… of course.” She faced him again barely able to stop her small smile. “I don’t actually like the snow. It’s wet and cold. I prefer wet and hot.”

“Your hotel was a summer place?”

“Of course. Steamy Louisiana summers. Anyway, you can’t take me today. You have that wedding.”

“And I have an extremely capable manager who’ll ensure all goes well now the flowers are all so perfect. Come on. I even have some sexy snow pants you can borrow. Summerhill brand is very popular for good reason.”

She shook her head. “You’re doing it again.”

“What?”

“Taking care of the wounded party. You know I was upset. You’re trying to fix it. You’re making sure I have the perfect Summerhill experience…”

“Would it be so awful if that were partly true?” He stepped right into her personal space, so close she could feel his heat.

“Yes. I don’t want your pity,” she whispered, unable to tear her gaze from the bottomless blue of his eyes.

“Well you don’t have it.” He bent, whispering right into her ear. “Being near you turns me on and I like it. I like touching you. Kissing you. Arguing with you…” He pulled back and smiled down at her. “Don’t think I’m doing this for you, Sugar, this is all about me being selfish.”

She could barely breathe, turned on by his rough-edged talk, by his sly smile. He pulled off workaholic-turned-wicked very well. “Seeing you put it like that…”

He took her hand and turned. “Come on, we’ll find you some butt ugly ski gear.”

He’d obviously put in a couple of calls while she’d been showering to set the deal up, because only twenty minutes later, she was clad in new season Summerhill brand skiwear and he was walking her towards a helicopter that was apparently loaded with all the equipment they’d need for a morning in the snow.