Daring to Love: A Contemporary Romance (The Armstrongs Book 3) by Jessica Gray Read Free Book Online

flashed through her mind. What if he’s here to play another trick on me? Is he out to humiliate me even more? Not that he could! She mentally girded herself with an armor of steel against his charms. He won’t play the same trick on me again! Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!
    She took a calming breath and asked, "Why? How? Where’s Dustin?”
    He flashed a mischievous smile, obviously pleased with himself. That damn smile that set her traitorous feminine parts on fire and had her almost ready to forgive him. Almost!
    "I had to pull a few strings, but I wanted to see again. And apologize."
    He wants to apologize? For real? Or is this another joke? She was still wary, and asked, "Why not just meet me in town and apologize?"
    "Because I fucked up big, so I needed to make it up to you in an even bigger way."
    She relaxed a bit; just a bit. Her heart softened to the sincerity in his eyes, but could she trust him? One million questions were burning on her lips, but she decided to keep quiet. At least for a while. Should he do the talking.
    But he didn’t. The seconds trickled away in silence. He’d moved closer to her and was now standing close enough to touch her. She inhaled his spicy scent, becoming overly aware of his insanely handsome face and rock-hard body. Remembering the kiss they had shared… Her eyes tracked back to his lips. God, I want to repeat that kiss! And to feel his body against mine again…To immerse myself in the passion and desire.
    Her knees weakened, and she steeled herself against falling into his arms. Remember how things ended the last time? He said no. No need to make yourself look anymore foolish than you already have. She wouldn’t go down that sorry path again. She’d already been burnt. It was his turn now.
    His expression, when she met his eyes, was soft and inquiring. But rather than asking her what she thought about him wanting to apologize, he said, "We should get started. What do you want to do?"
    Why would he ask her what she wanted to do? He was the trainer. Not her!  “You’re asking me?“
    "Yes, I told you. I'm here to apologize. So I’m letting you chose. We can do anything you wish…” There it was again. That sexy smile of his that was capable of setting her entire body on fire! Damn it! It was all she could do to not throw herself into his arms.
    Evan continued, "…as long as it has to do with skiing."
    This man is too dangerous for me. And is it just wishful thinking, or did he just insinuate that we could make out?
    When she still didn't say anything, but gaped at him with pure lust in her eyes, he said, "You know, I am more than just a sex object."
    How embarrassing! He'd caught her ogling him. She quickly turned her face so that he wouldn’t see the blush suffusing her face.
    Evan asked, "What do you want to learn the most?"
    I know what I should learn, but I'm not going to tell you . She hadn’t come up with the courage to tackle Devil’s Nose since her friend Graham’s accident. That was the reason she only taught beginner’s classes. Even though they bore me to tears. With beginners, there was absolutely no risk that they would beg her to take them down that hill. No risk at all.
    Every skier worth his salt wanted to do the infamous double black diamond run at least once.  The champions slope. Evan had won there at least five times. Just last week again. He’d be able to give her back the confidence she needed. With his help she could tackle that dreaded slope.
    But she opted for the safe way out and said, “Let’s go to the Powder Balls.” It was a difficult slope on the back side of the mountain, but it didn’t intimidate her like Devil’s Nose did.
    Evan raised his eyebrows and said, “And here I thought everyone wanted to speed down the Devil’s Nose.”
    Before she could stop herself, she snapped at him, “No. Not everyone.”

Chapter 8
     
    Evan didn’t question her choice, and in fact, they had a ton of fun. Charlene