it.â
They broke through the thick forest of trees and arrived at the edge of the mountain and the waist-high fence protecting them from the steep drop. Just then, the snowfall dwindled to almost nothing.
Garrison breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that meant the next day the skies would be clear. The white stuff was good enough for snowboarding. But he hated when it got into his eyes, freezing his face and turning to water on his headgear. His mother always laughed at that contradiction in him. A man who hated the snow but enjoyed snow sports.
Whenever she mentioned it, he would simply trot out his mantra of making the best of a bad situation. He believed in that saying. He lived by it.
He had little choice but to be in New York City for work, to make money. He had nothing except his mother and a few close friends in Florida. Since New York was the place he had to be, then he enjoyed what he could and otherwise stayed indoors with his heat on high.
Beyond the fence, the darkness-shrouded Adirondack Mountains lay spread out like a beautiful tapestry below him. It was a long way down. And the pessimist in him couldnât help but imagine the danger of falling from such a height, the mountain turning his flesh to mincemeat while he rolled down every scenic inch.
âGod! This place is beautiful!â Reyna took in a deep breath of the night air. âIâm so blessed to come here every year.â
Happiness lit up her face, her black eyes reflecting the paleness of the snow, her mouth lifted in a smile. Garrison wanted to kiss her. He wanted to feel those cool lips under his own and breathe in the happiness she felt. But he knew that wouldnât be welcomed. At least not yet.
Garrison took a step back from her. She turned from the stunning view to frown at him. âWhat?â
Her eyes were slightly tilted in her face, like a foxâs. Her full mouth parted with her question and stayed temptingly open. Garrison gave up the tight rein on his control and reached for her. He drew in her startled breath and gave her back one of his own.
He trembled as if caught in her snowstorm. He felt cold and hot at once, needing the pressure of her body against his to ground him. Her mouth was cool on his, the soft petals of her lips still at first, then she pressed close to kiss him back. A sound of pleasured appreciation rumbled at the back of his throat, and he felt her sigh, her lips parting to give him the scorching inside of her mouth. She tasted sweet, like red apples and whiskey. Not spicy at all. Only heat and pleasure.
God...
Garrison pulled her closer, his body going rigid against hers, even separated by so many layers of clothes. He gripped her hips. Her mouth was hot and soft, her tongue a slow and sensuous stroke against his that stole his breath and made him want to take her immediately to bed. But the nearest bed was actually a snowbank, and the thought of coming to awareness from a lust-fueled tumble in the freezing snow was the only thing that stopped him from
begging
her to let him... Garrison shuddered.
Reynaâs gloved hands curled into fists in the front of his jacket. Her breathing quickened. A mewling sound twisted from her throat and went straight to his groin. Maybe the snowbank wouldnât be so bad after all...
The noise of a twig snapping broke into Garrisonâs consciousness. Someone or something walking near. Reyna gasped and pulled away. Her fox eyes blinked and stared with accusation.
âWhat the hell are you
doing
?â
Her mouth was damp and swollen from their kisses. He tasted the flavor of her lip balm on his tongue and wanted more. Garrison barely stopped himself from pulling her close again.
âThat was me showing you how much Iâd like to
woo
you.â His voice sounded deeper to his own ears, rumbling lower than its normal register.
âNo!â Reyna backed away from him, her voice high in panic. âThis
cannot
happen.â Her harsh breath