Alisha watched as Daniel put the bottle between his lips and sucked. She wondered how those lips would feel on hers. How she wished his beautiful hands were caressing her instead of the bottle. She pulled her mind away from such provocative thoughts. “I’m relieved that you won’t have to struggle to go to work.”
“Me, too. And if I have any complications, now that I know you’re a nurse…”
She smiled and shook her head.
“I do have a hard time working with the crutches. They definitely not as flexible as ski poles.”
“If I could turn back time and undo everything I’ve caused—” She was still upset about crashing into him on the ski slopes.
“Stop beating yourself up, Alisha. Things are supposed to happen for a reason. In this case, I think it was for us to meet,” Daniel said.
“Wouldn’t it have been a great deal better if we met at dinner?”
He shrugged. “Perhaps. But then there would have been no drama.”
Alisha laughed.
“You know, you have a great laugh.”
“You’re the first one to tell me that. Thank you.”
“How long are you staying? Daniel asked.
“Til Sunday.” Alisha noticed that he had finished the bottle and asked if he wanted another.
“Not just yet,” he said. “I’m leaving on Sunday, as well. Tell you what, why don’t you and I spend tomorrow in town together. I heard about a great seafood place and I’d like to have some lobster before I go home. How about you?”
“Are you really up to doing so much walking?” She asked with a concerned look on her face.
“Is that the nurse speaking or the woman?”
“Both.”
“Well don’t you worry. I’m a big boy.”
“You certainly are,” Alisha said, eyeing him up and down with exaggerated lasciviousness.
“And you’re a big girl, too,” he said, lifting his eyebrows up and down in an exaggerated manner, “and will be there to help me should I get into trouble.”
They both laughed. It seemed to sweep away any lingering anger or guilt.
The noise got louder and they could hardly hear one another, so Alisha moved closer still. Close enough for Daniel to inhale her pleasant scent of wildflowers. An Instagram picture of him kissing her on the ski slope in the middle of nowhere flashed in his mind.
They planned their outing. A guitarist joined the pianist and people were now on the dance floor. A wistful smile appeared on Daniel’s face.
“What?” Alisha asked.
“Can’t dance with this cast and crutches.”
She bit down on her full bottom lip. “Another thing to feel guilty about.”
Daniel placed his hand on hers. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. It upset you. We’ll go dancing when my cast comes off.”
“But we’re both leaving on Sunday.”
“Have you forgotten we’re neighbors?” Daniel reminded her.
“Duh.” She slapped her forehead.
He squeezed her hand gently. “I intend to see a great deal more of you. Unless…”
Alisha smiled broadly. “I’d certainly hope so.”
They chattered until the bar was closing. His friends came to retrieve him, but wanting to spend more time with Alisha, he decided to go back to the Lodge with her. Emma and Josie had hooked up with two guys so it was just the two of them.
Alisha helped Daniel into her car. He quipped, “I usually help the woman.”
“I’ve leveled the playing field, bro.”
“Indeed you have,” he said and leaned over to gently kiss her. He went back for seconds and when Alisha parted her lips, he slipped his tongue inside. She put her arms around him and the next kiss lasted longer, enough for both their hearts to accelerate. The kisses had been telling and they both felt something. Realizing that they never going to get back to the Lodge if they continued, they reluctantly pulled apart, breathless.
“Which is your cabin, Daniel?” Alisha asked as they approached the Lodge.
“Number eight.”
Alisha parked the car and got out. Then she helped Daniel out. When he was balanced on the crutches, she walked him to his door and opened it. It appeared empty.
“Are you going to be all right on your own?”
“Alisha, please stop worrying. Kiss me good night instead.”
“See you tomorrow,” she said and tilted her head so their lips could meet.
The kiss was pure dynamite and Alisha could feel the imprint of his mouth long after he hobbled inside his cabin. Then she drove to hers which was close by.
As she undressed, two thoughts occurred to her: her strange dream had been about Daniel and might be coming true; and she had a wonderful feeling that this was going to be the most enjoyable Christmas she’d had in a very long time.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.