“No, you don’t. You love me, really.” He was smiling as he scooped up more snow, but this time she was quicker, and the snow in her hand hit him full in the face.
She did love him. That was the problem.
She really loved him, but there was no way she was going to let him know that.
She made the most of her temporary advantage and let herself into the lodge, reasoning that even Tyler wouldn’t dare throw snow indoors.
The lodges were the pride of Snow Crystal. Set in the forest and overlooking the lake, each one felt private and intimate, but Forest was her favorite. “I’d forgotten what good aim you have. I have snow blindness.” Still laughing, Tyler wiped snow out of his eyes, tugged off his boots and coat and left them by the door.
“You’re neat and tidy all of a sudden.”
“I’m trying to set a good example. I’m working on being a responsible parent. It’s exhausting.” He sprawled on one of the sofas, his powerful frame dominating even this large, spacious room. The fabric of his jeans clung to hard, muscular thighs, a legacy of years of downhill skiing.
Brenna pulled off her hat and hung up her coat. It was only when she noticed Tyler taking a leisurely look at her body that she realized her soaked, roll-neck sweater was clinging to her breasts.
Alternatively freezing and then burning, she turned away, but it was impossible to ignore his presence or the fact they were alone.
It felt strangely intimate. The lodge was at the far end of the lake, wrapped by the forest that showed itself as dark shapes through acres of glass.
The only other property partially visible through the trees was his.
If she knelt on her bed high on the sleeping shelf, she could just glimpse his bedroom.
Trying not to think about his bedroom, she pulled open the fridge and took out two beers. She opened them both and handed him one.
“I’ll be back in a second. Thanks to you, I need to change my sweater.”
His gaze collided with hers briefly, and then she backed away and took refuge in the bedroom.
When had he ever looked at her before?
She pulled on a dry sweater, took a deep breath and rejoined him in the living room.
“About that thing you were asking me—”
“What thing?”
She curled up in the chair opposite him. “Sex. Jess.”
“Are you blushing?” His eyes narrowed on her face. “You’re cute when you’re embarrassed, do you know that?”
“You’re never cute. You’re a pain in the ass the whole time.”
“I love it when you talk dirty to me.” He winked at her. “Go on. How do I deal with it?”
“Honestly? I think you should wait for her to bring it up. I would have died of embarrassment if my parents had tried to talk to me about sex.”
“What if she doesn’t like to ask? What if she turns around in a few years and tells me she’s pregnant?”
“I think you need to chill.” Brenna sipped her beer. “Make sure she knows she can talk to you about anything. Create an atmosphere where she is comfortable to say whatever she wants.”
“Judging from the conversation earlier, I think we’ve already got that atmosphere. Can you believe she was actually trying to fix me up?”
Brenna almost choked on her beer. “Who with?”
Christy. It had to be Christy with the smooth blond hair. Or maybe pretty, bubbly Poppy, who worked closely with Élise in the restaurant.
There was a brief pause. His eyes met hers and then slid away again. “No one in particular, but she thinks I should have a sex life.”