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refusing. And he wouldn’t, because she wasn’t getting involved with him. Absolutely not.-
    “You done?” He nodded toward the remains of the sandwich she’d left on her tray.
    “Yes.” She wiped her hands on a napkin.
    “Great.” He flashed a smile, and despite all the stern warnings from her brain, her heart fluttered. “I’ve been thinking about today’s lesson. Since you did so well yesterday, what would you say to hitting the terrain park and catching some air?”
    “Are you kidding?” Her mood instantly brightened. Alec Hunter might be a loser in the potential boyfriend department, but as a ski instructor, he was a definite winner. “I’d love that.”
    “Then let’s go do it.”

    Over the course of the lesson, Christine had to remind herself constantly that Alec was off-limits. He was simply too much fun. And, oh man, could he ski! They spent the whole afternoon in the terrain park working on jumps. By the end of the session, her thighs screamed in agony, but her confidence soared at everything he’d taught her.
    They finally left the park and stopped at the top of a run that would take them back down the mountain.
    “Are you sure it’s been fourteen years since you skied?” he asked as they caught their breath.
    “Honest to God,” she answered, laughing. Alec made her feel like laughing all the time, over every little thing.
    He swiped his lips with lip balm as he surveyed the slope ahead of them. “Looks like we have this one practically to ourselves.” His eyes danced with mischief as he looked at her. “Race ya to the bottom.”
    “Doesn’t the ski patrol frown on that?”
    “Only if you’re reckless about it.” He adjusted his goggles. “Besides, I have connections.”
    She shook her head at him, wishing he was a little less appealing. Although, even if she couldn’t date him, she could still enjoy his company. “Okay”—she got into position—“you’re on.”
    “One two three go!” he said without warning and pushed off, shooting out ahead of her.
    “You cheater!” she called as she took off after him. He carved a quick series of turns with a powerful grace that filled her with admiration. Losing, however, was not something she accepted without a fight. She poured on the speed, ignoring the burn in her muscles. Cold air slapped her face as the trees flew by.
    Try as she might, though, she never stood a chance. She skidded to a halt at the bottom of the run several seconds after him, breathing hard.
    “Not bad, Chris.” He nodded in approval as he lifted his goggles. “You almost made me work for it.”
    “Braggart,” she accused good-naturedly as she removed her skis. People milled about them, either heading back for the lift lines, or calling it a day, as they were doing. “I would have caught you if you hadn’t given yourself a head start.”
    “All’s fair…” He grinned, refusing to admit she actually had made him work for it. He’d needed the exertion, though, to work off the arousal that had been building all afternoon. He couldn’t decide what he wanted more, to get this woman naked, or simply sit and talk and get to know her better. Well, actually, he’d like to get naked, then get acquainted, but women always seemed to prefer the other order. He straightened from removing his skis. “How ‘bout that rain check?”
    “Rain check?” She went still.
    “Yeah. Yesterday you were too tired, but you should be adjusting to the altitude. Want to go have a drink in front of that roaring fire I mentioned?”
    “Ah. Well. Hmm.”
    He watched her struggle with her answer, sensing that she wanted to say yes. “Come on. Put your feet up on the hearth, sip a hot buttered rum.”
    “I’d prefer coffee this early in the day.”
    “Really? A woman after my own heart. If Harvey’s tending bar, he makes a wicked pot of joe.”
    “I can’t. Really. I have things to do.”
    “One cup. Just to thaw out.” He watched temptation battle restraint in her