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more than that to make an elite fighter.
    He increased his pace again, and was surprised to see how far Sarah had drawn ahead. He’d have to move fast if he wanted to give her a real run for her money. Sarah glanced back, saw him coming and re-doubled her efforts.
    It was too early in the race to push himself into a full-out sprint, but Dan didn’t see any other choice—Sarah had too much of a head start.
    Their friends were waiting for them near the Hall. Dan knew he’d have to race past them and touch the bannister on the stairs to the front door first to win. He ran for all he was worth until he was nearly neck and neck with Sarah. Time to leave her in the dust.
    He called on every ounce of his strength and pushed himself to the limit to pass her, just as they drew close to the cheering crowd.
    “Go, Sarah! Go, Sarah!”
    Wasn’t anyone cheering for him?
    He put that out of his mind and kept his concentration on his goal. Sarah’s gasping breaths behind him told him he hadn’t quite left her behind.
    In fact, when he slapped his hand down on the railing, her hand slapped down just a moment later and she crashed into him, sending him to his knees. She landed in the snow beside him.
    “Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck!” She scrambled back to her feet and paced in a circle as their friends mobbed around them.
    “Did you win?” Mason asked Dan, pulling him upright. “That looked awfully close.”
    Sarah was still muttering under her breath. Despite himself, Dan felt sorry for her. She’d nearly beat him, for Christ’s sake.
    “That was awfully close,” he said. Sarah turned toward him in surprise. Had she thought he’d deny it? “Never seen a woman move like that. I’m impressed.” He held out his hand to her. “Good race.”

Chapter Five
    ‡
    S arah took Dan’s hand hesitantly. She’d lost again and her forfeit was two kisses. If he pulled her close and kissed her now—in front of everyone, like he’d done before—she’d die of humiliation. What if they thought she’d lost on purpose? She could feel her cheeks heating.
    Something in Dan’s gaze told her he knew exactly what she was thinking. He didn’t pull her close, though. He firmly shook her hand and let go. “I’m starving. When’s lunch?”
    “Coming right up!” Regan led the way back inside and Sarah bent to remove her snowshoes. She didn’t notice until the bulk of the crowd had gone indoors that Dan had hung back too.
    “I mean it,” he said, “that was a hell of a race.”
    “Sure.” She knew he was lying. He’d held back long enough for her to take a lead he’d barely overcome. Why had he done that? He could have beat her handily.
    He took her arm when she tried to go inside. “Sarah, slow down a minute. I’m trying to tell you I have a lot of respect for how hard you’ve trained. You’re right; you should be allowed to try out for the Special Forces.”
    She pulled back. “You really believe that?”
    He shrugged. “The process weeds out anyone not strong enough to succeed. Most men don’t pass the tests. I’m not worried about anyone unqualified slipping through.”
    “Right.” She tried to turn away but he held her there.
    “It isn’t a game, Metlin. You know that. The ban on women isn’t about men trying to keep women down. There are some situations that take strength and endurance women just don’t have. But if any woman might have them, it would be someone like you.”
    Anger and acceptance warred within her. She knew what he meant. She could be the strongest, fastest, most capable woman alive and still there’d be men stronger and faster than her. But not more capable; she wouldn’t admit that. And she felt sure that capability stood for a lot. SEALs worked in teams. So did the Special Forces. Not every member of every team had to be the strongest man in the world, right?
    But this was where her doubts crept in, because every man she’d ever spoken to on the subject claimed that capable wasn’t enough.