Joyfully His(Sterling Canyon Book 4)(13)
“Sorry, Nik. Just catching up with an old friend.”
Nikki knew the truth about him and Millie, but to her credit, she kept a straight face. “Well, let’s get started. Billy, you’ve got a private lesson today. Merry Christmas.”
Andy was surprised that Nikki would reward him after his crappy behavior the other night. On the other hand, maybe this was her way of getting him to back down from his claim of favoritism. Not a bad idea. Between this and Andy’s keeping him out of trouble the other night, which Billy had thanked him for yesterday, the guy should chill out a bit.
Billy’s broad smile popped into place. “Awesome. With whom?”
“Millie, here.” She gestured toward Millie. “Millie, this is Billy Benton. You two should have a great day out there.”
Millie politely greeted Billy but then murmured to Andy, “Tomorrow I’ll be making a specific request.”
Billy overheard her and speared Andy with a challenging glare, mouthing, “Don’t count on it.”
Sometimes the best response was no response, so Andy merely raised his hands in surrender and let them get on their way. He couldn’t help but wonder if Nikki had intentionally kept Millie away from him. He’d like to think she did it out of some kind of possessive jealousy, but maybe he was reading into things.
Nikki continued handing out assignments, giving Andy a small intermediate group lesson. Despite his attempts to catch her eye, she successfully avoided giving him any opportunity to talk.
He’d thought she’d enjoyed that kiss, but perhaps he’d embarrassed her (and himself) with his boneheaded move. She hadn’t been shy about her feelings in the past, so if she still liked him, surely she’d have given him some sign—or at least a friendly smile—since then. Instead she’d been all business.
The cool shoulder must have been her not-so-subtle way of telling him to stand down. He’d be an idiot to push his luck. The last thing he needed was some kind of sexual harassment claim heaped on his tarnished reputation.
When his students finished getting their gear on, he clapped his gloved hands together and gathered his clients. “You all ready to rock today?”
A chorus of “Hell, yeahs” rang out, so he skated on his skis toward the Challenger lift with his ducklings in tow and his Santa cap flying in the breeze.
#
Nikki drew a deep breath and shook out her hands before knocking on Andy’s door. Honestly, she still couldn’t believe she’d invited herself over tonight by text, but they had to talk, and once she’d learned through the grapevine that Avery and Grey had taken off for Truckee, California, she’d found her opportunity.
She’d tried to dodge Amy’s questions about why she was leaving early after Christmas dinner at her parents, but it didn’t fly.
“He what?” Amy’s eyes went as round as Ping-Pong balls.
“He kissed me.”
“Since when have you two been any kind of thing? And why did you let me flirt with him if you knew he liked you?” Amy pinched Nikki’s arm.
“I didn’t know, and ‘since when’ could anyone stop you from flirting, anyway? It’s like a reflex for you.” When Amy stuck out her tongue, Nikki grinned. With a simple sigh, she conceded, “The truth is, I’ve always liked him. I don’t know what to do now.”
Amy shook her head, eyes looking skyward. “How can you be my ‘older’ sister and still be so dense? You like him, he likes you . . . what’s the mystery?”
“Work.”
Amy waved that away like a bad odor. “People fool around with coworkers all the time. Go for it, Nik. If you don’t, then you can’t cry when I do.”
Nikki scowled. “You wouldn’t!”
“If the threat of that spurs you to action, then count on it.” Amy’s sly grin spread, making Nikki laugh.
“I hear your point, but I’m not just his coworker. I’m his boss—an HR nightmare in the making. It’s tricky.”
“Not to me. I know you love your job, but we’re talking about your life, Nikki. Don’t you want a chance to find love?”
If Nikki had been thinking clearly, she wouldn’t have spilled that personal information to Amy before clearing it with Andy. She prayed she could rely on her sister’s discretion. Nikki closed her eyes to put it out of her mind.
The snow hadn’t stopped all day, so she shook it off her new red cap while she waited for him to answer the door. Holy crap, she was standing outside Andy’s door . . .
It opened. She resisted the urge to throw herself against him, even though he looked cuddlier than a teddy bear in his creamy open-neck pullover and faded blue jeans. And that grin. She would die happy if she were looking at that grin.
“I shoveled the walk three times this afternoon, and it’s already that bad again?” He ushered her inside and helped her shuck off her wet coat and hat. “Kick those boots off there on the rubber mat.”
Maybe she should’ve worn nicer footwear. He’d always had such cute girlfriends with their pretty clothes and prettier faces. Not that she was his girlfriend.
“I should’ve picked you up so you didn’t have to drive in this weather.” He shook his head. “Sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s fine. I’ve driven in this weather my whole life.” She tossed her shoes on the mat and then didn’t know what to do with her hands or where to look, because looking right at Andy seemed impossibly hard. Her hot face must have been as red as Santa’s suit.
He led her from the small entry. “Come on in.”
“Okay.” Good grief. Her conversation skills had regressed to that of a thirteen-year-old.
When they entered the living room, Avery’s bold use of color became apparent, from the orange-and-yellow drapes to the multicolored throw pillows scattered on the sofa. A definite Mexican theme pervaded the decor, which blended nicely with some of the more traditional ski-house elements, like the stone fireplace and exposed beams.
The blazing fire lent a cozy, romantic touch to the environment. Next to the hearth stood a squat, brushy Christmas tree covered in lights and bulbs, capped with a lit angel. Aromas of pine and burnt wood blended together, enhancing the modern-day Norman Rockwell tableau.
Picturing Andy living here made her smile.
He must’ve noticed. “I told you your blue walls were tame compared with this kind of color.”
“It’s like a bizarre rainbow.” She chuckled, but then fell silent after noticing him staring at her with a serious look on his face. Reflexively, she turned her bad cheek away. “What?”
“It’s nice to see you, but I’m wondering what prompted the text.” He looked like he was dreading whatever she had to say. “Am I getting the ax because I crossed the line after the party?”
Her stomach clenched like it did seconds before a drop into a couloir. She knew a moment of panic—of self-preservation—where she almost decided to deflect and run away. What had she been thinking, barging over here? It still seemed too impossible to believe he might actually be interested in her—and yet . . . that kiss . . .
“No!” She drew a sharp breath and held it, gathering courage. “I want to get something out of the way so I can relax.”
Before he asked what she meant, she went up on her toes and kissed him, exactly like he’d done the other night. Better, actually, because now there wasn’t a car door between them. Now she could feel the hard planes of his chest and abdomen against her chest. That sensation awakened her entire body.
While she plundered his mouth, he stroked her waist and let his hands run over her hips before he broke away. “Why don’t we talk for a second? How about a glass of wine?”
It took willpower to keep from undressing him and begging him not to slow down. Then again, what kind of girl would she be if she showed up and jumped his bones like some ass-backward booty call? She didn’t want this to be a booty call. She didn’t want to be like Millie and all the other girls.
That reminder put a scowl on her face.
“You don’t want wine?”
“What?” she asked absently.
“You’re frowning.” He released her waist.
“Sorry. No—I mean yes. Yes. Wine is good.” Oh, God. Could she be more awkward? If only she could be charming and gracious like her sister. She ought to take lessons from Amy instead of making fun of her all the time. “Millie called late in the day to request you for the rest of the week.”
His initial look of surprise faded, and she could tell he’d bitten the inside of his cheek. She’d probably confused him by making the leap from wine to Millie, but she didn’t want to confess her jealous train of thought. Thankfully, he didn’t ask.
“Billy’s sure to freak out, isn’t he?” Andy surmised.
Billy? That hadn’t even crossed her mind. Yes, Billy would hate it and probably blame her for playing favorites. If only Billy knew how much Nikki would prefer for him to spend all week with Millie.
Although Millie was probably four or five years older than Andy, she was quite a siren, with her slim legs and waist-length hair. Everyone knew that she and Andy had been intimately acquainted. That was a problem with being “one of the guys.” Nikki knew far too much about everyone in the crew and their sexcapades.