Secretly Hers (Sterling Canyon)(2)

 

Trip shot Kelsey another curious look before facing Fee. “At your service, little lady.”

 

Of course, Trip did look like Prince Charming and Adonis rolled into one, with a hefty dash of feral vitality thrown into the mix.

 

At six-foot-three, he towered above her. Glossy, dark hair contrasted with his sea green eyes, complementing his chiseled cheekbones and nose. Trip’s clean-shaven face—a rarity among the mountain men in town—allowed admirers to appreciate his strong, masculine jaw and sensual lips, which seemed to be set in a permanent smirk. And if physical perfection weren’t enough, years of skiing steep and deep in the backcountry had given him an athlete’s swagger.

 

Yes, when Trip Lexington passed any woman between the ages of eighteen and eighty, her ovaries sang with more worship than the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The problem with that was the fact that he knew it. Worse, he used it to his advantage.

 

He’d been in town for only eight months and, if rumors were true, had already slept with most of its single women. But not with Kelsey. Although they had been thrown together socially because his business partner, Grey, was dating Kelsey’s best friend, Avery, until now their interaction had consisted of a mixture of lighthearted antagonism and false flirtation.

 

Just as well, she supposed. She was hunting husband material—a man who wanted a wife and children. Trip was not that man, and even she wasn’t so stupidly romantic as to believe she could change him. Besides, she’d already wasted too much time chasing after Grey before he’d fallen for Avery. The last thing she needed to do was get mixed up with Trip, even if he did have more raw sex appeal than any man she’d ever met.

 

His gaze roamed Kelsey from head to toe, quickly but appreciatively. He inclined nearer, murmuring, “Funny, but I’ve always seen you as more of a Jessica Rabbit type than a Sleeping Beauty.”

 

His hot breath brushed against her ear, sending tingles tumbling down her neck like fairy dust. Kelsey gripped her hips to silence the chorus coming from her own set of traitorous ovaries. Before she could manage an answer, Fee chimed in, flashing a giddy smile and spinning on her toes. “We’re princesses!”

 

Trip smoothly turned to Fee, removed his cowboy hat, and produced an exaggerated bow. “It’s an honor, your highness. What brings you to town when you look dressed for a ball?”

 

“My birthday.” Fee stretched her arms wide apart, wiggling her wand.

 

“Ahh.” He grinned. “And how old are you?”

 

Kelsey bent over to retrieve the fallen box of cupcakes, pretending not to watch the scene unfolding on the sidewalk. Always flip with women, Trip’s apparent ease with children took Kelsey by surprise.

 

“Five.” Fee began swinging her body from side to side, one hand delicately holding up part of her skirt. Little flirt.

 

“Might I inquire as to your name, which I’m certain will be as lovely as you.” Trip smiled, and Kelsey had to hide a grin at the effort he made to speak in a princely manner.

 

“Fiona,” squeaked the rapt voice.

 

“Princess Fiona, my name is Gunner Lexington the third, but everyone calls me Trip.”

 

Fee giggled. “Do you fall a lot?”

 

“Never!” Trip knelt on one knee, palm splayed against his chest, facial expression exaggeratedly horrified. “Not even from the tallest mountains.” Then he flashed a genuine smile. The kind of smile that could coax Kelsey into believing there was more to him than he let people see. In other words, a lethal smile. “Yet I may have just fallen for you.”

 

Fee swooned. Yes, swooned before asking, “Will you marry me?”

 

Kelsey grinned at Fee’s bold question until Trip’s smirking face spun toward her as he said, “My, you’re training her early.” He then returned his attention to Fee. “I wish I could. But by the time you grow up, I’m sure you’ll think me an old toad.”

 

“How old are you?” Fee tilted her head, eyes narrowed.

 

“Too old, I’m afraid.” He stood up again and grinned.

 

“Then marry Aunt Kelsey.” Fee’s delighted expression proved she believed she’d just solved a crisis. “She’s old, too!”

 

“Fee!” Kelsey sputtered.

 

Trip burst into laughter. “Positively ancient, I agree.”

 

Fee stared at him with one of her darling puzzled expressions until he controlled himself.

 

“In lieu of a wedding ring, may I buy you a birthday cupcake or cookie?” he finally asked.