Hearts on Fire: Romance Multi-Author Box Set Anthology

by Violet Vaughn

  When I get there, I have to park on the side of the road well before the house. Voices carry over the music as I walk, and a wave of relief soothes my nerves. There’s enough people here that I’m comfortable I won’t make too much of an entrance.

  The house is a two-story log home typical of Colorado mountain communities, and the yard is a bit scrappy looking. But the house sure isn’t. It has a big porch with rustic rocking chairs and a porch swing. Imagining the guys in them makes me smile as my boots clomp on the wooden steps. The front door is majestic. Sized for a giant, it’s wider and taller than most, and there’s a big wrought-iron doorknocker I’m tempted to use. I let myself in and enter the great room. My eyes are drawn up two stories where random skis and snowboards are hanging like mobiles. An antler chandelier glows in the lodge-like atmosphere. A few people are inside, but most are on a huge deck out back.

  I scan for Kaleb as I walk toward the kitchen, which is past the big room. I notice a faint scent of pine and lemon. I don’t recognize anyone yet, and butterflies flutter in my stomach. But I see Kaleb the moment I walk into the kitchen. He and Chris are arranging hamburgers and hot dogs on a platter. “Casey!”

  Holding out the cookies, I approach. When Blaine and I were together, I had no trouble giving Kaleb a hug or a quick kiss on the cheek. But knowing what I do now, I think it’s best to keep a safe distance. “Hey, I thought you guys might like these. Thanks for hosting the party.”

  “Sure.” He takes the overfilled box from me and grabs one. Kaleb’s eyes light up when he takes a bite. With a full mouth, he says, “It was no big deal. Thanks. These are great.”

  Chris says, “The keg is on the deck. Grab a cup and put your name on it.”

  “Thanks.” I take a blue plastic cup, and the permanent marker squeaks as I write. The moment I step onto the back deck, I thank myself for wearing a cute jacket, because it looks like this is where the party will stay. Tiki torches are set up, and tiny lights are already decorating the deck. I spy Megan and make my way over.

  She’s with two women and says, “Casey, come meet Liza and Heather.” She points to each as she says their name. “Have you decided on kids or adults yet?”

  “No. I know I’d love kids, but it seems teaching adults would make me a better skier. What do you think?”

  Megan says, “Casey is an amazing skier already. She just needs the instructor polish.” She says to me, “I think you should teach adults. You’re right. It will improve your skiing.”

  Heather is a true blonde with blue eyes and older than we are. She says, “I have to agree.” I’m surprised to hear her Australian accent. “There are plenty of great skiers teaching kids, but you have to focus on making all the trainings. It’s not like you never get to teach kids, either. You’ll get pulled over when things get crazy.”

  Liza pulls her long brown hair back. “Definitely do adults. Then you can work with us.” She pauses. “Are you the one who dated Blaine?”

  “I am.” Heat rushes to my face, and I’m not sure why.

  Liza smiles at me. “We heard all about you. It was a big deal when surfer boy got a girlfriend. Especially one who could ski. A lot of hearts were broken that day. I hear he, Nick, and Megan were making sure you would get to hang at the mid station teaching the upper-level lessons with them. I’m bummed he won’t be here this year.” She doesn’t ask why, and it makes me like her instantly.

  “Yeah, I miss him too.” I’d spent many hours thinking about how fun our winter together would be.

  Sadness clouds Heather’s eyes. “I’m going to miss Tim. Those two together were fun.”

  Tears well up all around, and I imagine they were probably part of the search party. Megan changes the subject. “Who needs a beer? Casey, let’s go fill yours.” We pass burgers sizzling on the grill. “Have you seen Jason yet?”

  “You’re dying for me to have a boyfriend again, aren’t you?”

  “You forget I saw you two dancing. Something tells me your relationship was steam-my.” She has a sly look on her face. Then she chuckles. “Besides, you need a little nookie before you explode.”

  I swat her arm. “Stop.”

  Nick has joined us, and we exchange a quick kiss before he asks, “So what’s this about exploding?”

  I roll my eyes as Megan says, “Oh, I’m just arranging her booty call, that’s all.”

  “Should I go get Kaleb?” Nick’s eyes dance.

  Now my face flushes, and I ask, “Can we please talk about something else?”

  Nick can’t let it drop. He leans in closer. “It’s not just Kaleb. A couple of other guys have asked me about you. You’re one of the new girls, and believe me, they’ve noticed.”

  I know they’re both trying to let me know I’m attractive, and I’m grateful. “Do you two know how much I love you?”

  “We love you too.” Nick makes a show of searching the crowd. “You need to meet Ian. Where is he?”

  Megan starts to laugh, and I ask, “Do I want to know?”

  “A couple of years ago Ian was caught in the bathroom with his girlfriend. Let’s just say we’re all sure of his sexual preferences.” Megan adds, “Really, he’s an awesome guy, too. He would be a great boyfriend.”

  “How about I just meet people and discover their boyfriend potential later? Would that be okay? Because if you two keep it up, I won’t be able to look any guy here in the eye.”

  Nick puts his arm around my shoulders. “I’ll stop. But if you need any help? Just say the word.”

  I lean into him. “You’ll be the first one I ask.”

  Nick releases me and gives Megan a quick kiss. “I’ll let you two do the girl thing.”

  Watching Nick walk away, I notice Jess. She is dressed in skinny jeans and a cropped chunky sweater. Her salon-blond hair is in a high ponytail and flips about with her animated talking. She has on cute boots and looks great. “Look at Jess’s feet. I’m having a jelly moment.”

  “Love them.” Megan squints. “I’ll knock her down; you take the boots and run.”

  I snicker. “I like how you think.” I hear a familiar voice. Jason. I spy him with a group of guys. He got a haircut, but his hair is still long enough so he has that sexy swoop thing going on, and I avert my eyes back to Megan.

  She takes my arm. “C’mon. Let’s mingle. There are so many people you need to meet.”

  Megan spends the night introducing me to what seems like one hundred people, and everyone is welcoming. I find out there are two locker rooms, and the one I’m in on Peak 8 with Megan and Nick is the smaller of them. With seventy-five instructors, it’s an intimate group. I wonder what locker room Jason’s in.

  Megan has gone off to the bathroom, and I stand alone. Daylight has faded, and the tiny lights twinkle. I’m cold and have wrapped my arms around myself as I contemplate going to my car for a fleece. I catch Jason’s eye. From across the deck, he nods toward the door, indicating I should meet him there. I flash back to so many times in our past when a simple nod like that meant he was ready to leave. Brushing by people, I push my way through to the door.

  Jason says, “You’re cold. Come with me, and we’ll get you a fleece.” He leads us inside. “Want to see my room?” He has a slightly suggestive tone in his voice.

  My body says, Hell yeah! “Sure.” He walks down the hall, and I follow. We pass the bathroom and two bedrooms on either side, and when we climb the stairs, our feet step in time. At the top, there’s a hall with four doors. And a ladder at the end that is made of boards nailed to the wall. It leads up to the eaves over the kitchen.

  “This is kind of a hard ladder to climb,” says Jason. “You go first.”

  I’m tempted to make a wise comment about how he just wants to see my butt. Instead, I remember the last time I went up a ladder before him, and my insides warm up. My boots are awkward, and my arms ache as I climb. I scramble into the loft and notice the windows first. It’s not a big space, but there are two skylights and one wall window facing the mountain
range. Pine and his musky wood scent permeate the air. My body welcomes it with open arms. In the corner is a rolling rack with hanging clothes and built-in cubbies with more, while his bed is a mattress on the floor. I say, “This is a great room.”

  “I think so too, but Kaleb says it’s the worst. It’s hot in the summer and cold in the winter, and nobody likes to climb the ladder when they’re drunk.” He twists on a standing lamp. It bathes the room in gentle yellow light.

  My boots tap over to the window. This part of the roof has a wide dormer with a built-in bench, and I peer out at the party below. The mountains aren’t visible, but the sky is full of tiny stars. “This is amazing.”

  The heat of Jason’s body radiates behind me. He places a fleece over my shoulders and leans down to whisper in my ear, “Are you watching for shooting stars?” An involuntary shiver races down my spine. He wraps the jacket around me and pulls me to his chest. “You’re shivering.”

  Now I’m trembling from more than cold. I should break away to pull on the sleeves, but this feels too good. Jason releases me and rubs my arms. I turn and face him. “So. No girlfriend, right?”

  His lips turn up in a seductive grin. His sultry voice answers, “Nope. No boyfriend?”

  I step closer and whisper, “No.”

  Heat flushes my face as he traces a finger along the edge. “If I kiss you, I might not be able to stop. Is this going to be like last time? Does this still make no difference?”

  I hadn’t thought about that. I’m so driven by my desire right now, all I can think about is kissing him. “I...” I can’t tell him I’m just horny. That’s what this is, right? I lick my lips and bite my lower lip.

  He lets out a little moan. “You.” He grabs me and crushes me with a kiss. His tongue is in my mouth, and my knees go weak. I swim in desire as I lace my fingers through his hair. I mold myself against him. He reaches under my thighs and pulls me up on his waist. My legs wrap around him as I moan. He breaks away from my lips, and kisses brand my neck as he walks us over to the mattress. I unwrap my legs and stand. Stepping away, I take his hand and have every intention of pulling him down on the bed.

  His voice is raspy. “You drive me crazy when you bite your lip like that.” He takes his hand away and runs both through his hair. “If this is a one-night thing, I can’t do it, Casey. I just can’t.” His eyes burn into me. “Can you tell me this is more?”

  “I’m sorry. I...” Shame overcomes me. I look down at the floor and whisper, “I don’t know.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought.” He sighs and turns away. “C’mon, let’s go back outside.”

  He doesn’t speak until we get down the stairs. At the bottom, he nods toward the fleece. “You can wear that home and return it later.”

  “Thanks.” We continue down the hall, and shame burns through me. I know I’ve hurt him. “Jason?”

  He stops and turns to me. “What?”

  “I’m sorry.” I shrug my shoulders and give him a weak smile. “You’re right. You’re irresistible.”

  He gives me a wink and says, “Yeah, I know.” He swaggers off, and I wonder if his heart hurts as much as mine does.

  I wonder why I do this to us. I shake it off and search for Megan.

  “Casey, I’ve been looking for you.” It’s Kaleb. I can see he’s a little drunk.

  “You found me. What’s up?”

  “I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am you and Blaine broke up. You guys were great together. How are you?” He’s a little too close, but it could be the beer.

  “I’m fine. These things happen. Thanks for asking.”

  “I miss seeing you. Um, want to have coffee or something?” And there it is. It’s not like I didn’t know this was coming.

  “That’s sweet of you to ask. But I’m not ready for another relationship. I’m sorry.” Ugh. Hugging him, I catch Jason watching. “I’m glad I get to work with you this winter. I’m going to go find Megan.”

  When I step on the deck, Heather is the first friend I see, and I ask, “Do you know where Megan is?”

  “I think she and Nick left a few minutes ago. You know how they are. They had that look.”

  “Oh, yes, the look.” It might be time for me to head home too. I’ve done enough damage for one night. “Hey, it was great meeting you. I hear you’re going to be the kids’ director now. Congratulations.”

  “Thanks. I’ll see you Monday for training.” She leaves me standing alone.

  I scan the crowd and see Jason talking to Jess. Yeah, it’s time for me to leave. I can’t watch that.

  The sound of the party fades away as I head to my car. Welcoming the quiet, I’m distracted by a shooting star. My knee-jerk reaction is to wish for the family with children. But I don’t. Instead, I wish to figure out why I can’t get over Jason. I’m tired of hurting him and myself.

  26

  Monday morning, I arrive at the Peak 8 locker room five minutes early. I didn’t recognize any cars in the parking lot and am nervous. Today is only the newbies, and I don’t know any of them beyond small talk at the instructor party. Tightly woven carpet is firm under my feet as I approach a hall. There are offices on the right wall and rows of blue lockers on the left. Past all that are wooden racks for skis and snowboards with a door at the end. Lemon, with a hint of bleach, taints the air. Passing Matt, the adult supervisor, and Heather chatting in an office on the right, I continue on to a sitting area with two tables. There’s a familiar face at one. I met him at the party but can’t remember his name.

  “Hi, I’m Casey.”

  “Bill. Have a seat. This is where we’re starting.” His slight Southern accent matches his clean-cut look and warm brown eyes. I recall the oxford shirt and pressed jeans he wore to the party and Megan mentioning he probably folds his clothes before sex. I smile and think I don’t want to know. My bag of gear clunks as I set it down, and I store my skis on the rack as I ask, “Where are you coming from?”

  “Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia. I taught there for a few years. You?”

  “Killington, Vermont. I moved out here the middle of last winter. This is my first year teaching.” A guy with a wild mop of auburn hair has just arrived.

  “Hey, I’m Casey, and this is Bill.” I nod toward Bill.

  “Hey.” He says nothing more. His eyes are puffy and he looks hung over.

  Within minutes there are six people sitting at the table. I glance up when I hear Matt and Heather approach and notice Jason behind them. My heart skips a beat. Warmth spreads in my chest, and my butterflies disappear. His eyes light up as he nods at me.

  After introductions, Heather hands us each a mountain of paperwork. She tells us we’ll be hitting the slopes at nine and to find an empty locker.

  The lockers are stacked in twos and I determine I need a bottom one so I can reach it easily. I turn down an aisle when I see Jason, and I pick the closest one near him. Bill grabs one in this row, too.

  Bill asks, “So, did you guys know each other in Vermont?”

  Jason glances at me, and I see mischief in his eyes. I answer quickly. “Yeah. Wait till you see him ski. He’s amazing.” Uh-oh. That was probably not the right thing to say to another guy. I can almost smell the testosterone surge.

  “Cool. I’m good, too. I was the best at my mountain.” He organizes his things on the bench neatly. I do appreciate another clean freak, but he may take it a little further than I do. He wipes down his locker with a bleach wipe.

  Jason tilts his head toward Bill and raises his eyebrows, and I have to drop my gaze to keep from laughing. Instead, I focus on unpacking my stuff. Part of me is tempted to ask for a wipe. Sniffing, I realize I’m okay, so I refrain.

  There is nothing quite like the sensation of putting on ski boots the first day of the season. Scraping my feet down into the stiff plastic, my toes tingle at the tightness, and I buckle the boots on the loosest setting. Fortunately, by lunchtime my feet will have acclimated.

  Jason waits and watches Bill
shake powder into his boots. I prepare myself for a comment, because no way can Jason let this slide. He asks, “Do you vacuum that out at the end of the day?”

  “No, I just shake it out.” Bill looks over at him the way a dog does when they have no idea what it is you want.

  “Ah, because I thought you might have a little sucker thing in that locker. Shaking it out seems so… dirty.” His face is serious, and I’m dying.

  Before I start laughing, I grab my gear and walk between them. “See you two outside.” Jason follows. Clomping so fast my feet hurt, I try to escape before my shaking body gives me away.

  The moment we exit the back door, I burst out in giggles. “You’re awful!”

  “Seriously, Casey? That is some funny shit right there.” He’s bent over in a laugh now.

  “Be nice. He seems like a good guy.” I’m sure he is. I just wonder if he is up for the teasing. He’ll probably hate people from Vermont before the season is over.

  Once we’re all gathered outside, Heather leads us to the chair. She tells Lori and me to ride with her. The chair seats four, but I get the impression Heather has female bonding in mind.

  “Ladies, we’re all going to become good friends,” Heather says. “There are seventy-five instructors in the locker room, and only ten of us are women. I won’t tolerate mean girls, so don’t go there. We always have each other’s back. Skiing and snowboarding is still a man’s world in many ways, and the best way to survive and be treated equally is if we stand united. We shovel stairs with them, go out in the worst weather, and do everything the guys do. Got it?”

  Lori and I reply in unison, “Got it.” She leans back and looks at Lori. “Nice shade of lipstick.” I already love Heather.