Banging on the front door just before midnight startled Danielle. Stiffening, she listened for the knock again. It came. She knew the knock. Could sense the power behind the fist.
Luke.
Didn’t he realize he’d wake Brianna?
Danielle flipped off her covers and grabbed her robe. Shoving her arms in the sleeves, she scrambled into the hallway and clicked on the light. What was he doing at her house this late? Did he expect her to jump into bed with him again, after witnessing the smoochy kiss with the other woman?
Anger fired in her blood. He had no right.
She whipped open the front door to confront him. “What’re you doing here? You’re going to wake Brianna.”
His knit beanie sat askew on his head. The growth on his face was unkempt. His eyes appeared bloodshot, frustrated, and a bit scared. And yet, he looked good.
He didn’t answer her question. Grabbing her cheeks between his hands, he pressed his lips to hers roughly, with a kiss meant to torture and tease. He forced her mouth open and thrust his tongue inside.
She tried to resist. She placed her hands on his chest to push him away, and instead her fingers curled into his coat. Her desire overrode her anger, although fury filtered through her veins. Her mouth pressed hard, trying to punish. Her tongue dueled and clashed with his. Her hands fisted, bringing his body closer. His kiss was a drug. Intoxicating and addicting.
Her bones liquefied and she felt woozy. Tingles traveled from her lips to her feet, flashing thrills of desire. Her toes curled in the woolen socks she wore. She wanted him, but she hated him, too.
Luke pushed her against the open door. Stuck his hands into her hair, pulling and tangling the messy strands. His body pressed against hers, sending trills of desire into her body. Her terrycloth robe gaped open, exposing the most unsexy flannel pajamas.
He ripped his mouth apart from hers. “You make me so mad.”
“I make you mad?” She heaved a breath. Her weak body braced against the door for support. Freezing night air cooled her desire. “You practically broke into my house and molested me.”
His lips teased into an overconfident, sexy smile. “You enjoyed that as much as I did.”
Her hand itched to slap the smug expression off his face, except she couldn’t deny it. She had enjoyed the rough-and-tumble make out session. Swiping her hand across her mouth, she wasn’t going to admit it. “What do you want?”
The smile slipped from his face. “I need to talk to you.” He sounded grave.
“This.” She pointed to his mouth and her tingling lips. “This is not talking.”
“Yeah, well, you distracted me with that sexy robe.”
“You’re letting the heat out.” Except in her body. Letting him step into the foyer, she closed the front door. She noted her old blue terrycloth robe, knowing she looked nothing like the gorgeous woman who’d kissed him earlier. “Don’t make fun of me. I wasn’t expecting company.”
“What do you wear at night when you are expecting someone?” He winked.
She crossed her arms and glared, refusing to be charmed by his teasing. “What do you want?”
His eyebrows settled into a serious line. “Why didn’t you come to the team dinner?”
“I wasn’t hungry.” She wasn’t about to admit jealousy. She rubbed her hand against her cold arms. They’d been standing with the door open for a while. “That’s why you’re mad?”
“I wanted to talk to you, celebrate with you and Bri.” His voice rose with an accusation, as if it was her fault she hadn’t gone to dinner.
Danielle firmed her lips. It wasn’t her fault. It was her decision. She didn’t want to be at dinner with the other woman and be the recipient of pitying glances from the other parents. They were supposed to be dating so Luke got to know Bri. People had noticed them out together. And now this strange, sexy woman shows up and kisses Luke in front of everyone.
“Bri was at the dinner.” She’d gone with Chloe and her parents.
“I wanted you there.” He yanked his hat off, the controlled action showing his temper.
“I thought you didn’t get mad anymore.” Danielle had been surprised how he’d dealt with the kids’ mistakes on the slopes. Corrections, not anger. Encouragement, not rejection. “You didn’t get mad when that boy got disqualified.”
“I only get mad when it’s important.”
“Me being at the team dinner is important?” She chuckled. The idea was ridiculous.
His gaze bore into hers. The green of his orbs swirled with intensity. “You’re important.”
Her heart ba-bumped. Her resistance weakened. He thought she was important. She wanted to melt into a puddle on the floor.
But important only because she was Bri’s mother. The ba-bump in her heart turned into a thrashing bongo beat of disbelief and hurt. “If I’m so important, who was the woman you kissed?”
“She kissed me.” He stated it as fact. His expression appeared open and honest. “That’s Vivienne. She’s my agent.”
“She greets all her clients with a kiss?”
“Yes. No.” He rubbed his hand against his temple. “I can explain about the kiss.”
“No need.” She shut her curiosity down. There was nothing to explain. She didn’t want to hear excuses. But the curiosity itched similar to a rash. She tapped her foot.
“I would’ve introduced you, except you left the competition right after the award ceremony.” He took her chin between his hands. “Why?”
He studied and analyzed her expression and every movement of her body.
Heat climbed up her face and the rash’s itching increased. She shrugged, unwilling to give him an answer. He wasn’t stupid. He could guess the reason.
“And you didn’t show up for dinner.”
“Which didn’t last until midnight.” She glared at the Grandfather clock in the hallway and arched her brow. “Brianna was home hours ago.”
What had taken him so long to get here? His beautiful agent?
Bri had come home from the dinner excited about the ski competition and Luke’s plans for training during the Christmas break. She’d asked a lot of questions about why Danielle hadn’t wanted to go and seemed concerned because she never missed a team dinner. Bri hadn’t mentioned Vivienne being at the dinner and Danielle had been afraid to ask. She wasn’t jealous, only curious.
“I needed to talk to Vivienne.”
The itching spread across her body. Instead of a red rash it was green. Of course, the vivacious Vivienne had been the reason. Danielle whipped toward the door and put her hand on the knob to show him out. “Of course, you needed to talk to the sexy blonde bombshell.”
“You think she’s sexy?” His light tone teased. “I didn’t realize you were into women too.”
“Stop.”
He put his hand over Danielle’s on the doorknob. “I’ve never slept with Vivienne. Would never sleep with a business associate.”
Danielle studied his face. Truth or lie?
“Never had any interest in sleeping with Vivienne.” He kissed the tip of Danielle’s nose with the gentlest of touches.
The soft touch was a fortified attack. Her resistance weakened.
“I’ve never had any type of relationship with her except for a business one.” He kissed her cheek.
All the while, she studied his expression. The open and honest eyes. The smooth and unconcerned forehead. The serious line of his lips.
The sensual touch had her swooning. Her hand slipped off the doorknob. She believed him. Believed his caresses were truth and his kisses were honest. He never lied to her when they were teens and she knew he wasn’t lying now.
Getting lost in his gaze, she placed two fingers on his lips, a ritual they’d had when they were a couple in high school and had been fighting. “I believe you.”
The color of his orbs deepened. His lips kissed her fingers, continuing their ritual. A wicked glint shone from his orbs, and he sucked her fingers into his mouth. The
intimate act and the pull of his tongue tugged at her core. Desire spiraled downward to pool between her legs.
He slowly withdrew her fingers from his mouth. The suction sent a thrill across her body. His gaze locked with hers and his mouth moved closer, closer, taking his time savoring the anticipation.
Their mouths met—a memory and a dream.
The simple kiss was filled with a decade of meaning. This kiss wasn’t only passion. Their lips meshed and their hearts beat in tune. He tasted and she nipped. She nibbled and he pecked. He sucked on her lower lip with a lingering promise.
Did she mean something to Luke?
* * *
“Don’t get hooked up in the hairpin.” Luke rubbed Bri’s shoulders through her light race suit. Could she sense his nerves through his hands? “Make sure you get over your outside foot and keep your skis on the snow.”
“Got it.” Bri’s chin stuck out in a determined expression. She grabbed some snow and rubbed it under her eyes to make herself more alert.
A little trick he’d taught her during the week.
“This is your race.” The galloping in his chest sounded like a horse running around a track. “Have fun and be safe.”
Have fun and be safe? He never said that to any of the other skiers. But he wanted Bri to do both. He wanted her to love the sport with the same passion he did, but he didn’t want her to be reckless like him.
“My race.” She tossed the snow down, jerked her head into a nod, and slapped goggles on.
Luke stood near the starting gate, watching Bri get in position to take her final run. The galloping of his heart went faster as if reaching for the finish line. He understood nerves, but this wasn’t his race. It was Bri’s. She was the last female skier down the slope. The course was slick and fast. She could do awesome.
The extra-fast course made it extra dangerous.
He’d worked with the kids during the week and he felt like a real coach during this competition. He’d increased his physical therapy exercises, and he’d been negotiating with Vivienne new terms on the Japanese deal. Every other free moment had been spent with Dani and Bri. Like a real family.
His muscles tensed so tight he thought they might snap. Was this how Danielle felt every time she watched Bri ski? He’d have an entire head of gray hairs.
The away competition at Powder Mountain, about one hundred miles from Castle Ridge, had many of the kids rattled. Except for Bri, the girls’ team had not done well. The boys’ team was next. They gathered nearby stretching, visualizing, and shooting the breeze. Every skier handled the pressure differently.
The clock beeped out the seconds.
His tendons screamed. He felt as if he was at the gate, staring down the precipice, ready to rocket. His brain counted down the seconds. This was his second competition coaching his daughter. This time he knew her better, had trained her longer, loved her more.
The beep sounded and Bri lunged forward, starting her run.
Even with his racing heart and lack of oxygen, he analyzed her every move. The way her skis chattered around certain turns, the way she shifted her weight, the way she fought to keep her line. She was having a great run. Possibly her best ever.
His gaze flew back and forth between her and the clock. She was ahead of the best time at the halfway point. He clenched his fist and gave a slight pump. “Come on. You can do it, Bri.”
He leaned forward, urging her. He shifted his shoulders as she edged around a turn. She carved left and right. His feet moved with her. She let her knees and ankles absorb the shock. He bent at his knees, not even noticing the sharp pain of his injury. Too much adrenaline rushed through him.
Bri stretched forward, crossed under the finish line, and swished to a stop. She wheeled around and studied the clock. Holding her poles, her fists raised in triumph.
Triumph soared through him. His lungs puffed and his eyes prickled. He raised both of his fists. She’d won! His daughter had taken first place in her category.
The boys behind him gave an excited cheer.
He used binoculars to watch Bri ski to the sides. She jumped out of her skis and ran to Dani. They hugged.
Even though Bri’s race was done, blood soared through his veins, pumping and pumping. He wished he could celebrate with her as her parent. To be part of their small family.
The thumping in his chest stopped for a second. Restarted. Pounding slow and steady. He wanted to be part of their family. He wanted a permanent home. And he wanted Dani.
The first boy skier got into the gate. The beeping countdown started. The swish of the skier’s skis sounded against the snow. The cold air chilled his cheeks. The boys beside him gabbed. All of it was a kaleidoscope of life, but he wasn’t present.
He was in the past and the future.
A past filled with a fun, laughing Dani.
A future with Dani and Bri.
The pumping calmed into a soothing rhythm. He could picture them together. He could make it happen. His chest thudded. What about his skiing career? What about his sponsorships? What about his contracts and commitments?
“Your girl gave quite a run.”
Luke jerked at the term your girl. Bri was his daughter, but he couldn’t claim her. Not yet. He had a plan. First, he’d win Dani and Bri over, then he’d get his contracts renegotiated so he’d know his future commitments. Lastly, he’d confer with Dani on several issues.
He shifted toward the deep, male voice and recognized his high school nemesis.
“Ryder. How’s it going?” Luke really didn’t care.
“Heard you were coaching the Castle Ridge team.” Ryder’s long hair was tied back in a ponytail. He wore a metallic-silver ski coat matching his team. “I’m the coach of the Powder Mountain team.”
The guy had competed against him in high school, and now they were competing again as coaches. Their match-ups had always been competitive. Only one of them made it pro.
“Temporarily.” Luke sounded defensive. Considering retiring in his mind was one thing. He wasn’t about to tell this jerk. “While I recover from an injury.”
“Too bad about the injury.” Ryder didn’t seem sorry. “That Brianna Marstrand sure is something. She gave quite a run.”
“She’s good naturally, and Coach has been working with her.” Luke started with a brag, and ended giving Coach the props. “I can’t take credit.”
“Can’t you?” Ryder’s expression took on a troublemaking intent. “She’s a chip off the old ice block.”
Luke’s breath snagged. He wasn’t sure if Ryder was referring to Luke or Bri’s mother. “Danielle Marstrand was a good competitor.”
Ryder had known Dani, too.
The guy’s smile twisted into a sneer. “I heard that wasn’t all she was good at.”
Luke took a defensive stance. “What do you mean?”
“You two hooked up in high school. Then she ran off with Parker Williamson.” Ryder smirked. “She had that kid awfully young.”
Fury exploded, roaring and rumbling like an avalanche. He stretched to full height. He wanted to rip the jerk into pieces. He grabbed Ryder’s coat at the collar and yanked him forward.
A snicker from one of the boys caught Luke’s attention.
It wouldn’t be good to get in a fight with an opposing coach. Suppressing his fury, he released the fistful of coat and brushed it off, as if he were being helpful. He’d caused the vicious gossip about Dani.
How had Dani put up with the rumors for all these years?
He leaned in and whispered, “Leave Dani alone. Don’t say anything about her or her daughter. Or else.” He tacked on for good measure. He wanted this jerk to know he was serious. Leaning back, he placed a fake smile on his face, making sure the boys on his team got a glimpse. “Good luck in the competition.”
Ryder took a step back. His face was red and his glance narrowed. He didn’t like the way Luke had talked to him.
Too bad.
Pulling himself together, he whirled a
way and faced his boys team. He ignored their questioning expressions. “Okay, guys. The slip crew is about done fixing the course. Let’s tear this run apart.”
Luke gave his pre-race pep talk. He spoke to each of the boys when it was their turn to take to the slope. He encouraged and calmed.
But his heart wasn’t at the top of the mountain. It was at the bottom with Dani and Bri. He kept thinking about what Ryder said, and how Dani must’ve felt thirteen years ago when Luke had left town and she’d discovered she was pregnant.
At sixteen, she’d been strong and brave and courageous, deciding to handle the pregnancy alone. He now understood what she’d gone through.
And now, now, she was older and wiser and even more attractive.
Certain body parts came to attention, remembering their lingering kiss on her doorstep. A kiss filled with promise and hope, and yet not fulfilled. Dani hadn’t invited him to stay. She’d been worried about Bri and he totally understood wanting to set a good example.
He wanted to be a good example. He wanted promises and hope for the future. Sweat formed on the back of his neck, even in the frigid air. Was that something he could give her, and keep his career?
Chapter Twelve
That night, Luke pushed back in his chair at the Powder Mountain Hotel Restaurant, satisfaction in his gut. Not from the food, from the atmosphere. The team hadn’t won the competition, but they’d learned a few things. Bri had taken first in her division. And, he was enjoying dinner with two of the loveliest ladies in the world.
There was no team dinner after the competition, because a few of the members had traveled home right after the award ceremony. He was okay with the plan. This time with Dani and his daughter was precious.
Bri glowed from her win. Her rosy cheeks and big grin constantly in sight. The twinkle in her green eyes—identical to his—showed her inner happiness.
Dani twirled a wine glass in her hand, listening intently to what her daughter said. A slight smile never left her face. Her gaze switched between Bri and him, sending each of them a message of love.
His heart thumped. Did Dani love him? He froze for a second, thinking about possibilities. Then his heart pounded harder and his stomach scooped. He wasn’t ready to give up his skiing career yet. Could he give it up for them? Or could he make both work?
The Christmas Match: Castle Ridge Small Town Romance Page 14
