Chapter Six
I wakeup at seven am, shower and dress in a pair of blue Levi jeans, a thermal long-sleeved top, and a loose grey sweatshirt. My hair is thoroughly tangled, and it takes me a good five minutes to brush a comb through it. Last night I only managed to get a few hours’ sleep after lying in bed thinking about the way I had behaved. I’m pretty sure the brothers went out again at some point after I returned to my room; not that I care what they get up to, it’s their holiday, after all. What bothers me now is how rude I was to the brothers. I am not normally so confrontational. When I think about it, I know it’s because I am damaged goods. My mum and her trail of boyfriends have fucked me up so thoroughly that I am pretty much in self-defence mode all thetime.
This morning I have some apologising to do, but first, a trip to the local store is required to get supplies. The shop is a ten-minute walk into the main resort and open from seven am. All the chalet girls use it, apparently. I figure if I go now I will be back in time to cook them breakfast. Perhaps we can start again. Fresh day, a fresh start and allthat.
I head out into the hallway and catch one of the brothers swimming in the pool. The underwater lights aren’t lit so all I can see clearly is the top half of the swimmer’s body moving through darkened water. Whoever it is has a huge, black, dragon tattoo penned into the skin of their sculptured back. It’s not Max as he’s blonde and it isn’t Bryce as his hair is longer, which only leaves Hudson. I watch as he reaches the edge of the pool, turns and spots me. For a moment, my breath catches in my throat at the long look he gives me. He just stares, and I stare back. I feel like a deer caught in the headlights, wanting to move but suddenly unable to. What the fuck is wrong with me? Am I really going to pieces over a half-dressed man I don’t even like? I watch as he swipes a hand through his wet hair. He walks to the steps of the pool and climbs out, turning to face me. He is completely and utterly naked. My eyes widen just a fraction as I take in his broad shoulders, defined pecs, six pack, and strong, muscular arms, finally resting on his manhood. A small smile plays at the edge of his mouth as he looks at me looking at him. Despite my bravado yesterday I find my cheeks heating, and not wishing him to see how much he’s affecting me, I lookaway.
Arsehole,he totally did that on purpose.I turn on my heel and head upstairs, my heart pounding treacherously in mychest.
The ground floor is quiet as I enter, just the sound of coffee percolating in the machine. Max and Bryce are likely still sleeping and, glad I don’t have to make small talk, I pull on my ski jacket and winter boots. When I open the door, my mouth drops open at the amount of snow covering everything in sight. “Shit,” I say, my breath coming out in warm puffs. A snow plough is making its way down the street, pushing huge piles of snow to the side. I’ve never seen anything likeit.
I head outside, enjoying the muffled quiet that only heavy snowfall can bring, and walk towards the main strip where the supermarket is located. It takes me less than ten minutes to gather what I need. The check-out girl tots it all up and I hand her the company credit card I’ve been given to pay for the food with. I still can’t quite believe there is a couple of grand stacked up on the card to use for supplies. When Shawna handed it over to me, she said she had ‘borrowed’ a couple hundred quid from the card and paid it back on payday, implying that I could ‘borrow’ some money too. It’s just as well I am trustworthy. This job means more to me than a few hundredquid.
“Merci,” the girl says, handing me back the card after ringing up the bill. I thank her and make my way out of theshop.
A minute later I am struggling back up the incline, trying to hold on to two full bags of shopping whilst trying not to break aleg.
“Hey, Louisa, let me help.” I turn and almost fall on my arse, a particularly icy patch making my feet skid beneathme.
“Whoa,” Max says, catching me in his arms. The breath of his laugh tickles my ear. “Steady, you could break something,” he murmurs, a little too sexily for my liking. He props me upright, turning me to face him. I am still ensconced in hisarms.
“Okay?” He looks at me, the dark of his eyes a liquid brown. The air has suddenly got decidedlywarmer.
“I’m fine,” I say, pullingaway.
“Sure thing,” he chuckles, swiping a hand through his dishevelledhair.
“Good night?” I ask, realisation dawning. The relaxed pull of his mouth, the softness of his features. Max is clearly in orgasmthrall.
“Pretty entertaining, as it goes. A night with me always is. You should try it,” he adds, a slow smile pulling up hislips.
“I think I’llpass.”
He falls into step beside me and I can feel the light touch of his hand on the base of my spine, as if he’s ready to catch me should I fallagain.
“I can’t believe how much snow there is. I’ve never seen anything like it,” I say, stepping away from his touch. His hand falls away and I catch a strange look in his eye, but he saysnothing.
“This? This is nothing. You haven’t seen anything yet. Wait until you get up the mountain. When the snow falls up there, well, it’s incredible.” Max’s face lights up as he describes the view. I can’t help but smile at hisenthusiasm.
“Are you going to ski today? I could show youaround.”
I shake my head. “No, I haven’t come forskiing.”
“Oh,” he says, taking one of the bags from me. “What have you come for,then?”
“I needed the money,” I say. It is easier to say that than to tell him I’m running away from a drunkmother.
“I see,” hesays.
We reach the steps and head back inside the chalet. When I walk in there is a brunette woman dressed in a man’s shirt sitting across Bryce’s lap. She is gorgeous, with long limbs and full lips. She is also vaguely familiar. She smiles at Max, her expression changing as soon as it rests onme.
“You’ve got amaid. Great, I’m starving.”Maid? Fucking cheek. Immediately my back is up at the look she gives me, as though I am a piece of shit on her shoe. Then I notice the sparkling outfit in the corner and I remember where I’ve seen herbefore.
“I see you got yourself apole dancer,” I say, looking her up and down. “How much did you pay her for a private lap dance,Bryce?”
I hear Max snigger besideme.
“You bitch…” she says, gettingup.