Vicki Thompson - Cowboys & Angels

“My turn.” He moved faster, now. Slipping his hands under her bottom, he held her as if knowing she didn’t have the strength to do it herself.

Amazingly, she wasn’t finished. His rapid strokes brought her right back to the edge, and when he hurled himself over with a deep groan, she followed with a gasp of surprise. As she clung to him and gulped in air, her dazed mind kept returning to one simple truth. She’d started an affair with Trey Wheeler, and keeping it under control would take all her willpower.

4

TREY HAD A million things he wanted to say to Elle as they lay wrapped in each other’s arms, but he chose not to say any of them. Actions spoke louder than words, anyway, and their actions tonight in this bed were shouting about the possibilities ahead of them. He’d let her think on it, and he sure as hell would, too.

Going into this, he’d had high expectations. The reality of making love to her had shot way past those expectations, and he suspected the lovemaking would only get better with time. A relationship was built on more than sexual attraction, and he knew that, so the next step was getting better acquainted somewhere other than in bed.

Tomorrow they’d be together for the skiing lesson, with other folks around. He was glad they’d been to bed first, though, so neither of them had to waste time wondering if and when sex would happen. The if part was settled, and the when would be every chance they had.

He didn’t think he was being egotistical to assume that. She’d responded more enthusiastically than any woman he’d been with. She’d want more of that, and heaven knows he would, too. She was incredible. His body had never felt so energized, so damned complete.

But he held off telling her all those things, especially because she was getting drowsier by the second. He’d wondered earlier if she’d notice his angel wing tattoo once his shirt was off, but she hadn’t. Just as well.

He wasn’t sure how she’d feel about it, jumpy as she was about commitment. Tattoos were permanent, although they did fade with time. Still, Elle might not like the fact that he planned to carry a reminder of her forever, no matter how their relationship turned out.

He stayed with her until she drifted off to sleep. Then he slipped out of bed, dressed quietly and left her room, locking the door behind him.

As he started down the hall, he saw a woman walking in his direction. There was no escape. As they drew closer to each other, he recognized Amy, the bartender. He had no idea what time it was, but she’d probably just gotten off work and was going to her room.

When they met, she smiled at him. “You look worried.”

“I am worried. It’s obvious where I’ve been, and I don’t want the word to get out.”

“I won’t rat on you, if that’s what you’re concerned about.”

“I appreciate that.”

“But after the introduction to your song tonight, followed by you and Elle leaving the bar together, I predict you won’t keep this liaison a secret very long.”

Trey sighed. “I don’t want to embarrass her. Apparently she has this ironclad rule, and—”

“It’s her rule, and she has the right to break it. I can’t speak for everyone, but I won’t tease her.”

“Thanks. And, listen, I also want to thank you for asking Elle to help you behind the bar tonight. That turned out really well.”

Amy laughed. “I can see that it did. FYI, your shirt is buttoned up wrong.”

“Oh.” Trey glanced down and sure enough, she was right. But he couldn’t very well fix it right here in front of her. He’d do that after they parted ways. “Anyway, I hope you weren’t slammed with orders after we left.”

“I wasn’t slammed with orders in the first place.” Amy’s smile widened. “I didn’t really need her help. I told her to get her butt down there so she could listen to a hot cowboy sing with the band.”

“Really?”

“Really. She loves her some good country music. I had no idea all this other stuff was going on with you two.”

“Huh. So my music did have some effect on her.”

“I’d guarantee it. Of course, you were having some effect on all the women in the room. Have you thought of doing anything with that gift?”

“Nah. I love training horses. The life of a professional singer doesn’t appeal to me at all. Local stuff is all I care to do.”

“Too bad. I know it’s competitive, but I think you could make it if you wanted to give it a try.”

“That’s nice to hear, but it just doesn’t interest me.”

“All righty, then. Guess I’ll be going off to bed. See you tomorrow.”

“You bet. And thanks again.” Trey continued down the hall. So Elle was susceptible to his music, was she? That was a bonus he hadn’t counted on.

Amy thought he should do something with his gift. Apparently, he already had. And he’d continue to use it to charm his angel until she figured out they had something special going on.

* * *

CARRYING HER SKIS and poles in a zippered bag in one hand and two clipboards in the other, Elle walked out to the bunny hill a little before nine, the time appointed for the beginner lessons. She prided herself on always being on time, but this morning she’d been more motivated than usual.

Jackson Hole had trotted out one of its famously perfect winter mornings. A cobalt sky arched over pine forests crisscrossed with ski runs. Sunlight turned the snow into a rhinestone-studded carpet.

Elle couldn’t imagine a more beautiful setting than this one. She’d bounced out of bed with the kind of energy she’d had as a kid. Breakfast had tasted like gourmet fare, even though it was her usual yogurt and fruit combined with strong coffee.

She had plenty of reservations about letting Trey into her life, but for the short term, he’d made her feel as if she’d spent a day at the spa. Her body hummed with awareness knowing she’d see him very soon.

She was already planning ahead, looking for opportunities for them to be alone so that she could feel his magic hands, taste his exotic kisses and feel the thrust of his...well, yes. Definitely that, too. She got hot thinking about it.

He was scheduled to play for the rehearsal dinner tonight, but after that...he’d be all hers. She’d had a short conversation with Amy in the employee cafeteria, and Amy had mentioned meeting Trey in the hallway. Amy wouldn’t gossip, but she’d warned Elle that Trey’s song and his subsequent exit from the bar with Elle would fuel rumors.

Probably. She wasn’t going to let worry about fallout dampen her mood today, though. She’d enjoyed the most thrilling sex of her life last night, and the man responsible for that would be at the bunny hill any minute. A little voice in her head warned her that she was flirting with disaster, and she ignored it.

Jared was already there. Leaning her gear against the side of the ski hut they used as a base of operations, she walked over to him. “Ready for the newbies?”

“Absolutely.” With his lean, muscular body, Jared fit the image of a sexy ski instructor. He inspired confidence in those he coached with his brilliant smile, which flashed often in a face tanned by constant exposure to sun reflecting off snow.

Women found him irresistible, but Elle had never heard about any liaisons with guests. She decided to ask him about that. “I know the ladies hit on you all the time. Have you ever...?” She wasn’t quite sure how to state it so she wouldn’t offend him.

Jared winked at her. “Elle, you know perfectly well that a gentleman doesn’t discuss his affairs.”

“So you have had them!”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to. If you’d walked the straight and narrow, you would have told me. But you hedged.”