The Billionaire Athlete’s Christmas Fling - Leslie North Page 0,20
was one thing to make out with Chase in the ski shed. Quite another to casually accept an invitation to strip down and get relaxed in his private hot tub, away from prying eyes. “Sure,” Tana choked out. It did not sound as casual as she wanted it to. “But I do need to go home first to get my bathing suit. I can’t very well go naked, now can I?”
“You could. I wouldn’t mind.” His devilish grin reinforced that this was a bad decision, but she wouldn’t chicken out now.
The truth was, her back did ache, and her leg muscles were tight. A hot tub sounded idyllic.
Back at her cottage Tana rifled through a box at the back of her closet. She’d thrown the summer things inside when it was time to move. Do not get attached to him. She pulled out a cute red bikini and threw it back into the box. No way. A polka-dotted number from three summers ago was another reject. Not now, not ever. Tana yanked out her oldest suit—a boring black one-piece.
Perfect.
On the way to his house, she tried to convince herself she could do this. It would be okay. Couldn’t she just appreciate his good looks and charming personality without having feelings? Note to self—no feelings. Her promise to herself didn’t do anything to quell the sense of impending doom.
Well, not doom. More a vague worry that she was about to make a huge mistake.
Chase opened the door before she could knock. He wore nothing but a pair of blue swim trunks. Tana’s heart did a smooth flip. He looked good.
“Hey there. Glad you came back and didn’t chicken out,” Chase said, his teasing grin making her heart race. “Hot tub’s ready.”
“Well, I’m not. I still have to get into my suit.” Tana followed him inside. She ducked into his guest bathroom to change and found her hands were shaking. This was just a friendly visit to his hot tub, and nothing else. Nothing. When she came out, she found Chase in the kitchen, leaning against the island. His face lit up when he saw her.
“It’s out on the back deck,” he said, gesturing toward the back door. “Ladies first.”
“No way.” Tana dropped her clothes on a low bench by the back door. “Owners first.”
“Suit yourself.” Chase laughed. She couldn’t take her eyes off him as he padded across the deck and stepped into the hot tub. He let out a groan of pleasure. “Water’s perfect. Come on in.” He held out a hand to her.
Tana felt drawn to him by the force of gravity. She crossed the deck, the icy cold against her feet making her move faster. Taking his hand like it wasn’t a big deal, she let him help her down the steps into the welcoming warmth of the water. The heat scalded the bottoms of her cold feet.
Within thirty seconds, the stinging stopped, and she tipped her head back, letting out a little moan. “Okay, you were right. This is good.”
“You’re only in up to your calves,” Chase prompted. “Imagine how it’ll feel when the water’s up to your shoulders.”
He was right a second time—when she sank down into the water it began to dull the lingering aches and pains from her day on the slopes. Tana leaned her head against the headrest, letting the tension go out of her muscles. Something at the core of her unlocked.
“What’s on your mind, Tana?”
She lifted her head and peered at Chase. He was stretched out on the opposite side of the hot tub, muscular arms on full display. The bubbling water obscured his abs, which was a shame. But she could be an arms woman. In fact, she was all in on them now.
Your incredible body. That’s what was on Tana’s mind, not that she’d tell him that. “I’ve been thinking about Lindsey’s ski lessons.” It was a safe topic. “I don’t know if she’s ready for more lessons at the level you’re trying to take her. Maybe you’re moving too fast.”
“We’re still on the bunny hill!” Chase laughed. “She’s improving so much every day. By the end of the season, she’ll be ready for a couple of the easier blue trails.”
Worry twisted through Tana’s gut, kept slightly at bay by the roll and tug of the water.
“That’s the thing. I’m worried Lindsey’s pushing too hard. What if it buckles while she’s skiing?”
Chase pushed off from his side of the hot tub and sat next to her. Tana’s skin pulled