Elkin Brothers Christmas The Complete Series - Leslie North Page 0,4

of them didn’t look too confident when they got down to the bottom. Build their trust in themselves first.”

Apparently she’d taken too long in her denial. Tana’s couldn’t believe how ridiculous his speech had become. She lifted her goggles over her head, then pushed back her hood with her free hand, staring at him. Glaring at him.

“I wasn’t asking, mister. If you don’t mind, I need to ensure all of my students are back with their families.” Her answer served double duty. Putting him in his place and getting rid of him. She was not a fan of this man, whoever he was.

His mouth dropped open, and she couldn’t help but notice the full perfection of his lips. That, with oddly compelling green eyes, ignited her curiosity. It felt like sitting a foot from the fire in the lodge. The heat only increased with the awkwardness. The man looked vaguely shocked like no one ever dared talk back. Who did he think he was anyway?

One of the parents stepped up between them, giving a shy little wave, the mom’s cheeks pink. Her little boy, Gus, stood close beside her.

“I’m so sorry to interrupt your conversation.” Her smile got bigger, her expression not matching the words. She looked almost giddy. “But my son was wondering if we could get a selfie.”

Ace’s face broke into a thousand-watt smile, and something clicked into place. Something awful.

“Sure thing.” He signaled for Gus and his mom to stand closer and Gus held out his phone to Tana. “Would you mind taking the photo for us?”

She took the phone and moved back. Seriously? Taking photos with him?

“Right around here, Mr. Elkin,” Gus’s mother gushed. She couldn’t stop smiling. Gus beamed up at Ace like the sun rose and fell on the man.

Hot shame flooded her face. Oh, my god. The man was champion world skier Chase Elkin. One of the Elkin family, as in owners of the lodge. And she’d been snippy with him. The earth seemed to drop away under her feet. Tana wanted to sink into the snow and disappear.

Chase, however, seemed completely at ease. He didn’t appear at all upset that an employee had just been incredibly rude to him in front of the guests.

Putting an arm around Gus, he smiled patiently while the boy’s mother took several pictures. Chase even offered to pose for a photo of the three of them and doing funny poses.

Wind, blow me away now.

“Thank you so much,” the mom said, giving Gus a gentle push toward the lodge. “We’ve got to go.”

Tana forced a smile to her face. “See you next week, Gus!” Her voice sounded too bright and too false, even to her own ears. And she still had to swim through the increasing awkwardness of the moment.

When she turned back to Chase, he was standing there with his arms crossed, checking her out from head to toe. Tana wasn’t a big fan of blushing, and the cold would only make her cheeks pinker, but she couldn’t stop it from happening. Get out ahead of this.

She let out a deep breath, the moisture forming a wispy cloud in the cool air.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Elkin, for... using that tone with you. I shouldn’t have said what I did. That wasn’t right.” Tana was aiming for apologetic, even if deep inside, she didn’t think he deserved it.

“Why? Because my family owns the lodge?” His grin had settled into something more sultry. “I don’t know if I’d turn down my own advice, but I’m sure you had your reasons.”

“I thought you were a random mansplaining guest,” she blurted. “I had another guy earlier do a similar thing, only he was a lot pushier about it. It gave me a bit of a short fuse.” Her nerves sparked with cold and dread. “I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way.”

“Sorry about the disgruntled guest.” Chase put one gloved hand into the pocket of his winter jacket. “Want me to have him removed from the premises?”

“No, of course not. I was only trying to explain—” Why I was so short with a man who’s basically my boss. “Why I didn’t accept your constructive criticism the way I should have.”

“I didn’t mean for it to come off as criticism.” Chase’s wide smile lit something inside of her. It made her think of adventure and laughing until her stomach hurt and the rush of pushing off the top of a black diamond hill. His eyes held sadness—no surprise, considering what had happened to