A Guy for Christmas - K.C. Wells Page 0,17

your pride that gets hurt. You get up and keep on skiing.”

“I’ll try to remember that.” Robin stroked Lady. “I love your cats.”

“And they clearly love you.” Loki had climbed onto the sofa and lay on the seat cushion next to Robin, his chin resting on Robin’s knee. It made for an adorable picture.

Okay, so cats would like anyone who cuddled them. Dean liked to think cats were also good judges of character. And so far, Robin was making a very favorable impression. He was intelligent, well mannered, and good-natured.

It didn’t hurt any that he was also a beautiful guy.

For God’s sake, quit thinking about his lips.

What Dean wouldn’t give to be the first to kiss Robin Davis. Then he thought about it. The guy was eighteen. Since when did kids reach eighteen these days with no experience of sex? Robin had probably gotten laid the first chance he got, never mind experimented with a little kissing.

Dean shoved such musings aside. He had papers to grade, and the last thing he needed was to be distracted by thoughts of kissing Robin. Because dear Lord, that guy was a walking distraction.

But as Robin said his goodbyes and walked his bike along the path, Dean had to admit he was thinking less about papers, and more about skiing with Robin.

Chapter Six

They sat at a table in the cafeteria near the huge windows of Bear Den Lodge, at Whiteface Mountain. Outside, the sky was clear blue, bright against the white snow. Skiers walked to and fro, carrying their skis, and kids threw snowballs at one another, laughing when they hit something, which was almost never.

Two mugs of hot chocolate sat on the table in front of them, and Robin inhaled the heavenly aroma. There was nothing like it after a few hours on the slopes. He always loved the first ski of the season.

Of course, having Dean alongside had been a definite distraction. More than once, Robin’s concentration had wandered, but that had worked out fine. Hey, I didn’t want to appear too good, right?

Dean leaned back in his chair. “That’s the way to start the weekend.”

Robin had to agree. “Thanks again for taking me out on the slopes.” He’d struggled with feelings of guilt the whole time, however. He didn’t like deceiving Dean.

“How do you think you did today?” Dean asked.

Robin pretended to hesitate. “Okay, I guess. I didn’t fall over too much, did I? But we were on easy trails, right?” He hated this. He knew exactly how difficult the trail had been, and for a moment back there he’d wondered why Dean had taken him to it after only half an hour’s skiing. The panicky thought had flitted through his mind. Because he knows, you doof. He’s seen right through you.

“Wrong.”

Robin blinked. “Excuse me?” Uh-oh.

Dean shrugged. “I wouldn’t call Victoria an easy trail.”

He swallowed. “Wow. I guess I coped better than I thought.”

Dean cleared his throat. “Okay, let’s start this again. You’ve skied before.”

It wasn’t a question.

“No, I—”

“Hey, Robin!” Ginny Richards stopped at their table, greeting Robin with a huge smile. “Great to see you. I knew you’d be here once the season started. Not like you to stay off the slopes, right?” She patted his shoulder, then looked across to where Dean sat, and her eyes widened. “Hey, Mr. Quentin. Is Robin here showing you a thing or two?”

Dean gave her a polite smile, his eyes twinkling. “He certainly is.”

Aw fuck. Robin stomach clenched.

“Well, I’ll be seeing you around. Take care.” And with that Ginny walked off.

Before Robin could utter a word, Ben Taylor approached, and Robin groaned internally. Oh, for God’s sake. What is this—Run into Your Senior Year Classmates Day?

“Hey, Robin. I was hoping I’d see you. Can I buddy up with you one weekend? I want to try the Connector trail and I know you’ve done it before.”

Robin was well and truly fucked. “Sure, Ben,” he said with a sigh.

Ben gave him a grateful nod. “Aw, thanks. I’ll text you, and we can set it up.” He gave Dean a quick nod, then did a double take. “Hey, Mr. Quentin. Good to see you, sir.” Then he waved at a group of skiers on the other side of the cafeteria, and with that he was gone too.

Robin gave a nervous laugh. “Seems to be my day for running into friends.”

Dean was staring at him.

Robin was so busted.

“Before you think how unlucky you are that your friends happened to walk past at this precise moment,” Dean began,