Page 2 of Autumn's Winterhaven
“Fuck,” he wheezed.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” Somehow, I got off him without causing him any further injury and righted myself on my skis as he curled into a fetal position in the snow. “Are you okay?”
He waved me off, apparently unable to speak.
I looked at the woman who hovered over him, wincing. “Is he okay?”
She shot me a dirty look. “Does he look okay? If you can’t ski, you shouldn’t be out here without an instructor.”
“I was trying to leave. I slipped and lost control…” I looked back down at the instructor who was taking his time getting up onto his skis. He braced his hands on his knees for a moment and then straightened, his lips pinched together in pain.
It was then I realized how big he was. And even without being able to see his eyes because they were covered by snow sunglasses, I could tell he was quite a bit older than the rest of the boy-men instructors. “Are you all right?”
“I will be.” He put his hands to his hips as I looked up at him. I was tall for a woman at five foot nine but this guy wastall. He had to be at least six foot three. And broad shouldered.
Big guy.
And I’d kneed him in the junk.
Gulp.
“What the hell are you doing on the slope without an instructor?” he groused in an attractively rough American accent.
“Trying to leave. What the hell were you doing deliberately putting yourself in my path? I told you to get out of the way. So, you know, your injury is really your own fault.”
His jaw grew taut a second before he retorted, “You hadn’t had time to build up much momentum but if I let you go flying down the slope you could have collided with another guest and caused them injury and whatever happenedyouwould have gotten hurt. So you’re welcome.”
Feeling foolish but annoyed by his condescending tone, I didn’t offer thanks. Instead, I felt a little petulant. “I said I’m sorry.”
“Get your ass off the slopes and sign up for an instructor.” He jerked his chin, indicating behind me where the chair lift was. I noted that he had a very strong jawline. With stubble. Nice lips, too. “I’m all booked today but they’ll slide you in if I get a cancellation. Just ask for Hudson Ward.”
“No, thank you, Mr. Ward,” I replied. “Sorry again.” I turned to leave, throwing the scowling woman an apologetic smile.
“No thank you?”
I glanced back over my shoulder at his tone.
He sounded annoyed.
Very annoyed.
Oh no.
“No thank you?” he repeated. “You’re seriously going to come back out here without instruction?”
“No. I have no intention of coming back out hereat all.” I threw an arm out to indicate the expanse of the slopes and my skis slid again. “Ah!” I righted myself, this time not sliding. My heart pounded in my ears. “Oh thank Christ! Aye, okay. Right. I’m heading in before I or someone else suffers serious injury.”
“Yeah, you do that.”
He still sounded irritated.
Dear God, how many times did I need to apologize? “I will!” I threw back over my shoulder, letting him know that nowhewas annoyingme. “Apparently apologies aren’t enough,” I muttered under my breath. “Didn’t even want to come on this stupid slope and then I fall but does anyone ask if I’m okay? No. Where’s the bloody spa when you need it?”
“Try not to take anyone else out.” If I wasn’t mistaken he sounded as though he were amused.
Now he was laughing at me? My cheeks burned. Him being angry was much better than him laughing at me.
I dug my poles into the snow and hoofed it further up the slope. The distance allowed me some bravery. “You better remember to nurse your manhood, Mr. Ward!” I reminded him about his recent painful injury.
