Free Bound to the Bachelor by Sarah Mayberry Page A

he said, trying to gauge if his guess was correct or not.
    “You’re the boss,” she said with a little ‘it’s up to you’ shrug.
    He was watching closely, however, and there was unmistakable relief in her brown eyes at the prospect of going home. Annoyed with himself, he insisted she sit by the fire in the foyer of the resort while he returned her ski gear to the hire place and packed his own into his SUV. She looked more than a little weary when he came to collect her, and he slowed his pace as they walked back to the car.
    He kept conversation to a minimum as they headed down the mountain, and after half an hour Lily announced she might try a cat nap. He reached into the rear seat and wordlessly passed her the blanket he kept in the car.
    She looked at it in bemusement. “Are you going to offer to tuck me in, too?”
    “Only if you want me to drive into a tree.”
    She unfolded the blanket and made herself comfortable, winding the seat back. After a few minutes, she spoke up.
    “Thank you. For everything. I had a nice day.”
    He glanced at her. Her eyes were closed, her face turned away from him.
    “My pleasure,” he said, and was surprised to realize it was true.
    She slept for most of the way home, only stirring when he slowed down to enter town.
    “Are we home already?” she said, her voice husky from sleep.
    “Just like magic.”
    By the time he was pulling up in front of her apartment block, she’d folded the blanket and returned her seat to the upright position. It was nearly five, and the sun was low on the horizon as she turned to face him.
    “Well, look at that. We survived a whole day together, and neither of us is limping or in need of psychological counseling.”
    “We’ve still got a few minutes left.” His gaze dropped to her mouth. Her top lip was almost as full as the lower one. He couldn’t help wondering if it felt as soft as it looked.
    “You want a limp? That can be arranged,” she said.
    “How about psychological counseling?”
    She shook her head slowly. “Sorry. I think it only works on people with normal levels of stubbornness.”
    “So that rules you out, then.”
    “Hell, yeah.”
    They both smiled. Lily reached for the door handle.
    “I promise to leave a favorable review of Bennett Private Ski Tours on Tripadvisor,” she said.
    “I dare you.”
    Her eyes shone with mischievous intent. “Don’t tempt me.”
    The urge to lean across and press his mouth to hers was overwhelming. He’d been thinking about it all day, wondering what she tasted like. How she’d feel in his arms.
    Instead, he glanced out the windshield and reminded himself of the discussion they’d had at lunchtime and what Andie would say if she found out he’d slept with her best friend.
    “I’ll see you around, Beau,” Lily said.
    He heard the sound of the door opening, and when he glanced across she was sliding out of the car, letting cold air into the warm interior.
    “You will,” he said.
    She shut the door and raised her hand in farewell. He raised his hand in turn and watched her make her way to the front entrance of the building. He was about to pull away from the curb when he noticed someone climbing out of a car parked three spots in front of where he was situated. He could tell from the build and the way the person walked that it was a man.
    The man called out, and Lily glanced back over her shoulder. He couldn’t see her face from this distance, but after a small hesitation, she turned and waited for the man to catch up.
    A friend, then. Someone who’d been waiting for her to get home. Maybe even her boyfriend. Andie hadn’t mentioned Lily was seeing someone, and Lily certainly hadn’t made any reference to a significant other during the day, but neither of those facts meant anything.
    Just as well he hadn’t given in to the crazy impulse to kiss her.
    He checked the road, then signaled and pulled out.
    It wasn’t until he was turning out of Lily’s street that it hit him