Chapter One
"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one," the bandleader counted down. "Happy New Year!" The room full of people joined in, cheering.
Deidre North raised her glass of champagne to toast. She tapped the crystal against that of the man next to her and, even in the noisy room, she heard the light tinkling sound. Sipping, she watched him over the rim of her glass.
He removed the stemware from her hand, setting it next to his on the table. "Happy New Year." Leaning in, he placed a light kiss on her lips. "Let's dance."
"Are you joking?" She glanced down at the plaster cast which covered her left leg, knee to toes.
"I'm very serious. Lean your crutches against the table." He took them from under her arms, setting them aside.
"I can't stand by myself." She held the table for support.
"You don't have to. Lean on me. Put your arms around my neck."
Uncertain if that was a good idea, she hesitated.
"Like this." He smiled, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Hang on." Clutching her around the waist, he lifted her effortlessly, carrying her to the edge of the dance floor.
Deidre had no choice but to latch on to his neck. "You're crazy!"
"Crazy about you." He set her down on her good foot, but kept a tight grip. "I was really just trying to get you into my arms."
"You're a naughty, naughty man."
He chuckled. "I could be naughtier, if you'd give me the chance." He pressed his body against hers.
The hard ridge of his erection dug into her, sending a thrill down her spine, at the same time making her a little nervous. "I'm flattered."
"Where will flattery get me?" he whispered. "Because I can come up with some more."
"You're awful," she teased, her face buried in the crook of his neck. He smelled heavenly. She breathed in deeply. The intoxicating aroma was Calvin Klein’s Obsession, always one of her favorites.
"I'm a nice guy. You bring out the animal in me." He pressed his hips into her again. "Let's go to my suite. I don't want to wait any longer."
She pulled back, batting her eyelashes. "We barely know each other."
"Time alone will remedy that."
"I'm leaving the day after tomorrow."
"Then we'd best get started."
She smiled, but shook her head. She'd never been much of a flirt, but teasing him was too much fun. "I'm just not sure."
He stared into her eyes. "I'm very sure. Besides, you're about to get thrown out of here, anyway. You're making all the other women look bad."
It was the cheesiest pickup line she'd ever heard.
* * * *
One day earlier
"You should be in bed."
"Mother, please." Deidre rolled her eyes. "I spent yesterday in bed. I'll go crazy if I have to stay there any longer." She settled into the big chair, adjusting her left leg in its bulky cast on the ottoman.
"Someone needs to be here with you. I'll stay." Her mother shoved a pillow behind her back.
Then I'll truly go crazy. "Mom, no. You and Dad want to ski. We only have a couple more days of vacation. You lost a day because of me already. Please, go." She glanced around the comfortable lobby of the lodge. A wall of windows surrounded a crackling fireplace. It offered a panoramic view of the mountains, complete with lifts and skiers. She had a stack of magazines and the latest crime thriller novel. The desk clerk was in sight, and the restaurant just around the corner. "I have everything I could possibly need, right here."
As she spoke, an older black woman in a uniform came from the restaurant. "I heard we had a casualty out here. How are you?"
"I'm fine." Deidre smiled at her. "Trying to convince my mother to go skiing."
"Of course you should go." She turned to Jana North. "My name's Winnie. I'll keep your girl fixed with whatever she needs. You run along, honey." Looking back to Deidre, she asked, "What can I bring you?"
"Hot chocolate?"
"You bet. Whipped cream?"
"Sure." She smiled appreciatively.
"Make it low fat," Jana told Winnie.
"Mother!"
"Your sister told me the outfit she