Suite Embrace by Anita Bunkley Page B

interlude in the mountains. This little scene was a huge mistake, and you’re right. It definitely can’t happen again.”
    She picked up her car keys, went to the door and pulled it open. Turning back, she let her gaze linger on him for a moment, knowing she was doing the right thing by cutting off any romantic thoughts he might have. “I’m sure there are many, many women here at Scenic Ridge…in Aspen, for that matter, who would love for you to hold their hands and let you make love to them, but I’m not one of them. Sorry.”
    Mark rose, but did not approach her, as if afraid of making her run away. “I understand what you’re saying, Skylar. And I respect where you’re coming from.” He dug his hands deep into his pants pockets and looked up at Skylar from beneath lowered lashes. “But I’d still like to teach you to ski. How about it?”
    â€œMaybe,” was all she could manage before breaking her gaze and leaving.
    During her drive back to the main lodge, Skylar struggled to calm her heartbeat and get her breath.

Chapter 12
    A t ten o’clock the next morning, Skylar looked up from her computer monitor to see Mark standing in her doorway, dressed for the slopes and assessing her in a serious manner. He glanced away when their eyes met, but then looked back and held her gaze.
    â€œI have a two-hour break until my next student,” he hesitantly began, head tilted to the side, an expression of uncertainty on his face. “How about that lesson you promised you’d take?”
    A giggle burst from Skylar’s lips. From the distress on his face she had thought he had come to deliver some very bad news, not ask her out on a ski date. She pressed her hand to her mouth to regain her composure, not wanting to embarrass him. “You’ve got to be kidding!” she finally blurted. “Going skiing is the last thing on my mind.” She picked up her yellow legal pad and waved it at him. “I’ve got tons of work to do, so please. Go! Leave me alone.” She shooed him away with her pad of paper. “I’ll let you know when I’m ready to strap on a pair of skis and hurl myself down a hill. Okay?”
    â€œOkay,” Mark replied, shrugging. “I’ll check back. Soon.” Without another word, he was gone.
    Â 
    Three days later, while standing outside watching the ice-skaters twirl and glide across the slick surface, Skylar realized that Mark was sitting beneath the sheltered stands on the opposite side of the rink. Feeling a bit rattled by his unexpected presence, she sucked in a short breath, wondering how long he had been sitting there, watching her.
    On most mornings, when she took a break from her work, she strolled along the foot paths at the base of the mountains, with only the crunch of snow beneath her boots to break the serene silence. She was getting used to life in the mountains, and now better understood why her sister, a tropical girl like herself, had been drawn to this beautiful place to start married life with Jerome.
    Had Mark been watching her like this for the past three days? she wondered, trying not to feel impressed with his determination to get to her.
    Â 
    Mark tensed his jaw when he realized that Skylar had seen him. Things were working out just fine. He had hoped to catch Skylar outside today, after noticing that she usually took a short break outside in midmorning and was always alone. She didn’t hang out with other staff members very much, or socialize with the male guests who made no effort to hide their interest in her. He wondered why she preferred to keep to herself so much. She always seemed preoccupied. What was on her mind? Why did she seem unhappy some days, and very upbeat on others? And why wouldn’t she let him teach her to ski? Women rarely turned down an opportunity to ski with Mark Jorgen. What would he have to do to make Skylar want to be with