Page 15 of Worth the Rush
“Something amusing, princess?” he questions. There’s that nickname again. I roll my eyes.
“No, no. I’m just looking through your music,” I tell him, hitting play, and Boston fills the space between us, singing about a woman named Amanda.
“Good choice,” he praises, and I let out an indelicate snort.
“It’s on your heavy rotation,” I state flatly.
“Exactly,” I don’t need to look at him to know he’s smiling. I continue to scroll the playlist. Alder is a very ’70s and ’80s classic man. As a very ’70s to now girl?I like that.Not that I need any more reasons to like him.He’s given me plenty.
After a few songs, I watch him lean forward and turn the volume down slightly. We pass the main lodge and drive on to all the cabins and chalets. I’m really not in the mood to talk, so I hope he isn’t looking for a dazzling conversationalist. My mood is as sour as the bag of candy in my room that I’m ready to devour.
“How are you liking Silverthorne?” His question makes me huff out a laugh.
“Considering I’ve been here less than twenty-four hours, and in that time, I was tackled to the ground and also had my car slide off the road? Not loving it,” I answer him honestly.
“I think you’re leaving out some key details about your first night here. But it does sound like you’ve had an interesting introduction…and I did not tackle you.”
“Who said I was talking about you?” I quip then point at the chalet up on the right. “That’s me.”
“Been plowed into more than once in the last week, princess?” His question is dripping with innuendo. My eyes are going to get stuck in the back of my head if I have to hear him call me that one more time. He parks, and I lean over the center console. Two can play at suggestive. I take my hand andabsently let my fingers play with the sleeve of his flannel button down. I watch my hand as I speak to him.
“If I had been—” I start, sliding off his coat. Letting it fall to the floorboard, I drop my voice low. “—I can tell you one event was far more enjoyable than the other.” I slowly slide my eyes up to meet his icy gaze from under my lashes.
“Oh yeah?” He’s smiling, sure of himself. I bite my lip to conceal my laugh. “Tell me more,” he drawls and leans in.
“I would, but I don’t kiss and tell.” Then I swiftly open the door to his beat-up Bronco and slip into the flurries falling down. “Thanks for the ride, Lover Boy,” I call over my shoulder and shut the door with a slam. I’m smiling, pleased with myself when I hear him yell my name. I school my face and spin around.
“I’m available for a ride any time you need or want one, princess.” He winks and then drives off. Laughter bubbles out of me into the sparkling night. I tilt my head up and, not for the first time, feel like I’m living inside a snow globe—and Alder Holloway has just shaken it.
Once I’m inside, I take off my hat and jacket, both are damp, along with my hair since I stood outside for too long in the snow. My forgotten phone chimes and I find it in my discarded purse. Sixteen missed calls and seven texts. All from Sienna. The last text is time stamped seventeen minutes ago. Oops.
Sienna
You’re doing what now?
Sienna
Is this a joke?
Sienna
Stop being cryptic.
Sienna
IVY! What’s going on?!
Sienna
You sent me a message saying you were leaving town for three months with no follow-up, and now you’re not answering your phone.
Sienna
You’re already there?! WTF?
That one was from early this morning in response to me telling her I made it here.
Sienna
