Chance Encounter by Jill Shalvis Page B

me?”
    “No!”
    “What about that hug?”
    “What hug?”
    “The one Lucy asked you to give me.” His eyes sparkled mischievously. “I’ve been waiting for it.”
    She remembered Lucy’s request at the hospital. Give Chance a hug for me. Not likely, not even if a part of her really wanted to feel all that dark, edgy beauty against her. “You’ll be waiting a darn long time! And anyway, you’re with Jo—” She broke off when he choked, then laughed. It was a full-belly gut laugh. Directed at her. “Why is that so funny, I’d like to know? I’d never… lust after a man who belonged to another woman.” Or at least admit to it.
    That made him laugh harder, but he finally got control of himself and simply grinned at her. “I’m not with Jo.”
    She went into self-denial over the relief that washed through her.
    “I’m not another woman’s man. I’m not anyone’s man.” His grin spread. “And you’re really blushing now, you should see it.”
    Yes, she could feel the heat of it on her skin. How gentlemanly of him to point it out.
    “Was it having to lie about not wanting to kiss me?” he wondered. “Or having to use the word… lust? ” He whispered the last word in a high falsetto, in a perfect imitation of herself.
    “Stop it.”
    “Come on, where’s that sense of adventure you’re always threatening me with?” He lifted a mocking brow. “Just admit it. You wanted to kiss me.”
    “Did not.” But she couldn’t help but wonder whatChance, a man who greatly treasured his solitude and freedom, would have done if she had admitted the truth.
    That for a moment, just a short one, she indeed wanted to kiss him.
     
    O N HER SECOND NIGHT in the wilds of Wyoming, Ally got another call from Lucy.
    “Having fun?”
    Ally tucked the phone in the crook of her shoulder so she could continue to stoke the small fire she’d finally managed to start in her fireplace. The cabin was tiny and cozy, but icy cold, so it was necessity that had driven her to this, rather than the aesthetic value. It’d taken nearly an hour, and every single paper towel in the kitchen to get it going, but Ally was determined to get warm.
    She only hoped she didn’t have to use the toilet paper stock as well. “Am I having fun?” She’d taken three showers to get the lingering smoke smell out of her hair from the trail. She had mosquito bites in places no one should have to itch and her arm muscles were so sore from today’s work she practically cried every time she moved. She blew a strand of hair from her eyes and sat back on her heels. Then grinned. “Yeah.”
    “Really? Oh, honey, I’m so glad. Tell all.”
    Ally used the poker, satisfied to see the tiny flicker of flame maintain itself. “Well, the trails are looking good. And I got on a bike today and didn’t break anything.”
    Lucy laughed. “That’s a great start.”
    Somehow Ally had convinced a staff member to show her how to ride, and given that she’d hit a tree on her first run, she was really doing remarkably well.
    Even if she could hardly walk.
    “Be careful,” Lucy warned. “Watch out for the pesky rocks.”
    “Yeah, well. I’ll try.” She doubted she’d get another shot at it. Chance had nearly blown a gasket when he found out, and now no one would even talk to her, much less show her a good time.
    “Tell me more. Is everyone treating you right? I worry, because though I love every one of them, my staff can be…well, rather snobby when it comes to the resort, but I’m sure Chance’ll take care of you.”
    Oh yes, good old Chance. He’d take care of her. Of humiliating her, that is.
    “He has, right? Taken care of you?”
    “Why are we talking about me?” Ally asked, tossing another piece of wood to the fire. “How are you? ”
    “Bah! I’m as good as it gets. Now don’t work too hard, Ally. We’ll open when we’re ready.”
    “You keep saying that, but I thought work was the whole idea.”
    “Good heavens, no!” Lucy