Fierce: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 4) by Violet Vaughn

anywhere, it amazes me that it managed to snow last night, and I’m anxious for a few more trails to ski. My wheels crunch ice and snow as I pull into the employee parking lot.
    Kelly’s truck is already here, and since it’s later in the morning, I’m sure he’s already on the mountain. A musty mixture of male and female sweat greets me when I open the door. I used to find it disgusting, but I learned to live with it last winter. Even so, it’s going to take me a few more days to forget it’s there.
    My locker is in the same row as Megan’s, and she’s the first one I see. “You’re killing us here. We need details.” She yells over to the next row. “Casey! Lori! Get over here.”
    I giggle when the other two girls crowd me on the bench. “Jeesh, could I at least open my locker?”
    Lori says, “Sure, but talk while you do. You’ll have to forgive us, but we’ve never known you with a boyfriend.” I grin as I try to focus on my lock combination.
    Casey adds, “That, and we’re all so hopelessly un-single we forget the thrill of the unanswered-lust stage.”
    “What?” I chuckle, and my metal door vibrates when I yank it open.
    Megan says, “Oh, come on. The way you picture him naked and can’t seem to concentrate on his words, and then when you try, all you can think about is biting his lower lip.”
    “Or running your hands over his rock-hard abs.” Lori sighs.
    Casey says, “The way he tastes—”
    I hold up my hand “Enough! I get it.”
    I give Casey a mock glare and she snorts. “Oh, please, you lived with Gretchen. She’s as crass as they come. And I wasn’t even thinking about that.” She pauses. “I meant his neck.” But the flush on her face tells me she’s lying.
    “Okay, okay. When I was coming in to get my lunch yesterday, Kelly was on his way out. But when he saw me, he came back in and we ate our sandwiches together. We got talking, and he took me out for a snowboard lesson.”
    Cool nylon swishes against my long underwear as I pull on my ski pants. “And then he suggested coffee.”
    I smile when I think about how often he touched me. “He’s touchy, and it was really nice.”
    Megan asks, “Yeah? And the kiss?” Her blue eyes are wide in anticipation.
    “Was awesome. Oh, my God, was it awesome.” My fleece zipper hums as I pull it up.
    Casey asks, “So when do you see him again?”
    “I don’t know. We just left it that we’d see each other on the mountain today.”
    Lori winks at me. “We’ll just have to bump into him then. He went out with Kaleb this morning. Hang on.” Kaleb is her boyfriend and also a snowboard instructor. She pulls out her phone and taps out a text.
    Casey pulls Lori’s arm as she begins to walk away. “Okay, we’re going to finish getting ready. Come get us when you are.”
    Megan says, “Will do.” She turns to her locker to finish as well.
    I squeeze my foot into the hard plastic shell of a ski boot and remember how comfortable snowboard boots are in comparison. Wait till Gretchen hears I went snowboarding. She used to compete, and she’ll love that I tried it. Especially when my brother frowns, thinking I might get hurt.
    I get an idea and pull out my phone to text Gretchen. “What’s the best snowboard/boot combination for me? Spare no expense. ;)”
    The last sentence will make her laugh because I really didn’t need to add it. Megan is ready and gives me a questioning look.
    “I’m texting Gretchen about snowboard equipment. I may have found a new sport.”
    Megan smiles. “Yes, I think you have. C’mon, let’s go skiing.”
    When we’re all on the chairlift together, the Kelly conversation continues.
    Casey says, “Wait till Jess hears about you two. She’s been after Kelly since she first saw him.”
    “Oh, she already saw us. When we left the locker room yesterday, she noticed him holding my hand.”
    Casey does a fist pump. “Yes! Sorry. We have a history, and I can’t help but be happy when she’s