I would understand seconds later when he threw open the coffeehouse door, strode purposefully toward me, and my now pounding heart, curled a hand around my wrist, and hauled me out of my seat with such force I collided against him.

His arm banded tight around my waist while his other hand tangled through my hair to clasp the back of my head. It all happened so fast I had no time to stop the crush of his lips against mine.

I gasped into his mouth in surprise and he took the opening, his tongue tangling with mine.

And that was how I received the deepest, wettest, sexiest kiss of my life.

I clung to him as fire lashed across my skin. I wanted to burrow into him, feel every inch of Grayson King wrapped around me. Thankfully he remembered we were in public and reluctantly broke the kiss but not his hold on me.

Staring up into his eyes in a lust-filled fog, slowly the titters from the other customers in the café filtered into my awareness and I tensed against Gray.

He felt it and his grip on me tightened. Then he treated me to a shivery brush of his gorgeous mouth against mine and he said, his voice hoarse, “Best. Fucking. Kiss. Ever.”

At that I laughed because as crazy as it was, it was also bloody true. “Ever,” I agreed as he grinned back at me.

Then, like he couldn’t help himself, he brushed his mouth over mine once more, gave me a squeeze, and said, “Tonight.”

Then he abruptly let me go.

I was still standing, watching him walk out of the coffeehouse and across the snow toward the condos when it occurred to me that as much as I loved my brother, I suddenly couldn’t care less if Killian was happy or not that I had feelings for a man I’d just met.

Grayson King was unlike any man I’d ever been kissed by before and I knew even if I fought it, I’d only end up kissing him again. Deep down, in my secret heart of hearts, I knew I wanted him more than I wanted to be sensible.

Chapter Four

A knock sounded on my door at seven o’ clock and I blew out a shaky breath.

When I told Catie and Kyle I was going on a date with Gray, Kyle had looked pensive while Catie beamed from ear to ear.

“You came here to relax, Autumn. I can’t think of a better way to do that than multiple orgasms via Hot Mountain Man.”

Kyle had wandered off at that point, not wishing to participate in that kind of conversation.

“Multiple orgasms, really?” I’d laughed. “You know that how?”

“Because he gave you the best kiss ever—your words—and I refuse to believe a man that looks like Grayson King isn’t capable of giving a woman fantastic orgasms. I couldn’t live in a world where that wasn’t true.”

Suffice it to say Catie was all for me having a fling on my ski retreat. Therefore I couldn’t bring myself to tell her I knew deep in my gut that this thing between me and Gray was so far beyond fling material it wasn’t even funny. However, I didn’t want my best friend to think I was crazy or na?ve, so I didn’t confide that to her.

Moreover, when Killian and Skylar called earlier I’d left all mention of Gray out. My brother would stew with worry if he knew I’d met a man over here.

As I’d gotten ready for dinner, those butterflies came back. To be fair, I’d had them all day but as the time for our date approached they began fluttering around in my belly like wild things. Assuming we’d be dining at the only nice restaurant on the resort, I put on a pair of black cigarette trousers with a silk long-sleeved shirt tucked into them. The shirt was my signature color—emerald green. I’d left a few buttons undone, showing a sexy hint of cleavage. Years ago Killian had bought me a rose gold necklace with a delicate chain and an even more delicate diamond ‘A’ pendant. The A nestled seductively between my breasts, catching the light every time I moved, drawing attention. Like always, my hair was down, and I wore a pair of sexy as hell sky high Jimmy Choos. They were rose gold lamé with criss-cross straps. A delicate rose gold bracelet and matching ring, along with an emerald green clutch, finished the look.

It was fair to say I’d brought way too many clothes with me on this trip but now that I’d met Gray, I was glad for the choices.

My outfit was sexy but to me wearing trousers sent a message—I wasn’t looking to get laid tonight. This was just dinner.

When I opened my hotel door Gray’s expression suggested that message had not been received. He put a big hand on my waist and leaned in, and I braced for a kiss like the one at the coffeehouse. Instead he surprised me with a lip brush across my cheekbone and then he released me, stepping back out of my personal space.

“You look beautiful.”

I stared at him, tingling from head to toe from his gentlemanly kiss. “Thank you. You look great, too.”

And he did. He wore a dark green shirt with his suit trousers and I wondered if he’d subconsciously chosen green because I wore it a lot.

He held out a hand. “Shall we?”

I hesitated, knowing as soon as I took his hand, I wouldn’t want to let go.

Sensing my uncertainty, Gray reassured me, “Just dinner, Autumn.”

That was when I discovered something more dangerous than Gray’s ability to give me butterflies. He also made me feel safe.

Taking his hand, trying not to shiver at the way the rough skin of his palm felt against mine, I let go of the breath I was holding. I tried to relax as we strolled hand-in-hand toward the restaurant.