Apres Ski Read online

  Après Ski

  Christie Butler

  Chelsea, a starving artist who works a ski lift to pay the rent, is dismayed to find she has fallen for a good friend—a friend who happens to be the biggest player in town. Jud is gorgeous and sexy, but she also sees the man inside and finds him irresistible. Chelsea is ready for a man in her life to create enough heat to start the spring thaw. Can she outshine his many admirers and convince him to give her a chance?

  Jud is a proud member of ski patrol but he’s been biding his time until he achieves his dream of working at a big publishing house. A lover of women, he never wanted to keep one around for long. Until now. Chelsea’s smart and thoughtful and suddenly he finds her sexy as hell. Done with his womanizing ways, he wants only one woman, naked and in his arms. And he has to work quickly, before the season ends.

  A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

  APRÈS SKI

  Christie Butler

  Chapter One

  Chelsea Ryan watched the chairs sway forward and back as the gears ground to a halt. This was the second time in the past few minutes that she’d had to hold the lift. Even inside the cabin, she could feel the frustration of the colorfully clad skiers who were eager to hit the slopes rather than sit suspended above them.

  The snow on the lift chair unload ramp was slick today and Chelsea waited while a pile of fallen skiers cleared the area. Fortunately, they all were able to stand and ski off on their own power. Double-checking to make sure the area was all clear, from out of the corner of her eye she saw an impressive male form expertly schussing down a chute and coming to a stop just outside.

  As she restarted the lift, she tried to quiet the butterflies in her stomach. The man was a member of ski patrol and he was currently popping his boots out of his bindings before coming inside.

  Judson Tate. The mere thought of him sent shivers down her spine. When she was actually in the same room with him her mouth went dry and she was either struck mute or she turned into a blithering idiot. Even after knowing him for over a year, her reaction was always the same.

  Of course he was gorgeous—the embodiment of tall, dark and handsome. He was also very kind and caring—admirable qualities in a mountain rescuer. Then, to top it all off, he was also artistic and smart. The total package was irresistible to her. Unfortunately, he was irresistible to every other woman on the planet as well.

  Chelsea didn’t consider herself to be unattractive, but compared to the beautiful women who threw themselves at Jud on a daily basis, well, she certainly wasn’t on their level. She’d been to enough bars and parties with Jud to know that he frequently went home with one of those women, but not one of them had ever lasted very long.

  And what chance did she have with him? There was absolutely nothing spectacular about her. Sure she was fit, she’d always been athletic. But Jud’s conquests tended to have full curves, not lean muscle.

  Behind her the door burst open, causing her to jump even though she’d been expecting it. She kept her eyes focused firmly on the lift as she heard him trudge in.

  “Hey, how’s my favorite liftie?” His voice was deep and mellow, and Chelsea could feel it in every cell of her body.

  “Okay. You having a good day?”

  “Yeah, it’s been pretty quiet. Colder than shit though.”

  “At least the sun’s shining.” She smiled, keeping her gaze on the lift.

  “Thanks for the report, Pollyanna.” He laughed, pulling up a chair to sit beside her. “This hot chocolate?” He picked up her thermos.

  “Yep, help yourself.” She was happy to have to watch the action outside, because if she looked at him, he would see she’d turned six shades of red.

  “Oh, this is good.” He blew across the top of the cocoa to cool it down.

  “So did you just stop in for some of my hot chocolate?”

  “Partly,” he said. “Also to let my fingers and toes thaw out.” He stretched out his legs, heavy boots thudding on the floor.

  Of course he wasn’t here to see her. Get a grip, Chelsea.

  “Do you have plans for tonight?” he asked.

  Her heart suddenly pounding, she took a second to clear her throat. “Laundry.”

  Jud laughed. “Well you can go without your panties tomorrow. A bunch of us are going out for some beers in Avon. Why don’t you come along?”

  She nearly choked at his “panties” comment. Why don’t I come along? Well, because she didn’t want to go out with the guys. She didn’t want to be one of the guys. And she certainly didn’t want to watch him walk out the door with another woman on his arm. Again. “I don’t know, I have to work tomorrow.”

  “So do I. It doesn’t have to be a late night.”

  Trying to sit still, she was in turmoil inside. She nibbled at her lower lip. “I don’t know, Jud.” He placed a hand on her knee and her flesh burned.

  “C’mon, Chelsea. Just a couple of beers. I’m not staying late either.”

  She took a second to glance at him and give him a serious eye roll.

  “What? I’m serious.”

  “Uh-huh.” She tried to act as if she was deliberating although her defiance was no match for his charm and persuasion. Judson Tate was inviting her out for drinks and there wasn’t a chance in hell she would say no. “What bar?”

  “Silver Dollar. Seven thirty.”

  “Okay. Now get out of here and go rescue some people.”

  Jud smiled as he closed the door behind him. But seriously, what was the girl’s problem? He wasn’t unaware of the effect that he had on women, but hell, to Chelsea Ryan he might as well be a plank of wood. He’d never had to work so hard to turn a woman’s head.

  Women loved him and he loved women, all sorts of women—blonde or brunette or redhead, tall or short, thin or voluptuous, homebody or party girl—all of them. There was always something about a woman that he found attractive, at least for a while.

  But that was the thing—he was ready for a long-term relationship. He wasn’t getting any younger, and a grown-up couldn’t spend his time living from ski season to ski season. He’d been doing some freelance editing and work was picking up. He was ready to switch to full-time and his days in ski country were numbered.

  Before he left though, he wanted to make some romantic headway with a certain young woman. He’d met Chelsea about a year ago and they’d been friends ever since. The thing was, lately he’d been having some distinctly “un-friendly” feelings for her. In a good way.

  She wasn’t a raving beauty but he found her utterly sexy—from her silky brown locks and pale-green eyes to her tight little butt and perky breasts. She had a brain too. She wasn’t an aimless ski bum who lived for snow and parties.

  Jud snapped his boots into his bindings with determination. As he reached for his poles, his walkie crackled to life.

  “Jud, what’s your twenty?” It was Roger, a fellow ski patrol.

  “I’m at the top of sixteen,” he spoke into his radio. “Over.”

  Roger chuckled. “How’s the ‘view’ there? Over.”

  Smart-ass. “Spectacular. Over.”

  “Meet me at the top of three. I need provisions. Over.”

  Jud laughed. He was hungry too. “Roger that, Roger. See you in fifteen. Over.”

  At the peak, he covered the short distance from the lift to the restaurant and once again removed his skis, planting them in a snowdrift. He unbuckled his boots and clip-clopped across the deck, the awkward maneuvering in the heavy ski boots now second nature to him.

  Inside, he found Roger talking to two women. He recognized one of them but didn’t know her name. The other woman he knew quite well. He’d had a “relationship” with Kayla Hines a few months ago and he had the feeling that she’d l
ike to resurrect the past. He liked Kayla fine, but he had no desire to revisit their time together.

  Jud caught Roger’s eye and stepped in line to order lunch, the smells from the grill making his stomach rumble.

  Roger trudged over to join him. “I invited Kayla and Josie to join us tonight.”

  Jud ordered a burger and then frowned at his buddy. “Great.”

  Roger leaned in and spoke in a low voice. “Yeah, I know about you and Kayla. But if I have to avoid socializing with any woman you’ve fucked, well, let’s just say that doesn’t give me a lot to work with.”

  Jud grumbled at him, then waited for his food in silence. They grabbed an open table in the corner of the dining room and peeled off their gear before sitting down to eat. Jud had a mouthful of hamburger when Roger finally spoke.

  “Any luck with Chelsea?”

  Jud nodded while he chewed and swallowed. “She said she’d be there.”

  “Cool. I like Chelsea. Try not to tear her heart out.”

  Jud raised an eyebrow. “Regardless of what you might think, I don’t set out to hurt women. In fact, I go out of my way not to hurt them. Besides, if I’m lucky enough to get Chelsea, I might just keep her.”

  “Say what? You taking yourself off the market?”

  Jud shrugged.

  “Hallelujah. Maybe the rest of us schmoes will have a chance now.”

  Laughing, Jud said, “Good luck.”

  “Hey, is Chelsea bringing that cute little roommate of hers?”

  “The one who manages that bookstore? Maybe, I don’t know.”

  “Huh,” Roger said. “Maybe we’ll both get lucky.”

  “I tell ya, man, I’d be happy if she’d show any interest in me at all.”

  “Welcome to my world.” Roger chuckled as he finished off his burger. “What are you gonna do?”

  Jud shook his head. It had been a long time since he’d had to work to attract a woman. “Any suggestions?”

  “Well, I know this may sound crazy, but why don’t you just talk to her? Say ‘Hey, Chelsea. How come you’re not falling into my arms like every other woman on the planet?’”

  “Yeah? Fuck you.” Jud’s gaze drifted out the window to the gorgeous sun and blinding snow.

  Just talk to her? Huh.

  * * * * *

  “Are you sure it’s going to be okay if I come?”

  Chelsea took a last look in the mirror and decided her appearance was as good as it was going to get. She usually didn’t wear makeup but tonight she went with mascara, blush and a little lip gloss. She wanted to avoid looking too freakish or unnatural. But she wanted people—at least a person—to know she’d made an effort.

  She found Megan out in the living room. “Of course it’s okay. It’s just a bunch of people from work. And hey, this is America. You can go to any bar you want to.” She twirled in a circle, displaying her outfit of fitted V-neck sweater and skinny jeans. “Do you think I look okay?”

  “You’ll knock his socks off,” Megan said with a wink and a smile.

  “Hmm.” Her roommate was the only one who knew of her secret passion for Judson Tate. She couldn’t have found a better person to live with, and not just because Megan’s parents owned their condo and charged her a ridiculously low rental fee. Megan Kraft was sweet and low-key and, maybe most importantly, she didn’t work for the ski company. Megan managed this cute little bookstore in the village. It was nice to have a friend with different interests. “Oh, and Roger’s going to be there.”

  “You mean Roger Houston?” Megan’s pretty blue eyes lit up as she laughed.

  Chelsea laughed with her, covering her mouth and miming a radio. “Roger, Houston.” Megan giggled with her. “I can’t believe that’s actually his name.”

  “I know. It’s hilarious, but he’s kinda cute in an unusual geeky sorta way.” Megan grinned at her. “What do you think, Chels? Should I go for it?”

  “Absolutely.” Chelsea smiled and grabbed her coat, heading for the door. She was envious of Megan and her forthright nature. When there was something she wanted, she just forged ahead, unafraid of failure. Chelsea wished she had some of Megan’s determination—wished she could go for it with Jud. The only problem was that she was so not Jud’s type. What if she threw herself at him and he turned her down? That would certainly queer their friendship and she didn’t want to lose that.

  Twenty minutes later they walked into the Silver Dollar, a typical saloon in the Rockies—western motif with a bar running the entire length of one wall, twenty or so tables in the main room and a separate area with three pool tables. The lighting was dim and seventies rock emanated from the sound system.

  Chelsea glanced around, seeing several people that she knew. Unfortunately, she didn’t see one who was tall, dark and handsome.

  “Chelsea!”

  At the back, she saw Kayla Hines standing up and waving her hand. “Oh great,” she said to Megan. “I should’ve known she’d be here.”

  “Don’t worry,” Megan said. “You told me she and Jud were history.”

  “Uh-huh.” Chelsea knew that Kayla still carried a torch for Jud. What sane woman wouldn’t? Still, she smiled as she and Megan made their way back to Kayla’s table.

  When they were nearly there, a large, warm hand grabbed her arm. She turned around to see Jud smiling at her. He wore a cream-colored cable-knit sweater and jeans with hiking boots—not the cowboy variety. That made her like him all the more, if that was possible. She was not a woman who loved the whole cowboy scene, and she was turned off by any man wearing the boots and hat and belt buckle.

  “Hey, Chelsea,” Jud said. “I’m glad you could make it. I was sure you were gonna flake on me.”

  “How could I possibly flake on you,the great Judson Tate?” She smiled, proud of her lame attempt at razzing him. “Jud, you remember my roommate, Megan?”

  “Of course. It’s good to see you, Megan.” Jud looked over to the billiard tables. “Roger and I are relieving some guys of their well-earned cash. We’re on a streak so I have to keep going, but can I get you a drink?”

  “Uh, we were going to join Kayla. It looks like they have a pitcher.”

  “Oh sure.” Jud glanced at Kayla’s table. Uneasily, she thought. “Well, I’ll come find you when we lose.”

  “Okay.” Chelsea turned away from him but he stopped her.

  “Wait for me, okay?”

  ’Til hell freezes over. “Yeah, sure.”

  His gorgeous lips curled into a huge grin and he strolled off to the pool tables, his jeans comfortably hugging his hips and ass.

  Megan elbowed her in the ribs. “I think you’re in there, Chels.”

  Rolling her eyes, Chelsea nodded toward the pool tables. “It looks like your boy’s here too.” Roger was lining up a shot and, after pocketing a ball, he looked in their direction with a smile. He wore a long-sleeve T-shirt and jeans over cowboy boots, his square metal belt buckle reflecting light.

  Megan smiled back, holding his gaze for a long moment. “I’m gonna get me a cowboy tonight.” She turned back to Chelsea and they both laughed. “Let’s go, I need a little liquid courage.”

  Kayla rose to greet them, surprising Chelsea with a quick hug. Kayla was petite but she had large breasts that were prominently on display in her black leather vest. Her jeans looked painted on and her hair was a color of blonde that existed only in a bottle.

  “I’m so happy you’re here!” Kayla told her. “Do you know Josie? She just started a couple weeks ago.”

  “No, we’ve never met.” Chelsea held out her hand and Josie gave it a quick squeeze. In contrast to Kayla, Josie was tall and fuller figured, with short red hair cut in a pixie style. She looked like a skier, whereas Kayla was the only woman Chelsea knew in the village who didn’t like to ski. Kayla was in Vail for the mountain men.

  “This is my friend Megan.” Chelsea watched the two of them check out Megan and her exotic black hair cut in a sleek bob. Megan loved the mountain life but looked
like she’d be more at home in a modern art gallery.

  “Sit down and have a beer.” Kayla signaled to the waitress who brought over two more glasses. “So, Megan,” she said. “Where are you visiting from?”

  Megan shot a quick glance at Chelsea before answering. “I’m not. I live here.”

  A big “O” formed on Kayla’s glossy red lips. “I’m sorry.”

  “Megan doesn’t work for the ski company,” Chelsea said. “She manages Bookplate in the village.”

  “Really?” Josie asked. “I love that place. I’m such a reading nerd—the first thing I did when I moved here was scope out the bookstores.”

  “That’s so cool,” Kayla said. “I’ll have to come and check it out.”

  Chelsea doubted whether Kayla had ever opened a book, at least since The Cat in the Hat. Josie and Megan were quickly absorbed in a discussion about novels, so she turned her attention to Kayla. “I haven’t seen you in a while. What have you been up to?”

  With a flip of her overprocessed hair, Kayla shrugged. “The usual—working and partying. How about you? Are you seeing anyone now?”

  For as long as she’d known Kayla, Chelsea had never really been “seeing anyone” and she suspected that Kayla was well aware of that. Was she wondering about her interaction with Jud? “No, no one special,” she said. No one at all, but Kayla didn’t need to know that. “How about you?”

  Kayla waved a beautifully manicured hand. “I’ve mostly been playing around. I’m not looking for anything serious.”

  Bullshit. Nodding thoughtfully, Chelsea said, “Good for you.” Kayla always played around, but Chelsea was convinced she was looking for a ring.

  Kayla leaned in and lowered her voice. “I saw you talking to Jud. He’s super hot, right?”

  Here we go. “I suppose so.” She glanced over at Jud and found that he was smiling at her. Her tummy did a flip-flop.

  “You suppose so? Are you kidding?” Kayla laughed. “So there’s nothing going on between the two of you?”

  “What? Oh no, we’re just friends,” Chelsea told her. “You used to go out with him, didn’t you?” Inside her head, she’d added impolite quotes around “go out”.