Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Usually, Nick rode the trails to Ethan’s place, but his sled was in the shop.
Even if he had it, he wouldn’t have made it in time to meet the group after stopping to see his dad.
He’d borrowed Ethan’s sleds before. His friend kept his machines in good working order, and they were much newer than his own.
Definitely not a hardship to use one of Ethan’s.
The snowmobiles were lined up and ready to go when he pulled into Ethan’s drive. The guys waved to him as they filed out of the five-stall garage. He grabbed his helmet from the seat.
“Hey, Nick. Glad you could make it,” Ethan said.
“Me too. Thanks for the invite.”
Paige, Maggie, Kate, and Hannah, all dressed in their winter gear, walked out of the garage, holding helmets.
Ethan quickly said, “We’re being ambushed. I hope you don’t mind. Paige and Maggie invited Kate, and Pete’s friend Hannah. I’m hoping Kate can ride with you, since she’s never been on a sled before.”
Did he mind? Hell yes. What happened to “a bunch of us guys”? Having Kate on the back of his snowmobile would be awkward. More like frickin’ uncomfortable, especially since he turned down her invitation to get together tonight.
Ethan placed a hand on his shoulder. “Hey. Are you okay with this?”
Nick unclenched his teeth and rubbed his jaw. “Yeah, it’s fine.”
“Okay. Let’s go. You guys take the Grand Touring Ski-Doo. Kate should feel safe on the back.”
Nick managed a nod when Kate came to stand next to him.
“I guess I’m stuck with you,” she said jokingly.
“Guess so.”
Kate’s brows quirked with concern. “You good with this? I don’t have to come.” She tucked her helmet under her arm. “Did you have a bad day at work?”
He needed to stop being such a grouch. “I’m good. Work was fine. I’m glad you’re here. This will be good—I can show you more of the trails.”
Kate smiled, and his mood immediately lifted.
If she wanted to act as if the kiss hadn’t happened, he’d go along with it.
He allowed his shoulders to relax. Disappointment set in, but he dismissed it because that’s what he wanted, right?
They needed to remain friends. He needed to stick to their pact.
They all hopped on their sleds after discussing the plan to meet up for dinner. One by one, they took off into the woods.
Riding on the back of the sled, cuddled close to Nick, Kate didn’t want the ride to end. The group parked their sleds behind the Eagle’s Nest. Kate removed her borrowed helmet, exiting the snowmobile.
“So, what did you think?” Nick asked as he stood next to her, waiting for the rest of the group to disembark.
“Amazing! I’d really like to see the trails in the daylight, but seeing the starry night and the fresh powder glistening in the moonlight—breathtaking.”
“Glad you enjoyed it.”
“Listen, Nick,” Kate placed her hand on his arm. “I can walk home after dinner. I did not know you were coming. Paige made it sound like it was a girls’ outing when she picked me up.”
Nick laughed. “Funny, Ethan made it sound like it was a guys’ outing. No worries. Ride back with me and I’ll take you home. Come on, let’s head inside.”
The Eagle’s Nest was busy for a weeknight. Most of the barstools were occupied, and the waitresses carried large trays of food from the kitchen. Music from the jukebox played a country ballad as their group of eight commandeered a large table near the bar.
“What can I get you to drink, Kate?” Owen asked.
“Water with lemon.”
“You sure?”
“Positive. I consumed more than enough alcohol last night. I don’t even remember getting home.”
Owen’s mouth quirked at the corner, then he walked to the bar.
Kate leaned in close to Nick. “Tell me I didn’t embarrass myself last night.”
“Nope. You were cute.”
“Cute?”
“Nothing embarrassing. You don’t remember me bringing you home?”
Kate bit her lip nervously. “I don’t. Not really. I remember you strapped me into my seat belt, but after that, I must have fallen asleep.”
Nick shifted slightly, his leg resting next to hers. Her breath hitched. She’d been straddling him on the snowmobile for the past few hours, but that hadn’t felt as personal as the touch and closeness she felt now in the low light of the tavern.
“You did. Instantly,” he whispered close to her ear. His breath was hot and minty. Her insides clenched.
“Oh no, did you have to carry me into my house?”
The quirk of his lip said it all. Kate didn’t remember that part, but she’d woken enough when he set her on the bed to remember him looking down on her.
She had pulled him in and kissed him. She remembered the taste of him, the woodsy scent, and his smoldering eyes.
She remembered her hips thrust forward as he kissed her back.
She swallowed down the erotic thoughts bubbling to the surface. “Thank you.”
Nick shrugged. “That’s what friends do.”
Did she still want to be only friends? she asked herself.
When he’d set her on the bed, they hadn’t held back.
The problem was, she didn’t remember him leaving.
Waking up clothed the next morning, she had talked herself out of what happened.
Except she knew it wasn’t only a dream. Mortified by her lack of control, she went on pretending.
Probably for the best. He clearly wanted to stay friends.