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hook up with some guy.” As soon as the words were out of hismouth, he regretted them. It wasn’t as though she was his. Still, he reasoned, they were supposed to be together. It didn’t look right for her to be seen with another man.
    Appalled, Jennifer gaped at him. “‘Hooked up’?” she repeated. “You make me sound like…like a hussy.” Fuming, she kicked off her skis and picked them up. Looking him straight in the eyes, she said, “All I wanted to do was impress you by improving my skills before you returned…. I shouldn’t have even tried.” It had been a mistake coming here with Alex. She’d known it would lead to trouble.
    At her words, Alex pulled back. “Really?” Jennifer was already turning to go inside the lodge. He stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Wait.”
    â€œWhat?” Disappointment lined her features.
    â€œI didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
    She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”
    Clearly it did. Alex silently berated himself. “I was…just acting defensive.” He’d almost said jealous. But he wasn’t. Dammit, he wasn’t! To be jealous, he had to care for her.
    You want her, his mind taunted.
    It was lust. Pure and simple. She’s an attractive woman. Hell, she was gorgeous. And now that he’d kissed her, he couldn’t stop thinking about making love to her.
    But jealous? No way.
    â€œWhy?” His expression gave little clue to his thoughts. More than ever, she wanted to know what he was thinking.
    His lips twisted as he shrugged. “It was a knee-jerk reaction.”
    â€œI see.” She didn’t really. Part of her had hoped his response meant more. Crushed by his dispassionate answer, she said, “I think I’ll call it a day.”
    Alex held on to her as she started to walk away. “I’m sorry I acted like a jerk. I’ll make it up to you.”
    â€œYou don’t have to. Let’s just forget it.”
    â€œI want to. Look, it’s late, and we didn’t stop for lunch. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
    â€œMe, too.” Since breakfast, all she’d had was a cup of hot chocolate.
    â€œLet’s change and have dinner.”
    â€œAll right,” she agreed, thankful to be on easy terms again. “But I want to shower before we go.”
    Alex nodded, wishing she hadn’t told him. Thoughts of water cascading over her naked body invaded his mind. Taking off his skis, he swallowed past the knot in his throat. “I’ll meet you in an hour,” he said, taking her skis from her. “That’ll give us both time to get ready.”
    He watched her walk away, the sway of her hips beneath her ski suit playing havoc with his self-control. Why had he reacted so strongly to another man being with her? He’d told her it was because they’d come together. The truth went much deeper than that.
    Alex wished he had what Jennifer needed. But she wanted forever.
    And he couldn’t give her that.

Five
    J ennifer escaped into her room as soon as they walked inside the lodge. They’d decided on a time to meet, which gave her about an hour to get ready. Peeling off the layers of her clothing, muscles she rarely used screamed their discomfort. Wishing she had time for a leisurely bath, she opted for a short, hot shower.
    Almost exactly an hour later, a knock sounded on her door as she slipped on a multicolored ski sweater to wear with her jeans. She opened it and Alex stood there wearing dark, crisp jeans and a navy-blue, long-sleeved shirt that brought out his gorgeous blue eyes. Smiling at him, she opened the door wider. “I’m ready,” she said, reaching for her purse. She started to close the door behind her.
    Alex put his hand against the door, blocking her from shutting it. “Leave your purse here. You won’tneed it. Dinner is part of the package.