Sinful Weekend Read online

  Sinful Weekend

  Francesca St. Claire

  From the moment the beautiful brunette entered the ski resort’s crowded bar, Nick Dahlberg was hooked. As if her natural glow and smiling brown eyes aren’t arousing enough, when she removes her bulky vest, her sexy contours send his imagination—and libido—into overdrive. What fun a sinful weekend with her would be.

  The yearly vacation with her best friends from college dictates no flirting, but when Stephanie notices the tall blond staring at her from across the room, lust coils and heat instantly ignites between them. The man is yummy with a capital Y.

  The following day brings them face-to-face, and his invitation to explore a secluded ski run is too tempting to resist. Thankfully her friends are leaving before the weekend, because Stephanie finds she can’t say no to spending time with Nick…or the long list of delightful pleasures his naughty imagination has in mind.

  A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

  SINFUL WEEKEND

  Francesca St. Claire

  Chapter One

  Nick Dahlberg noticed the beautiful brunette the moment she walked into the crowded bar. Escorted by three other beauties, she stood out from the group—her aura brighter and more dazzling than any of her companions. She was a knockout plain and simple, though the word “plain” did not apply to her in any way, shape or form, with her long, wavy chestnut hair, smiling brown eyes and a body made for sin. And what fun a sinful weekend with her would be…

  A pair of colorful Aztec-print leggings worn under a brown sweater dress hugged her long legs like a second skin. What would it be like to stroke her shapely limbs without the cumbersome garment? Fantastic, no doubt. As she removed her white faux-fur vest, her sexy contours sent his imagination—and libido—into overdrive.

  Damn!

  “Check out the eye candy at the bar,” Jen whispered.

  Stephanie nodded, acknowledging her friend’s meaning, and scanned the room. One or two men caught her eye. Men she might have enjoyed flirting with any night other than tonight—a girls’ night out—though none of them were particularly hot.

  Wait! She did a double take. Now that!Tall, blond and gorgeous… Wow. Yes, he was definitely worth getting some flak from the girls. By the time her brain finally caught up with her heartbeat, she’d been staring for quite a while…and so had he. Sparks leapt between them. Lust coiled and heat ignited instantly within her. And who could blame her? The man was yummy with a capital Y.

  Just then a group of people moved to the table in front of her, blocking her view. When they finally settled and she regained a clear shot of the bar, his seat was empty.

  Shit!

  Chapter Two

  The view from the ski lift—mountains covered in snow against the blue sky—was breathtaking. The best scenery Stephanie had seen since attending college in Colorado, the place where she’d learned to ski with the help of her three best friends, Jen, Julia and Laura. Once a year, they tried to duplicate those four, amazing fun-filled years by coming together for a week of skiing at different resorts around the country.

  The first two years after graduation had been almost like college. They all lived in the same apartment in NYC and often spent weekends together as well as their annual vacation.

  Julia was the first to break from the pack, much to her friends’ dismay, by taking a teaching job in Mystic, Connecticut. But she couldn’t have been happier. NYC had never really been her scene. She was a small-town girl at heart with a love for nature and community life, and in Mystic she’d found both in abundance. What she hadn’t yet found was a date she could be excited about. Available hot men were a bit scarce in that part of the country.

  Laura soon followed in her steps by moving to Boston, after completing her masters at the New York School of Interior Design, and started an interior design business with her childhood friend Ralph. Very busy and extremely successful, she was left practically no time for relationships.

  The previous year Stephanie had been the third to leave, leaping cross-country to settle in San Francisco and leaving Jen on her own in NYC. But Jen was fine. She loved the energy of a big city and made the most of it by having the best sex life of the four friends.

  Stephanie missed her friends enormously, more so since she’d moved to California the year before. She hadn’t known a soul then and her grueling schedule left no time for a social life. But that was about to change. Well-settled in her job as a sales manager for a company of outdoor clothing and gear, she could now afford to relax a little, cut down on the hours and make new friends—male friends preferably.

  Gah! It had really been too long since she’d been with a man.

  Just before leaving for Tahoe, she’d had a trim and a European wax. Not that she expected to flaunt her dusty pussy at some guy during her stay, but nonetheless better safe than sorry. She was definitely ready for some action.

  Her “aha” moment had happened the previous night in town when the guy at the bar had instantly kindled a burst of desire and a strong physical reaction in her. Like a pleasure fountain running through her, heat sparked along her nerves to settle low in her belly. And though her mind seemed to be at odds with her body—cautioning her against a perfect stranger—she wanted him. Badly.

  Engrossed in her thoughts, Stephanie gasped when she faced the snow-covered slope the four of them were about to tackle shortly and saw him. Her heart flipped, her pulse leapt to a gallop and she was hooked.

  Finding him there was a sweet surprise. One she’d been hoping for since his sudden disappearance from the bar. He really was a hot sexy piece of ass—over six feet tall and built like a swimmer, his face naturally tan as if he spent hours on skis, and the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. But his demeanor was what drew her attention most. Watchful. Like a person used to noticing details. And he had an imaginative mind, if his mirthful and sensual gaze was any indication of his thoughts.

  Lustful images of his long limbs tangled with hers sent her into an automatic purr. Hatless, his head of thick sandy hair—longer than an executive’s short crop, shorter than a surfer’s—was a very attractive shag that begged to be mussed. Then he smiled.

  “Oh Jesus!”

  Remembering where she was, Stephanie glanced furtively around. Her friends were busy talking and apparently had yet to notice him—which they would if she wasn’t careful—and then tease her mercilessly. Feigning normality, she followed the group onto the slope, her eyes cast well away from the subject of her thoughts.

  She had a blast skiing with her friends and the morning flew by in an instant. Lunchtime rolled around before she knew it. After a quick deliberation, the girls decided to try the food at the resort’s Sundeck BBQ restaurant.

  “Jen, I’m going to the bathroom. I’ll have a turkey on rye and a Diet Coke, please,” Steph said as her friend was about to enter the dining room.

  “Sure.”

  “Thanks.” She turned away and walked straight into a wide solid chest. Mumbling an apology, she stepped back and raised her head.

  Wow! A god turned into a GQ model. Who would have guessed he’d be even hotter up close and in person?

  “Hi.”

  “Hi.”

  Time stretched as they assessed each other at close range. His gaze caressed her face, lingering, his beautiful lips slightly pursed. Jesus, he was good. Just a look from him made her hotter than half an hour of foreplay with her last boyfriend.

  His lips curved slightly. “I’m Nick.”

  “Stephanie.”

  He leaned in and the woodsy marine freshness of his scent filled her senses. “I know an out-of-bounds track through old-growth forests where the ride is as wild as it gets. I’d love to take you there.”

>   His voice, Christ, his voice was pure honey and whiskey. How she’d love to hear that rich sexy voice whisper arousing words in her ear. Her heart knocked hard against her ribs, but she forced herself to meet his eyes. “I’ll tell my friends—”

  “No friends. Just you.”

  No friends…just me. She gaped at him, the rapid thud of her heart echoing in her ears. No way. She couldn’t abandon her friends and follow some guy she’d just met…or could she?

  She smiled ruefully. “Sorry…”

  Regret flashed in his eyes. “So am I.”

  He leaned in and she looked up at him from under her lashes. Without minding the people walking by, he brushed his lips over hers then walked away without so much as a backward glance.

  Now that! She hadn’t seen it coming, but the effect of his kiss lasted the rest of the day—a lot longer than the quick feathery touch of his lips on hers.

  No friends…just you. All afternoon his words echoed in her head, making her heart beat faster and distracting her to the point of being teased by her friends. Finally she excused herself from the next ski run and went for a break on her own.

  While enjoying the uninterrupted view of the mountains from the resort café’s sundeck, a cup of hot chocolate in hand, Stephanie made a study of her options. Her friends were leaving Tahoe in the morning, but she still had her boss’ chalet throughout the weekend. Why not stay, enjoy the company of a handsome man and a couple more days of skiing? She certainly wouldn’t have either once she got back to San Francisco.

  “Sure I can’t change your mind about joining me on that run?”

  Nick!

  The thrill she experienced—tiny currents of electricity shooting straight through her body—totally validated her decision to stay. And when he slid into a chair across from hers, filling her field of vision with six feet plus of total gorgeousness, she agreed to join him. “Okay.”

  “Okay?” he repeated, blue eyes widening, lips curving over his perfect teeth.

  She chuckled at his surprised reaction. “Yes, my friends are leaving tomorrow and I’ve got the chalet until Sunday. It’d be a shame not to make full use of the place.” She tried to sound matter-of-fact. “All I’ll have to do is catch a bus back to San Francisco since I’ll be missing my ride.”

  “Great! Shall we agree on meeting here tomorrow at ten then?”

  “Let’s make it noon. My friends aren’t leaving until eleven.”

  “Noon it is.” He stood and grabbed his gloves from the table, a grin splitting his face. “As for getting back to San Francisco…” He bent forward, placing his hands on the arms of her chair, eyes level with hers. “No worries. I’m heading that way too.”

  Eyes the color of the sky locked with hers, sending a bolt of heat straight to her pussy as she anticipated his kiss. But he stood and walked away, leaving her stunned and motionless. When he turned and smiled at her, she melted into a wide grin.

  Jesus!

  Chapter Three

  Nick kissed her on the cheek and the scent of alpine fir trees, coffee and something else she couldn’t quite identify floated through the air.

  He smiled. “Hi.”

  “Hi.”

  “Ready?”

  “Uh huh.”

  With their skis on and ready to go, Nick said, “We’ll start slowly until you get used to the terrain so stay close to me.”

  “Yes sir!” She saluted in jest and then laughed at his cocked eyebrow.

  There was something about the man that drove her to act young and frisky. He boosted her spirits and made her bubbly beyond her normal self. An exhilarating sense of new beginnings swept through her.

  Christ, she had missed the company of a man. And not just any man. A man who stirred her juices in a big way. If she had chosen to, she would’ve had no problem getting a date from any number of work colleagues who were keen to date her. But a man such as Nick—whom she was so decisively attracted to and wished to know better—was a different matter. The fact he lived in the same town as her was a fantastic and convenient coincidence…if they wished to carry on seeing each other after the weekend. But she had gotten ahead of herself. They’d only just met and hadn’t even test-driven each other…yet.

  She smiled at her own thoughts. Oh, she was most definitely one horny chick!

  Skiing with Nick was a blast, but by the time they’d finished their first run, Stephanie was well and truly ready for a break.

  “Phew, there was a close call more than once,” she said, removing her ski goggles.

  Even though his eyes were hidden behind his goggles, his voice revealed concern. “Were you scared?”

  “No, but I should have been. This trail was quite a stretch for me,” she admitted.

  He pushed his goggles onto the top of his head and leaned over on one pole. “I’m surprised. I expected you to be in better shape,” he teased, his face deadpan despite the humor dancing in his eyes.

  She snarled.

  He laughed.

  Their eyes met and held. Excitement, anticipation and desire pulsed through the air. He skied closer and she closed her eyes as his warm breath fanned her face. His cold, soft lips touched hers in a light feathery kiss. His gentleness surprised her. She encircled his waist and gave in to the kiss. His lips were wonderfully smooth. His hands marvelously arousing as they cupped her face and the back of her neck, angling her head this way and that, controlling the kiss. Her mind went blank. Raw need grew strong as their kiss deepened and lengthened. How could his touch be so earth shattering? When he parted her lips with his and slid his tongue inside her mouth, desire exploded within her.

  His arousal thickened the moment his tongue entered her mouth. He’d intended for this to be a gentle kiss but, damn, her lips were too sexy for sedate kisses, and he hadn’t felt sexual attraction of this intensity for a long time. When she moaned, he tightened his arms and stroked the contours of her curvy body under her padded clothing. He kissed her deeper, demanding more. Every cell in him tingled. If he didn’t quickly take control of his urges, he’d be pushing her against a tree and thoroughly ravishing her—his tongue and cock deep inside her, his hands cupping her shapely ass, bringing her to orgasm with raw and urgent thrusts, the tension building higher and higher until they flew over the edge. Now there was a thought.

  Reluctantly he ended the kiss, dropping his forehead to hers as he tried to regain some sort of composure. This wasn’t the time or place to get carried away. Christ, he was hornier than a sex-starved teenager. The desire to take her was overwhelming.

  He cupped her face and traveled his gaze over her hair and mouth, a never-ending source of luscious thoughts streaming through his mind—her shapely lips closing over his rock-hard dick, sucking him dry—before settling on her eyes again. His thumb slid along her lower lip and she breathed deep. He was only a moment away from losing total control. She drove him crazy, but this was a public place and the temperature had dropped. Given the choice, he’d rather not get frostbite on his ass when he made love to her the first time. No, he’d much prefer to have her in his bed, under him, her naked arms and long legs wrapped around him. He shuddered. Sanity prevailed.

  He prudently stepped back and discreetly arranged his cock in his pants. He could wait…just…even if his blood pumped south, hardening his shaft, making it impossible to think of anything else but fucking her. For now he’d enjoy a couple more hours skiing with his hot sexy partner. And later…

  Enough! If he didn’t stop his train of thought they would never finish what they’d come for—skiing.

  “Ready to try another run?” he asked, running a hand over his hair.

  She removed her woolly hat and shook her thick dark mane. It spilled over her shoulders in a silk cascade. “No, but I’m ready for a hot chocolate. You?”

  Spellbound by her graceful moves, he became caught up in another fantasy—her sexy hair framing her beautiful face, caressing her breasts as she undulated on top of him. No, hot chocolate was definitely not w
hat he had in mind.

  “Yes,” he said, sliding his goggles back onto his nose, trying to hide his lustful thoughts. “Let’s go to my place and have it there.” Stephanie hesitated long enough he teased, “What? Afraid I don’t know how to make hot chocolate?”

  Myriad emotions flashed across her face, apprehension one of them, bluntly evident when she took another moment to answer. “What’s your last name, Nick?”

  Understanding her concern, he smiled reassuringly. “Smart woman. The name is Dahlberg. Nicholas Dahlberg. Write it down as well as my address and text them both to one of your friends. Have you a phone with you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Text her. My car is in the parking lot. I’ll take you home later if you wish to change before we go out to dinner.”

  When had she consented to having dinner with him? His words weren’t a question. He dispensed instructions as if she’d already agreed to spend the evening with him. A small smile curved her lips at the pleasure his dominant approach instilled in her. She was a sucker for a commanding man and Nicholas Dahlberg appeared to be that kind of guy.

  Once they reached his car, he gathered their skis and placed them on the roof rack of his Grand Cherokee.

  “Where did you learn to ski so well?” he asked as he secured the bars.

  Elation bubbled through her. Pleased by his compliment, she only wished her body wasn’t responding to him so eagerly. It put her at a disadvantage in the mating dance preceding sex. One look from him and she wanted to jump his bones, and worried he would think her an easy lay. “Oh, thank you. I took my first ski lessons in Colorado, but I’ve skied pretty much everywhere.”

  He pointed and pressed the remote at the Jeep, unlocking all the doors, then retrieved a pair of brown, scarred all-terrain boots from inside and sat on the bumper to change. “Is that where you’re from?”