Sarah glowed with pride as she dashed through the rest of the course. She, Janie and Elsa had worked their butts off for nearly a year before they learned how to do the salmon ladder and it had been worth every minute to see the look on Dan’s face. But then, how could he have had an inkling of her strength? It was the middle of winter and she’d been wearing so many layers since she got to Montana that he wouldn’t be able to guess her weight within twenty pounds, let alone see her muscles.
He had been checking out her breasts, though. She’d caught him at it at lunch time. Sarah held back a sigh as she raced along. These breasts of hers were a blessing and a curse. When she wanted to make heads turn, they certainly helped, but in terms of athletic training? They just got in the way. Both Janie and Elsa were small-chested women and many of the exercises they did came easier to them.
As she left the last obstacle behind her, she found a quarter-mile stretch of path between her and the finish line. The rest of the group had moved ahead to meet her there. How far behind her was Dan? She didn’t want to turn around and lose ground.
She didn’t have to.
Footsteps pounding close to her told her he had caught up again. Sarah’s heart sank; she didn’t think she could beat the SEAL in a flat-out race. But what choice did she have? She supposed she could try another trick, like tripping him, but that wasn’t how she wanted to win; she wanted to win on merit alone.
She bent into her pace, running as fast as she could, her breath exploding from her lungs in sharp bursts. The cold air burned as she sucked it in, but she didn’t care. She wanted to win. Needed to win.
The crowd at the finish line cheered and hollered as they approached. “Come on, Sarah!” she heard Regan scream. She was almost there. Almost there.
Dan raced past her and hurtled across the finish line a good five paces ahead of her. Sarah’s momentum carried her right into the crowd and she staggered in the middle of her new friends, fighting for air as they screamed and yelled around her.
“That was so close—you almost won, Sarah!” Regan hugged her.
“Thanks,” Sarah puffed, still trying to slow her breathing. She pushed herself to the limit all the time, but this time she’d gone beyond that. She wasn’t sure if she’d be able to walk back to the Hall at this rate.
“Good race.” Dan approached her. She was glad to see he was breathing hard, as well. She felt a moment of pride that she’d given this Navy SEAL a run for his money, before the truth hit her again—not only had she lost; she’d have to kiss the man.
He grinned as he caught her eye and she knew he was thinking about the kiss, too. “See you under the mistletoe, squirt. I’m looking forward to it. Ella, you owe me twenty bucks.”
“Come on, Zane. Our turn!” Austin headed for the starting line. Sarah trailed after them with the others, still struggling to catch her breath, and with the knowledge that sooner or later she’d have to make good on her bet with Dan. How big a deal was he going to make out of it?
“At least we’re spared the sight of your bare ass, Hemmins,” Mason said. “Not sure I’d have survived that, not to mention the womenfolk.”
“I don’t think all the womenfolk were dreading it,” Dan said. “In fact, I think some of them were downright anticipating it.” He turned and winked at Sarah.
She could only roll her eyes and walk away.
He wouldn’t mind getting naked with Sarah, Dan decided as they entered the Hall later on. The large house had been decorated to the hilt for the holiday and soon Mason had a fire crackling in the hearth in the living room. Dan joined him there after he’d changed and pretty soon the rest of the party drifted in, as well. Regan and Ella brought trays of snacks and drinks. Dan was just helping himself to a beer when Sarah walked in. She was back in her jeans and cream-colored oversized cable sweater, an ensemble which hid almost all of her attributes. Dan now knew she was muscular under those clothes, but she couldn’t hide her femininity—and he wasn’t just talking about her breasts. Her face, while angular, had high cheekbones, a straight nose and sweetly-curving, luscious lips. Her wide-set hazel eyes were framed with thick lashes. She was delicate as well as strong, a combination that knocked his socks off.
Without a word, he crossed the room, took her arm and led her straight to the doorway to the kitchen, where a large ball of mistletoe hung prominently.
“You owe me a kiss.”
She made a face. “Let’s get it over with.” She tilted her chin up and squinted her eyes shut.