Out of Character Read Online Free PDF

‘skiing’ in the same sentence,” Kristen said. “At least one that doesn’t also include ‘don’t’. I was shocked when you told me last night that you wanted to ski with me today.”
    Jillian positioned her right boot on her binding. “Stranger things have happened.”
    “Yeah, like you spending the night with a man you just met. I’ll get my skis.”
    * * * *
    “It’s amazing how much better you are,” Kristen said as they traversed the packed snow toward the lift to repeat the run they’d finished. “What happened?”
    After doing two green runs, they’d tried a blue one, which Jillian had not only handled, but enjoyed so much she’d suggested repeating it. “I took wide, slow turns until I got over being scared.”
    “That’s never worked before. Why this time?”
    “Because Mark skied right above me so I didn’t have to worry about being hit by another skier and could concentrate on skiing.”
    Kristen rested a hand on Jillian’s jacket sleeve. “I thought you took a class with Mark.”
    “He only took my class because he hadn’t skied since he broke his leg,” Jillian said. “He realized he didn’t need a class, so we skipped out early. It was no big deal.”
    “This man not only convinced you to spend the night with him but also got you over your fear of skiing? It’s a very big deal.”
    “It isn’t.” Jillian slipped into the lift line, wishing she’d lied and given credit to a super instructor. “For some reason, skiing clicked this time. I did the other because I’m on vacation. I’d appreciate you not announcing it to the world.”
    “Baloney,” Kristen said, but at least she’d lowered her voice. “You know how they say being drunk won’t make you do anything you don’t secretly want to do? Same thing with vacations. You’re so damn conservative about men that even deep down you don’t want a vacation fling. Which means you must think there’s a possible relationship there.”
    “I’ve only known him for one day.”
    “You still could have fallen for him.” Kristen punctuated her statement with her turquoise ski pole. “That you did it so fast means this could be major.”
    Jillian skied up beside a teenage snowboarder standing directly ahead of them in lift line. “Can I ride up with you?”
    The boy shrugged. “Whatever.”
    Jillian got onto the next double chair with him. Much as she loved Kristen, she could be a real pain sometimes.
    Because no matter what she thought, last night had been no big deal.
    * * * *
    Although Jillian repeated that mantra to herself all afternoon, she couldn’t help looking for Mark in case he’d changed his mind and decided to ski that afternoon. When they got back to their townhouse, she called him the instant Kristen left the living room to shower.
    “How was skiing?” he asked.
    “Terrific, and Kristen thinks you should be canonized.” Jillian sat on the leather sofa. “What did you do?”
    “Ran a couple errands, then came back and slept. I needed to recharge my energy for tonight.”
    His words made her body simmer. “Why don’t we ski before dinner? I’d like to try night skiing.” That was true, but Jillian’s primary motivation for suggesting it was her brain telling her she needed to slow things down.
    “Aren’t you exhausted?” Mark asked. “You got as little sleep as I did.”
    “I’m an ER doctor. I’m used to weird sleep schedules. Although I’ll need more tonight,” her brain made her add.
    “How about if I promise to let you sleep three hours?”
    “Three?” Her brain screamed that she needed to sleep all night, alone.
    “Four, then.”
    She closed her eyes. “You’ve got a deal.” Brains had no business dictating vacation conduct. “If you agree to go night skiing first.” She could still slow things down a little.
    “Okay. Afterwards we can use the hot tub at my place.”
    “That’s a good idea. You should be careful of your knee. That scar is nasty.” Mark had a scar on his