To Tell the Truth Read Free Page B

wasn't interested in him or anyone as a romantic companion for her holiday. But there was a traitorous burst of warmth in her veins at the smile that flashed across the masculine mouth.
    "Are you ready to leave the gentler slopes behind for something more demanding?" he challenged as she stopped beside him.
    "What did you have in mind?" The breathy catch to her voice was caused by the high altitude, Andrea told herself.
    "Are you up to KT-22?"
    "I think so," she said, nodding.
    "Let's go." Tell dug his poles into the snow and pushed off towards the chair-lift that would take them to the famous Olympic hill.
    It was a test of mettle that required a complete recall of all her former skill to keep up with Tell's slicing skis. She had guessed that he was an expert skier, but she had expected him to consider the years since her last time on skis and choose a route accordingly. He spared neither himself nor her.
    The exhilaration that accompanied the successful completion of the run was beyond anything Andrea had experienced. Her senses were vibrantly alive to everything around her. It was like awakening after a long, troubled sleep and finding a fresh new world. She didn't need a second invitation to return up the slopes.
    By the end of the afternoon, Andrea was happily exhausted. She had taken a couple of tumbles and knew there would probably be bruises, as well as stiff muscles, making themselves felt by morning but she couldn't remember when she had felt so complete and whole.
    "I'll give you an hour in the tub to soak out the soreness and another haft an hour to dress," Tellstated with that smile that had added to the bewitching spell of the afternoon, "then I'll expect you in the lobby. No more time than that, because I'm starving."
    "I'll be there," she promised gaily as they parted in the hallway, Andrea walking toward her room and Tell to his.
    Not until she was lazing in a tubful of soothing bubbles did she realize that she had agreed to dine with him. Disobeying the warning voices that pleaded with her to stay away from him, she sighed contentedly. Except for that one moment last night, she had enjoyed his company.
    She was beginning to feel alive again and it wasn't as frightening as she had thought. In fact, it was a wonderful feeling, she decided, picking up a handful of bubbles and blowing them into the air.
    A lot of girls indulged in harmless flirtations. Why shouldn't she? Andrea argued silently. True, she hadn't come with that in mind, but where would she ever find a better holiday companion than Tell Stafford? He was good-looking, fun, maybe too worldly for her, but it would be exciting. She had lived on the fringe of life for three years. It was her turn to enjoy it.
    In this faintly euphoric state where nothing could possibly go wrong, Andrea dressed for her date with Tell. A date…even that word brought a smile. She hadn't had a date in years. A glow of excitement radiated from within as she hurried to the lobby to meet Tell.
    When his dark gaze ran admiringly over her slimly curvaceous figure, there was a surge of satisfaction in knowing how well the brown slacks and the matching gold and brown striped sweater suited her coloring. Minus the wariness that had held her distant the night before, Andrea found herself willingly following his lead. The lightest touch sent new fires of life through her system.
    After eating at one of the more informal spots, Tell didn't take her back to the ledge. "Will your legs take a couple of hours of dancing, or are you too sore?" There was a glitter of laughter in his eyes as he looked down at her.
    "I don't feel the least bit tired," Andrea admitted, "although I can't say how coordinated my legs will be. I can't remember how long it's been since I had as much exercise as I did this afternoon."
    His arm slipped around her shoulders as he turned her into one of the lounges. "We probably should have called it a day earlier."
    "I'm not complaining." She shook her head firmly and