Perhaps his own selfishness had made him think this was a good idea. He’d missed Alaska, and he wanted Gina to see it the way he saw it, without the surprises or gimmicks from her last trip. He’d wanted to show her the place he loved, like when she’d taken him for a tour of Central Park.
Now that they were here, those desires seemed naïve. Gina was gorgeous and spirited, strong and determined. But she wasn’t made for Alaska. She wanted things he’d never be able to give her, and the kind of life that was impossible here. He could never ask her to move here with him, and all he wanted was to come back home.
And Gina. Yes, he wanted Gina, too. Except there was no way he could have both.
She looked up like she felt his eyes on her, and smiled. So sweet. But not for him.
What the hell was wrong with him? He should be able to give up on his stupid dream of living here on his own terms. But Alaska was in his blood, had invaded him to the point where he was hooked on it. Even now, after being back for only a matter of minutes, he soaked in the air, the scenery, the sense of calm. He’d known LA had depleted him, he just hadn’t realized how much.
The Dance Offgave him his own room at the Glacier Valley Inn. It was weird, since a different room already held the rest of hisbelongings, but he couldn’t tell the producers that. Harry, one of the inn’s owners, caught Stone coming out of his new room and gave a friendly wave. Stone froze, then checked to make sure no one fromThe Dance Offwas around.
“Hey, Stone,” Harry said, coming over. He was a stocky man in his sixties with tan skin, an easy smile, and short-cropped gray hair. “Welcome back. Marnie and I have been voting for you. Glad to see you doing so well.”
Stone shook the other man’s hand. “Thanks, Harry. Means a lot.”
At that moment, Gina exited her room down the hall. She stopped when she saw them.
Harry’s gaze lit up. “Oh, there’s Gina. I hope you two won’t mind posing for a picture later. Marnie’s down at the store, but I know she’ll be real happy to see you both.”
“It would be our pleasure.” Gina gave Harry a brilliant smile, but when he wasn’t looking, she raised an eyebrow at Stone.
Stone rushed to make introductions before Harry could blow his cover. “Harry and his wife Marnie own the inn. My family has known them a long time, and they’re fans ofThe Dance Off.”
“We vote for you two every week,” Harry said again, a note of pride in his voice.
“Oh, thank you.” Gina gave Harry a one-armed hug. “I’d love to meet your wife when she’s back.”
“We’ll do that. Bye now.” Harry waved and left.
Gina gave Stone a curious look. “Why do you look so tense?”
“Do I?” He stretched his shoulders. He hadn’t even noticed the tension that had settled into his upper back and neck. As much as he loved Alaska, worrying about spilling the beans in front of Gina or the rest ofThe Dance Off’s crew had him on edge. “Weird to be back.”
“You must be excited to see your family again.”
“I am.”
“Then why are you scowling?” She pressed her fingers between his eyebrows and rubbed the crease.
“It will be good to see them, of course. It was strange beingaway.” Shit. He was back to sounding like a robot, like he did every time someone asked about his family.
“But…?”
He worked his jaw back and forth. What was it? “It feels different. I don’t know how to explain.”
“Well, when you figure it out, I’m all ears.” She tugged on her earlobes and gave him a silly, adorable grin. “You’ve listened to me blather on about my family often enough. The least I can do is return the favor.”
Film crews be damned. The producers in the lounge could wait.
Stone pulled Gina in for a long kiss. The melding of two worlds—his life in Alaska, and his routine with Gina and their crew—was throwing him off-kilter, but when he kissed her, the ground steadied beneath his feet. His heart settled into a comfortable, familiar rhythm, like they were in sync.
She broke the kiss first, wagging her finger at him like he’d been naughty. “Nowhere we might get caught,” she said, reminding him of one of her rules.
She had so many rules. He liked that about her, but he also wanted to tempt her to break them.
She swiped a thumb over his mouth, probably to wipe off her lipstick. “The crew is waiting.”
They headed down the hallway, but Gina stopped before they reached the end.
