“Agh!”Ijolted to the side and then cringed at my high-pitched squeal.
“Whatis it?”
“Youjerked and moved the chair.Ithought you were going to fall,”Isaid.Itwasn’t a complete lie since my fear could equate to either of us plunging.
“No,I’mfine,” she said. “Iwas just trying to scoot over and steal your warmth.”
“Oh.”Whatan idiotIwas.Tocover up my awkwardness,Iraised my arm, inviting her closer.
Sheleaned against me, and it felt nice, even if her head was covered by a helmet.
Aswe ascended, she asked me questions about the area, andIpointed out locations in the distance.Thesky was darker than yesterday, with clouds that led to more gray than blue, but the visibility was still good with the morning sunlight.
Wereached the top of the mountain and adjusted our poles back onto our wrists.Afterskiing over to the map,Inoted some trail options from this location.
“Wantto start with an easy groomer?”
“Yes, please.”Shegrinned. “Ineed to break in slowly soIcan forget yesterday’s debacle.”
“Yougot it.”Iraised my pole toward the green trail. “Afteryou.”
Shearched both brows. “Areyou planning to follow me in caseIfall?Trustme,I’malready contemplating rolling down like a witchy avalanche.”
“You’renotgoing to fall,”Iassured her. “Oneof us has to ski first.Ifyou’d ratherIdo so,Iwill.”
Sheexhaled. “I’lldo it.”Shepushed herself forward a few feet and then turned over her shoulder. “Besides, it might be better that you’re behind me, just in case.”Shegrinned, turned forward, and launched herself ahead.
AsIfollowed her down the groomed trail, the wind tousled her blond ringlets, mesmerizing me.Sheskied stiffly at first, which was to be expected after being cautious, but soon loosened her stance and glided down.
Followingher down the mountain was more difficult thanIexpected—not due to issues skiing but the instincts woken in my wolf.Theurge to hunt and chase her grew, and anticipation built the closer we approached.
Iwanted to catch her.
Andthen claim her.
Wait, what?Ishook my head.Pursuingher was one thing.Gettingher into bed tonight would be epic.Butclaiming her as my mate wasout of the question.Besides, what would be the point?She’dbe returning toMassachusettstomorrow.
Wemade it to the bottom of the trail withoutCassandrafalling or me doing something off the wall like confessing what my wolf kept hammering at me about her being my mate.
“Howdid that feel?”Iasked her.
“Great.”Shebeamed. “Ifelt a little anxious at first, but as my confidence grew, it became easier.Enjoyable.”
“I’mglad.Ienjoyed that.Readyto go for another run?”
“Let’sdo it.”
Theprimal urge returned as we progressed to a more difficult run, andIpursuedCassandradown the trail.Anticipationsoared inside me, driving me to capture this beguiling witch.
Wecontinued for several more runs.Imanaged not to make a fool out of myself with anymore squeaks of fear due to my fear of heights.Wetook breaks when she wanted to go inside to warm up.
Ipictured a better way of doing so in my cabin but kept that thought to myself—for now.
Eachascent up the chairlift seemed to draw me closer to her as our conversations deepened.Thesun broke through the clouds later that morning, bathing the mountain in a golden glow.
Westopped for an early lunch inside the lodge, each of us opting for the hot chili, that smelled so good, and tortilla chips.Theconversation flowed as easily as it had while we rode up the lifts, andIwas almost reluctant to leave the comfort of our table to return outside.Thatwas a first for me asI’dski as often asIcould.
“Youdid great this morning.Areyou up to heading back out there after lunch?”
