“Baby, I’m sorry.” He stepped forward, ignoring my resistance, and pulled me into his arms. He was cold, his jacket radiating the chill of the mountain, but his body was solid and warm underneath. “I am so, so sorry. I didn’t think. I got caught up in it. I’m an idiot.”
I stood stiffly for a moment, then collapsed against him, burying my face in his chest. I hit him once, weakly, on the shoulder. “Youarean idiot.”
“I know. I know.” He rubbed my back, his hand large and comforting. “I’m here. I’m safe. I’m not going anywhere.”
He held me while I shook, whispering apologies into my hair. The guides awkwardly gathered their gear and moved away, giving us space.
Eventually, I pulled back, sniffing. “You smell like exhaust fumes.”
“And victory,” he tried, a small, hopeful smile appearing. “But mostly sweat. Let’s go upstairs. I need a shower, and you need a drink.”
In the suite, Marco stripped off his gear, leaving a trail of clothes across the floor. I sat on the sofa, watching him. The anger was still there, simmering, but it was warring with the sheer, overwhelming relief of seeing him move, breathe, exist.
He came out of the bathroom ten minutes later, hair damp, wearing fresh jeans and a sweater. He poured a glass of water and sat beside me.
“I really am sorry,” he said, his voice serious. “I was selfish. I didn’t think about how it would look from your end.”
“It looked like a nightmare,” I said. “Arthur was here. He asked about where you were.”
Marco groaned, head falling back. “Of course he did. What else did he say?”
“He’s worried you’re not focused. He thinks you’re reckless.”
“Arthur thinks ordering dessert is reckless.” Marco took a sip of water, then turned to me, his eyes lighting up again despite himself. “But Tess... you should have seen it. It was spiritual. We were at twelve thousand feet. The silence... it’s like nothing else on earth. And then, it’s just you and the mountain. No investors, no FDA, no payroll. Just pure white nothingness.”
He started describing the runs, his hands moving, carving the air just like they had in the ballroom. He talked about the powder, deep and light as air, the way the sun hit the peaks, the rush of gravity.
“It makes you feel so small,” he said, his voice hushed. “But in a good way. Like none of the stress matters. It puts everything into perspective. I was standing on that ridge, looking out over the world, and I thought about you. About the kids. I thought,this is what I’m fighting for. To have this freedom. To give them this world.”
I listened, watching the animation on his face. The fear in my chest began to loosen its grip. It was impossible not to be drawn in. His joy was a physical force, magnetic and warm. This was the man I loved. The man who felt everything at 110 percent.
“You’re high,” I said, a small smile touching my lips. “On adrenaline.”
“Maybe,” he admitted, grinning. “But I feel... clear. Clearer than I have in months. I’m ready for Ashley. I’m ready to crush that meeting. I feel invincible.”
“You’re not invincible,” I reminded him softly.
“I know.” He set his glass down and took my hands. “But with you? I feel like I could be.”
He looked at me, his gaze intense and searching. “Let’s stay another night.”
“The kids...”
“Are fine. Michael and Shelly have them. They probably haven’t even noticed we’re gone.” He squeezed my hands. “When was the last time we just... were? No work. No kids. Just us. In a beautiful place.”
I hesitated. The responsible part of me—the part that Arthur Vance would approve of—screamedno. Go home. Prep for the meeting. Check the code.
But looking at Marco, seeing the life burning in his eyes, I felt my resolve crumble. I wanted that. I wanted to bask in that light a little longer. I wanted to forget the fear of the last four hours.
“One more night?”
“Dinner at the restaurant downstairs,” he said. “The fancy one with the seven courses. Then we come back here, lock the door, and I spend the next twelve hours making it up to you.”
“Promise.”
He leaned in, his lips brushing my ear. “I promise. And no more heli-skiing. No more scares.”
The tension in my shoulders finally broke. I leaned into him, closing my eyes.
