“I’m not exactly a newbie.”
“I know, but doesn’t hurt to review since you say it’s been a while.” I bumped my shoulder into hers. “Look where you want to go, not at your feet.”
“Got it.”
“Your board only listens to your hips.”
“You mean the bruised ones from where you gripped me too tight last night?”
“I’ll have you black and blue by Monday, that’s a promise.” I winked, then back to basics. “Keep your knees bent. You’ve got this. I’ll be right beside you the whole run.”
We kept it slow, carving through the powder. I let my board float. Behind me, I heard the occasional scrape and soft curse as Lilah rediscovered her edges.
At the bottom, I looked back. She cruised in with a cautious S-curve, then stopped beside me in a little spray of snow.
“Powder is incredible today,” I called. “Hanging in there?”
She caught her breath, cheeks glowing. “Yep. Getting my legs back.”
“And gorgeous, too. Even in hot pink. Come here.”
After breathless kisses, we loaded onto the lift again, boards dangling over all that pristine white. I nudged her gently with my elbow.
“You’re already looking steazy, Chef.” She gave me a quizzical look. “That’s boarder talk for stylish and easy. I thinkyou’re ready to graduate from the bunny hill. We’ll take run one this time.”
“If I go down, I’m taking you with me.” She nodded toward my knee. “It doesn’t bother you now?”
“The surgeries and extensive rehab along with keeping fit helped. As well as knowing I can’t push it like I used to in my younger days. Relax. I’m fine, but thanks for caring, Frosty. Now, give me a kiss before we fly.”
Our frozen lips connected, parting just in time at the top. Before I could say anything else, she pushed off and flew down the mountain.
“Lilah!” I shouted, dropping in after her.
She sliced the slope. Tight, controlled turns, weight perfectly centered. She popped over a soft pillow of powder like it was nothing, then shifted to ride her edge down a little tree line, spraying snow in an easy, practiced rhythm.
I had to work to catch up. “What the hell?” I laughed as I chased her.
By the time we reached the bottom, my lungs were burning in the best way. She slid to a stop ahead of me, flipped her board sideways, and leaned on one hip, smug as sin.
“You’re a little hustler, aren’t you?” I chuckled, unstrapping one binding.
“How so?” she asked, all innocent eyes.
“You don’t get that good from casual snowboarding. And considering you haven’t been down a hill in some years?—”
“You’re right.” She dusted some snow off her pants. “I got that good from snowboarding in Switzerland with the rebound guy I dated after Brad.” She shrugged. “Lots of practice. Lots of vertical. Shall we go again?”
Jealousy flared hot and unwelcome under my ribs, picturing her on another mountain with another man.
“Hey, Cal? Did run two pass safety patrol today?” I asked because clearly my hustling little bunny needed a bigger challenge.
“Sure thing, boss. Ready to go,” he thumbed toward the lift.
We sat on the bench, ascending quickly.
I stared at her. “So, who was this rebound guy?”
She smirked. “Brother of an Olympic medalist from France.”
