Aspen glanced at Eve as she pulled into a spot in the half-full parking lot for the company that would be shuttling them to the restaurant. After a day on the slopes, the last thing she’d wanted was to get dressed up and go out to dinner, but the smile that lit Eve’s face as she watched a blaze red Sno-Cat creep its way down the hill more than made the extra effort worth it.
Even in the dim parking lot light that filtered into the car, Aspen was spellbound by the way Eve’s eyes sparkled with delight when she turned to her.Goddamn, she is so fuckingbeautiful.
“Have you ever been to this restaurant?” Eve asked.
“No. Never.” Aspen shook her head. She’d heard great things about the five-star alpine bistro perched at the top of the mountain, but she’d never had an occasion fancy enough to warrant trying to secure a reservation. Or someone worth the effort. Under different circumstances, she could imagine herself bribing everyone she knew to get them a table. Eve deserved a night like this as a date, and part of her was annoyed that the restaurant’s killer views would be wasted on an event Eve was dreading. “It’s supposed to be incredible, though.”
“I’d imagine so,” Eve muttered. Her shoulders lifted and fell with a heavy, resigned breath, and she shook her head. “My parents wouldn’t bother with it, otherwise.”
Though she’d only spent an hour or so with Killian and Elizabeth Morrison the night before, Aspen knew that was very much true. And though she should probably keep her opinion to herself, her frank, “That’s because they’re desperately trying to prove they’re worth something to a bunch of people who think having money makes them superior,” slipped out before she could stifle it. She grimaced. “Shit. Sorry.”
“No.” Eve turned in her seat and placed a hand high on Aspen’s leg to hold her attention. “That’s actually pretty accurate.”
Aspen’s pulse stuttered as Eve’s index finger swept a light arc across her inner thigh. She was sure Eve meant it to be reassuring, but it kindled the ember of arousal in her that had been quietly burning since their almost-kiss on the mountain into a blaze. For as much as she wanted to spread her legs to invite Eve’s touch higher, it’d be unwise to wade into the vipers’ nest that awaited them when she was painfully turned-on, and she bit her lip as she covered Eve’s hand with her own. Her stomach sank at the way Eve immediately tensed as if she’dbeen caught doing something wrong and she so very gently lifted Eve’s hand from her thigh. “Beautiful girl,” she said, infusing as much warmth into her voice as she could, “if you keep that up”—she held Eve’s gaze as she dragged her thumb over the center of her palm—“we will not be making it to dinner.”
“Oh,” Eve exhaled, her fear from a moment ago replaced by an almost bashful understanding. “Sorry. I wasn’t trying to—”
“Turn me on?” Aspen finished for her with a smile. When Eve nodded, she lifted Eve’s hand to her lips and kissed her knuckles. “I’m afraid that’s just not possible. You are, without a doubt, the most compelling woman I’ve ever met.”
Eve looked like she wanted to believe her, but she shook her head as she protested, “I’m not.”
Aspen’s throat tightened, and she sucked in a sharp breath as she leaned forward to murmur, “You are,” directly to Eve’s lips before sealing her words with a kiss so Eve couldn’t shrug them off. Eve was brilliant and kind and funny, and she deserved to be celebrated for the incredible woman she’d become despite the myriad of hurdles life had thrown in her way. “I am absolutely fascinated by you,” she whispered against Eve’s lips before kissing her again. “I could spend forever learning everything there is to know about you, and I’d still want more.”
“God, Aspen,” Eve whimpered, her voice cracking around Aspen’s name as she melted into her.
Aspen released Eve’s hand to thread her fingers through her hair and hold her close as their kiss deepened, gentleness replaced by a beautiful, burning surrender and unmistakable hunger that stole the air from her lungs. Aspen kissed her slowly. Adoringly. God, she poured so much fucking reverence into the kiss that her eyes stung from the depth of it all.
She pressed closer, pouring everything she had, everything she felt, everything she didn’t even know how to put into words into each slide of her tongue and every lingering moment ofconnection when she’d suck on Eve’s lower lip, reluctant to let her go even for a moment. Her pulse thundered in her ears, and she felt absolutely drunk on the light, swirly feeling that erupted in her chest. It was like being trapped in a chaotic free fall, and she never wanted it to end.
It eventually did, though, as all things must, and she exhaled as shaky, “My god, Eve,” as she nuzzled her cheek, lingering in the moment as her pulse slowly came back to normal.
“What happened to not getting turned on?” Eve groaned low in the back of her throat and dropped a chaste kiss to Aspen’s lips. “Seriously,” she continued, sounding more amused than angry. “How am I supposed to mingle with my parent’s friends after that?”
Aspen giggled. “Sorry?”
“No, you’re not,” Eve argued, but there was no mistaking the smile in her tone.
Aspen shivered as Eve’s thumb tenderly traced the curve of her cheek. “I just want you to know how special you are,” she whispered.
“With you, I feel special.”
“Good.” Aspen kissed her again softly. Flashing lights outside the windshield drew her attention, and she sighed when she saw a cluster of people climbing into the Sno-Cat that would take them up the mountain. She wanted nothing more than to whisk Eve away in the opposite direction, but that decision wasn’t hers to make. “Looks like they’re loading the ‘cat. Do you want to try to catch this one?”
“Not really,” Eve confessed as she followed Aspen’s gaze. “But we should.”
Aspen waited for Eve to look back at her. She was heartened by what she saw when Eve finally did. Yes, a tenor of resignation still shadowed those beautiful blue eyes, but unlike the night before there was a spark of confidence, too. “Okay, then,” sheagreed. She killed the engine and dropped the keys into her jacket pocket. “Let’s get this over with. Sit tight, beautiful. I’m gonna get the door for you.” The smile Eve gave her in response had her floating around the car to the passenger door, and she dipped her shoulders in a short bow as she pulled it open with a flourish. “M’lady.”
“God, you’re charming,” Eve laughed, obligingly placing her hand in Aspen’s as she slipped out of the car.
Aspen tucked their hands into the pocket of her coat as they hurried to catch their ride. She smiled her thanks to the attendant who held the large metal door open for them with a cheery, “Last two seats are yours!”
Like herself and Eve, the other occupants weren’t exactly dressed for a night on the mountain, and she was glad for the heater that was working overtime to ward off the chill and the neatly folded blanket that waited for them on their seats. She didn’t miss the curious looks that were thrown their way as they settled in, but only the woman seated catty-corner to them addressed them directly.
“Eve, congratulations on upgrading from the douche.”
The comment was so unexpected that Aspen couldn’t contain the bark of laughter that escaped her. She grinned at the cute brunette who looked to be somewhere close to hers and Eve’s ages as she looped her arm around Eve’s shoulders and pulled her close “Thank you.”
“Yes, thank you, Lydia,” Eve chuckled as she leaned into Aspen’s side.
