by J. M. Paul
He winks and walks backward toward the door, keeping me locked in his gaze before he turns and leaves.
His fingers don’t linger on my skin, but the feel of them does along with his weighted stare.
Adjust Your Altitude
The two-hour time difference between Michigan and Montana plays havoc with my internal clock, and I awake too early the next morning. I lie, listening to the silent house. Everyone must still be sleeping. They stayed up late, drinking and partying. I hung out for a while, but jet lag hit, and I gave up around midnight.
Throwing back the covers, I climb out of bed and shiver. The bite in the air immediately makes me want to crawl back in. I grab a hoodie and shrug into it on my way to the kitchen.
It’s still dark outside, and I’m thankful someone left the Christmas tree lights on in the living room.
I make coffee and admire the ornate tree before moving to one of the big picture windows. Hints of the sunrise are brightening the sky behind what I assume are massive mountains. In about an hour or so, this will more than likely be a breathtaking view.
I’m not sure how long I stand there, lost in my thoughts over Cami—whom I didn’t hear from last night—and Connor, when movement behind me draws me out of my contemplating.
“Morning,” someone whispers.
I turn and find Taylyn, a girl I met for the first time last night, enter the kitchen. She’s a girlfriend of one of the guys; I’m not sure which one.
“Morning.” I offer her a smile.
She makes a cup of coffee, and after doctoring it with mass amounts of cream and sugar—solidifying she’s not my kind of people—she comes to stand next to me.
“It’s freaking cold here, isn’t it?” Taylyn shivers and takes a tentative sip from her steaming mug.
“Definitely.”
We stand in weighted silence until I decide a fire will be a pleasant backdrop to the approaching dawn. I build one in the expansive fireplace with the stockpile of wood next to it. The kindling’s dry, so the fire’s roaring and crackling in no time.
“You’re handy.” Taylyn’s now sitting on the couch, a throw blanket draped over her lap.
“My family used to have bonfires all the time.” I walk into the kitchen to make more coffee. “Want another?” I point to her mug.
“No, I’m good.”
When my cup’s replenished, I sit on the hearth of the fireplace to relish in the warmth. A cozy, crackling fire, muted light stretching in from the large picture windows, and even the welcoming festive glow of the tree help to relieve the tension in my shoulders.
“What’s the deal with you and Connor?” Taylyn asks bluntly.
And there goes the pleasantness.
I lift my coffee to my lips while I keep my eyes on Taylyn. Her face is pinched, and she’s peering at me like I’m trash that blew in from a nonexistent alley.
“What do you mean?” I’m careful not to give anything away. I know where she’s going to lead this conversation, but I don’t want to make the trip too easy for her.
“Are you together?” She gives me attitude.
“We did arrive here in the same vehicle, yes.” I’m being purposefully evasive.
“Cut the crap. You know what I’m getting at.” She sets her mug down on the end table a little too forcefully.
My back goes straight. “I have no idea what you’re getting at, Taylyn. So, why don’t you spit it out?”
“Are you fucking him?” She sneers like she’s really giving it to me.
Her brashness does surprise me, but I’m used to handling the shock of what comes out of people’s mouths, especially my own.
“That’s none of your business.” I’m choosing to take the high road.
“Hell if it’s not.” She sits forward. “Emily’s my best friend, and they’re still together. I’d say that makes it my business.”
Taylyn studies me, probably trying to determine if she’s shaking me. At the mention of Emily’s name, Taylyn kind of has me at a loss, but I brace myself to play my part in this game.
“They broke up.” I roll my eyes.
She scoffs. “Is that what he told you? Because, if you believe him, you’re even more naive than I thought.” Taylyn stands and steps around the table, closer to me. “They’re still very much together, and if you think for a second that you—”
“That’s enough, Taylyn.” Connor’s deep voice booms before I can rise to my feet and put this girl in her place.
My attention snaps over to him standing in the hallway. Connor’s hair is mussed from sleep. He’s shirtless and wearing a pair of low-slung sleep pants. The looming sunrise combined with the flickering light of the fire casts a warm glow of shadows over him, making him appear dark and dangerous.
I swallow when his intense gaze meets mine, and I clench my stomach against the fluttering he causes. Connor studies me before pinning Taylyn to the spot. She shrinks back slightly before she stands tall and faces him.
“Connor,” Taylyn says.
“Leave Noel alone.” Connor takes a few steps into the living room.
“I can handle my own battles,” I growl.
Connor cuts me a hard look. I sigh, take a drink of my coffee, and get comfortable in front of the fireplace. This promises to be a good show.
I should’ve made some popcorn.
“What’s your problem?” Connor asks Taylyn.
“The fact that you’re cheating on Emily.” Taylyn tosses her auburn ponytail over her shoulder and then props her hands on her hips.
“Em and I aren’t together anymore, Tay. You know that.” Connor crosses his arms over his chest, and I have to prevent myself from drooling at the sight of his flexing biceps.
“That’s not what Emily says. I spoke to her last night, and she said you two are still together,” Taylyn rebuts.
“Yeah, well, she lives in a fantasy world where she thinks she can have her cake and eat it, too.” He scratches the stubble on his cheek. “The minute she cheated on me, we were over.”
“There’s more to the story, and you know it, Con.” Her voice sounds accusatory.
“Get over it, Taylyn,” Connor snaps. “We’ve both moved on. End of story.”
“We’ll see about that.” Taylyn’s eyes find mine, and a smirk twitches on her lips. She strides over to Connor, mumbles something to him, and then climbs the stairs and disappears into her bedroom.
When I focus on Connor, a muscle in his jaw is contracting, and a shadow comes over his face that I can’t read, but it makes my scalp prickle.
After a few seconds, he snaps from his daze and moves to crouch in front of me.
“Sorry about that.” Connor takes one of my hands in his. “Taylyn’s Emily’s best friend,” he says in way of explanation for her attack.
“It’s okay. It’s not the first pair of bitch claws I’ve had to manage, and it probably won’t be the last.” I shrug it off, but somewhere in my chest, there’s a weight starting to pull downward. Regardless that I’m sitting in front of the fire, a chill starts to creep over my skin.
“Don’t worry about her. She’s just having a hard time with letting the past go.” Connor lifts my palm to his mouth and places a soft kiss in the middle of it. “There’s nothing going on between me and Emily anymore.” He lifts my chin for me to look at him. “You believe me, don’t you?”
Maybe I shouldn’t trust him, but he hasn’t given me a reason to doubt what he says. And why would he bring me on a trip with his friends if he was still involved with a woman they were all connected to?
“Sure.”
“That doesn’t sound convincing.” His jade eyes inspect me.
“Well, maybe you’ll have to convince me then.” The corner of my lip twitches.
“Oh, yeah?” He sits on the stoop next to me, a devilish gleam in his eyes. “And how do you suggest I do that?”
“I’m certain you’ll think of something.”
“I am creative that way.” He leans into me, his
mouth lightly brushing against mine.
“I like where your imagination has taken you,” I murmur.
He puffs out a short laugh before his lips slant down on mine. My lids slink closed, and the tension brought on by Taylyn evaporates. We get lost in each other’s lips, mouths, tongues, and it’s as if we’re in our own world. A world I want to stay wrapped in forever, but I know it’s not possible. Especially when I hear footsteps trudging down the stairs.
Connor slowly breaks away, regret written over every feature. I’m confident my expression mirrors his.
“Morning, kids,” says Tom as he walks into the kitchen as if he didn’t see us making out. “You ready to shred some trails?”
“When the sun fully rises.” Connor squeezes my hand before he stands to join Tom by the coffeemaker.
“Bro, if you want to get the best ride, you have to get out there before everyone destroys the trails. Are you in, or are you in, man?” Tom pats Connor on the back.
“Who organizes this trip every year, asshole?” Connor shakes his head.
“You’ve got a point, bro.” Tom nods.
They talk while waiting for their cups of coffee to brew, and I stay seated by the fire. Before I know it, almost everyone is in the kitchen, laughing, drinking whatever form of caffeine they prefer, and discussing the trails they plan to try.
Taylyn comes back downstairs. She’s showered, dressed, and looking every bit the bitch that I now know she is. The other girls seem to be oblivious as to what went on between us. Taylyn simply smirks and keeps giving me the evil eye when she doesn’t think anyone’s watching.
I take my empty mug to the sink and head back toward my bedroom.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Connor’s voice rumbles in my ear. His strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling my back into his chest.
I laugh and playfully squirm to get out of his grasp, but he hugs me tighter to him.
“I’m going to take a shower.” I lean my head back against his shoulder.
“Mmm.” Connor kisses my neck. “Want some company?”
My body stiffens at his suggestion, and his chuckle vibrates against my frame.
“I’m kidding. I know we’re not there yet.” He kisses my hair and then spins me to face him. “But, if you’re open to it, know that I’m definitely game.” Connor winks.
“Oh, I bet you are, big boy.” I pat Connor’s cheek and shake my head.
He clears his throat and leans down, his eyes burning into mine.
“If you only knew how big.” Connor’s brow arches.
My eyes widen, and then I bust out laughing. His dimples flash, and he plants a loud kiss on my mouth.
“Get a room,” someone mumbles.
I would place all my money on it being Taylyn.
Just to spite her, I slink my hands into Connor’s hair, angle his head, and give him a kiss that would make Hollywood directors blush.
When I pull back, Connor’s no longer smiling, but this time, I wink at him. I grin when I hear his growl as I saunter back to my room.
Thirty minutes later, when I’m more put together, I go out to the living room.
I find everyone gathered around and suited up in his or her skiing gear.
“Hey.” Connor steps over to me and pulls me against him.
I guess my lingering kiss left him hungry for more than the food littered around the island in the kitchen.
“Hey yourself.” I give him a salacious grin.
“You coming out with us?” Connor nibbles at my neck, and I try to push him away. I was proving a point with my kiss earlier, but I don’t want to make a spectacle of us now.
“Where are you going?” I ask.
“Skiing, duh,” Taylyn says rudely.
Connor and I both zing a searing glare in her direction.
“I meant,” I say with emphasis and then turn back to Connor, “are you going to a ski resort or heading straight to a trail?”
“We’re heading down the mountain from here.” Connor leads me over to one of the big picture windows.
The sun is tipped over one of the large mountains and is setting the landscape on fire with morning light. I was right; the view is absolutely breathtaking. Our chalet sits atop what must be a large hill, as it overlooks a small valley covered in fresh white powder. A ski lift runs along one side of the property, but besides that, there are no other signs of life.
“You’re heading”—I blink at the pitch of the trail Connor pointed out—“down there?”
My eyes have to be as big as saucers when I turn toward him.
“Yep.” His excitement makes him seem more like a child than a man. “You want to come?”
“Uh, no. I don’t ski. Even if I did, my lady balls aren’t that big.” I shake my head and back away from him.
He laughs and starts to reach for me.
“Who brings someone on this trip who doesn’t ski?” Taylyn snorts.
“I do, Tay,” he snaps and turns to face her. “If you have a problem with it, you’re more than welcome to leave.” His tone leaves no room for doubt that he’s had enough of her attitude.
She lifts her arms and ducks her head. Her boyfriend mumbles something to her, and she huffs but nods once.
“For shit’s sake,” Connor mumbles when he turns back to me, his eyes pinched.
“Don’t worry about it.” I shrug it off.
“No, it’s your first time on this trip, and I wanted you to have fun, to relax, and to get to know my friends. But, instead of being welcoming, they’re being a bunch of douche bags.”
“Well”—I grin—“not all of them.”
Connor caresses my cheek. “Not all of them.” He bends and gives me a lingering kiss. “Just one really big DB,” he whispers against my lips.
“Stop sucking face, and let’s shred some trails while they’re primed,” Trey boasts out into the room.
“You’re just jealous,” I joke when I pull away from Connor.
“You bet your sweet ass I am.” Trey flashes me a saucy smile.
“We usually eat lunch in the village. I’ll text you when I know when and where, okay?” Connor plants a kiss on my nose before he backs away.
“Meh.” I shrug and smirk.
Connor smacks my butt, and I yelp.
They all pile out of the chalet door, and I watch the group ski down the mountain. When they’re out of view, I grab my laptop and phone and curl up by the fireplace.
I read a text from Cami, telling me her dad’s going to be fine, that it was just a scare, and I breathe a sigh of relief. We send a few more texts back and forth, and then I work on my writing to pass the time.
Several hours later, I’m in a restaurant in the village, waiting for the crew to arrive. They must have had fun because it’s closer to the dinner hour than lunch. I’m not sure how they made it this long though; it’s freezing outside with the wind whipping over the mountains, the snow squalls passing through, and air that hurts my lungs to breathe.
“Lunar,” I hear Trey yell when he enters the door.
I wave as the group comes over to the table I reserved for us.
“Journal Girl.” Connor bends down to kiss me, and I shriek at his cold nose and lips.
“You’re an icicle.” I shiver and rub my hands up and down my arms.
The restaurant has a huge fire crackling, and most of Connor’s friends move in that direction to warm up.
Connor, Trey, and I are sitting at our table when a group of what I can only call snow bunnies walks in the restaurant.
“God bless us, every one.” Trey starts to stand—more than likely to make his way over the ladies—but Connor pulls him back down.
“Hold up, Tiny Tim.” Connor chuckles. “We’re not here for that.”
“But they look cold, and I’m a big, hot man willing to share my heat.” Trey fake pouts.
“Oh, boy.” I snort and lift my hand to my mouth.
“Hey, guys. Want a drink?” Tom asks on his way t
o the bar.
Connor and Trey shout out their orders. I already have a coffee.
Connor grabs my hand while he, Trey, and one of the other guys who came back over to the table—I think his name is Sam—discuss the trails and their plans for tomorrow. I tune in and out of the conversation as I watch the small ants of people at the top of the mountain make their way down and become life-size.
“Can I get you a drink?” Taylyn asks me sweetly—too sweetly—when she approaches the table.
Her tone makes me immediately suspicious. Because rule number one of war—which I’m certain that’s what we’re in—is not to accept anything from the enemy camp. It’s most likely poisoned or armed. Remember the whole Trojan Horse debacle? In this scenario, Taylyn’s the Greeks, and I’m Troy—although I’m not taking a loaded gift because I’m aware of my enemy camp’s intentions.
“No, thank you,” I say just as obnoxiously and bat my eyelashes for effect.
“You might need it for later,” Taylyn says quietly enough, so only I can hear.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I scrutinize her.
She shrugs. “You’ll see.”
The little snot is trying to bait me, but I won’t fall for that either. For the rest of the meal, I ignore her and enjoy the company of Connor’s other friends. They seem nice, fun, and accepting of new people.
After we’re finished eating, we all pile into the large SUV. There aren’t nearly enough seats or seat belts for them or their gear, so we break every law there probably is as I drive them back to the chalet.
Everyone climbs out when we finally arrive, and the guys are shoving each other and throwing mini snowballs on their way up the stairs.
“It was nice knowing you,” Taylyn mumbles as she passes by me on her way into the house.
Before I can question her statement any further, Connor wraps me in a big bear hug and swings me around the driveway before placing me back on the ground. He plants a sloppy kiss on my mouth.
“There’s more where that came from, so keep those lips warm for me.” He takes my hand and leads me inside.
I come to an abrupt stop.
Everyone is excitedly chatting and gathered around a newcomer. Without knowing whom the stunning female is, there’s no doubt in my mind at her identity.