Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 124923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
“Helping you.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“You plan on getting back down the mountain on your snowboard?”
It hadn’t occurred to me, but I don’t tell him that. My silence is answer enough because he continues to treat me like I’m incapable. When he has both feet out, he takes my board, handing it to Thayer. “Bring this back for me?”
Thayer nods, sticking it underneath his arm. Shayne’s watchful eyes are bouncing between Holden and me, and I can practically hear her thoughts, but she doesn’t voice her concerns. Yet.
“See you in an hour?”
I give her a reassuring nod, letting her know I can handle my own with Holden, and then they’re heading for the restaurant. Before I can react, Holden rises to his feet and grips my waist.
Uh… “Can I help you?”
“Yeah, you can hold on.”
“What?” I ask, confused.
Instead of answering, he lifts me, and my hands fly to his shoulders, my knees digging into his sides to keep some distance between us. The position is reminiscent of the night in the pool, and judging by his heated gaze and the way he clears his throat, he’s thinking the same thing.
“Wrap your legs around me and hold on tight.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Suit yourself.” Knees bent, he leans forward, shifting his weight to ride down the mountain. A squeal flies out of my mouth, and I immediately give in, locking my legs around his waist. I feel his chuckle more than hear it, his chest rumbling against mine.
“You couldn’t have given me a piggyback ride?” I grumble loud enough for him to hear me.
He hoists me up a little higher by my thighs before adjusting his grip. One arm banding around my waist with his palm in the center of my back, the other under my butt. “Then I wouldn’t be able to feel you wrapped around me again.”
My stomach flips at his words, my mind once again recounting the night in his pool. The one he won’t let me forget. We go over a mound of snow and the movement jostles me, forcing me to grind into him. It sends a bolt of lust straight between my legs, and I tense against him. Jesus Christ, getting turned on when I’m forced to cling to Holden for dear life is the last thing I need. “If you drop me, I’ll punch you,” I say, concealing my inconvenient arousal.
“Calm the fuck down, Sweet Valentine. You’re not going anywhere.” Sweet Valentine. I roll my eyes at the new nickname. He stretches the word, pronouncing it like my full name without the a. Valenteen. It’s better than Valentina Ballerina, I’ll give him that much.
The ride down seems to last an eternity, and eventually I give in and relax, sagging against him as I rest my head on his shoulder. We don’t speak, and I close my eyes, weirdly comfortable in his arms as he glides through the snow. He’s…sturdier than I thought, his movements effortlessly confident, even with an extra weight to support.
“Valen.”
I open my eyes at the sound of his voice, stiffening when I realize we’re at the bottom of the hill, surrounded by people. Oh, God, how long have I been clinging to him with my eyes closed like an idiot? I quickly release him, untangling my legs. Hands on my hips, he slowly lowers me to the ground.
“Better?” he asks as we both tear off our goggles.
“Hmm?” I ask, not meeting his eyes. I take my helmet off next and tuck my tangled bangs behind my ear.
“Are you okay?”
“Oh, yeah. Fine.”
He drops down, unlatching himself from his board.
“Thanks…for that. If you give me the house key, I’ll take one of the shuttles back.” I hold my palm out in front of him.
He looks up at me, arching a brow and ignoring my outstretched hand. “Not happening.” He stands, walking in the direction of the parking lot with his board under his arm, leaving me no choice but to follow.
“What, you don’t trust me?” I ask, falling into stride next to him, ignoring the way my butt throbs with each step. That’s definitely going to bruise.
“I’m done for the day. Maybe I’m ready to go back, too.” He stops in front of the passenger side of his Range Rover.
“Somehow I don’t believe you.”
He opens the door, holding on to the frame as he waits for me to get in. “I don’t give a fuck what you believe. Get in the car, Valen.”
With a glare, I give in, sliding into the passenger seat. I clench my jaw to keep from visibly wincing as my butt makes contact with the seat. The door slams shut, then Holden walks around to the back, waiting for the powered liftgate to take its sweet time opening, then tosses his stuff inside.
Valen
“I’m gonna go change,” I say once we’re through the door, hurrying to my temporary quarters. All I want is to get out of these clothes and bust out my trusty heating pad. I gingerly climb the stairs, then walk into the room, swinging the door shut behind me. I strip out of my heavy, wet layers until I’m down to my bra and underwear. Unzipping my suitcase, I pull out a change of clothes, then dig for my heating pad. I started using it for cramps when I was younger, then any time I was cold, and somehow, somewhere along the way, it became my emotional support heating pad. Never travel without it.