Page 93 of Forbidden Flame

The resort itself was on top of a mountain, and our lodgings were in the main building. I loved that we could just walk down to dinner or to the bar without going outside.

The lobby and the hallways were already decorated for Christmas with trees, garland, and lights.

As soon as I settled into my room that had a view of trees and snow, I called Daphne on a video call.

“Hey, how is it?” Daphne asked, her beautiful face filling the screen.

“It would be better if you were here.” I sat back on the bed, my hand over my stomach. I didn’t like Talon referring to me as a single guy. I didn’t feel like I was single. I’d never felt more tethered to someone, and I wanted to share it with everyone.

There was a sense that if my family couldn’t accept Daphne, then what was I doing? But I shoved that down deep because my aunt had been there for me when my own parents weren’t. I owed them everything.

Izzy’s face popped onto the screen. “Show me your room.”

I chuckled as Daphne chided her for being rude, and I obliged her by scanning the room with my camera.

“You have a TV and a couch,” Izzy exclaimed like it was the most exciting thing in the world.

I brought the screen back to me. “You get excited about hotel rooms, huh?”

“I’ve never been in one,” Izzy said, and guilt passed over Daphne’s face.

“We don’t usually join the family skiing. Izzy was always too young. I didn’t think she’d be able to ski or snowboard.”

“You’ve never skied?” I asked Izzy. We’d discussed with her that we’d be on a trip at the same time but that I’d be with my family, and she’d be with hers. We weren’t going on the trip together, and she seemed to understand that. I hated that we had to have that discussion though.

“Nope.” Izzy moved in close, and her face filled the screen.

“I can’t wait to show you.”

“We have a ski lesson scheduled for the second day,” Daphne said as Izzy wiggled around on her lap, playing with the controls on the screen. She added various things to our faces: horns, makeup, and glitter.

She thought it was hysterical, but it made it a little difficult to talk. “I’d like to go with you.”

Daphne’s nose wrinkled. “How are we going to see each other?”

“I was thinking the days they go on the mountain, we could go into town.”

Daphne nodded. “That could work.”

“Hopefully our families cooperate.” I hated the sneaking around.

We made tentative plans for the week that were dependent on what our families had scheduled. Then we said goodbye. I couldn’t wait to see them tomorrow. I hated being away from them. I wished more than anything we could be upfront with our families.

I’d like to say I’d be okay with whatever happened, but I wasn’t so sure. I wasn’t ready to give up my place in the family or at work. I enjoyed my life.

The next morning, I hit the slopes with my cousins and their significant others. We were on the green runs until Addy and Ember improved. I hadn’t had a chance to talk to my cousins last night. They ended up going to bed early.

I told Daphne to let me know when she was checked in, and I’d come to her room to see her. I was amped up waiting for her to arrive.

Heath stood next to me as we waited in line for the lift. “You okay? You aren’t bored, are you?”

My attention swung to him. “Why would I be bored?”

“You’re the only single guy. You hang out at the bar last night?”

I probably should have said yes. It’s what my cousins would have expected. “I was tired. Went to bed early.”

Heath gave me a look. “You’re getting old.”

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