Page 27 of Reign or Shine

As he slips back into bed, his hard, gorgeous body sliding over mine, I catalogue every feeling, every emotion, every touch to memory. We make love slowly, but the sensations are stronger than ever before.

When we come together, I know I’ve been changed for the better. Gripping his hands tight, I hold his stare as my orgasm crashes over me.

We linger in bed as long as we can but with only a handful of minutes left before the others arrive, we reluctantly begin to get dressed. Our clothes are damp but they’ll be good enough to get us down the mountain. Plus, I don’t mind at all how Henry’s shirt clings to his chest.

My ankle is still tender, but the swelling has gone down and there doesn’t seem to be more bruising. That’s a good sign at least. I still can’t put a lot of weight on it, but at least no one else will have to piggyback me around.

When we’ve both finished dressing and packing our things, we silently move toward each other. My arms go around him and I take a deep breath.

Then, before I’m ready, our time is up. Half a dozen people enter the cabin in a flurry of movement and questions. We’re swarmed by medical professionals, men in dark suits and ranger uniforms.

I try to protest as I’m being helped out of the cabin and toward a large vehicle with tires that are almost as big as me. Turning my head side to side, I search out Henry. When our eyes meet, I can see he’s surrounded by people too but being led in the opposite direction.

He calls my name.

I smile at him, giving the last piece of my heart to him as we say our silent goodbyes. My smile is genuine. I’m sure he can see everything I’m directing at him. My eyes pool with tears and my smile turns shaky but I incline my head by the tiniest degree.

I can’t read Henry’s expression as I’m led away. There’s no time to figure it out either. In the next second, I’m being hoisted into the vehicle, buckled in and driven away.

I stare at Henry through the tinted glass for as long as I can before he disappears from sight.

And, most definitely, from my life.

Chapter Twelve

Ellie

An unknown number has called me twice today. And four times yesterday.

And a dozen times the day before that.

I know it’s Henry, but I can’t allow myself to pick up.

What’s the point?

Our adventure in the Calgary mountains made the national news. While I hadn’t been hounded by the media—good luck finding me holed up in my apartment, eating my feelings—my cell had blown up with calls and messages.

On the first day that Henry had started calling me, I had memorized the number. So it wasn’t hard to reject the other numbers that called. It had been half a week since Henry and I had been together, lost in the mountains and blissfully happy.

It was tempting to pick up the call. It would be so easy to fall back into Henry, get swept away by him, with his charming smile and his caring nature, but I couldn’t let myself. One syllable of his sexy accent and I would be goo in his hands.

I was already too big of a mess after falling in love with him after knowing him only three days. How much more of a heartbroken disaster would I be if I spent more time with him?

The room goes silent when my cell stops vibrating on the coffee table. I stare at the stupid thing, willing it to ring again. Maybe if it does I’ll pick up this time.

Who am I kidding? His calls are coming less and less each day that passes. I know he’s still in the city, I’ve been watching the news and stalking him on social media, but tomorrow he’s leaving. Heading back to Caledonia and away from me for good.

And that was fine.

I was fine.

Everything. Was. Great.

The prickle of impending tears tickles the backs of my eyes and I fight it. I can’t believe there’s enough water in my body to even make tears. I’ve been crying so much over the last few days and not really taking care of myself. I don’t remember the last time I had a non-chip bag meal or a sip of water.

With my sprained ankle and emotions all over the place, Shirley gave me a week off from Elevated Adventures and then allowed me to work from home until I was fully healed. Sitting in front of a screen and doing paperwork wasn’t my idea of fun, but it allowed me to feel a little useful and got my mind off a certain someone for a bit of time.

With a long, dramatic sigh, I tear my eyes away from my cell and focus back on updating EA’s website. I’ve just clicked save on the upcoming hike schedule when there’s a loud pounding on my front door.

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