Page 29 of A Sudden Romance

He managed a crooked grin, a contrast to her genuine smile when he stared at their reflection on her phone. His heart beat hard against his ribs, its echo in his ear loud enough to bring down an avalanche. Could she hear it?

She snapped the first, then a second photo, appearing so put together. No doubt, she wasn’t affected by him like he was by her. That stung, but he basked in the comforting warmth of her smile when she stuffed her phone in her pocket.

“Ready?” She set the sled down, holding the rope handle.

She couldn’t mean that they’d ride on the sled together. Unless she wanted to give him a heart attack.

“I’ll wait here.”

“No, we can both fit.”

It was long enough to fit the two of them, but... “Um, with the powdery snow, the sled’s most likely to move faster with less weight on it.”

There. That made sense. He let out a rush of relief.

But her eyes just twinkled. “I don’t care.”

She positioned herself to the back, then tilted her chin to the open space before her. “Come on.”

Not. A. Chance. He snagged the sled’s rope. Before she could register what was happening, he was pulling her down the hill as fast as he could.

“Sabastian! What are you doing?” Laughter carried in her voice, echoing on the hillside. The sweet sound had his skin register the vibrations with delightful tingles of awareness.

His knees hurt as he trekked downhill at a faster pace. This was something he wouldn’t get away with in five or more years, but her laugh was the best melody he’d heard this Christmas, if not in his entire life.

By the time he stopped at the base, he was panting and breathless, but his heart was so full and expanding with joy.

“You’re crazy.” She shook her head. “Do you want to hurt your knees or what?”

“It wouldn’t be so bad.” If he got stuck using crutches over pulling Iris down the mountain, so be it. This was one of the happiest days of his life.

When they went back up the hill, she was bargaining with him so she could take a turn pulling him down.

“That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard you say.”

“I don’t think you’ve heard me say much.” She ushered him to sit.

“Just because I don’t talk to you often, doesn’t mean I don’t hear you.”

She stared at him as if trying to figure him out. “You’re very intriguing. You know that?”

“You tell me.” They were having a moment. Was this flirting? He couldn’t remember what flirting was like. Iris had been in his blood too long for him to notice any other woman. He had to be intrigued when it came to her, though.

“Would you like to sit in the front or back?” he asked. Either way, anticipation was coursing through him at the thought of sitting near her.

“Does it matter?” Her trimmed eyebrows shot up.

“On second thought, I’d better navigate. Not sure I trust your skills.”

At that, she sped for the front, but she was too slow.

When he beat her to it, she dropped down behind him and slid her delicate hands around his waist. His body froze before he sucked in a breath and cherished her touch over his jacket.

With them both on it, the sled was sinking in the powdery snow as he’d expected. But how was he supposed to concentrate while her warm breath was teasing his neck? Her heart beating hard against his back? Her rosy scent overplaying the pine-scented air like a wisp of precious memory.

He moved one hand to the ground and gave the sled a push. The moment he slipped past the bump, the sled whooshed, taking a faster turn, and she squealed, gripping his waist. His heart was racing as he laughed, more so to join in her excitement. But as they picked up speed, his concern increased. Surely, their sled wasn’t going to deposit them into the frozen river running through the property?

Iris might have had the same fear. She jerked and pulled him off the sled. They tumbled, landing side by side on the powdery snow. She had a strong grip. He’d give her that. Easing her hand from his waist, he was cold, but then warm when he realized how close they’d landed to each other.

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