Page 31 of Full Send

To the back burner of my anxiety list it goes. Alright, V. Let’s get this show on the road. Can’t waste a powder day on the slopes.

Lizzy and Collin are probably expecting breakfast right now, if they haven’t made themselves anything yet and we’ve got a full day planned for us.

It’s 7:00 AM now, so we’ve got a little over an hour before we need to leave the condo. A quick breakfast will have to do.

“Morning,lil sis,” Collin says, from the dining room table as I walk down the landing towards Lizzy and him, “surprised we got up before you.”

“Yeah well what can I say, even the best planners get off track every now and then.” I mean yeah, no lie there. I wasn’texpecting to havedreamsabout your best friend all night and wake up grinding myself into the bed, Collin.

“So what’s for breakfast, Chef V?” Lizzy asks, always hangry. I don’t know how a girl that small and fit can eat like she does. Seriously.

“I’m thinking bacon, egg, and everything bagel sandwiches. Should be quick. Work for you guys?” They both nod in approval, sipping their coffees.

“Coffee, V?” Collin asks.

“No, I’m good. Thanks though,” I say, remembering I’m supposed to have a coffee waiting for me from Tanner later on.

Fuck, Tanner. Those eyes, those abs, those lips… Nope, no time to think about that. Got to focus on breakfast and feeding these two.

After a quick breakfast, we head over to the mudroom to gear up for the day on the slopes. All of the memories of that kiss come back again and I struggle to focus on getting ready for the day of skiing. I finally remember Tanner ran the washer last night, so I open it up to swap the laundry over to the dryer. While I’m moving laundry over, Tanner’s black shirt with the faded red bronco on it falls out, prompting another flashback to the night before.

“What’s that, V? Looks a little big for you,” Collin asks, noticing the men’s shirt in my hands now.

“Oh this?” My mind snaps back from the image in my head of those chiseled abs and ripped arms in the doorway, the shirt in my hands concealing them only the night before. “You really don’t remember, do you? This is Tanner’s. He had to wash it last night after you hurled your tequila and margs on him during the walk home.”

“Oh… My bad. Sorry, V. I wondered how I ended up on the couch.”

I snort a short laugh. “That was Tanner. He fireman carried you over there and dropped you like a sack of potatoes.” How could I forget that image? Tanner picking up Collin like it was nothing, his muscles putting on a private show just for me to see.

Yikes. I need to snap out of this and get on with the day.

After getting ready, we make it over to the Tram Center by 8:30 to meet Tanner. He’s already there, my coffee in hand, waiting for us.

Collin sees the coffee, a clear cup with my iced honey badger. “What gives, Chap? No coffee for me?”

Tanner lets out a smug laugh. “Well dude, you were practically blacked out last night at the Fox when I asked if she wanted one. Can’t take your order if you can’t talk.”

“Well I didn’t get one either, Collin. Don’t feel too bad,” Lizzy says as she frowns at Tanner, still seemingly holding a grudge from the night before at the Fox.

He looks in my direction, extending my drink towards me. “Here, Ronni. Just as you ordered.”

Our eyes meet as I take the cup from him in my bare ungloved hand, our fingers brushing each other. Even with his bare hand holding my iced coffee in the cold winter air, I still feel that fiery skin, and a spark of electricity flows through my body. All of the sensations of last night rush back into my body. As if he can sense it too, a subtle grin takes hold of one side of his lips, his dimple peaking out for me to see.

“Thanks for the horny badger.” Fuck my life. Ugh… “I mean honey badger, thanks for thehoney badger,Tanner,” I say as I feel my face turning a shade of red brighter than the tram cars running overhead.

How has he wormed his way into my head this badly after one kiss? I can’t even talk straight.

See you.

Horny Badger.

Fuck me.

Collin and Lizzy let out a chorus of laughter. Even Tanner practically chokes on his own coffee. I let out a groan. It’s going to be a long fucking day if my brain is going to be like this.

The four of us take the chairlift up for our first run of the day, me on the far end next to Tanner with Collin and Lizzy on the other end.

Great. The last thing I’m ready for is to be this close to him. Or maybe it’s exactly what I want? Even through the layers of our ski gear, feeling his burly body against my side on the lift is enough to bring back a flash of heat thinking of last night. I feel myself squirm in my seat remembering his touch and that kiss.

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