Page 32 of Full Send

Collin and Lizzy are chatting about Tower Three Chute from the other day, while Tanner laughs and tells Lizzy she handled it great for the first time. I don’t miss that his gloved hand ends up resting on my thigh, something that the others don’t seem to notice. Maybe he’s thinking about last night too? And I don’t mind it.

No. I don’t mind it all, weirdly enough.

But I want to talk to him, alone.

Ok. Maybe a little more than talk.

Chapter 16

Veronica

Cut Loose a Little

Skiing with Tanner has always been intense. Collin and I know practically every square inch of this mountain. But with Tanner, it’s like the mountain and him are one. At first, it might feel like he has a severe case of squirrel brain. He skis powerfully, almost violently, but can stop at a moments notice to suddenly change course, flashing a glance back at you over his shoulder to make sure you’re still with him before he drops down into a chute or trees on the side of the run.

It’s not indecision or forgetfulness, but instead an eery sixth sense that runs through him, the mountain talking to him, his mind taking in the weather, the wind, the sun exposure. All of it guiding him to hidden stashes of fresh snow or untracked lines still waiting to be skied, like a wolf hunting its prey. Animalistic and raw. Once you learn to read his body language and anticipate his turns and stops, it’s utterly thrilling and heart pounding. I’ve always appreciated the way he skied because he’s just sogood.

But now the thoughts of that kiss last night and the spark at his touch this morning are racing through my mind, and it’s… It’s fucking hot.

He’s completely going for it on the slopes and we’re just tagging along for the ride only knowing the destination is going to be worth it. I’ve always enjoyed it, the feeling of letting someone else, someone you trust, be in control. Not having to think about what’s next, just living in the moment. But now, it’s him and all I want to do is keep up with him, watch him, and chase that spark from last night.

After letting Tanner play guide for the morning, we head back towards the base of the mountain. Lizzy wants to opt for a long, mellow groomer run to take a gondola back up to the mid-mountain restaurant for an early lunch.

Unsurprisingly, a very hungover Collin and gondola-virgin Lizzy are a hot mess trying to load onto a gondola today. While Tanner and I manage to get our skis in the rack and settle onto the benches, Collin and Lizzy are still bumbling and fumbling around as the doors to our car close and we’re whisked away up the mountain. We can’t help but laugh as Collin and Lizzy end up on the car following ours.

A few seconds pass and then I realize he’s stopped laughing. I look over, his hooded gaze already waiting for me. It’s just the two of us, alone, in the small gondola. I guess I’m going to get the moment alone with him I was thinking about earlier. The one I’ve been both dreading, yet craving since last night. Well obviously my body wanted it if this morning was any clue. But what’s happening here? Are we going to talk about it or just pretend like it didn’t happen? Either way, after that kiss last night, fuck that damn kiss, I’m now alone, face to face with Tanner. I can feel Horny Veronica inside me start to wake up again from this morning.

Tanner can sense it too. At least I think so? He’s always been so hard to read in the past.

He’s already taken off his gloves and helmet, setting them neatly on the bench beside him. He leans across the gondola car and gives me a sweet, delicate, slow kiss.

My heart flutters and my eyes close. His hand cups my cheek, his thumb running over my lower lip. The feeling of his touch kicks the embers of the fire he lit in me from the night before, sending sparks flying inside me. My own skin feels like it’s burning now, matching his. But he starts to pull his head away and it’s torture. All of it is just enough to leave me needing more as my head leans forward trying to follow his.

“Tanner. About last night. It was-.” I try to find the words for all of this, but he’s already one step ahead of me.

“I’m glad I’m not the only one that was thinking about last night,” he says, that deep and confident but hushed tone sending shivers through me. He’s sporting a devilish grin and those dimples peer through his beard. “It really is good tosee you.”

God those dimples aren’t fair.

“No. I definitely thought about it. But why did you just stop and leave?” I can barely keep eye contact with him, the lust in his eyes palpable and cutting right into me.

His grin turns almost feral. “Because with the way you were grinding into me last night, the way your hands were roaming over me, there was no way I was going to be able to stop. And I wanted to do so many things with you last night.”

My mouth goes dry, thinking back to how good it felt to run my hands over his body. “Oh yeah? What did you want to do first?”

He hums with amusement through his grin. “Well, I could tell you. Or since we’re alone now, I could give you a little tease. Because I think you and I both wanted more last night. And I think youreallyneed to start enjoying your trip. Cut loose alittle. So maybe I can help with that, help you relax and have some fun, if you’ll let me.”

I feel a growing want between my legs, the sensation from this morning is back in full force, raging in me. He slowly lowers himself on to his knees in the gondola, his hands running up my thighs.

Is he… is he going to unbutton my pants? I can barely process what’s happening.

“Tanner?” I say with a muted voice as I exhale deeply, trying to catch my breath.

Really, is this actually happening? As if I wasn’t stressed enough about life, now I have this sexy man I’ve known most of my life trying to go down on me in a gondola. I mean fuck, he’s hot and I want it. But really?! This, here, andnow? My anxiety skyrockets as my mind races.

Now I have a new internal struggle. Practical Veronica and Horny Veronica who haveverycompeting needs.

“Tanner. There’s no way. You’re insane! This is barely a ten minute lift ride. We canno-.” Before I can finish that sentence he looks into my eyes, cutting right through my layers and layers of stress and doubt. He puts his finger up to my lips and gesturesshhhh.

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