Page 70 of Full Send

“That sounds perfect,” I say before Collin and Lizzy can even respond. “Great thinking,boyfriend.”

I watch Tanner closely, watching his mouth open wide as a completely unrestrained smile grows across his face, his dimples on display just under his goggles. His boyish excitement is unable to be contained.

“Ugh for fuck’s sake, get a room you two,” Lizzy scoffs.

I begrudgingly take my eyes off Tanner to look back her way, sticking my tongue out at her.

A few moments later, we hop off the chair and make our way over to Grizzly Glade. It’s one of my favorite tree skiing areas on the mountain, a steep wide pitch littered with dense trees, boulders, and the occasional short cliff. It’s challenging, but always fun. It does warrant skiing with a buddy close by though with the hazards present.

Even with the light snow from the night before, this area seemingly holds fresh fluffy snow from prior storms for days. I lead the way down the slope, darting between trees, avoiding rocks. I peak over my shoulder and can see the puffs of snow kicked into the air, meaning Tanner isn’t too far behind.

As I make my way down, I’m caught off guard by an unexpectedly large mogul and I’m bucked up off the ground. I land awkwardly, taking a quick tumble and end up on my back. I’m momentarily disoriented, but I think I’m fine. I did fall hard enough that my skis came off and are on either side of me in the snow.

“Ronni!” Tanner yells from behind, his deep voice cutting through the trees. He’s at my side in seconds, popping off his skis and getting down on his knees. He takes off his goggles, a frantic worried expression on his face. I pull my googles up to rest on the brim of my helmet, looking back at him.

“I’m fine, Tanner. I just got a little off balance,” I say, reading his expression. There’s a look of pure terror in his eyes. I prop myself up on my elbow, touching his face with my gloved hand.

“Tanner,” I say softly, “I’m fine, really. Just help me up?”

I can see him finally exhale, his fears at ease. He lifts me up in his arms and I’m back on my feet.

“Sorry, I just…” he says, lowering his eyes, still breathing heavily. The way this man cares about me is heart meltingly palpable. I still can’t fathom how he hid this for so long. Was I really so blind? And now that he’s able to show it, wearing it all on his sleeve, I feel loved in a way I didn’t think was possible.

“I know, Tanner.” I place my hand back on his face, our eyes meeting.

“I love you,” I whisper. The words shock me but they’ve never felt so right before. I lean forward to kiss him, my mouth open just enough to feel the heat of his breath on my lips. My hand is on his chest and he pulls back just enough to look down at me, his beautiful green eyes feel like they are looking deep into my soul.

“I love you too, Ronni,” he whispers in his deep raspy voice. “I love you so fucking much.”

He leans back towards me, our mouths meeting. This time I can feel the hunger in him, his mouth open and his tongue teasing mine. It’s like decades of passion that’s been brewing in him is flooding out, unleashed by the words he’s wanted to hear and say for so long.

“Oh come on already,” a familiar voice echoes through the woods from behind us. “Guys, I love you both, but seriously, baby steps here. Ease me into this a bit more.”

We look back to see Collin and Lizzy further up the run, on top of a rocky outcropping, shaking their heads as they literally look down at us.

“I said get a room guys, not go hide in the woods!” Lizzy adds.

“You two really have a lot of room to talk right now,” I shout, still holding Tanner.

???

The rest of the day goes on like this, openly enjoying being with Tanner, trading playful jabs with Collin and Lizzy. I feel like I’m living in a dream, a happy bubble.

When we’re ready to head in for lunch, I end up with Lizzy on Marmot, the two person chair.

“Ok, first things first,” I say as the old chair slowly takes us up towards the lodge, “I want zero details ofyournight withmybrother.Zero. Got it?”

I look to her, she huffs crossing her arms.

“Fine, V,” she says frowning, “can we at least talk aboutyouthen? I’ve gotten zero details since I found out about you and Tanner, freaking mountain man, Chapman last night. I’m dying for some girl talk here!”

“I guess that’s fine,” I say, feeling my cheeks flush. This is the first time I’ve talked about Tanner with anyone. It makes it all feel… so real.

“So, what’s that mountain man like? Isitas big as the rest of him? Has he been giving you mind blowing orgasms every chance he gets?” Damn, Lizzy. You went right for it. This girl does not mess around.

“What makes you think I’ve even seen his dick?” I challenge.

“You expect me to believe you’ve been glowing this much and slept over at his house last night and not dipped your hand into the mountain man cookie jar?” she asks, eyebrows raised. “Because that’s the only thing I can think of whenMiss I don’t have time to date and I don’t do one night standsis now walking around calling this ski bro herboyfriend.”

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