Page 25 of Trust My Bodyguard

As predicted there’s no one out here but us and a few employees. They mill about, minding their business. I rent some gear and outfits, handing the latter to the ladies.

“What for?” Iris asks.

“Put them on. You’ll need it.”

“How did you know our sizes?” Ivy demands.

I take in her frame, and her cheeks turn a curious shade of red. “Doesn’t matter. Changing room is that way.”

They meet me out on the carpet shortly after. Showing them how to put on the helmet and skis is the easy part. The challenge ensues when they have to move.

I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a more abysmal duo. Every attempt at gliding results in both tripping over their own legs.

I convince myself that they’re three-year-olds and take it slowly and gently as possible. This works because soon enough, they’re moving across the carpet on their own.

“Look what I can do!” Iris throws her hands up with a wide smile on her face as she slides.

Ivy cheers her on.

I refrain from telling them that’s nothing at all. The real difficulty is taking on a run. Yet, they’re having fun. That’s what matters.

Ivy’s eyes meet mine but she doesn’t frown as I expect.

Is that an olive branch? I can only hope. “Since we’ve gotten this step, it’s time to take on the slopes.”

“Bring it on!” Iris says.

She’s always so quiet in the cabin that this side of her takes me by surprise, but I’m not complaining. We head to the lifts and take a seat. Iris slides in first. Ivy follows and I come in last. Even though we’re covered in thick jackets, I’m aware of how close we are. It’s the closest we’ve been since the kiss.

Her lily-like scent comes clear and crisp on the wind, tempting me to pull in a long breath. I don’t. When we arrive at the other end, I get down and offer my hand to Ivy. She stumbles into me and it frightens me how badly I want to keep her there.

I set her aside quickly and help Iris down and then we head to Tiny Trail, the easiest of all the runs. It’s nearly as flat as the carpet and where beginners start learning to take on the slopes.

Iris’s jaw drops. “That is a long way down.”

“Yeah.” Ivy squints her eyes. “Are you sure we should be doing this?”

I hold back my laugh. “Don’t worry. It’s going to be alright.” I hand them their poles. “You’ll get it in no time.”

“Shouldn’t we get actual instructors?” Ivy eyes the range.

“I’ve been doing this since I was a boy. I’m as good as any instructor you are going to get.”

She eyes me and looks away.

I pay her no mind and start to show Iris the ropes. It’s a pretty simple explanation but it takes a while before she’s ready to try. She falls flat on her face at her first attempt, making us laugh.

“Your turn,” I tell Ivy. She holds the stick wrongly. “Hold it the other way. Nope. Not like that.”

I should take her hand in mine and place it correctly. Cover her from behind and puppeteer her movements, but certain thoughts batter my brain that have nothing to do with skiing. Being that close to her would only send me over the edge I’ve been teetering on.

Ivy finally gets it and her result is as good as Iris’s. The next step is to show them how to move well. It’s easier with Iris because she feels more like a little sister than anything else. When I’m close to her, I’m not trying to catch her scent and my heart’s not racing. Her sister, on the other hand, brings out curious reactions in me. I avoid getting too close and try my best to show her how from a safe distance.

They’re no better skiers by the time we’re done for the day, but their eyes are bright and happy. They remain in high spirits as we return to the cabin.

Iris beams at me. “Thank you for that, Brody. Now I can cross something off my bucket list. But first, I’ll cross a bath off my to-do list.” She leaves for the bedroom.

Once the door shuts, Ivy speaks. “Could you be any more obvious?”

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