Page 53 of Finding Love on the Slopes

“How in the world do you maintain a fit figure? The way this woman feeds you treats, you should look like Santa Claus.”

Chuckling, Enrique replied, “When I’m home, I usually run six or so miles a day, swim five hundred meters, at least, and lift weights once or twice a week. What about you? Now that you’re not skiing competitively, how do you stay in shape?”

“I swim too, skin dive, mostly in the ocean but laps in the pool too. I like my joints too much to run.”

“Speaking of swimming in the ocean, Curtis mentioned that you are finishing with your Ph.D. and are putting the final touches on your dissertation. How is all that coming along?”

“It was slow going for a little while, but I recently received a grant for my research, and we are ticking along. The team at SeaLife Guardian Alliance is wonderful. I am so blessed to have found them. They are passionate about saving coral reefs. We have six teams working on different aspects of the problem. Research is being done on systemic damage and how to address it, as well as efficient and sustainable ways to rebuild them. There are teams focused on protecting them and educating the public, as well as campaigns and lobbying efforts for governments around the globe. It is important and satisfying work.”

Turning his marshmallow on the long stick he held over the flames, he asked, “Do you ever see yourself leaving the Florida Keys?”

“No, my work is in the water now, and Key Largo provides me easy access. If I were to move, it would probably be to another coastal area close to the reef. I’m passionate about all reefs, but my focus is on saving ours here in America. I have made several trips to collaborate with scientists in Australia, Belize, and the Bahamas, but I have no intention of moving there.” Leigh handed Enrique her metal rod and used two graham crackers to slide her roasted marshmallow from the two pointed tongs on the end.

Setting her sticky rod back in the flames to burn off the residue, she nibbled on her gooey snack. “What about you? The internet said you have a fashion empire. Are you stuck living in New York, or do you have options?”

Enrique removed his marshmallow from the fire, pulled the whole thing off the end, and popped it into his mouth. After swallowing, he set his stick aside and turned to face her.

“I called Curtis this morning,” he said very casually, draping an arm over his bent knee as he reclined on the pillows, watching her closely.

The abrupt announcement caught Leigh off guard. “Oh, you did? Why? He’s off somewhere, guiding a group on an adventure, and doesn’t like to be disturbed unless it is urgent.”

“It was urgent. I wanted to make sure he was okay with me being in a relationship with you. He said it was cool as long as I gave you all the necessary details to make a wise decision. If he found out later I had kept anything from you, he would have something to say about it.”

Leigh licked the sticky mess from her fingers, wondering where this was going.

“Before I give you details that you may or may not need to know. I need you to tell me where your head is as far as us.”

“Us?”

“Yes, us. I woke up this morning knowing that I wanted more time with you. After this evening, I realized that I wanted much more than just time. I want you. All of you. All the time. As soon as possible.” His voice was calm but earnest.

Leigh’s heart skipped a beat at his admission. He was on the same page as she was, but it was still scary. “I’m with you so far. I would also like more,” she stated confidently.

“More as in dating or more as in forever? I am leaning toward the forever part, but I’ll slow my roll if you need more time. How I answer your question depends on how you answer mine.”

“My heart is dreaming of forever, and my mind is being convinced quickly to agree.”

“Good. Then you need to know this before you decide. I do own a fashion empire, and it is making a ton of money, but it is not my sole source of income, nor the most important. To be honest, I have nothing to do with it other than reading the memos I receive to stay informed on the talking points and wearing the clothes I find in my closet to look the part.”

“Okay, I’m not sure I’m following. So someone else does all the work and makes a profit that you live off of?” Leighanndidn’t like the sound of that, but it also didn’t align with the person she thought she was getting to know.

“Yes, and no. It’s my cover.”

Chapter Forty-Seven

Leighann wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but this was not it.His cover?

“Are you a spy or something?” Wild ideas and images of her being married to James Bond made her laugh hysterically.

“What is so funny?” he asked, a smile curving his lips as he observed her. She was so fun to watch, and when she laughed, she did it with her whole being, and it was contagious.

“The thought of you as James Bond. I just… It was… Give me a minute.” She worked hard to regain her composure and was breathless when she finally did. “Okay, so sorry. What were you saying?”

Enrique chuckled, “I was explaining that I do secret work for the government and my private security company that the public cannot know about. The fashion business, red-carpetevents, dates with models, are all part of the show to help hide the other work that I do.”

“Oh.” That was sobering. “So you are a spy?”

“No. Sort of, but not really. I specialize in digital asset investigation and recovery. I’m a hacker. One of the best in the world. I use my skills to help protect US citizens and interests, and when the bad guys get their hands on electronic information or assets, like bank accounts, I get it back. I also help investigate the digital breadcrumbs left behind when crimes are committed.”

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