Page 29 of Wild Desire

"You know his number?" I asked him, a little surprised.

"Yeah, when you said you wanted to watch him race, I looked up his information. His record is impressive for being so new to the sport. He's competing against kids who've skied since they were three."

"I did too."

Killian nudged me. "Your family has natural talent."

Pleasure flowed through me. When we competed as teens, Killian gave me advice and critiques, but he never said anything so complimentary. Probably because he was always pushing me to do better. He believed in me and still did. "Thanks, Kill.”

His arms closed around me as he leaned in close to see Christopher brace for the start of his solo run. "My competition name. I haven't heard you say that in a long time."

I felt so warm and protected in Killian's arms. I'd never been this close to him, not since I sat on his lap when he played Santa. It was nice, and I was going to enjoy it for as long as it lasted.

8

KILLIAN

My gaze was trained on Christopher as he braced for the start, but my body was hyperaware of the woman sitting between my legs.

Her hair brushed the scruff on my chin, and I breathed her scent in with every inhale.

I hadn't bothered to shave since I wasn't doing any public appearances. I felt more like myself here at home than I had in years. And I was enjoying Noelle's company.

We were getting to know each other in a different way. We weren't just classmates or teammates. We were forming a friendship of sorts. When we were in school, as captain of the ski team, I had been focused on making her better.

Noelle wasn't a good-time girl. She was the woman that you planned forever with. Not something I'd ever considered for me before. But now that she was in my arms, and I was getting to know her, I was intrigued. And there was no denying the desire humming beneath my skin for her.

The gun sounded, and Christopher pushed off, zigzagging from one pole to the other. I leaned closer to Noelle so that her cheek was next to mine. "Are you breathing?"

She shook her head. "No."

"It makes you nervous to watch him?" I asked, amusement tingeing my tone.

She placed a hand on her stomach. "So nervous."

I placed my hand over hers to provide support. All it did was make my heart pound harder. It was tough to pay attention to Christopher's progress.

I forced myself to refocus on him. He moved at a good clip, and when he reached the bottom, the time put him in second place.

"He has to go one more time."

"I know the drill." I reluctantly removed my hand from hers. I wanted to keep touching her. It was nice to provide her with support. She wasn't someone who asked for it, who asked for anything. She was so different from everyone else in my life who wanted something: publicity, money, advice.

With Noelle, I could just be the man I was before I became famous. It was an addicting feeling.

"I'm not going to survive the second run."

"He'll be fine."

"He doesn't get nervous at all. He just loves to race."

"That reminds me of myself." I'd love to mentor someone like Christopher. Help them see their talent, push them to go harder, be bigger. That was a thought I'd never had before. Would I want to coach when I retired? I hadn't thought much beyond my current situation. Heal, train, and return to the top.

"I wish I could help him, but he has Xander and your brothers. He doesn't need my advice."

"I don't know about that. You know what it's like to compete, how it can be a mind game with yourself. I bet you could give him some good advice about that."

"Maybe."

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