Page 28 of Wild Desire

We watched together for a while, and then Killian moved over to the snowmobile to sit down. Since I was technically working, I followed him over. He patted the seat in front of him. "Your family is great."

"They are," I said as I sat gingerly between his legs, facing the race.

His arm came around my back, resting on the handlebar. "They want the best for you."

"They do." He sat so close to me; it was hard to draw in a deep breath. He was large and took up all the space. Any time he moved, I brushed against him. I was hyperaware of his every shift, and he didn't seem to be bothered at all. Just like when we were younger, I was the one with the unfortunate crush.

"Your mother wanted you to go to school, and you didn't listen to her, did you?" Killian's voice tickled the shell of my ear.

"What?" I snapped my gaze to his. No one had ever guessed at that. I'd said it was my decision, and no one asked follow-up questions.

He tipped his head to the side. "She was upset with you when you decided not to go."

I chewed my lip. "How do you know that?"

"It was the way she talked about you and Christopher. I suspect she didn't want you to give up on your dreams," he murmured.

I pursed my lips. "They needed me to help out. In the end, it was my decision. Not hers."

He dipped his head slightly so that he was closer to me. "She wanted the best for you, just like what you want for Christopher."

I looked over at my mom, who stood next to Winnie. "I guess so."

"The slalom is next," Killian's voice rumbled in my ear.

I let out a breath. I needed to get ahold of myself. "Christopher's in that one."

"That's a tough race for a newbie." Killian shifted on the seat, pulling me against him.

"Xander said he has a natural talent for it, and he's been working hard. He spends a lot of time at the resort, either working or training," I rambled as my skin heated.

"That reminds me of us growing up."

"I hung out here a lot when Mom was working, which was boring. Eventually your dad said I should learn to ski." I smiled fondly at the memory. "I remembered him saying no one could hang out with the Wildes who couldn't ski. He made me feel like I was part of his family."

"You were part of our family. You kept up with us. You were more determined than any of my brothers to compete and place."

"I loved the competition. I think that's why I enjoy owning my own businesses. Every success is a win. I can measure my progress with numbers and spreadsheets."

"Now you sound like Oliver," Killian said with affection.

"I do love spreadsheets."

Killian chuckled. "Well, Oliver is already taken."

"Carolina was one of the conference organizers. I heard they had a secret relationship until they got snowed in at the lodge during a snowstorm."

"Oliver deserves to be happy. His ex is awful."

"I don't know much about Joey's mom, but she's never around."

His jaw was tight. "That's all you need to know about her."

"Your family loves Joey so much." I see him around the lodge all the time, and he was always riding the shoulder of one of his uncles or holding an aunt's hand.

"I think Mom wants another baby to hold. She has fun with Dakota and Joey, but it's not the same."

Killian nodded toward the race. "This is Christopher."

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