Page 35 of The Reluctant Wolf and His Fated Mate
How much longer could he live like this, before succumbing to this intense yearning? How much longer could he struggle against what was sure to be a star-crossed fate?
Chapter 11
Sophie
Sophie woke early Wednesday morning to get some work done. After brewing a pot of coffee, she sat at the table she’d been using as a desk and stared outside. The sun was rising over the mountain. Brilliant oranges and yellows streaked across the sky to welcome the new day.
The night before, she’d had some wild dreams about Damon, which had seemed so real, heat rose within, burning her cheeks.
That sensation intensified when he walked out of his bedroom an hour later wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts. His hair was ruffled, and his eyes were still sleepy. He walked over to her and said good morning before kissing the top of her head.
She turned to him and faced that wall of carved abs. Before salivating, she glanced away. “Good morning.” Her breath came quicker. “I woke up early to get some work done and then I can head out for a few runs this morning.” Why was she talking so fast?
“Want some company?” Damon walked over to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup in one of the handmade ceramic mugs he favored. He had them in a variety of colors and had mentioned buying them from an artist in the village. “I’m off this morning and working the afternoon shift.”
“Sure.”
He opened the fridge. “First, I’ll make us some breakfast.” He pulled out some eggs and a loaf of bread.
A couple of hours later,they’d skied a few trails. The sun shone bright overhead, offsetting some of the coolness of the mountain air.
After a few runs, Sophie felt more confident in her abilities. “I’m ready to try a harder trail.”
Damon nodded with pride. “That’s my girl.”
A tingling stirred inside her on hearing those words.
“You’ve got it, Sophie,” he added. “Besides, ski patrol will be with you the entire time.” He placed his hand on his chest and leaned forward in a half bow.
“True.” She laughed.
This was her first attempt at the black diamond trail since the incident. Her heart pounded as she envisioned how she’d lost control. But if she thought that way, her body would be stiff. She’d make mistakes. And they could be dangerous ones.
Instead, she focused on her form. Inhaling the brisk air, she aimed her skis downhill and concentrated on the route ahead. Edging into the side of the mountain for her turns, she navigated down, steering around a patch of ice. Still, there must have been some right beneath her as the crunching of her skis on ice grated her ears, making her heart thump. She didn’t freak out or fall, though, and remained in control.
Her quads burned at this incline, and the winds seemed to batter her even more at this quicker speed. The rush returned—the wild, dangerous sensation of slicing down the mountain with the wind on her face.
When she got to the bottom of the mountain, her pulse still raced. She glanced back at the mountain. She did it!
Damon had been skiing behind her. He finished the run in perfect form, with skis close and turns tight. After edging into a stop beside her, he congratulated her. “Great job. I’m proud of you, Soph.”
She beamed. It felt pretty damn good to get out there again and experience what she loved, rather than caving into the fear instigated by her fall in the woods.
“Let’s go again,” she declared.
They skied two more black trails, but by three o’clock, her legs screamed that it was time to quit. “I better head back to work. And my muscles are telling me it’s time.”
“I’ll meet up with you for dinner. Any preference tonight?”
“I need a break from all the cheese,” she noted with a laugh. “How about sushi?” she suggested. “I saw a restaurant in the village.”
Damon nodded and smiled. “What my lady wants.”
My lady. My girl.Hearing him say those words was more thrilling than tackling any of those difficult trails.
Her feelings might be dangerous, setting her up for a fall more crushing than any posed by a tumble down the mountain.
* * *
