Page 24 of The Ending is the Best Part
It’s peaceful at the top of the mountain.There’s the coo of some birds wishing each other goodnight and maybe the rustle of some creature moving from here to there, but little else.I hear the crunch of gravel as Xander approaches from behind, and I turn to smile at him.We walk side by side in a comfortable silence, heading to the cable car that will take us down.After a while I spot something ahead.I squint my eyes and see that it’s the cable car station.Xander breaks the silence.
‘Ready to head back?’ he asks in a small voice that breaks me out of my thoughts, testing the air between us.
I nod slowly, slightly shy because I realise we are about to spend the night together.‘Yeah, but I’m still laughing about your face earlier with that bartender,’ I say with a snicker.
‘You’re a menace.’ He grins at me.
I shrug smugly.‘I know.’
As we both get in the cable car and the doors close behind us, the world outside fades away.
Chapter Fourteen
Three Weeks Left
God, am I glad to be back at the hotel.I walked enough to last me the entire year!The minute I step through the doors to our room I feel a rush of relief.After a long day of trekking through muddy trails, the only thing on my mind is a nice, hot shower.
‘I’ll go first,’ Xander says.Clearly as eager to get clean and wash the grime off as I am.
‘No, don’t worry.I’ll go!’
‘Oh, come on, Yazza, I called dibs first, plus I’m already halfway there,’ he protests.The pleading in his tone doesn’t make me feel a hint of sympathy.
‘Dibs?What are we, five?Look I know we’ve both had the same trek but ladies first, right?’ I raise my brow and cross my arms.I can’t believe I just pulled the gender card, but I’m desperate.
He looks at me as if he can’t believe those words are coming out of my mouth.‘Yeah… but I’m a guy so I’ll be faster.’ Something in my stance must tell him that I’m not going to budge.‘Fine.You can go first.I’m only offering because, like the gentleman I am, I’ll be gracious and wait.’
‘I don’t want to hear any complaining about how long I’m in there.It takes a lot ofmaintenanceto look this good,’ I say, gesturing over my muddy clothes.
Xander slumps onto the edge of the bed with a huff.‘I’ll just be sat here… minding my own business.’
I gather everything I need and make my way towards the bathroom, but not before tossing him one last daring look over my shoulder.‘Yeah, you better!’ I throw back at him.A teasing smile tugs at my mouth.
‘Make sure you shut the door properly.’ Xander raises an eyebrow, which sends an unexpected warmth through me.I hurriedly enter the bathroom and gently close the door.
I rush to turn the shower on until all I can hear is the soft hiss of water pelting the ground.While it warms up, I peel off my grimy clothes.Every inch of my body aches from the hike.I can’t help the sigh of relief that escapes my lips as I step under the warm water, feeling it cascade over me.
I let myself relax as water clears away the mud and dirt from today.It feels good, incredible, actually.But something tugs at the back of my mind.Is Xander really going to just sit there and ‘mind his own business’?
My eyes drift towards the small crack between the frame and the door, which I may have accidently-on-purpose left slightly ajar.It’s just a tiny gap that leaves enough room to see the vague outline of his figure on the bed.He’s taken off his shoes and lain back.His feet sway from side to side.
It’s as if he can feel me looking at him, because suddenly he sits up and moves towards the end of the bed.
I feel my heart skip a beat and I quickly snap my head away from the door.Was he staring?Did he like what he saw?Gah!No.I need to get my head out of the gutter.And I’m still mad at him.Sort of.We need to talk about it.I don’t know what I’m feeling right now.
I quickly wrap up my shower, as not even the cold spray of the water can cool me down now.
I step out into the room, and halt at the sight before me.My mind can barely process what it’s seeing.Oh my God. The man has been carved by the gods.I’m met with Xander’s bare chest, with his jeans riding low on his hips, a towel slung carelessly round his neck.The sight has me drooling slightly but I try to snap out of it as a soft gasp escapes me.In pure embarrassment, my hands fly up to my face of their own accord.
He looks completely at ease, slightly amused by the inner turmoil that I’m currently experiencing.A grin curls at the corners of his mouth.
‘What?’ He cocks his head.‘You can’t tell me you’ve never seen a shirtless guy before?’
I feel my face suddenly become hot and flushed.‘I uh… no.I mean yes, but—’
Xander is standing in front of me with utter confidence and my eyes can’t help but track over every exquisitely carved detail of his body.I can feel my breath catch in my chest.Why does he do this to me?Is this just another way he’s trying to get a rise out of me?
My mind is racing and I know I have to move.I can’t just stand there like a puddle of mush in the middle of the room.No.I have todosomething.‘I’m just gonna…’ I grab my things and dart around him with haste.
