Page 26 of The Sweetheart Dance
Karl fake gags. “Get out of the cabin with that crap. I’m going to the clubhouse, you crazy kids.”
We are ready and out the door in minutes with Raina’s hand securely in mine. Her gloved hand fits my hand perfectly making me want to kiss her.
All around us, the snow falls blanketing us with it. This week with Raina has been absolutely amazing and perfect. Truthfully, I don’t know how I’m going to let her go after tomorrow.
I want to ask how she’s feeling but I’m worried she’s not going to want to be with me. I have never been turned down before by a woman. Much more than that, Raina is the first woman I have been worried about being turned down by.
I pull her close to me right before we get to the horses and I tip her head up so I can look down in her eyes. Her lips curl into a serine smile with just her front teeth showing. She’s so pretty.
Dropping my lips down to hers, I kiss her briskly in the middle of the promenade of the ski resort. She meets my kiss with enthusiasm making me have to draw strength to stop myself from allowing the kiss to deepen.
“You’re addictive,” I whisper against her lips.
“Right back at you.”
We get to the horses which are waiting for us just in time for our reservations. The sun is setting around us making the temperature drop to the point of us both shivering with a chill.
“I’m going to need some hot chocolate after this,” she murmurs before climbing up on her horse.
I climb on the one next to her and then we are off with a guide in front of us. The guide leads us through the woods with the bushy trees brushing against us. In the distance, I can see wildlife flitting through the trees.
“This is incredible,” I mumble to Raina.
She hums her agreement. Spending all of this time with Raina is something I never would have expected.
We are through the trails and back at the stables in about forty-five minutes. Raina’s teeth are chattering a little bit by the time we get back.
I hop off of my horse and then help her off of hers. She falls into my arms effortlessly and I hold her close to me to get her to warm up. Of course, this isn’t a hardship. I love having her close to me.
When we separate, the guide clears her throat just enough to remind us that we are not alone. “You guys are such a cute couple,” she gushes before taking our horses back into the stable.
Raina’s eyes gloss over briefly but then she clears them. I know what she’s thinking. At least, I hope I do. I hope she’s thinking the same thing I am and that is we don’t want this to end.
“Raina, for whatever reason that jerk broke up with you, I’m glad to be spending this time with you,” I admit.
She smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes this time. “I’m glad to be spending this time with you, too.”
“Then why do you look sad?”
Just as the words come out of my mouth, the snow kicks up and the flakes are bigger than before. The flakes feel like hockey pucks hitting us and we run straight back to the cabin.
I don’t forget my question to Raina about why she is looking so sad. I have the inclination that she doesn’t want our time to end, either. I’m hoping this doesn’t end tomorrow.
Chapter Twenty-One
Raina
I don’t go to sleep easily tonight. The thoughts of the most romantic days play over and over in my mind’s eye and I can’t shut them off.
Luke could see right through me. I’m sure he knows I have fallen for him and I’m sure he knows I have fallen hard. I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like when we end this tomorrow.
Getting over Luke the first time wasn’t the easiest, and this time won’t be either.
I’m lying in bed with my headphones trying to relax enough to go to sleep. Instead of counting sheep, I count all of the ways I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s dance and all of the ways I’m not looking forward to this dance.
Why did Luke have to kiss me? Why did Luke’s kisses have to make me remember how great things were all of those years ago?
I’m dreading the day after tomorrow when I have to go back to reality. How am I supposed to forget how wonderful Luke is?
