Page 21 of Peak of Love
“Stop. It’s OK.” She suppressed the sting of embarrassment. It wasn’t rejection, really. He was right to remind her of the twins. Celina didn’t know how to navigate the unfamiliar terrain before them. What if this changed his relationship with the boys? More disturbingly, how would this change her relationship with Dane, who she’d always thought of as Asher’s friend, first and foremost.
She recognized the intensity of Dane’s struggle. This powerful, confident man was confused and hesitant for so many reasons. More than anyone, she could appreciate Dane’s loyalty to the man she buried three years ago.
“It’s OK, Dane. Come here,” she cooed as she lay down and invited him to settle his head over her shoulder.
He complied, nuzzling his nose into her neck and wrapping his arm around her waist. She felt his hardness against her leg although he didn’t thrust or grab. And neither did she.
“God, you feel amazing, Celina,” he mumbled before his arm slumped heavily and his breathing steadied. Dane fell asleep.
Celina regarded the fire while lost in thought, letting time draw Dane further into slumber. She grabbed a pillow and blanket to make him more comfortable. She watched his peaceful, handsome face for a moment.
Suddenly, the emotions she held in check crept up her chest. Tears trickled freely, releasing the complex feelings she finally allowed herself to acknowledge.
I miss you, Asher. I miss you every minute of every day for the last three years, my love. My heart will never be the same. But something is happening to me. Something is happening to me when I’m with Dane. It’s unexpected and powerful and beautiful. Is it wrong? Is that why he can’t go further?
Unable to answer her questions, Celina went to bed upstairs, hoping for sleep that never came.
Her laugh was like a simple, cheerful song. The kind that stayed with you, etching itself in your mind and urging you to hum—or in this case laugh—along.
The memory of a much younger Celina hit him hard when she’d been fitting herself with rental ski equipment. She seemed jumpy. She kept tucking hair behind her ear even though she was donning a tight ponytail. He remembered that nervous impulse from when they had tests in high school.
Asher used to wrap his arms around her waist from behind every time their friend group waited for the ski lifts. Dane always thought it was simply another one of their public displays of affection. As if they strained to touch through the thick layers of winter wear. Now, Dane wondered if it was because Celina was a ball of nerves before she went skiing.
Would it ever feel right for Dane to hold her with casual intimacy for all to see? Before he could contemplate too seriously, Celina’s nerves gave way to laughter.
On the chair lift, she was practically giggling with excitement. And when she looked over her shoulder just before she sped down the majestic mountain, Dane felt the impact of her smile. Stamped the image in his brain so her atmosphere-altering smile would be there every time he closed his eyes.
Damn, he needed to pull himself together.
He followed down the slope. Dane picked up speed, shifting his weight to navigate between people, and cut the angles for a smooth downward trajectory. He gave her a playful wink as he sped past.
Celina laughed, making his blood sing.
***
“I. Can’t. Walk.”
They were back at the house, showered and starving. Celina navigated the stairs carefully, nursing her sore muscles.
“It’ll be worse tomorrow,” he offered and then regretted it because why would he bring up tomorrow?
“How about you, old man?”
“I’ve been working in Vancouver all winter, so I’ve had the chance to ski. Muscle memory.”
“What’s for dinner? Want me to put something together?” she asked, opening the fridge to generate ideas.
“This is your vacation. I’ll cook. Or we can order in. What do you feel like having?”
She straightened up from her fridge crouch and looked at him without flinching. “You.”
“Celina,” he groaned, putting down the wine bottle before taking a step closer. “Baby, you can’t be saying shit like that to a starving man.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pecked at his chin. “Just being honest. You looked mighty fine on the slopes, Mr. Verghese. Show off.”
“Gotta impress a girl.”
“Is that what you were doing?”
