Page 16 of Peak of Love
They were chuckling about a group trip to Utah where the snow was so thick, Celina had lost one of her skis. Asher had used one ofhisskis to dig her out and then got stuck, too. It ended up with half a dozen of their friends on their knees scrounging through powder before they finally made it down the mountain.
Suddenly, Dane turned serious. “Why didn’t you bring your gear? You’re a great skier and I know you love the mountains.”
She shrugged, not in a hurry to revisit the topic that haunted her. “Like I said, this vacay was meant to be relaxing.”
“Tell me, Celina.” He cut to the chase.
Thoughtfully running a finger over the tablecloth, she expressed something that she’d barely admitted to herself. “I feel guilty. I stopped the kids from having a ski vacation, so I couldn’t very well have it for myself.”
“I’m sorry if I put you in an awkward position by suggesting the slalom lessons and shit. I tend to overdo it with the boys.”
“You meant well. But you get it right? Skiing is part of their favorite memories of Asher, who was a fantastic teacher.”
“He really was,” Dane agreed. “You have to know that nothing I give them is ever meant to replace their memories.”
“I know, Dane.” And she did. Everything Dane offered was a way to enhance what the boys learned from their father. The unintended effects of his generosity would be hard to predict in the minds of impressionable preteens.
“It’s unacceptable,” he declared suddenly.
“What is?”
“That you won’t ski because they didn’t get to ski. You never needed my help with dating, Celina. But this? I insist. Enjoying yourself in Whistler is not in any way harmful to your kids. They’re probably eating junk food and having a blast with your sister. If you want to ski, you should fucking ski.”
“Jeez, tell me what you really think,” she muttered.
“That’s what we’re doing tomorrow.”
“What? Don’t you have to work and buy properties and stuff?”
“Nope. We’re skiing tomorrow,” he declared, and something in Celina unlocked. Hope? Excitement? That she could truly experience one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
“Fine. We’re skiing tomorrow.”
***
She needed a nap after that meal. And since she was on vacation, Celina went ahead and closed her eyes as Dane snaked through the resort traffic. It wasn’t until she felt herself lifted that Celina registered that they were home. He was carrying her through the door that led from the garage to the kitchen.
“You could have just woken me up,” she mumbled, barely stopping herself from nuzzling into his hard chest.
“I tried to. You were snoring too loudly,” he piped, justifying her smack on his shoulder. “Couch or room?”
“Just put me down,” she said through a yawn.
“Couch or room, Celina,” he grumbled.
“Couch. The one facing the patio, please,” she requested. He gently put her down and sat at the edge, reaching for a blanket to put over her body.
“Thank you,” she sighed, feeling sleepy and cared for and warm.
“You’re welcome. I gotta answer some emails. You know where my office is?”
“Next floor down, right?”
“Come get me when you’re awake.”
“K,” she said, and reached up to pull him down for a grateful kiss. Pliantly, Dane allowed her to graze his cheek. But then…
He stiffened, not pulling away. She meant to offer a chaste kiss. Suddenly, she was hyperconscious of their foreheads grazing as one of his hands touched her hair. His moist lips were so close.
