Fierce: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 4) (8 page)

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The Bike Shop door has a bell that announces when customers walk in. The jingle makes me smile because Kelly looks over and the reaction on his face warms my heart. Even though we saw each other less than an hour ago, he’s happy I’m here.

He takes my hands and warms my cold fingers. “What are you doing here?”

“I need to buy a snowboard. Help me?” I bat my eyelashes at him and he grins.

“Sure, but you’re welcome to use my stuff. I don’t mind.” He traces my arms with his hands, moving up to my shoulders. Kelly loves to touch me, and it ignites my senses.

“That’s sweet, but snowboarding is my new sport, and I think I need my own things.”

He drops his hands and shrugs. “Okay, let’s go look at boards.”

My phone is slippery in my fingers when I pull it out and scroll down to a text. “Actually, Gretchen sent me a list.”

He takes the phone from me with a twinkle in his eye. “Did she now?” He studies the list, and I realize he can read a few texts beyond it and probably saw the hook up comment. Heat rises to my cheeks when his lips twitch in an attempt not to laugh.

I say, “Yeah, maybe I should just read it off to you.” I try to grab the phone back, but he pulls it away.

Kelly teases. “I don’t know; it was interesting reading so far.”

“I’ll bet. Give me that.”

He hands me the phone. “Want me to go get Kaleb?”

“No. You didn’t read far enough.” I slip my phone in the front pocket of my jeans. “And you’re not going to.”

Kelly steps in toward me and speaks softly. “I guess I’ll just have to imagine the things you said about me.”

Fighting down my need to flush, I taunt back. “Or maybe I’ll just show you.” I hook my finger in his flannel shirt where it opens and pull him close enough that our noses touch.

The bell over the door breaks us apart when new customers walk in. A man and a young boy keep us separated while Kaleb comes out to speak with them. Kelly and I wander over to the snowboards, and I stifle a giggle.

After picking out a board and boots, Kelly walks toward the back where they’ll mount my bindings, which keep my feet attached to the board. He says, “This shouldn’t take too long if you want to wait. Or I can bring it all to the locker room for you tomorrow.”

“Oh, I’m not done yet. I need the clothes too.”

Kelly frowns. “You can wear what you already have.”

“I don’t think so; I need snowboard pants and a jacket to match.” I grin, but his face is still tight. “Don’t you get commission?”

“No, we don’t do that here. But even if I did, it’s not a reason to just get more clothes.”

“It is for me. I’m always looking for a reason.”

He smiles, but it looks forced.
Huh?
He’s got a problem with me buying clothes?

Kaleb is ringing up his customers at the register as Kelly walks by him to go to the workbench. I wander over to the jackets. Water-resistant fabric is smooth in my hands as I look through the rack. Kaleb asks, “So you’re a snowboarder now? I heard you picked it up quickly.”

“I don’t know about that, but I do love it.” I pull out a sea-foam-and-olive-green plaid jacket.

Kaleb is big with blue eyes that steal your attention away from his supersized muscles. He’s also one of the sweetest guys I know. He says, “Don’t mind Kelly. He’s a minimalist and can’t help it. I own more jeans than he’s ever had in a lifetime.”

“I guess. Do you think it’s greedy of me to want a new outfit?”

He shakes his head. “No. If it makes you happy and feel good about yourself, then do it. You have no trouble paying your rent.”

That’s an understatement. The thing is I’m sure Kelly doesn’t either. He lives in a big house with six other guys and I know it’s affordable. Plus the guy works two jobs year-round and apparently spends next to nothing on things he doesn’t need to survive. I sigh.

Kaleb says, “Hey. I’m sure he wasn’t trying to make you feel bad. If you ask me, you wouldn’t be a girl if you didn’t want a new jacket. Just get it.”

“Okay, I’m going to go try a few things on. Kaleb?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks.”

He flashes me the dimples that make Lori’s knees weak. “You’re welcome.”

I know Kelly wasn’t trying to make me feel bad, but even though I’m getting the green outfit, the thrill feels flat.

Chapter 12

I
don’t get a chance to show off my new clothes the next day because Heather, the kids’ ski school supervisor, asks me to come in and help organize things at the Kids’ Castle. She also asks Lori, and I don’t mind working because we’ll make it fun. The three of us spend the morning sorting through boxes and placing things where they go.

Heather pours out a container full of crayons on the pint-sized picnic table where we’re sitting, and asks me, “So do you plan to stick around for a while?”

I begin to sort through and pull out the broken ones. The waxy smell reminds me of lying on the floor coloring as a child. “I do. I own a house and am beginning to think of Breckenridge as my home.”

She nods. “Good. I’m not going anywhere, either.”

Lori says, “Well, I’m not sure what I plan to do, but I can see living here for a while.”

Heather’s blue eyes twinkle. “You’re not going to ride off into the sunset with Kaleb?”

I chuckle because I think Lori would go anywhere Kaleb asked.

Lori shakes a crayon at Heather. “You know, I’d be insulted except for the fact I’ve seen you with Will. So don’t go there.”

Heather cocks her head and smiles. “True, I’m a bit smitten.”

Lori says, “It’s cute. I’m happy for you, Heather.”

“Thanks.” Heather turns to me. “So what’s this I hear about you finally caving to Kelly’s charms?”

I chuckle. “Once I made the first move, it was easy.”

“I’m glad you finally put him out of his misery. He was like a lost puppy every time you walked by him last year.”

Heat rises to my cheeks, and I change the subject. “So are you going to the party tonight?”

It’s a long-standing tradition for the instructors to have a party the weekend before rookie training starts. It’s a chance for everyone to reconnect and the newbies to settle in. For the past few years it’s been at the big house where Casey’s boyfriend Jason lives with Kaleb and Kelly.

Christian will be one of the rookies this year. He’s flying in and picking up a new car in Denver today. I check my phone to make sure he hasn’t texted, but I’m pretty sure I would have felt it come in. I don’t expect him until around five.

When we’ve finished at the Kids’ Castle, Lori walks with me back to the locker room. The rushing sound of snowmaking machines hums in the distance, and occasional flurries from them float our way. She says, “Tonight should be fun.” She grins. “I love knowing the guys are all scrubbing things down right now to get ready. Bill keeps them on their toes.”

I chuckle. “Their house is pretty impressive for a bunch of men. Is it true Bill made them a chore chart?”

“Yup. Kaleb complains about it, but I think he likes a clean bathroom.” Her boots crunch the snow as she takes quick steps to keep up with my long legs.

“Are you going to ski?”

“No. I hadn’t planned on it today, and I might make a batch of cookies to bring instead.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Maybe I’ll rustle up something to bring too. I need to spend time with my dogs if I’m going to be out all night.”

Lori nudges me. “All night?”

“Oh, well probably not all night.”

She raises her eyebrows at me. “You never know. Besides, isn’t Christian supposed to be here this afternoon? He could watch the dogs for you if you decide to do a sleepover.”

I nudge her back. “We’re not quite there yet. But thanks for looking out for me.”

“Any time.”

We’ve reached the locker room, and I welcome the warmth when we enter.

I say, “Did you know Kelly doesn’t have a phone? He says it’s too expensive and he doesn’t need one. Crazy, right?” Our footsteps are muffled by tightly woven, durable carpet.

“It’s not that crazy. I only got mine a little over a year ago. But, before coming here I didn’t have a ton of friends. Now, I can’t imagine not having one.”

I shake my head. “I guess, but how the heck am I supposed to communicate with Kelly if he doesn’t text?”

Lori shrugs. “I’m sure you’ll work it out. He’s definitely motivated.”

She continues on as I turn down my aisle and say, “See you later.”

I recall the heat of Kelly’s body when he pressed up against me at the Bike Shop yesterday and smile. He’s motivated, and so am I. My insides tingle, and going further than kissing is on my agenda for tonight. Maybe I’m not far from that sleepover after all.

Once my locker is open, a text vibrates against my butt. I yank my bag out, and Velcro rips as I open the section that holds my car keys. The cool metal ring slips between my fingers before I put it in my pocket. I check my phone and find the text is from Christian.

“Got my new car and on my way. ETA 5:30”

Good. That gives me time for a walk with the dogs and to figure out something simple for dinner. I move toward the door to the parking lot.

While there will be hot dogs and burgers at the party, I think Christian’s tastes are a little more refined, like mine. Of course, I’ll bet Kelly isn’t quite as snobbish as we are, and I shake my head as the push bar on the door clicks it open.

I’m high maintenance and not sure I like that about myself. I wonder if I can learn to be happy with a simpler life. Maybe I should try to take a page from Kelly’s book and work on needing less.

The beep of my car alarm sounds as I unlock the door, and I slide onto cold leather. With that thought in mind, I decide to bypass the grocery store and eat a burger for dinner. Christian will just have to deal.

Chapter 13

Ch
ristian shows up just as I finish walking the dogs. They scramble to the door when they hear the engine of his new Land Rover. I have to smile at having more than mine in the driveway again. Derrick and Gretchen both drive one too.

The door from the garage opens after a quick knock. “Honey, I’m home!” The dogs churn around him as he pets them all.

“Cute. How was your trip?”

Two big, soft bags thud on the tile floor as Christian drops them. “Not bad. Want to see my new ride?”

“Sure, and I can help you carry things.” The dogs follow us out into the garage.

“Just two more things to carry. I could only fly with so much. Besides, I don’t need suits and ties here.” A smirk plays on his face as he says, “Although I did pack a couple of ties just in case.” He stops in front of this year’s model of my car in a dark green version.

I ignore his comment. “This color fits the Breck version of you.”

He lets the dogs all jump in and out of the back hatch area. They sniff around and huff in thorough inspection. “Yeah? What color would you have me in if I were still in the city?” He drags a big ski bag from the back, and it brushes against the plastic mat that protects the carpet.

I put my hands on my hips. “Black. Most definitely black.”

He nods in approval. “All that’s left is a backpack in the front seat if you want to grab it for me.” Christian hoists his equipment over his shoulder.

The heavy door of the Land Rover slams shut, and I say, “You can put that bag in the garage for now, unless you need things from it.” He sets it against the wall and reaches to take his backpack from me.

I sidestep him. “I think I can carry this through the door. I’m not completely helpless.”

Christian snorts. “No, but you’re used to people doing things for you.”

“What? I am not.” I step in front of him to open the door.

“Of course you are, pretty girl.”

I let his backpack drop to the floor with a heavy thud. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that you like to be taken care of.” He leans in close, and in a low voice that runs through me, says, “Got a boyfriend to replace Derrick yet?”

I push against his chest to move him away from me. What happened to the nice Christian that gets me flustered? “You think Derrick used to take care of me?” Damn it, he’s right. Derrick did take care of me.