Jasper seemed to bounce into the family room. This was the day her brother had been waiting for.
“My girl’s all taken care of.” He winked at Elle. “Now I get to tackle the powder on Whiteface Mountain. I’m so pumped.”
“Ugh, Jasper.” Elle didn’t need the visual of him taking care of his girlfriend. She did however, love seeing her brother’s excitement for the ski slopes.
“And it snowed a little last night. Not a lot, but enough to make the slopes really nice.” Jasper peeked out the window.
“Who’s going with you?” Elle asked. Whiteface Mountain had hosted the winter Olympics Games and was ski-heaven to Jasper who tackled the slopes every year.
“The older kids, Spence, Dad, Uncle Desi. You know Auntie Joy is going too, and Anil.” Jasper continued to rattle off some more names. “Oh, and Cole.”
“Scarlett’s not going with you guys?” Elle had been keeping a hawk eye on Scarlett since she noticed her interest in Cole. Elle didn't know what Scarlett’s deal was and it could all just be harmless flirting but until she knew for sure, she didn’t trust Scarlett. Elle had wanted to approach Jasper about it but her brother’s affection for the woman was real and Elle didn't want to ruin his holiday. She decided she would discuss it with him before the New Year.
Her fake-boyfriend appeared in his gear, ready to go. “You coming, sweetness?”
Jasper laughed. “Elle doesn’t ski. She learned some beginner basics eons ago, but for real ski? Nah.”
Her brother’s challenging statement may as well have been the red cape of a matador. Elle gnashed her teeth and a puff of air escaped her nostrils.
Cole fiddled with the clasp on his ski jacket.
“I’ll go.” Elle felt the eyes of her family members on her.
“Yeah?” Cole questioned.
“Uh huh, I wanted to learn more this year—” she got up from the couch “—I’ll start on the practice slope and work my way up from there.”
Jasper laughed. “Suit yourself. Just don’t slow us down.”
Once at the resort, those that didn’t have ski equipment rented their skis. Elle borrowed her mom’s ski boots and equipment. Cole had brought his snowboard with him, so he was all set.
“I’m going to the Terrain Park, but if you wait for me, I’ll do the beginner slope with you after you clear the cobwebs on your basics.” Cole tightened the scarf around her neck and tapped her white and light blue helmet.
Elle felt dorky in her protective wear but thought he looked sexy in his. “It’s okay. I’m just going to watch you guys for a bit and then I’ll head over to my little learning spot. Maybe I can get some tips.”
“Okay, but don’t go on the beginner slope without me. I want to be there for your first run.” He blew her a kiss and then was off.
The Terrain Park that Cole and Jasper decided to tackle first was closer to the base of the mountain. After a small hike up a steep hill with ski equipment in hand, Elle was able to watch Cole on the terrain. The course was equipped with half-pipe, Gnar rails, and flat boxes for jumps and tricks. Cole wore a black and red ski jacket and she spotted him among a group of skiers and snowboarders ready to catch a little air. Having experienced his body, she could pick it out of a lineup a mile away.
He was like poetry in motion as he glided like a pendulum on the half pipe, letting gravity, skill, and tightly packed snow and ice propel him on the U-shaped pipe and up into the air. He looked so comfortable, bending his knees and swiveling his body like a falling cat landing on its feet. He was definitely more than decent. When he did grinds on the Gnar rails and jumps off the flat boxes, she stopped breathing until he landed. He was really good.
“Go, honey,” she cheered, claiming him.
Her feelings for him were growing faster than she could interpret. They had only known each other a little while yet her heart swelled at the mere thought of him. And when she was close to him, when they kissed and made love, her affection for him amplified, terrifying her even more.
Jasper skidded to a halt next to her. “Are you going to watch him all day? Get going, sis.”
“Shuddup, Jasper.” She was caught in the act. “Where do I go again?”
“Just take the lift over there to the bunny hills.” Jasper chuckled and pointed in the general direction to the lift. “Bear or Facelift for beginners is that way.” He then pointed in the opposite direction. “There will be people there to help you get on. You’ll be fine.”
“Cool,” Elle said before Jasper slid away.
When she reached leveled ground again, she snapped on her skis and slid over, cross-country style to practice. Elle forgot how vast Whiteface was or how beautiful. This was a busy time of year for the location as crowds of people waited in lines, blurring into one another. She practiced on the bunny runs with the children and other adult novices for a bit and though she wasn’t great on her skis, thought she had enough knowledge to go on the beginner green run.
Elle did find a ski staff worker who suggested she take Bear lift to the beginner runs. He assured her it was the appropriate step up. Elle made her way over to the crowded but quick moving lines. Two lifts were side by side and she saw the sign for the correct lift. She searched for Cole, but she was sure he was probably enjoying a double black diamond run at this point. He deserved to have his own fun, too. Elle decided she’d do a run on her own and find him later.
Someone bumped into her. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
“No worries. It’s crowded.” Elle steadied herself and the line moved forward.
“Do you ski here often?” the man asked, and Elle recognized the ski-version of the pick-up line she used on Cole.
“My family comes here every year.” She moved forward with the line.
“It’s our first time here.” The man motioned to his wife and son a yard away from them.
“Oh.” Elle almost laughed at herself for her false assumptions. “Are you enjoying your stay? It’s a great place for families. I highly suggest sledding.” Elle giggled remembering her and Holly’s laugh-o-thon. “There are always lots of kids big and small for your son to play with, as well.”
“He would love that, thanks.”
It was their turn to load onto the lift. She wasn’t afraid of heights as much as she was afraid to lift off, fall, and break something. In fact, the height was exhilarating, like being on a high swing. The view was spectacular with the snow powdering the trees like confectioner’s sugar, with the air just as sweet. Everything looked so clean. The sun brightening the white snow was as blinding as it was beautiful.
“What run are you doing?” Elle asked as they rode up in the lift.
“I was going to do Easy Street, but I think I’ll take something more challenging to push myself a little bit. How about you? I bet you’re taking a diamond run if you’ve been coming here for a few years.”
“Actually, I’m taking Bear because I’m not so great.” She adjusted her helmet.
“But—” concern etched on the man’s face “—you’re on the wrong lift. My son and wife were on that line. This is Facelift. Its still connects to multiple runs at the top, including a beginner green slope but—”
“Oh, then I’ll be fine.” Once she heard the words beginner and green she relaxed. Though she wasn’t an expert skier she was sure she fell into the beginner category and had enough knowledge to make it down the run.
The ride was a little scary the higher up she ascended, and she felt her heart flutter when they got to the top. Elle hoisted to her feet to get off and her travelling pal skied off toward another lift. She was proud of herself for handling the skis so far. She had fallen a few times on the practice run but she was doing okay. She did long for more seasoned company like her brother or Cole and wish she’d waited to do her first run with Cole after all.
After hearing some other skiers mention the run she wanted to try, she followed them. She glanced at a sign with a blue square and green circle but as she chatted with the skiers she didn’t study which way they pointed. She was confident she was on the right path. At the top of the run, her ski companions slid down the slope easily. The hill didn’t appear to be too bad.
Remembering what she learned—plant her pole, turn— she made her way down and soon found herself travelling down a steep somewhat winding hill.
“Oh, shit!” Panic gripped her, and she was going faster than she ever wanted to go on skis. The snow was packed and its glossy surface resembled ice. I think I’m going to die. She prayed so hard to Jesus, bartered her life with God, and screamed her head off for help.
She sped down the run, cursing her failed attempts at snowplowing. The trees lining the edges of the ski run whizzed into a green snowy wall. She was done for with nothing but basic skill and ski poles to slow her down—and she needed much more skill.
She screamed and tried to stop herself with the ski poles but that set her off balance and she flew forward. Tuck and roll flashed into her mind and she landed hard on her forearms with the wind knocked out of her. She bounced, sending her body sideways. One ski dislodged and she rolled, her outfit frictionless to stop her. She slow pawed at the hill to stop herself with one hand.
“Elle!” She heard her name in the distance as her other, still intact, ski anchored into the snow. Finally, she slid on her back to a stop.
She heard the slowing sound of snowboard on ice, followed by the clank of loosening buckles.
“Elle, are you all right?”
“Cole?” She shook from adrenaline. She finally opened her eyes and squinted, even though Cole’s head and upper body shielded most of the sun. He knelt beside her and cocooned her body.
“Are you hurt?”
Do sore egos count? “No, I’m okay.” Breathless, Elle tried to stand but she didn’t know how to get up with one ski and she couldn’t reach the other.
Cole removed his gloves and released her boot from the ski. He then went to retrieve her other ski that had flown off during her buffoon of a fall.
She stood on an incline and brushed herself off, adjusting her helmet. She was thankful she had on her safety gear and wondered if without it, she’d have more than just achy arms. She stretched her arms and grumbled at her stupid mistake.
Cole stomped back to her, his breath appearing like smoke against the icy air as he muttered to himself. He carried her ski with one hand and angrily loosened his helmet strap with the other.
Some other skiers and staff stopped to check in on them and both Cole and Elle assured them that she was okay.
“Are you okay?” she ventured to inquire when he stopped in front of her.
“I’m fine.” He brushed the snow off her. “No, I’m not fine. What the fuck were you thinking taking this slope by yourself? Did you forget that you don’t ski well? We suggested you hit the bunny slopes for a reason.”
“I know…I mean, I did and then I graduated to Bear but—”
“Why were you even on Facelift?”
“I was talking…then I got distracted and was on the wrong line…and—”
“Where’s your brother?”
“He’s skiing.”
“That knucklehead.” Cole growled. “Someone should have been with you. I should have been with you. I only saw you because I was on my way to Lookout Mountain and taking Facelift to another lift for the advanced slopes.”
“I-It’s not Jasper’s fault,” she stuttered.
“You could have really gotten hurt or worse.” He quieted his rising voice.
“I know.” She picked up her ski poles and the weight of his words hit her.
“You’re shaking.” His eyes glued to her trembling hands.
“I was scared, Cole. I’m not an idiot. I wasn’t trying to wipe out.”
He reached to brush snow off again, but there was none left.
“I messed up.”
In a moment she was in his arms. She squeezed tears back, but her attempts were fruitless, based on the terror at what could have happened.
“Why didn’t you just wait for me?” he demanded. “You scared the shit out me.” He cursed. “I didn’t know if I would get to you in time and… Jesus.” He locked her in his arms as if trying to squeeze away both their fears.
She wanted to speak but the lump in her throat muted her vocal chords.
“Let’s get you down.”
Cole trudged with her down the slope. The journey took them some time to get to the bottom with a lot of falling and sliding, solely on Elle’s part, but they finally reached the bottom. If Elle never saw another ski in her life it would be too soon.
Cole was quiet on their way back to his car. He affixed his snowboard and her skis to his car and stowed the rest of their equipment in the trunk. They didn’t try to locate any family members and he stomped quickly through the snow. She hurried to keep up with him.
Cole turned on the ignition and sat for a moment. She wanted to say something, but she was a little fearful to unleash his anger. His movements were curt as he put the car in gear and drove. The sun set as tangelo and cerulean intertwined majestically above. He stopped the car by a secluded area of the lake. The car was warm, and he left the engine running.
Her heart beat so hard and fast it thudded in her ear. She was sure Cole heard it over the hum of the engine. The aroma of engine oil fanned through the vents. She didn’t know what he was feeling and had no clue what to say.
She swallowed and willed up her courage to speak. “Are we going back to the house?”
“I didn’t think I’d get to you in time.” His voice was so low she stopped breathing to hear him. “Hearing you scream like that sent chills through me that I never want to feel again.”
“Cole, I’m okay. You helped me—”
Cole cradled her face in his large hands and pulled her to him. The urgency in his kiss lit her on fire and accelerated her already shallow breathing. His tongue sought entrance, wrestling with hers.
His hands tugged at her coat, unzipping it enough to squeeze her breasts. It was the middle of winter and she had too many clothes on. Elle shimmied out of her coat and threw the puffy ski jacket in the back seat. Cole did the same.
The unspoken instruction in his eyes had her kicking off her boots. She slid and twisted out of her pants and underwear. Her boots were the biggest obstacle to nudity but she finally won the wrestling match and discarded them with the rest of the garments covering her lower body.
Cole feverishly unbuckled his belt and pushed his pants and underwear down to the ankles, his engorged rod beckoned her. He opened the glove compartment and pulled out a condom. “It’s probably cold as ice but I don’t give a shit.”
“It’s going to crack into little pieces.” Elle laughed.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t or you’ll be cursing me in nine months.” Cole warmed the condom in his hands before opening the wrapper and fitting himself with it. He reached for her as she climbed over the center console and onto him. He supported her weight as she reached between her legs and guided his cock into her ravenous wet pussy. She needed him more than she realized. Based on how his eyes bore into her and his mouth sought hers in hunger, he needed her too.
The engine purred, vibrating the steel around them as Cole’s foot hit the gas petal. He reached to turn the engine off and maneuvered the seat all the way back to give them room. The awkward shift in the seat crashed her into him and he penetrated her deeper. Elle gladly went for the ride, moaning and gyrating her hips in circular motions.
“Fuck yeah, sweetness.” He pulled her sweater up over her head, followed by lifting her bra up to her neck. Within seconds his mouth scorched her flesh, suckling and biting her chilled nipples as she trotted on his shaft. She held the velvety ceiling of the vehicle for stability while Cole’s hands ran up and down her sides. Their lips met again, and the windows fogged from their breath. The wool of his sweater scratched her skin, sending delightful sensations through her as she continued to ride him.
This time wasn’t about practicing for her family or for a sexual tutorial. Cole wasn’t angry with her and he didn’t want to punish her. The frenzied desperation in his touch and the way he clung to her felt different from their previous times together and it rocked her to her core.
Cole held his breath, signaling the approach of his orgasm. He was too generous a lover to come first, but more than ever she needed to hear him take his pleasure.
“I want to hear you come first, honey,” she rasped out, squeezing her insides to control her beckoning orgasm.
“No.” Cole’s words strained, and his hips pounded with more force. “You deserve—”
Her lips silenced him, and she held his face. “I need to hear you take pleasure in me.” Her lips mushed against his.
“Elle—”
Elle was stubborn, keeping her eyes on him. “Please, Cole. I can’t hold on—” Her voice broke as her insides screamed for release. How she prevented her climax from bursting was beyond her. She squeezed her eyes shut in excruciatingly exquisite pain. Thoughts of relinquishing Cole of this same feeling, however, gave her the strength to sustain. “Please, please.”
She felt him grip her hips tighter and his thrusts pummeled into her. Cole shouted his climax into her bosom and sunk his teeth into the flesh of her breast.
“Louder, honey. Louder.” Elle squealed.
His deep, passionate cry vibrated against the glass. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, soothed by his warmth, and free in this moment to love him. She released her own orgasm as it rained down, dissolving her like sugar in water. Shrieking and shaking, she reveled in her arrival. She no longer denied the truth. She’d been falling in love with Cole since he poured a glass of Malbec for her at the bar. Being here with him now, in the midst of their fear for one another, she allowed herself to feel for him.
She didn’t care he was a gigolo and she had paid him to play the role of her fake-boyfriend. He was hers and this wasn’t pretend.
Elle heard a light sound similar to crumpling paper. She opened her eyes and reality returned. “Are we moving?”
“Oh shit.” Cole secured her with one hand while the other shot out for the emergency brake. He yanked it up and back.
The car jerked to a halt and with it their bodies.
“Mmm.” She moaned, feeling him inside her. Though he softened, his member was still a force and her body continued to flutter in post lovemaking bliss.
Cole chuckled as he nuzzled his head between her breasts.
“I don’t care, Cole.” The utterance poured out of her.
“About what, sweetness.”
“That you’re an escort and I paid you to be here. I’ve been the worst kind of hypocrite this whole time. You didn’t deserve it.” Elle blamed her heart, his dick, the cold shivers that ran down her back, and the goose bumps decorating her skin for the declaration. “And when I’m with you…this feels real. This is real. Isn’t it? You. Everything you’ve shown me. The way you’ve treated me.”
“Yes, Elle.” He stared at her as if seeing her for the first time and etching her into his memory. He then devoured her mouth, conveying everything he was feeling in the single kiss. “This is real.” He hugged her waist so tight she had trouble breathing.
Cole released her to turn on the ignition. A stream of cold air—that soon warmed—fanned against her back.
“I hate to say this, sweetness, but get dressed.” His palms ran up and down her arms, raising her temperature.
Elle smiled and with chattering teeth, eased off him to put on her clothes. Cole also donned his clothing and then drove them back to the house.
When they arrived at the house, some of the family members were gathered in the living room, including Jasper. It all happened too fast. Cole separated from her and snatched Jasper up by the front of his shirt and pinned him to the wall.
Her mother was up in an instant. “What’s going on, here?” She hustled over to Jasper and Cole.
Elle held onto Cole’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Cole. Let him go.”
“Yo, man. What’s your problem?” Jasper tried unsuccessfully to get out of Cole’s grip.
“My problem? You almost got your sister killed. That’s my problem,” Cole growled. “It’s one thing to chide her about her skiing ability, but completely reckless to just leave hear out there to fend for herself.”
“It wasn’t him, Cole. It wasn't his fault. It was me.” Elle tugged on a contracted bicep.
“She ended up on one of the blue, advanced beginner slope with no idea how to handle herself.”
Jasper blinked over to her. “I’m sorry, Noelle. I thought you knew.”
“I should have been there with her, but you need to think next time.” Cole let Jasper go, and then put a possessive arm around her.
“What happened?” Shandra continued to question.
Elle explained, and her mother was none too thrilled.
“I’m fine. Everyone just calm down.” Elle assured her family. “Like I told you, I got distracted and ended up on the wrong everything.”
“Cole should have boxed you.” Her mother’s accent was straight Trinidadian, no chaser, and she smacked Jasper’s head. “You’re supposed to look out for your sister.
Elle giggled because she forgot the last time her mother smacked her brother like that, and he hunkered like a little boy.
Jasper lumbered over and hugged her. “I’m really sorry, sis. I’ll do better next time.”
“I know you are, but I should have been paying attention.” Elle accepted the hug and then punched her brother’s arm so hard he howled. “Jerk.”
Elle and Cole retreated to their room to change. She was still reeling from their romp in the Charger and shaken from what felt like a near death experience. She welcomed a warm shower and ambled into the bathroom to undress. She reached for the faucet and felt Cole’s hands on her hips. She straightened and faced him. His eyes were hooded in concern.
“I didn’t mean to make a scene. I know I’m here to be your—”
She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight. “You make me feel so protected and safe, Cole.”
He squeezed her. “You can always count on me, sweetness. Don’t ever forget that.”
She wove her fingers with his and kissed the back of his hand, and then pulled him into the shower.