Exposed: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 5) (23 page)

“Yup. He hasn’t changed a bit.”

Water rushes in the sink as my head swims with their words. By the time they leave, I’m shaking. The rational me doesn’t believe Neal is sleeping with Bianca, but that doesn’t change how upsetting it is that other people do.

The pain of Trevor’s betrayal floods my mind, and I try to flush it away when I step on the handle of the toilet. I walk to the sink in a daze. Soap squirts out of a dispenser, and I talk myself down. Nika said he hasn’t dated in almost a year, and I believe her. I have two choices, believe in the guy I’ve fallen for or get jealous.

Jealousy has already caused me too much pain over the years, and I decide I’m going to think the best of Neal. I walk back to the booth with my head high and avoid looking over at Leanne.

The moment I sit, Casey says, “Okay, you’re not escaping us now. I want details.”

I relay a clean version of how we got together. When I’m done, Lori sighs. “I love this story so much. He’s been into you for months. I’m so glad you’re finally together.”

I focus on her saying Neal’s been into me for months, and it chases away the last bit of doubt in my mind. No way is he sleeping with Bianca too.

Nika changes the subject. “Which one of you is getting engaged? Because I can’t do this planning thing all alone.”

Megan shakes her head. “Not me. Nick and I both agree we’re far from being ready for marriage.”

Casey nudges Lori. “You do it.”

Lori giggles and nudges her back. “No. You.”

We all start to chuckle, and Nika says, “Okay, fine, I’ll just torture you all with my wedding plans instead.”

Lori replies, “Have you started to look at dresses yet?”

Nika snorts. “Yeah, I started at about age five.”

We move from Nika’s wedding to her brother’s wedding plans and then do the rounds on everyone’s relationship. When it’s time to leave, I’ve had my fill of laughing and girl time.

In the lobby, I text Neal before heading outside. “I’m done and on my way to your apartment. How much longer will you be?”

When I get to the street, his reply dings. “On my way out the door, great timing.”

My core starts to heat up in anticipation of seeing Neal, and I text back. “See you soon.”

Lights bounce off store window as cars go by while I walk down the sidewalk. Two girls approach, and they’re talking quickly and on top of each other the way really close friends tend to do. I recall my recent dinner conversations.

I pull out the shiny new key Neal gave me and slide it easily into the lock on his street-level door. When I push the heavy wood closed, the sound echoes in the hallway. I can’t help but glance toward the apartment I now know Bianca lives in. I tell myself he rented it to her because she is a good employee and decide Leanne and her friend are envious of Bianca’s new position.

I enter what has become a familiar place, and the faint scent of leather and lemon cleaner wafts toward me, making me feel at home. Tugging off my boots I glance at the drawing I made on his chalkboard the other day. A simple designer illustration of a man in a suit that resembles Neal, he refused to erase it away. I wonder what he would think of the multiple drawings I have of him in my office drawer.

Padding into the kitchen, I pull a glass down from the shelf, and it thuds on the counter as I open the fridge to get ice water. I’ve just finished pouring when I hear what must be Neal pounding up the steps. The beat is quick, and I smile, imagining him jogging to be with me sooner.

Moments later, he’s in the door and approaching me. He speaks softly as he takes my face in his hands. “Hey.”

I stand on my tiptoes, and we kiss. His lips nip at mine as our tongues tangle together in what’s becoming a comfortable dance. It melts into the kiss of two people who can’t keep their hands off each other as we work at removing each other’s clothes. All thoughts, except for feeling Neal completely inside and out, race from my mind as we stumble to his bedroom.

Later that night I lie awake as Neal’s breathing causes his chest to rise and fall slowly. I let a lock of his hair slip through my fingers and wonder if I can love again. Because if I do, I want it to be this man.

Chapter 34

“U
p for a little excursion?” Neal reaches over and plucks the hair stick from my bun. We’re in my small office at the back of Ruby Raines, and I’m trying to focus on yesterday’s sales numbers. But I keep replaying scenes of what happened with Neal last night and the nights before that. Since we got together over a month ago neither of us wants to be apart. My skin tingles at the memory of Neal’s touch. It doesn’t help that his presence is calling me like a beacon in a storm.

Hair is soft against my skin as it falls around my shoulders, and I must be in love, because I’m not annoyed. “Sure. If you don’t think we need to work, I’m good with that.” We already spent our morning skiing together and really shouldn’t be goofing off. “Where are we going?”

“Somewhere that requires you change your clothes.”

I smirk, thinking about us naked.

Neal leans in close and whispers, “Get your mind out of the gutter, or should I say, my bed.”

“It’s not in your bed; it’s in your pants.” I glance down and see he’s not concentrating on numbers either. “Hmm, I believe you’re right there with me.”

Neal’s mouth lands on my mine, and I reach over to flick the door to my office shut. It slams, and I’m glad Loren is working instead of Mandy, because she’d be out on the street, crowing about the wild sex that happens in my store.

When we reach the point I’m ready to forget how thin the walls are, I break away. “Let’s go. Financials can wait.”

Neal takes a deep breath and combs his hair with his fingers. Adjusting his pants as he stands, he says, “Good idea.” He reaches for my coat. “You’ll need all the snow clothes except the helmet. Did you bring boots and a hat?”

“Yeah, I did. It’s all in the bag at your apartment.” Living twenty minutes out of town I’ve learned to be prepared for most situations. “Where are we going?”

“Snowshoeing near Spruce Creek. I want to show you something.”

I pull my hair out of the back of my jacket as we leave the office. “Loren, I’m gone until later tonight. Text if you need me.”

“I’ll be fine. Lori will be here soon.”

I smile, thinking about Lori as the door thuds behind us. Nika let me steal her away, and I’m going to offer her a job as a manager soon. She’s great at selling, and I know she’d run things well, too. I only hope she’ll be willing to quit her ski instructor job.

Fifteen minutes later we’re on our way to a wooded area of Breck. I haven’t been snowshoeing in years and am looking forward to the silence and beauty of the forest. The car is moving slowly as we bounce down a snow-covered road I guess is dirt underneath. Soft classical music is playing, and I’m content to just listen instead of making conversation.

A split-log fence lines the edge of the road and separates us from a pasture that leads the eye to a barn. I search for horses but don’t find any before we pass, and I notice a large mountain-lodge-style home. The road narrows to one lane and the trees crowd out the sun. “I’m surprised this road gets plowed. Does anyone live down here?”

“Yes, just one more house and then we’ll be hiking.”

Up ahead I see the last home, and as we approach the clear road stops, but you can tell it continues on by the parting of the trees. Neal shifts into park, and silence settles as he turns off the car.

I step out into the cold. “It’s beautiful here.” Sun is glistening off the smooth blanket of snow, and evergreens are frosted with white powder.

“Just wait until you see where we’re going.” Neal hands me snowshoes he’s pulled out of the back of his car.

“How long is the hike?” I squat down to get my feet set, and the trunk slams shut.

“It’ll be quick. Maybe fifteen minutes.”

Leather is taut when I pull the heel strap of my snowshoe tight. I stand and clomp into deep snow to wander toward the path while Neal finishes getting ready. He has a backpack, and I would bet money he brought us a picnic.

Neal catches up, and we plod through the powder down the uncleared road. The chill I felt when we first started is chased away quickly as my muscles warm up and I begin to perspire. It isn’t long before the road opens up to a large clearing. The brightness of the sun reflecting off so much white makes me squint.

I turn slowly to take everything in. We’re on top of a hill, and the view leads down into a valley with the mountain range as a backdrop. “Wow. This place is incredible.”

“Isn’t it? Come over here.”

Neal leads us farther up the hill and stops to turn back to the view. “Imagine waking up in this spot and looking at this every morning.”

“I am. It would make me very happy.”

Neal tips my chin up with a fleece-covered hand that is soft on my skin. “Stick with me and you could.” He kisses me before I can say what I’m thinking.

I break away. “This is where you plan to build your house, right?”

“Yup. Don’t you love it?”

“I do.” I twirl around slowly. “Oh, Neal, I can’t wait to see what you build here. I just know it’ll be awesome.”

“I hope so. I plan to break ground this spring.” He drops the backpack, and it thuds softly in the deep snow.

“So soon? How exciting.” I recall a conversation we had before dating when he told me he would build on his land when he was ready to settle down.

A zipper grinds as Neal opens the pack and hands me a flannel-lined vinyl tablecloth. “Spread that out for us. I brought our dinner.”

Stomping, I flatten a square section to make it firm before laying out the cloth for us to have our meal.

I’m relieved when Neal doesn’t pull out a salad but sandwiches instead. He says, “I brought your favorite chicken salad on a baguette.”

“Thank you, I was afraid you were going to force vegetables on me again.” The plastic wrapped package is slippery, and I drag a nail along it to find the end.

“You didn’t lift the bread. There’s lettuce and tomato on there.”

“Oh. Do I have to eat it?” I’ve pulled the wrapper off, and I splay the bread.

Neal grins at me. “Only one bite, and if you hate it I’ll let you pick them off.”

“Deal.” Squashing the sandwich flat I sink my teeth into it. The curried mayonnaise makes my mouth happy, and I manage to chew without the vegetables being overpowering.

Neal is watching me, and I have the urge to please him, so I say, “Not bad. I can probably manage a couple more bites before the tomato has to go.”

He winks. “That’s my love. But if you eat it all, I’ll let you have a cookie.”

Love? My heart skips a beat. “I think I can find a way to make you give me that cookie if I don’t.”

“I’m sure you can. But you’re going to thank me when we’re old and have to watch what we eat. Vegetables will be our friends.”

“However will I survive?” I take a big bite, well aware of the tomato in my mouth.

“I’ll just keep making them taste good for you.”

Neal will be cooking for me when I’m old? I’m trying not to read too much into his words, but along with the love comment I’m feeling quite secure in our relationship right now.

We eat in silence for a while, and when I find I’m on my last bite, I realize I never took the vegetables off my sandwich. I take a sip of my water to clear my mouth. “I ate them all. Now where’s my cookie?”

Neal leans over and kisses me quickly. “You’re such a star I’ll even let you have hot chocolate to go with your cookie.”

“Hot chocolate? Like the amazing melted candy bar kind you made me the other day?” I reach for the backpack to look inside, but he pulls it out of my reach.

Neal snorts. “Candy bar? No, no, no. Belgian chocolate is not a candy bar.”

“Oh, then is it the amazing finest European melted chocolate with local organic heavy cream kind?”

“Why, yes, it is.” His smirk makes me smack his arm.

“I’d say you’re too good to me, but you make me work for it.”

Neal hands me two plastic mugs, and they’re smooth in my hand while I wait for him to open an insulated container. He pours thick brown liquid into them, and steam rises into the air.

I hand him a mug and take a large sip, letting the sugary goodness bring me joy. There’s a hint of mint flavor. “Oh, is this yummy, and so festive with Christmas coming. You are too good to me.”

“Never. You deserve it all, Ruby. And if I’m lucky, you’ll let me give it to you forever.”

I’m not imagining things. “Forever?” A warm sensation that isn’t from my hot drink floods my veins. “I’d like that.”

Neal’s warm hand cups my chin. “Good, because I’m in love with you.”

I’m afraid water is welling up in my eyes, and my voice cracks when I reply. “I’m in love with you, too.” Fortunately, the tears get lost when our kiss takes over.

Chapter 35