Fierce: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 4) Read online

  “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

  Christian 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.

  “Of course he did. I’ll bet you call him still when you have to make decisions.”

  I think about my phone call with Derrick last week about my dishwasher problem. Shit, I really am high maintenance.

  But then I think about Kelly, and my frown is replaced with a smile. Again I ignore Christian’s taunting and pick up one of his big suitcases. “Follow me.” The bag is heavy, but I refuse to let him know I’m straining and muscle my way through.

  I lead him to one of the guest rooms as a thin layer of sweat coats my body. We enter a pale yellow room decorated with accents of birch furniture and forest green. I drop the bag with a grunt. “Why don’t you go get settled in while I deal with the dogs? The instructor party starts early, and people are probably already there, so we can leave in an hour or so.”

  Christian’s eyes dance with laughter, but he just says, “Sure.”

  So tempted to strut away, I force myself to walk normally back to the stairs. I’ll show him helpless.

  After I’ve fed the dogs, I let them out and go to my bedroom to decide what to wear. I think tight jeans with a little bling on my butt to draw attention to the curves, cowboy boots, and something colorful to peek out from my fleece. The party will be outside as well as inside, and it’ll be cold.

  I pull out my usual ponytail and wet the crease down. Hot air from my blow-dryer blasts at me as I reshape my hair to hang down in soft waves. The idea that I need a man to help me make decisions stings. Without parents for the past decade, Derrick and I depended on each other at prep school and college instead of our aunt and uncle who gained custody.

  While I bought this house and worked with the contractors to finish it the way I wanted, Derrick was a big part of the decision-making process. But I built it to be a home for both of us. And it’s only natural that when we were teens my twin would want to look out for me, right? I line my eye carefully with a deep plum pencil to make the golden-brown color pop.

  I sigh. I make decisions. Christian is only seeing a part of me. I twist around to see how my butt looks and determine I’m ready. Time to go tell that irritating man what we’re doing tonight.

  When I get to the kitchen Christian is picking at the fruit tray I had in the refrigerator. “Hey, that’s for the party.”

  White light bounces off his belt buckle as he removes the tray from the fridge. He’s in jeans hung low with a western-looking belt and brand-new cowboy boots. The wrinkled button-down shirt gives him a sexy, casual look, but he’s still overdressed for the ski-instructor crowd. My evil side doesn’t want to tell him.

  “Christian, you look great, but you’re overdressed.”

  “Really?”

  I nod. “Lose the fancy belt and cowboy boots.” I save the rest of my commentary for myself. You could get away with the boots if they didn’t scream tourist in the fresh out-of-the-box way, and that belt isn’t working for a city boy. It needs some scuffing up.

  He looks down at himself. “Oh, be right back.”

  I snitch a strawberry, and the juice of it is sweet on my tongue as I chuckle to myself. Nobody’s ever had to help me with fashion choices. With that thought, I find my keys, driver’s license, and phone to put in my fleece pocket. The jingle of metal reminds me I need to make a house key for Christian tomorrow.

  He comes back down in a pair of worn sneakers and a nondescript leather belt. The hint of aftershave wafts toward me, and I can’t resist teasing him about his freshly shaved face. “Much better. If only you had a day’s worth of stubble going, you’d be making reeling them in like fish.”

  He takes the fruit tray from my hands. “Huh. Seems to me I managed to reel one in just the way I am.”

  Cocky much? “If you’re referring to me, you’re out of luck. I’m dating someone.” I pull open the garage door with a grin and say to the dogs. “Stay.”

  A flicker of something that makes me think he’s angry passes through his eyes, but he recovers quickly with a taunt. “But I’m the one you’ll come home with.” He slips past me.

  I recall my earlier conversation with Lori and banter right back. “Maybe.”

  I’m disappointed I can’t see his reaction because he’s in front of me. But I think I may have hit home when he stops at the side of my Land Rover and asks, “Should we take two cars?”

  I’m probably going too far, but I answer in the same matter-of-fact tone he used. “No, Kelly lives at the house we’re going to. If I decide to stay, you can drive yourself back in mine.”

  He nods with a tight mouth. Yup, he’s not happy, and I shouldn’t feel such satisfaction. But I do because now he knows the rejection I felt when he wouldn’t kiss me. Payback’s a bitch, Christian.

  Chapter 14

  The drive over to Kelly’s house is quick, and Christian makes small talk, but he’s lost his playful mood. By the time we’re on the dirt road, I feel bad about how I acted. “There are lots of people I want to introduce you to. I’m glad you’re going to be on Peak 8. Everyone will like you.”

  “I’m not shy, Nika. But thanks.”

  We pull up in front of a large, log-cabin-style home. The wood has been left to weather naturally, and the trim is painted dark green. A big porch wraps around the house, and rocking chairs are set on it. I have to wonder if anyone sits in them but think it would be nice to have a couple on my deck.

  The bass of music vibrates through me, and my cowboy boots clomp up the wooden steps to the beat as we approach an oversized door. I know to walk right in and push it open for us. We enter into a large room with people milling around. Christian is carrying the fruit, and I lead him to the kitchen.

  A tall, lanky guy with sandy-brown hair turns to us. I say, “Jason, this is Gretchen’s brother, Christian.”

  I turn
to Christian. “This is Casey’s boyfriend.”

  They nod at each other in an oddly testosterone-filled moment that makes me wonder if Christian and Casey ever had a thing. I’ll have to ask her later.

  Jason hands me a Sharpie. “Here, mark your cups. We always seem to run out, and you’ll want to hang on to it.” I take the pen, and he says, “I’ll be on the deck with Casey.”

  Christian sets the fruit down and brings me two cups. I pull the cap off, but he takes the marker from me and writes our names. What the hell? How am I supposed to do things for myself if you don’t let me? It squeaks against the red plastic.

  “Thanks. Let’s go find the keg.” We step out onto a back deck that is adorned with strings of tiny lights. It’s not quite dark, but they twinkle in the twilight. The chill in the air makes me slide my zipper up a bit and cuddle into the soft fleece against my skin.

  Heather sees us right away and comes over. “Hey, Christian, right?”

  He holds out his hand. “That’s right. And you’re Heather.” When she takes it, he captures her hand between both of his and holds it for a moment. Heather eats up the charm, and darn if she doesn’t get a little flustered. I know how that feels.

  She says, “I hope you’re ready for training on Monday. We’ll work you hard.” She winks at me and I smile, but my stomach clenches a little.

  Christian grins, showing off his killer smile, and says, “I look forward to it, especially if you’re the one telling me what to do.”

  Seriously? I’m not sure a night full of Christian flirting is going to be fun. Especially since he told me he reserved it for special people. Right. I need to pawn him off on someone else for a while and find Kelly.

  Casey and Megan are waving from further down the deck, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I also notice they’re near the keg. “Excuse us, Heather. We’re going to make our way to the beer.”

  Christian touches Heather’s arm and says, “Nice to see you again.” I walk off with the assumption he’ll follow.