by Claire Adams
The meeting with my dad a few days back went relatively well. He liked my designs and even allowed me access to one of his manufacturers to start working on a prototype for the women's windbreaker I designed. It wasn't what I wanted to do with my life, but it was a first step in helping him see me for the professional I was becoming.
With only ten days until Christmas, I had a list of gifts I needed to get, mostly for my brother, but I was running out of time. I had a piece of toast and then headed out for the morning and made sure Parker was still planning on taking me snowboarding for the afternoon. I'd decided over the last three days that I wanted to learn how to do it. I would have asked Finn, but we had some damage repair to get through.
After talking about everything with Parker, he confessed to lying about me still being with Seth simply because it seemed to be in my best interest to steer clear of Finn. I was pissed, but I understood where he was coming from. He was all for me calling Finn, but I needed to make sure I was completely for it, too.
I picked up my purse and paused by the door as my brother called for me.
"Chloe. Wait. I wanna go."
"Shopping? Have you lost your mind? You're the worst shopper in the universe."
"Come on. I don't want to stay cooped up here. Let's go shop, eat lunch, and then we'll go hit the slopes, and I'll teach you some tricks."
"Yeah, let's start with the one where I stay vertical on the board."
We laughed, and I moved out into the garage. I got into the Cherokee and buckled up as he got into the other side.
"I invited a friend to go boarding with us. Hope that's okay." He turned toward me.
"Yeah, sure. Just show me the ropes and then you and your friend can go get lost." I winked and pulled the car out. "I'm glad the roads haven't been too bad this Christmas. I remember as a kid having to help Dad put those track thingies on the wheels."
"Chains?" he snorted.
I slapped his arm. "Hush, or I'll take you into every pantie store I see."
"Please?" he growled, and I rolled my eyes.
I'd forgotten I was dealing with a sixteen-year-old boy. He wasn't a kid anymore, oddly enough. Neither was I, and I needed to stop acting like it in several areas of my life.
"I think I'm going to call Finn today." I turned on the heater and waited for my brother's reaction.
"I think that's a great idea, actually. He's the only thing that can keep you here, so I'm all for him."
I glanced over at my brother. "Keep me here?"
"Yeah. I don't want you to go back to Cali. Neither does Dad. We were talking about it last night when you conked out on the movie." He smiled and leaned back in his seat. "It's fantastic having a woman around the house. We get to eat, have clean clothes...and feel loved."
"Awe, you feel loved by me?" I teased him, reaching over to pinch at his chest and ears.
"Alright. Never mind. Get your ass back on a plane." He pulled away from me and laughed. "Stop. I'm ticklish."
"Finn's not the only one that could keep me here, Parker. I would consider it for you and Dad."
"Right, but he'd be enough to sway the vote." Parker shrugged. "And honestly, after thinking about everything, I think maybe I misjudged him. He didn't seem like a playboy asshole the other day. He seemed like a normal guy to me."
"He is. I think we've all done a lot of misjudging each other." I turned into the large shopping mall and parked. "You ready for this fun day?"
"Just get me a hot chocolate and a nudie mag and leave me in the food court."
I laughed and snorted at my brother and his antics. "I am not getting you a hot chocolate. You'll be jumping everywhere."
He slipped his arm into mine and chuckled at my response. "Where are we eating lunch?"
"It's ten in the morning. I seriously have to get a few gifts today. That's my focus."
"Okay, but that still begs the question. Where are we eating lunch?"
"The Chinese place on the top floor? You like their soup and egg rolls, right?"
"I do. I'll meet you there. I'm going to go look at the game stores. Like, an hour?"
"Two." I pulled from him and walked toward a large department store as the lights and Christmas music beckoned me to come.
"Two? Come on, sis."
"One and a half." I called over my shoulder and walked in, stopping by the fragrance counter and smelling three different types of men's cologne. The last one smelled like Finn.
"Yum," I mumbled and found the largest box of it.
"Chloe?" The feminine voice beside me caused me to freeze. I didn't know any girls in Aspen.
"I'm Kari, Finn's friend from school." She moved up beside me and extended her hand. The nasty snarl she wore a few nights before was gone, and her expression was almost kind.
I shook her hand and nodded. "And what can I do for you, Kari?"
"Nothing. I just saw you and thought I recognized you. I'm glad I did. I needed to apologize."
"For what?"
"For being a bitch the other night." She pursed her lips and let out a long breath through her nose. "Finn's such a great guy, and I think all of us around here have beaten him up and taken him for granted for far too long. The other night when he got upset was the first time I'd seen him show emotion about anything since we were kids. Like a part of him died when he lost his mother, and then slowly over time, it kept getting worse. I know he gets around, but I understand why."
"Your point?" I didn't want to be rude, but I couldn't help myself seeing that this bitch was unbelievably rude to me only a few nights back.
"No point. Just an apology. I was jealous and acted like a jerk. I'm sorry."
"It happens." I glanced around to see if he was somewhere behind us. Seemed like him to start sending flowers and people to help me see the good in him. It was ingenious, which was right up his alley. "Did he put you up to this?"
"Finn? Heavens, no. I haven't seen him since the other night. He's working his ass off, no doubt. He wants to build his own lodge, but money has always been so tight for him and his dad." She smiled. "Anyway, I'm sorry, and I hope things work out with you guys. He deserves a good woman."
"And you think that's me? That I'm a good woman?"
"I don't know, but I think he believes that, which is enough for me." She nodded and turned, walking back into the crowd.
I reached for my phone and dialed his number.
He answered on the first ring, breathless. "Chloe."
"Hey. Sorry it took so long; I was just..."
He cut me off. "No apologies. I told you to take your time."
"You working?" I looked around at all of the people milling about. Most of them were couples, holding hands and having a good time together. It made me long for him all the more.
"Yeah, but I get off around two. You want to get together and talk?"
"No. I want you to join me and Parker on the slopes. He's going to teach me to snowboard."
Finn snorted, and my lip raised in a smile. "Confession time."
"What?” I asked.
"Parker already invited me. The kid's been texting me for the last three days with what to do and what not to do. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I wasn't getting involved until you were ready for me, too." The sound of his voice caused my heart to swell in my chest.
"So, you're his friend for this afternoon?"
"I am, but I was going to text you just after lunch to make sure you were okay with it."
"Too funny. That little shit." I turned as the attendant walked up. I pushed the cologne toward her and gave her my card. Finn would be upset over my getting him something, but I didn't care. I wanted to buy him the world now that I'd decided to give us a try. I had no idea what that really meant, but the thought of even taking a first step left a peace settled on me that affirmed that I was headed in the right direction.
"He's a good kid." Finn cleared his throat. "Where are you?"
"At the mall. Getting gifts."
"For your dad
and Parker?"
"And you." I smiled.
"Chloe, I don't want anything but you. Don't buy me anything. Just tell me we can go on a second date, and I'll be the happiest man in the world. I don't need things. I need you."
"Wow. From friends to an instant romance. Almost like that crazy love you read about in romance novels."
"We were never friends. That was your dumb rule, and it didn't work." He chuckled, and I did, too.
"True. Come with us today and let's get one over on Parker. Help me pull a prank on him."
"Only if you'll agree to a second date with me."
"Deal."
"What are we doing?"
"Show up like he wants you to and when I see you, I'll throw a fit and shove you backwards. Lose your balance and slide down that small hill by the lift. Drag me with you, and let's roll down and play dead until he gets there. Then, we'll pull him down and bury his ass in the snow." I was smiling so hard that my cheeks hurt.
"Damn. That's a little much. Is that what sisters do to their baby brothers?"
"You bet your ass it is. Help me, or I'll get you back, too." I took the bag from the lady and thanked her before moving to the next store.
"I'm in. You're too scary to cross, just don't really hit me, please."
I laughed. "Never. See you later today."
"Chloe."
My breath caught in my chest. I prayed that he wasn't about to say that he loved me. I knew it was starting to build to that, but it would have been too much, too early.
"I've missed you. I haven't stopped thinking about you." His voice was gravelly and sensual.
Chills ran down my back, and I groaned under my breath. "Stop it. You're making me all hot and bothered in the middle of the shopping mall."
"You gave me a damn fever the first time we went out. I think payback should be hell."
"I'll see you around three, handsome."
"Yeah, you will. Be careful, baby."
There was no need to pretend I wasn't interested or to play hard to get, anymore. We didn't have time for that drama. My days were running short, and I needed to make some hard decisions.
I dropped the call and dropped the phone back in my purse, feeling good about the afternoon and evening to come. After we snowboarded with my brother, I was going to find a way to get Finn to cook for me. He had mentioned his cooking skills several times, but I'd missed out on trying his stew, seeing that Parker ate the whole bowl of it.
Letting my thoughts go, I ducked into another store and started my search for the two most difficult people in the world to buy for: my father and my brother.
What do you buy for guys who have everything already?
* * * *
Parker was bouncing on the balls of his feet as we purchased our tickets for the lift, the nervousness running through him was almost humorous.
"You excited or what?" I glanced over at him while handing my card to the guy at the front counter.
"It's the hot chocolate. Should have stuck to your guns on it." He turned around as if looking for someone.
"Your friend here yet?" I asked and took our tickets. "I got him one, too, just to be nice."
"Oh, cool. Yeah, I see him." Parker smiled like a tomcat.
"Great. I'll be outside, by the lift. You guys just come out there and bring my board with you, okay?"
"Yeah, whatever you want, sis." He chuckled as I turned and walked outside.
Nervousness swelled in my stomach over seeing Finn again. The last time I'd laid eyes on him, I was half dressed in my bedroom, and things got hot quick. I'd fantasized over him taking me against the wall of my bedroom twenty times since it almost happened.
His aggressiveness combined with his soft fingers and warm mouth left me needing him in ways I wasn't used to. I wanted to explore every inch of him and have him return the favor. Hopefully, he would be up for it sooner rather than later. Something told me I had nothing to worry about.
"Chloe. This is my buddy." Parker's voice had a lightness to it that said he was on the verge of laughter.
I had my back to them, but I'd moved over near a small embankment that wouldn't be too far of a fall for me and Finn. Turning, I let my eyes grow wide and my brow crease.
"What are you doing here?" I demanded, then looked at Parker.
His face dropped and concerned filled his features. "I thought you would love this."
"You thought wrong." I turned my angry stare on Finn, and damn if he didn't have a sexy smirk on his face. I was doing all I could to keep our rouse under-wraps, and he was smirking.
"Come on, Chloe. The kid was just trying to help." He stood with his back to the small cliff and put his hands on his hips. "Don't be like that."
"Like that?" I moved toward him as Parker moved toward me. I pushed at my brother's chest, which surprised him.
"Chloe. Stop," Parker yelled at me, but I was already in motion.
"Don't tell me anything, you sorry bastard." I pushed my hands into Finn’s chest, and he put on a good show, grabbing me at the last minute and pulling me with him. We slid down the hill with me on top of Finn, both of us laughing.
When we stopped, I could hear Parker yelling as he ran after us.
"I am not pretending like I'm dead." Finn gave me a look.
"For a long hot kiss?"
"R.I.P." He closed his eyes and sunk into the snow.
I did the same until I could hear Parker getting closer. "Ready?"
"On your queue, you mean ass witch."
I giggled. "Now."
Parker dropped beside us and we bolted up, attacking him and laughing as he fell back.
"You assholes! That scared the crap out of me." He rolled, and balled up, a snowball, throwing the first at me and the next at Finn.
An older guy in a uniform called down to us. "Hey! No playing around down there, guys. It's off limits."
We all made our way to our feet and Finn pointed to me. "It was all her, buddy. I'm sorry."
"Last time I help you, Finn." Parker winked and walked back up the hill in front of us.
"I'm praying it's the last time I need help." He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and glanced down the length of me. "Did I tell you that I'm missed you like crazy?"
"Yeah, but you can say it again."
"I've missed you like crazy." He pulled me close and smiled. "Where's my hot kiss?"
"Coming soon..."
Chapter Twenty
Finn
Chloe was a nightmare at snowboarding, but we switched her back to skis and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon outside together. Parker found a few friends and ditched us, which was fine by me. I needed to talk with the beautiful girl who'd stolen my heart, anyway.
I waited at the bottom of the run for her, my hands shading the top of my eyes so I could see her come down. Her long, blonde hair flapped behind her, and her muted pink jacket and wind-pants fit her incredibly well. I let out a long whistle as she stopped beside me.
"You got plans later, pretty girl? If not, I know a great place in town that will cut you a steak fresh from the rack. We can grab a few, and I'll grill them for us." I lifted an eyebrow and waited for her response. Just having her with me lightened the load of concerns I carried around all the time.
"Sounds wonderful. I can't imagine anything better." She moved closer to me, and I popped my feet from my board and stepped in between her skis, wrapping my arm tightly around her middle.
"I can imagine something a lot better, but we'll start with dinner and a long conversation." I leaned forward and brushed my nose along hers, wanting to take things slow, and yet not.
"How about a cup of coffee now at the little shop at the clubhouse, and then we'll have our second date? I don't want to talk about anything heavy tonight. Let's get it all out of the way before we leave here."
She slid her pink mittens along my face and pulled me in for a sweet kiss.
"Get a room!" Parker yelled as he moved past us.
"I like that idea. Th
ere are so many things we could do in a room if given enough time." I nipped at her lips and smiled.
"You act like such a nice guy, but I know there's a bad boy underneath it all. I keep seeing him peek out around the edges of your personality." She pulled from me.
"Actually, I'm always a nice guy. You're just making shit up." I licked at my lips again and glanced down at her mouth. "I want my kiss."
"I do owe it to you." She slid her arms around my neck and flattened herself against the front of me before tilting her head up and capturing my lips.
I slid my hand over the curve of her ass and squeezed tightly as I explored her mouth fully. She took every bit of what I was giving and met me with a hot passion that left me needy. It wasn't something I'd experienced in my past. Desire rolled through me, and I pulled her in even closer, deepening the kiss as my body hardened.
She broke the kiss and looked up at me a little starry-eyed. "Damn, you're a good kisser."
"Mmm...you should see what else I can do with this tongue." I smiled as she shook her head and pushed at my chest.
"Not here. Not now. So incredibly bad."
"Not me. You're thinking of someone else, which come to think of it is highly disturbing." I picked up my board and tucked it under my arm before nodding to the lodge. "Let's go have this talk and finish clearing the air between us."
"Yes. Then we should really test out these promises about your magical tongue." She wagged her eyebrows.
I growled and reached for her hand, hoping the talk would be short and the night long.
* * * *
I carried two cups of hot chocolate over to the table as Chloe played with her nails. She was nervous, and she wasn't the only one.
"Peppermint in yours or no?" I held out both cups toward her.
"Yes. I love it, unless you don’t."
"Nope. It's all yours." I sat down and pressed my forearms to the table. "I need to apologize."
"You already have, Finn." She took a tentative sip and looked shocked. "This isn't scorching hot."
"I know. You tell them child's temp and they make it to where you can drink it." I wagged my eyebrows. "And here you thought I was just sexy. I'm smart, too."
