I wasn’t ready to give up. “It wouldn’t be going backward,” I defended the plan Dad didn’t know I was working through in my head. “It would be going forward, by remembering who you used to be.”
I couldn’t let my parents’ marriage fall apart. Thirty-five years was a long time to invest in one person. If they couldn’t make it work, after job changes, two kids, and a lifetime together, how could anyone?
It felt as if my entire life was hanging on what my dad was going to say. If he was done, I knew I was too. I’d never open myself up if I thought 35 years down the line I’d wake up one day and be alone all over again. Like I told Kendall, trust was something you had to give every day, but what happened when that trust was taken away? How did a person ever come back from that?
“I don’t know, pumpkin. I want your mother to be happy. That’s the most important thing to me. If she wants to be with me, we’ll figure out a way to be together. At this point, it’s up to your mother. Not that I’m blaming her. We’re both in this together, and we’re both trying to figure out a way to be happy, whether it’s together or not.”
Dad was willing. If he said it was up to Mom then he wanted to be back together. Mom was the one holding out.
But Mom was always a romantic. Which meant my idea of recreating their first date would be perfect. Mom would love it! Especially if she thought Dad was the one who came up with the idea.
“What about starting over again, together. Would you be open to trying out your relationship again, if Mom was willing to?”
Dad eyed me, knowing something was running through my head. I couldn’t hide much from him, but I wasn’t going to divulge my plans. He needed to be wowed just as much as Mom did.
“What are you working up in that brain of yours?”
I shook my head and grinned, refusing to answer.
“Okay, if you won’t tell me, then I guess I’ll have to say yes. If your mom was willing to try out our relationship again, I’d be willing to. But, we would have to make some changes. I won’t back down on that. We weren’t happy with the way things were. If we tried again, both of us would want things to be a little different.”
“Fresh. New. Like they were when you met?” I prodded gently.
Dad cocked his head to the side, whether he was trying to figure me out or remembering the past, I wasn’t sure, but he looked thoughtful. Happy even.
“Yeah, like when we met. We were happier then.”
I barely contained my excitement. It was going to work. I was going to get my parents back together. And they were going to be happier than ever before. I was going to fix it.
As soon as I worked on Mom.
Fourteen
The last two days of school before Winter Recess flew by. I came home with a stack of papers and tests to grade, but my students went on break without any major assignments. As usual, they cheered on their way out the door, which made me feel good.
After my talk with Dad I was ready to get him and Mom together, but I knew we had to get through Christmas first. It was only a few days away and I hoped seeing each other for what had always been our favorite family holiday would put them both in the mood to rekindle their relationship.
That, and I was too anxious about going skiing with Joey to think straight about anything else.
I got up early Saturday morning, still on my school schedule. I tried to be quiet making coffee and getting breakfast, but it wasn’t long before Sam was up.
“Why are you awake at this time of day?” she groaned.
“Sorry. I was trying not to wake you.”
She eyed me suspiciously. “Did you already shower?”
“Yeah,” I said nonchalantly. “I’m going out today.”
“Where are you going?”
“Skiing,” I said, taking a sip of my coffee and praying she wouldn’t make a big deal out of it. I didn’t tell her about what happened with Joey Monday because I didn’t want her to blab it to everyone Tuesday night at girls’ night.
That, and I didn’t know what to say. He trapped me in a storage room and nearly had me panting with need, then left me to handle my own business when I got home. Alone.
“Skiing? Why? I thought you hated- Whoa, wait a minute! Are you meeting Joey for a little more nookie on the mountain?”
I rolled my eyes at Sam’s language. It could have been worse, coming from her. “Skiing, not nookie.”
“Bow-chicka-wow-wow,” Sam sang, dancing around the kitchen and shaking her hips. “Addi’s gonna get some!”
“Thanks. You make me sound like I’ve been living in a nunnery.”
She stopped her booty shake long enough to give me a pointed look.
“Okay, okay, I get it. I basically have been. You don’t have to remind me of that fact. My vagina does that every time I insert a tampon and wince.”
“First of all, ew. I really didn’t need to know that. Secondly, I’m just glad you’re not sitting around planning your parents’ reunion or chasing after Cass or grading papers. You’re going out and doing something for yourself. I’m proud of you.”
I huffed a sigh. “Now you make me sound like a boring nun. I told you I was going to make some changes to my life-“
“Yeah, Ads, but saying you’re gonna do it and actually going out and getting laid are two very different things.”
“I never said I was getting laid today!” I shouted.
“But you didn’t say you weren’t,” Sam sang as she walked away.
I just shook my head and got ready to go.
All week I’d resisted the urge to text Joey, but as I drove up to Winter Ridge I wished I’d gotten the hell over it. I found myself second guessing everything about going up there. Would he still want to see me? Was he really going to teach me to ski? Were my panties sexy enough in case he did get a chance to see them?
I parked in the lot and took a deep breath. I pulled out my phone and sent Joey a text letting him know I was there and heading over to rent some skis, in case he was around.
You know, really casual.
Just in case he didn’t want to see me.
My heart pounded in my chest the entire time I walked over to the lodge. I scanned the slopes watching for him, but didn’t see anyone who looked like him. At the lodge I rented a pair of skis and headed over to a bench to put them on. Once I was ready, I worked my way to the ski lift. With one last glance around, I got on and rode it up to the top.
The view was just as breathtaking as the last time I’d ridden up. The fresh air gave me clarity that I desperately needed. It didn’t matter if Joey just wanted to teach me to ski, he asked me to come. And he kissed me. And told me how much he wanted me.
Joey was a distraction. It wasn’t the start of a relationship. Relationships didn’t start with blow jobs in the woods. They started with dates. With kisses. With getting to know each other.
I didn’t even know where Joey lived. Where he was from. If he had any siblings. What his parents did for a living.
But I knew what he tasted like. I knew what his cock felt like in my hand. And in my mouth. I knew the contours of his thighs, and the planes of his abs.
We weren’t relationship material.
So it didn’t really matter if I saw him or not.
Except that I really wanted to see him again.
At the top of the slope I started to wonder what the hell I was thinking. My two trips down hadn’t proved to be too successful. Why was I up there?
Oh, yeah. I was there to ski.
Yeah, right.
I worked my way off the ski lift and over to the top of the hill, looking out over the skiers gliding effortlessly down. I wanted to do that. I wanted to feel the freedom of floating over the snow, flying down the hill with ease.
Maybe ski lessons were a good idea.
“Risking it again,” he said from behind me. He was close. Close enough that I could feel him behind me. Close enough that I was getting heated.
“I was thinking about it. It
looks like fun. Once upon a time I could ski. Not well, but I could make it down a hill without ending up on my ass.”
Joey laughed. It warmed me that much more to feel the vibration of his body against my back. He leaned close, his weight pressing against me. “It’s a pretty great ass,” he said in my ear, his voice deep and husky.
“A little bulky. I need the padding though, especially with how much I end up on it.”
“Not bulky. How about beauteous.”
I snorted. “Beauteous? Really? Was that your SAT word of the week?”
Joey threw his head back and laughed. “Maybe I have a word of the day calendar.”
“Do you?” I asked, a little worried.
He snorted. “No. But I can’t let you go around thinking your ass is anything less than perfect.”
I blushed. “Thank you.”
He cocked his head at me and just looked for a minute. I wanted to know what he was thinking, but something about his expression made me stand still and watch him. Finally he put his hand on my back and said, “Let’s go,” with a nod down the hill.
“You’re taking your life in your hands going down with me.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
After a few quick instructions, Joey and I took off down the hill. I worked slowly from side to side as we skied down. Joey stayed by my side, encouraging me as I skied, almost effortlessly, like the other skiers.
I took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp, cold air. It fueled me, cooling me from the inside. I bent my knees and crossed the slope again. I smiled at Joey and saw a heat burning in his eyes. My breath caught in my throat and desire course through me. Joey nodded to me to follow him and I knew the cool air wasn’t going to be enough to keep the heat away.
But I didn’t want to. I didn’t go up there for a skiing lesson. I went up there to get my fill of Joey. Literally. I wanted him. And there was no reason I couldn’t have him. He made it perfectly clear he wanted me. What was the harm in enjoying each other for a few months?
I caught Joey’s eye and nodded my head toward the woods. He glanced over, seeing the top of the bunny hill, and heat flared in his eyes. I cut across the slope like an experienced skier and went straight for the trees, knowing, hoping, he would follow me.
I cut through the small clearing, not stopping until I was confident I was hidden from the other skiers. Leaning against a tree, I popped my skis off and slung them under my arm, trekking further into the depths. When I reached the clearing I dropped my skis, not caring if they got tangled up or broken, only caring that my hands were free to touch Joey.
He came at me as I approached him. Our mouths collided the same time our hands met each other’s bodies. His tongue was hot and smooth in my mouth, urgent, needy. Desperate. Just like I felt.
I had to touch him. I didn’t care how cold it was outside or who might be able to hear us. I needed to feel him.
My hands tugged at the zipper on his jacket, then shoved it over his shoulders once I could. He groaned at the restraint and released me so he could shrug out of his jacket. I took advantage of his position and stroked my hand over the hard ridge of his erection, making his body lurch toward me.
He yanked off his jacket and tugged mine free, his movements as frantic as mine. When his hands went to the front of my pants I froze.
Shit, was I really doing this? Was I really going to fuck him in the woods?
Unaware of my sudden panic, Joey kept working his way into my pants, his lips on my throat, his hands close, so very close to where I wanted him.
Right?
I was being crazy. We were in public. I barely knew him. I couldn’t do it.
Then I heard the whoops of someone on the slopes. The voices of skiers so close, but separated from us. Hidden, in our own private spot. Holy shit, it turned me on. And then Joey’s hand was there. Brushing my bare skin. Hot flesh, cold air.
His fingers touched me, barely grazing across my center. I arched into him like a greedy cat. It was fitting, in a way, considering how desperate I was for his touch. He stroked me, soaking my panties and his fingers, before delving inside.
My knees gave out and his other arm came around me, supporting me. “Lean on me,” he growled in my ear. I had no choice but to listen.
I draped my arms around his neck, my face buried against his sweater. I smelled the musky scent of him, the clean, fresh air, and the pine scent of the thick trees surrounding us. It was a heady mix, made that much sweeter by his ministrations between my legs.
“Yes, Addi, just let go for me,” he groaned, a pained sound that made me wonder if he was as close as I was. Jesus, he was talented. My hips moved on their own, controlled by the hand buried deep in my pants. I wanted to strip off all my clothes to relieve the heat building up inside me, but I knew only one thing would truly help.
And with just a few more strokes of his thumb over me, a few more thrusts of his fingers deep inside, the heat built to four alarm fire status. I burned up from the inside out, flames licking at my skin, or was that his tongue? I didn’t care. My body hurtled toward its release, whether trying to outrun the fire or ignite it further, I didn’t know. Stop, drop, and roll flashed through my head, instantly making the elementary school lesson a dirty idea for adults.
Joey chuckled, his hand slowing as I came down from the high he put me on. “Stop, drop, and roll? Is that next?”
“I said that out loud?” I asked, embarrassed.
“I think it’s a great idea. Well, maybe not the stop part.”
His hand was still inside me, his fingers connected to my most intimate parts. And we were talking about fire drills.
His finger stroked against my core again and I moaned. “Definitely not the stop part,” I agreed.
Joey tugged my ski pants and sweats down with his free hand and groaned when he saw my purple lace panties. “I like this view,” he said in a husky voice. I looked down and saw his hand, buried deep in my panties, and felt myself get wetter. It was sexy. It was erotic. It was hotter than fuck.
“I need you. Now.”
His eyes snapped to mine. When he looked down again, he licked his lips then slowly pulled his hand out of me. With our eyes locked again, he quickly removed his pants, his erection straining at grey boxer briefs. After digging in his pocket, he produced a condom.
Good thing he was thinking ahead.
Joey hooked his fingers in the side of his boxer briefs and raised an eyebrow at me. I slid my thumbs into the edge of my panties and together we lowered them to our ankles.
Dear God he was magnificent. I’d seen it before. I’d had it in my mouth. But staring at his erection and knowing it was about to be inside me… Jesus, I was going to combust.
The sound of ripping foil brought me out of my trance. Then put me right back into it as I watched him roll the condom over his impressive length. When he reached for me I nearly leapt at him.
Then realized our feet were still locked. How the hell were we going to have sex without taking our boots off? I wasn’t sure I could do that. It might be a little too cold for sex in the woods in December.
Joey laid our jackets on the ground, then laid down on his back. “I didn’t want to stop, but I did. Now I’ve dropped. Let’s roll,” he teased, dragging me right out of my hesitation and back to the moment.
I worked my way over to him and stood between his knees. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Not possible, baby.”
I lowered over him, spreading my knees wide to accommodate him. When his erection hit my core, I sighed. Even from the outside he felt good. Joey’s eyes rolled back in his head and he surged upward, searching for me. Needing me as much as I needed him.
He held himself steady while I lowered onto him, impaling myself with his solidness. When my body met his I stilled, adjusting to his size after so long without anything nearly so big inside.
“Jesus Christ, you feel good,” he said through gritted teeth. “I need to move, Addi. Soon.”
Slowly, I pulled myself off him, sliding back into place. His hands went to my hips, his fingers flexing but not controlling. I could feel him holding himself back as I slowly rode him, getting adjusted to him and loving the way he settled against my body deep inside. If I wasn’t careful I’d embarrass myself before long.
“We gotta roll, babe,” Joey said. I thought he wanted to go faster, but before I could move again, he flipped us. I don’t know how the hell he did it, but he managed to get his legs inside mine so my feet were wrapped around his back.
And, oh, dear, God, did that feel good.
“Oh,” I moaned, long and deep, when he hit just right.
“Holy fuck,” Joey moaned back, propping himself up. He looked down at me. “Are you okay?”
“Don’t stop,” I begged.
His all male, and all cocky, grin said it all.
Then he moved.
My eyes slammed closed. It was too much. The feel of him. The weight of his body on me. The way he touched me deep inside.
I couldn’t handle it all and not combust.
My back arched. My hands kneaded his ass. My hips rose to meet his thrusts. My mouth fell open and released sounds I never knew I could make.
And then I came.
Joey’s mouth crashed down on mine, swallowing my every cry as I erupted in blissful flames again. What was a four alarm fire before became a supernova. I clawed at my clothes, needing to feel fresh air. Joey continued to thrust into me, his own release impending, I could tell.
Then I felt cool. A sudden and soothing chill filled my body, extinguishing the flames I’d been riding on and setting off a whole new sensation. The cold alerted me to the other sensations I’d missed. The brush of his sweater against my bare stomach. The feel of his hands on my breasts, kneading and caressing my nipples into tight pebbles. The sting of his teeth on my neck when he nipped me.
And all of a sudden I was flying a third time. I cried his name, unable to hold back my praise for his talents. He groaned my name and thrust hard into me, deeper than I ever thought a person could be. I hadn’t ever felt pleasure like he delivered before.
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