Alaska Reunion

by Jennifer Snow

  “I’m literally paralyzed. I can’t feel my legs.” She was gripping the cables so tightly, the cords started digging into the flesh of her palms. The heat of the sun radiating off the rock face felt like it could torch her skin, and sweat pooled on her lower back. The harness was definitely cutting off circulation.

  “I’m here, and we’re going to get to the bottom together,” he said.

  She made the mistake of glancing down again and shook her head, the valley swirling around her. “Can’t we go up?” Down was another forty or fifty feet...up was quicker.

  “Unfortunately, the rappel doesn’t work that way, and besides, everyone is waiting at the bottom to hike back.”

  She sighed. “I don’t think I can do it.” She wasn’t sure what was worse, having to complete the downward trek or facing everyone once she reached the bottom.

  “Yes, you can.”

  “Says the man who has never been afraid of anything in his life.”

  His face clouded. “I’m afraid of things.”

  “Like what?”

  “My father.”

  She blinked and momentarily her mind wasn’t on her own fear. The shock of his confession worked to distract her. “Why?”

  “Growing up he was abusive...not physically but mentally and emotionally. That’s why my mom left. She’d had enough.” He motioned toward her feet. “Lift your knees and place your feet against the rocks.”

  She did, painfully slowly. But a minute later she was back in position.

  “After Mom left, things got worse,” Callum said. “Dad was a workaholic, but now he was also angry. Being left with two kids wasn’t the life he’d wanted. But then as soon as we were old enough to start going into work with him on summer breaks, he turned his anger into militant training. Suddenly, we were no longer a family but coworkers of sorts.” He paused. “Slowly lift up and feed the cable through,” he said.

  She did and they moved several inches down the rock face.

  “He’s made it no secret that he doesn’t approve of my lifestyle and that the only acceptable future is to take over the hotel.” He paused. “The worst part is that I’m also afraid that maybe he’s right. Maybe I am coasting through life,” he said.

  Ellie shook her head. “No. You have your writing.”

  “But what if I’m just hiding behind that because I know it’s a long shot, but it’s my excuse not to do anything else?” He nodded toward her cable. “Release a little more.”

  She dropped lower as she argued, “That’s definitely not it.”

  “How do you know?” he asked as they went even lower.

  “Because Mrs. Garnett said you were really talented...and because I believe in you.”

  “You haven’t even read my writing yet,” he said with a smile as they moved lower down the rock face.

  “Maybe it’s time we changed that,” she said.

  He laughed. “Make it to the bottom, and we can talk.”

  She nodded, more motivated than ever. She dared a glance down and saw they were only about ten feet from the ground. The group were all watching and nodding their encouragement and Ellie took a deep breath and kept going.

  Within minutes, her feet were once again firmly planted on the ground.

  Oh thank God. Relief rushed through her as Callum unhooked her harness. “There. See. Nothing to it.”

  She stared at him with gratitude. “Thank you.” The words didn’t even come close to capturing how she felt. Her emotions were undecipherable as she struggled to fight the overwhelming lingering anxiety. She was safe. Because of him. He’d been there for her when she’d needed him.

  He always was.

  He nodded, his gaze burning deep into hers as he removed her helmet and smoothed her hair. “Anytime.”

  She didn’t even question that it was true. He was more than just her coworker and her friend...her fake fiancé and current partner in crime. He was the one person in her life that she knew she could always count on, and that realization was only becoming clearer the more time they spent together.

  And the unsettling effect that knowledge had on her was something she was going to have to figure out. Fast.

  * * *

  OPENING UP TO Ellie had been a bad idea.

  Before this week, he’d had some hope of keeping the pieces of his heart from shattering if at the end of the week she still wanted to go through with the staged breakup. But now he was doomed. He’d shared things with her up on the rock face that he’d never told anyone.

  Being vulnerable was new for him. Growing up, he’d learned to hide his emotions and fears. Once his mother left, he’d had no one he could depend on for support or encouragement. He’d always had to be the strong one for Sean.

  Staring at Ellie now as she was showered with praise from the others, his heart pounded in his chest. Seeing her scared and pale up on the side of the mountain had had his protective instincts kicking into full gear. Ellie was always so confident and strong. He’d wanted to take her into his arms as soon as they were on the ground.

  Brent was teasing her about her fear of heights and she was laughing good-naturedly, but she didn’t look as enthralled with the guy as she had at the reunion...or a few hours ago.

  Her gaze met his and there was definitely no denying the spark of interest reflecting in those deep dark pools now.

  Was it wishful thinking or was Ellie finally realizing she was chasing something she didn’t really want?

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  BOATING. NOW, THIS was an activity Ellie could get on board with.

  In fact, anything that didn’t require her fearfully clinging to the side of a mountain was acceptable.

  Cheryl’s family boat was a blue-and-white, forty-foot, open-deck Bayliner with a full bedroom and bathroom underneath. Sleek and stylish, the expensive boat looked like it might have been used once, bobbing at the end of the dock as the midday sun glistened against the lake. Ellie loved being out on the water, and it was just the relaxing activity she needed after that morning.

  “That’s impressive,” Callum said next to her as they walked along the wooden planks.

  “Doesn’t your dad have a plane?” she whispered, shaking her head. She was currently surrounded by people whose families were richer than Ellie could even fathom. She’d grown up comfortable, but she’d never known the luxurious lifestyles that Callum and Cheryl had.

  Callum nodded. “Yes, he does.”

  Ellie caught a tightness in his voice, and she immediately regretted bringing up his father, even in the casual way. His confession on the side of the mountain that morning was still causing her conflict. Money obviously couldn’t buy happiness. Callum’s life may have been full of private planes and big houses, but it didn’t sound like a happy upbringing. She’d known his father was a jerk, but to hear that Callum had feared him as a child—and now feared his lack of approval—had shattered the misconception Ellie’d had about her friend.

  And damned if they hadn’t moved far beyond that this week.

  They hadn’t talked much as they’d trailed behind the others on the hike back to the cottages a few hours before, and Ellie had sensed an apprehension in him. He’d seemed lost in thought, as though processing what he’d told her on the mountain. Maybe regretting the vulnerability he’d displayed?

  She was getting to know so much more about him this week, and it was definitely making her realize that she’d misjudged him. Dismissed him when maybe she shouldn’t have. For the first time, she was looking forward to spending more time enjoying this trip with him. Brent wasn’t the focus for her right now. She had no idea what that meant, only that she wanted to get to know Callum a bit more. Really get to know him.

  Cheryl and Mitch climbed on board first and Mitch immediately took the captain’s seat.

  “Oh my God, Cheryl, why haven’t we been on this boat
all week?” Alisha said, stretching out on the large sun lounging area at the front of the boat. In her sailor-striped shorts and white bikini top, oversize sunhat and sunglasses, and wedge-heeled sandals, she looked like she belonged on the boat...or was at least photoshoot ready.

  Ellie’s jean shorts and tank top and flip-flops couldn’t come close to the perfect look, but she was tired of comparing herself to the other women.

  Nick and Brent carried a large cooler on board and began filling the under-seat cooler spaces with drinks.

  “Looks like they’re expecting a party,” Callum whispered as the amount of alcohol being loaded onto the boat looked like enough for twenty people.

  Ellie wasn’t planning on drinking. She knew her water safety. Worst-case scenario, she’d figure out how to get the boat back to the dock if no one else kept their wits about them.

  Callum climbed on board and extended a hand to help her. The same tingling rush of sensation coursed through her at the touch. “Thank you,” she said.

  He glanced around at the boat and pointed to a spot in the rear. “Um... I’ll, uh, just hang out back there. Give you some space.”

  Ellie frowned. Was he saying that because he thought that was what she wanted or because he needed some space? She’d felt him retreat slightly since their moment on the mountain, and she couldn’t quite figure out the cause. Was he embarrassed? Because he really shouldn’t be. She’d been seeing more dimension and sides to him in the last few days than she’d ever imagined. And she was liking everything she was learning.

  “I’ll hang out back there with you,” she said.

  His expression was full of surprise as he nodded toward Brent at the front of the boat. “You sure you wouldn’t rather join him? He’s alone,” Callum said.

  Ellie glanced toward Brent. Dressed in white sailing shorts and a blue polo shirt, his light hair blowing in the breeze, his sunglasses on and a beer already in hand, he was the picture of everything she thought she wanted in a man—smooth sophistication. And two days before, she’d have jumped at the idea of joining him, trying to imagine herself in that picture-perfect image. But now she wasn’t so eager. She wasn’t sure how she felt about her conflicted state, but this was where she was.

  She shrugged. “Maybe later. I mean, I’m supposed to be here with you, remember?”

  His face clouded slightly and she wished she’d been honest. But what exactly could she say? That she was starting to not be so sure that Brent was what she wanted? That the connection developing between her and Callum was unexpected but not completely unappealing? That she’d like to explore it a little more?

  Fear of rejection from him had her looking away from his gaze. “Do you want a drink?”

  “Sure. Just water,” he said.

  She opened the seat and took out two bottles, then followed him to the rear of the boat. They sat on the soft padded seat and she moved slightly closer until their thighs were touching.

  He gave her a quizzical look.

  Obviously this had to be confusing to him. It was confusing to her.

  Up until the day before, she’d been hell-bent on one thing—reconnecting with Brent. She’d wanted Callum to stay out of the way and give her space. They’d been planning the next stage of the week, leading up to the breakup.

  Now she was sitting close to him and wanting him to sense her interest.

  “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather talk to Brent?”

  “Do you want me to go talk to Brent?” Did he want to be alone? Was he not feeling the connection between them? Or had the rappelling incident really upset him and now he was retreating into his own emotions, dealing with his own past that had resurfaced that day?

  He hesitated but then shook his head. “No. I want you to stay right here,” he said, wrapping an arm around her.

  A warmness flowed through her, until she saw Brent noticing them.

  Shit. Was Callum’s action just for show? She couldn’t tell anymore. And it was her fault. “We don’t need to put on a show...”

  He pulled her into him, turning his body so that she could rest against his chest. “I’m not.”

  She sighed in relief as she settled into him. Then her pulse immediately started to race. So neither of them was acting anymore. She was cuddled into him because she wanted to, and he was holding her tight because he wanted to.

  What the hell did it mean?

  Had they somehow crossed over from fake fiancé to the start of a real relationship? How the hell...? And was that what she wanted? She’d thought she was sure she wanted Brent.

  Damn, she was conflicted.

  The boat started to pull away from the dock and Ellie stared out into the distance, trying to make sense of her emotions. Which ones were real?

  She turned slightly to look at Callum and found him staring at her. “What?” she asked, feeling her cheeks flush with heat.

  “Just enjoying the view,” he said.

  She cleared her throat, unsure how to completely fall into this moment with him and needing to keep the vibe less intense. “Hey, was that your brother calling last night?”

  He nodded. “Yeah.” He paused and didn’t seem to have any plans of continuing.

  “Everything okay?” she asked. She wasn’t a nosy person by nature, but he’d opened up about his family, and now she was more than a little curious—especially after the early-morning phone call.

  “Yeah, it’s coming up on the end of the quarter, so he just gets a little extra stressed, that’s all.”

  It didn’t sound like that was all, but she didn’t press, sensing the topic might be a touchy one. “Does he call a lot in the middle of the night?”

  Callum nodded. “He’s a bit of an insomniac. I’m not even sure he realizes it’s the middle of the night.”

  “Do you always answer?” she asked with a suggestive eyebrow raise.

  He laughed, but answered seriously, “Yes.”

  “Even if you’re...otherwise engaged?”

  His arm around her tightened even more. “Last night I thought twice,” he said, brushing his lips gently against the side of her cheek.

  She swallowed hard. What was happening to her? The heat radiating through her was off the charts, and it had nothing to do with the hot, blazing sun beating down on them.

  Alisha approached them and grabbed Ellie’s hand as the boat slowed in the middle of the lake. “I’m stealing her away.”

  Ellie reluctantly stood, with a glance back at Callum. “What are we doing?”

  “Getting in the water,” Alisha said, removing her sandals.

  Ellie hesitated. “Oh, I’m not sure. I’m kinda loving this heat.” She was loving her time with Callum.

  “Oh come on. You’ll get a better tan if you get wet first,” Alisha said.

  Ellie sighed, but she’d already realized it was pointless arguing with these women. She removed her tank top and she could feel Callum’s eyes on her as she unbuckled her jean shorts and slid them off over her hips.

  Okay, that was definitely lust in his expression.

  She turned around and lifted her hair. “Callum, do you think you could retie these straps? They feel a little loose.” Where the hell had the courage to do that come from? Now she was flirting with her fake fiancé?

  He got up, and his breath was warm against the back of her neck as he stood close behind her. “My pleasure,” he murmured against her skin.

  Goose bumps surfaced on every inch of her body and heat radiated through her.

  His fingers tickled her flesh as he untied the straps, then tied them tighter. His hands rested on her shoulders and slowly slid down her arms. “There you go.”

  She swallowed hard as she turned to face him. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” he said, his gaze locked on hers stealing her breath.

  Shit. Shit. Shit.


  Things had just gotten even more complicated.

  * * *

  DAMN, ELLIE’S BODY was amazing.

  But what the hell was her game? Twenty-four hours ago she’d been set on getting Brent back. Now she was flirting with him? Was it real? Or was it just for show. They were in phase two of the plan—make Brent jealous. So that might be all it was. Yet, since their moment on the mountain, she seemed different. She was more attentive to him, wanted to be around him... Had his vulnerability brought them closer together?

  Or was this all still part of the act?

  Behind his dark sunglasses, he watched her swim with Cheryl and Alisha. Her firm, thin body in the modest yet sexy black bikini had him salivating. The way her breasts bobbed on the surface of the water and her legs threaded the current below, he was desperate to join her.

  She looked up at him as she pushed her wet hair back away from her face, and the temptation to dive in, grab her and kiss those tantalizing lips until they were both sure that what was happening was real, until there was no more confusion about where they stood, was overwhelming.

  “Hey, Callum, want a beer?” Mitch asked, joining him on the plush seat. He extended one toward him, the longneck covered in condensation.

  Callum took it. “Thanks.” Beer wasn’t his thing, but he needed something to cool off.

  “Having a good time?” the other guy asked.

  He nodded. “This is great.”

  Mitch nodded toward Brent chatting with Nick at the front of the boat. “Gotta say, you are a bigger man than me. I’m not sure I’d be on board to spend a week with my girl’s ex.”

  Callum shrugged. “Ah, that was high school. A long time ago,” he said, taking a swig of his beer and glancing toward Ellie in the water.

  Mitch didn’t look convinced. “It wasn’t that long ago.”

  Callum turned to him. “What are you saying?”

  “Just that I’d be careful, that’s all. Ellie’s an amazing woman, and sometimes people don’t realize what they have until it’s gone.” Mitch tapped his shoulder as he stood and removed his shirt. “Anyway, I’m sweating my balls off,” he said before diving into the water and immediately swimming toward Cheryl.