CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Ava
I woke up the next morning, bright sun coming through the drapes. Lucas was already out of bed. I flew into a sitting position, holding the sheet to my chest, searching the room for a clock.
I usually had my phone right by the bed, but the guide had taken our phones. We’d get them back sometime today to make a few last calls before they’d be switched off for the rest of the competition.
“Don’t worry.” Lucas came in looking fresh in a pair of jeans and a crisp white t-shirt. “It’s only eight o’clock. We got another box, but the guide said to let you sleep. There’s breakfast when you’re ready.” His smile was warm as our gazes collided — there was a bond between us that hadn’t existed before.
Last night, after our talk, he’d done his best to help ease the pain he’d inflicted. Even though I was sore, his touch had inflamed me, made me want him again. But I was so embarrassed by my reaction, by my liking what I’d always categorized in my mind as abuse, that pressed down my new desires.
I’d settled for the ice cream he’d ordered up especially for me. It was some of the best I’d ever tasted, made more delicious by our circumstances.
After our dessert, I could barely keep my eyes open at the kitchen table.
“Let’s get you to bed,” he’d said as he swooped me up in his arms and carried me there. I dropped my robe to the floor and snuggled between the soft sheets, hoping he would not be able to resist my nakedness. But then I fell asleep immediately.
“I don’t smell bacon cooking. What, no breakfast in bed?” I asked, trying to tease my way to a good start this morning.
“My specialty is ice cream at midnight. You fell asleep before I could show you what I could do with it.” He gave me a sinister grin.
I gulped. “Oh.”
His grin grew wider. “I didn’t make the breakfast, but it looks delicious, and the view is amazing this morning.”
“I’m starving.” I grabbed my robe from the floor, slung it around me and jumped to my feet. “Oooh!” came out of my mouth as my body objected.
“You okay?” Lucas looked panicked.
I was still a little sore. It’d been so long since I’d even had sex, let alone hard-pounding, pussy-pummeling sex. I’d have to give my flesh some time to adjust.
“Nothing to worry about.” I smiled and did my best to walk normally to the kitchen.
As I passed through the entry hall, I noticed a red and white box sitting on the table again. Shivers ran down my back and to my center, curing me of any lingering hesitation.
So that I wouldn’t appear too eager, I continued on to the kitchen, where someone had set out our breakfast. I took a seat across from Lucas, where we could look out at the white mountain peaks.
After we ate, he broached the subject of the box. “We’ve ignored it for as long as we can.”
Now that we’d found even ground again, I guessed we were both reluctant to risk it.
“Right, we should check it out.” I pretended like I was enthused by the idea of having to compete again so soon. Surely, though, this wouldn’t be a sex challenge. But the daylight task of shoveling snow hadn’t been much of a picnic either. “Let’s hope for a non-labor activity.”
We approached the box as if we were stalking our prey. He snatched it up, and I closed my eyes, throwing out a little silent wish as if the box were a fountain and I’d thrown in a penny, just in case it would help.
Inside was another handwritten card.
CHALLENGE #5
Rough Ride
We know things have been a bit bumpy, but here’s where the ride gets really rough. You’ll be skiing Céleste Chalet’s black slope.
Gear is in your closet.
Winners of the last two challenges will be announced on the slopes.
The task commences at noon.
“This’ll be a breeze,” Lucas exclaimed, looking relieved before he turned to me and his expression changed to worried. “Are you okay?”
“I can’t ski. I’ve never been skiing, or even seen real skis up close. However, I do know what a black run is. I might actually die on a black run. I’m willing to try but—”
Lucas stepped toward me, lifting his hands to cup my face. “Shhh… listen for a moment. I’ve a surprise for you. I want to keep it as a surprise, but I don’t want you to worry about the skiing, I’ve got you covered. I promise. I know you don’t really trust me at the moment, but you’re going to have to rely on me for this.” His voice was confident and reassuring, and he met my eyes. I could tell he wanted me to see the truth in them.
He was right — I didn’t trust him too much, with reason. And yet, I had no choice but to put my trust in him. It was either trust him or die on the slopes of the Colorado Rockies.
“Okay, ski master, I’ll leave this challenge in your hands.” I smiled and took his hand, shaking it in an overexaggerated measure of goodwill.
Just then, the guide came in and offered us our phones. Finally. I was happy to get back in touch with my reality.
Lucas didn’t seem as excited, and probably had a pile of work to attend to.
I was ravenous to speak to someone, anyone outside of the chalet. I needed to call Sylvia, let her know I was still alive, but I was afraid she was going to notice something different about me just by hearing my voice. I never thought I’d miss my annoying roommate as much as I did, and it’d only been a few days.
“Do you mind if I take a minute?” I asked sweetly as I cradled my phone to my chest.
“Yes, of course. Let’s get our responsibilities out of the way.” The way he’d sobered when handed his phone made me wonder if he liked his chosen profession as much as I did mine.
Slipping open the terrace door — it was sunny and crisp outside, and I hoped the fresh mountain would help me think clearly — I stepped out and hit Sylvia’s contact, listening to it ring.
“Hey, y’all, the billionairess is on the phone, get your asses out here,” Sylvia shouted as she answered.
I couldn’t believe the nostalgia that hit me for my cramped apartment — then I reminded myself of the fact that it wasn’t my apartment anymore. Still, it’d been my comfort zone. It had never been home. Home was what I’d left behind when I’d run off to New York.
As Sylvia bombarded me with questions, I heard the window to the bedroom open. I didn’t turn to look, as I was afraid Lucas would think I was eavesdropping. God knew how he’d choose to punish me if he caught me trying to snoop. I got off the phone quickly, trying to save time to call my sister, after assuring Sylvia I hadn’t been bound and gagged.
Dialing my sister, Lillie answered, out of breath. “Is everything going okay?” I’d let her know only a piece of what I was doing before I boarded the plane here. “Is it glamorous? Is he sexy?” Lillie was a barrage of questions, as usual.
“Oh my god, no, it’s not glamorous at all. In fact, I had to shovel the driveway the first day here. I did get to design some cool clothes, though. That was fun. They made them in a day, can you believe it? All I did was sketch them, and they used my measurements from my registration form. Whoever constructed the clothes was amazing. I didn’t even have to have them fitted, everything was perfect.” I was rambling, hoping to keep her questions at bay.
“Sooo, tell me about the guy.”
“Oh, Lucas? Yeah, he’s a nice guy.” Nice was not a word I’d ever use for him. “I like him, but we don’t have much in common. He and I are from different worlds, and I’m pretty sure his world isn’t something I want to get used to. Having money isn’t everything…” I switched subjects because I could hear the nervousness in my own voice. “This place is gorgeous though. The mountains are beautiful, and I know I can get through this, it’s just… I guess I realize I’m out of my league here.”
“Just give it your best. You’ve got this, sis.” Her sunny disposition came through in her voice and made my heart pang for the sight of her. It’d been too long.
“Yeah, I’ll do the best I can. I can do anything for a few weeks.” The sound of music and silverware clinking together came across the line. “Where are you?”
“Oh, um, I’m meeting a guy. I met him yesterday at the campus tour. He was really cool. And hot.”
“A guy? What guy? Is someone with you? You aren’t alone, are you?”
She sighed, loud and long. “Ava, I’m a big girl now. An adult. I can go out on a date.”
“It’s barely noon, early for a date. How well do you know this guy?” I sounded like our mother, but it was a hard habit to break, mothering Lillie.
“Don’t worry. I’m fine. Look, gotta go. You’re gonna win this thing, and before you know it, you’ll be back watching the New York skyline and dancing the night away.”
Dancing the night away? What made her think of that? Was that what she’d been doing?
I could see the guide in the kitchen, through the glass. She’d come to retrieve our phones. Dammit.
“I love you. I have to give away my phone today so I won’t be able to talk to you again until this is over. Don’t worry. When it’s finished, I’m flying you to New York for a visit, and I’ll tell you everything.” I frowned at the deep voice in the background. Now it was me who was worried.
The phone sounded like it was muffled for a second then Lillie came back. “I can’t wait to see you and New York. Talk to you soon, bye!”
The call ended, and I stepped back into the kitchen.
“I’ve come to collect your phones. I suggest you suit up and get ready for your challenge. We will commence exactly at noon. Harvey and Lucy will be on hand to judge this competition and announce the winner of the Secrets Challenge after your run. You can practice as soon as you get on the slopes, but everyone needs to be at the black run by noon.” She said this with a sweet-sounding efficiency as she collected my phone, then Lucas’s and disappeared.
“You heard the woman, let’s get dressed.” The light in his eyes told me he was amped and ready for this.
Me, on the other hand, I felt sick to my stomach.
“Does Harv have a medic or something nearby… is there a hospital close?” The butterflies in my stomach felt like they were wide-eyed and terrified, and battling to get out. For a moment I almost regretted my decision to come.
But then I’d never have met Lucas.
I wasn’t sure what the surprise he’d spoken about was, but I doubted it would be able to save my life in this situation. Even a bubble-padded ski suit wouldn’t be enough to keep me among the living.
“My uncle would never endanger any of our lives. Crazy old man puts a novice on black run at his mysterious ski chalet, and a beautiful young woman’s body is found in pieces, scattered about the snow. That wouldn’t be a piece he’d want to be run in any of his magazines.”
“That’s the picture I had.” I gnawed on my bottom lip.
“Remember, I said to trust me. I promise my surprise is guaranteed to save your life.” He winked and retreated to get geared up.
“Great,” I huffed with a fake smile as I slunked into my closet, the same one that had been so exciting just yesterday.