CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Lucas
I’d seen the terror in her eyes when she read about the skiing challenge. I empathized. If I had never been on a pair of skis, the idea of coursing down a steep slope would, without a doubt, make me very apprehensive.
Mason and I had both run the slopes with our uncle when we were kids. Before we became estranged, we’d worked for weeks to finally get enough experience on the black diamond slope, and finally, we both were able to master it. It was a great day and one of my best memories.
The Céleste Chalet’s black diamond run was famous for being treacherous, especially the middle section where it was hard to slow down and even retain control. That part was shadowy, thick with trees, and slick. The only way out of that section if you knew you couldn’t make it was to plant yourself in a vertical position and let your body weight slow you down. However, bruises and scuffs were guaranteed.
Just what Ava needed, more sore spots. This, however, would give me the opportunity to rub more healing balm on her body tonight. Last night had been torturous, and I’d laid awake for a long time after thinking about what I could do to her and what she might and might not like.
I wasn’t sure of Isabella’s skiing skill, but I knew Ava’s was zero, So I made sure we got down to the slopes before the other team in case my uncle did something crazy like only provide one set of tandem skis.
All Ava would have to do was follow my directions. I would navigate and control the skis.
“Close your eyes,” I commanded as we neared the slopes.
“Why?” She hesitated to cover her eyes.
“So I can give you my surprise. It’s a fun surprise, so I want to see your face when you open your eyes. It’ll make me happy.” I knew I sounded like a teenager but didn’t care. We needed some carefree fun right now.
I watched her for a moment as she stood there, her red highlights glowing in the snowy backdrop. My heart lurched in my chest. I tore my gaze away and picked up the tandem skis that had been propped near the launching area. They would allow two people to ski together, one in front of the other. I dragged the long skis over to where she was standing and propped them up in the snow.
“Okay, you can open your eyes now.”
When she opened them slowly, you would’ve thought I was Saint Valentine, bringing her the key to her lover’s heart, from the excited and overwhelmed expression on her face. It was priceless to see her fear melt into joy.
She let out a gasp, followed by a squeal. “Can I ride on those with you? Are they for two people?”
“Yep.” My chest felt like it was going to burst, just taking in her exuberance. “And I’ve skied this course many times. All we have to do is practice a little on these so we don’t fall over.”
“I’m so relieved.” She pressed her hand to her heart.
“Uncle Harv wouldn’t let you die on his watch.” I took her gloved hand and held it with a firm grip. “Or on mine.” I then gave her a reassuring smile which she returned with a glorious grin that fired up my insides.
God, she was cute… and sexy, beautiful and… fuck, so much more.
Just then, my uncle and Lucy joined us on the ski slopes, as did Mason and Isabella. They were all suited up and ready for a day of skiing. Lucy gave me an excited wave, checked out Ava, and winked. Dressed in a bright purple snowsuit, she never changed a bit — still acting as if she were twenty rather than in her sixties. With her perfectly done bob the color of a sunset and perfectly applied makeup, she would pass for in her forties.
Mason and Isabella seemed calm and already in game mode — united and determined. I was curious about what was transpiring between them during their challenges.
I knew part of what Ava and I were facing, since I’d thought of it myself, and I wanted to talk to my cousin — compare notes. This place had made me sentimental, remembering the old days, and I regretted not being able to reach out to him.
We had an old grudge to settle, and I made up my mind I’d get to that before the month was over.
We still had about an hour before the competition began, so Ava and I started with the bunny runs and worked our way up. It took us a few tries, but we got the hang of it as she held on and followed my lead. This kind of dominance felt good. I was helping her conquer her fears while she tried something thrilling and new.
“Gather around everyone,” my uncle shouted from the rest area near the top of the slopes.
Ava and I were just getting off the lift. I jumped off first and took her hand, helping her off. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to take her hand in mine every day? I jolted at the thought. The romance of the Valentine’s Day theme must be going to my head.
Ava’s heart was pounding in her chest when I wrapped my arm around her, and I could guess why. I had no idea how they decided on a winner for the sex challenges. The contract had promised there were no cameras in the bedrooms. I supposed they still had their ways and we couldn’t exactly expect to get through this without something personal ending up online.
“Oh god, I only hope my parents don’t find out anything about this,” Ava whispered under her breath.
I hadn’t thought about that, or how this competition could affect Ava out in the real world.
“We are just about to commence our fifth task in the game, Rough Ride.” Uncle Harv leered, making it obvious he liked the title he’d made up. He was a publishing guy and loved a play on words. “But before competing, I’m sure you’re wondering who won the previous challenges. In challenge number three, the win goes to Lucas and Ava, due to the questionable legal aspects of Lucas’s secret. Since we have drawn the line at spying on our couples in the bedroom, all we have to go on are the attitudes and hints of atmosphere surrounding the couples. In challenge number four, Ava excelled due to an impromptu fashion show put on for Lucas’s benefit, making them the winners and so far ahead in the contest by a landslide, or avalanche, whichever you prefer.” Uncle chortled and wagged his eyebrows. “Mason, your secret was a close second. Sadly, girls, your secrets were neither too racy nor too despicable.”
I wasn’t shocked. I’d come into this sure I could beat Mason hands down. I knew I’d win the challenges easily, but those had been such an easy win it was almost embarrassing. It was now three to one. Mason looked a little surprised and whispered in Isabella’s ear. He might as well forget coming out on top though, it was obvious who would be leading Unc’s publishing business. Ava looked thrilled, even though it had been my secret that won it.
“Each couple has to complete one full course on the black diamond slope without falling. You’ll be timed, and the couple with the best time wins. You can complete the run until you are successful at staying on your feet if necessary. The runs will start at twelve and end at two. When you’re done, we’ll meet in the dining room for a late lunch and receive instructions regarding your next task. So, get ready.” He pointed to the LED clock above his head, which held the official time. “You have about twenty minutes. Good luck and have fun.”
He waved his arms to stop us from walking away. “One more thing, I forgot. There’s a medic and an ambulance here on the property on standby, should anything, god forbid, happen. Now, skiing is why I opened this place, and the black run is famous, so enjoy it.” He and Lucy waved to us and went inside the chalet.
Inside, there were two huge monitors that displayed different angles of the run. They’d be watching us ski from the comfort and warmth of indoors, a crackling fire in the fireplace. Through the large plate-glass window, I also recognized our guide and a few others watching as well.
I scooped up Ava’s hand, and she grasped mine in an iron grip. She was nervous, but I was so proud of what she’d accomplished already. She was very intuitive and could gauge my moves before I made them. After a few tries, I had confidence we wouldn’t be falling down.
Even our falling, though, was enjoyable and quite comical, especially the getting back up on tandem skis. The first time we tried, we laughed so hard we couldn’t get up out of the snow. I finally had to pull her up and brush her off because she was a hysterical, laughing mess.
Despite the setback of her inexperience, I was positive we could navigate the black diamond just as we’d done the other, less challenging slopes. Still, I held her hand tightly in a reassuring embrace as we went to the place where we would strap on the skis. We had yet to test out the challenge slope, saving our energy for the two hours we would have to beat it.
“Don’t be worried. We’ve got this.” I gave her an encouraging smile.
“We’ve got this,” she parroted back, her voice shaking.
I’d prove it to her, what two people could accomplish when they worked together.
God, I was beginning to think like my mother, and I wondered what she would think of Ava.
Time was counting down close as I helped Ava into the straps, which made me hope there were straps involved in the next challenge. In one like that, I could show her that I wasn’t going to leave her side, was learning to be in tune with what she needed.