Page 97 of On the Slopes of Tahoe
“Yeah. Yeah, okay.” He grabs my hand and pulls me along the harbour to a restaurant with an outdoor seating area.
Once we order, Breck slides his hand across the table and I take it in an instant, hungry for the connection. After almost two months apart, I want to fuse myself to him so I never have to miss it again.
“So,” he says, rubbing his thumb across the back of my hand. “Tell me everything.”
I blow out a breath and shake my shoulders. I’m about to lay my heart on the line and it’s both terrifying and exhilarating.
“First, I couldn't have asked for a better welcome. I didn’t want to get my hopes up for how you’d react when I arrived. If I’d dreamt up a perfect hello, it would’ve been that kiss. I just… I’ve missed you so much.”
His grip tightens and he closes his eyes, breathing out on a sigh. “So you’re here for—”
“You. And Willow. Wes and Joss too. But really, I just needed to see you. Needed to know if I was the only one feeling like I was missing a part of myself.”
He chuckles lightly. “And here I was hoping you brought the piece of me I left with you.”
“Really?” I whisper, scared to let myself believe this is real.
“Yes. I’ve been walking around this city wondering how it could feel so little like home. I think it’s because my heart wasn’t here anymore.”
“Well, that’s pretty much how I’ve felt too.”
His shoulders relax and I swear his smile could light the city. “What’s your plan? How long are you here?”
“I have two weeks.”
Breck’s eyebrows rise. “How’d you make that happen?”
“The ski season ended and I officially left my job at the resort last week. I also left some time open in my elopements schedule so I could come and get the guy. Is it working?”
He stands and rounds the table to kiss me, crowded restaurant and prying eyes be damned. His hands are on my face, lips insistent against mine, and I melt into my chair. There’s a whistle and I duck my chin, flushing crimson. “Hell yes it is,” he whispers, a sultry heat in his gaze.
He moves back to his seat and takes my hand again, like he didn’t just make my toes curl in front of a restaurant full of people.
“You did it then? You’re a full-time photographer? God, I’m so proud of you!” He beams with joy.
“I am.” I nod my head, feeling embarrassed at the praise, but dammit, he’s right. I did do it, and he doesn’t even know the best part. “And I signed a contract with a bridal magazine in Sacramento.”
“What?”
“Yeah. It’s a partnership withSacramento Weddings Magazine. I guess you were right that eloping is the growing trend. They want to showcase great locations for smaller, intimate weddings. So they’ll send me business and I’ll send them features. I have my first shoot for them when I get home.”
“Baby.” His voice softens on the endearment, full of pride and something else that makes me melt for him. “That’s amazing. I’m in awe of you.”
“And you know what? That was it.” I hold his gaze across the table. This is important. “That was the moment I realized none of this success matters if I don’t get to share it with you. I don’tknow what that looks like exactly—because you’re here and I’m there—but I know when good things happen, I want to tell you first. Do…” I stammer. “Do you want that?”
“Yes. God yes. That and more,” he says. “We don’t have to figure out every detail tonight. I want to share a meal with you. I want you to tell me everything I’ve missed, and I want to tell you everything. Then I want to take you home and do all the things I’ve dreamed of doing for weeks.” His eyes grow dark, making everything inside me tighten with want.
“Okay.” It’s just one word, but it feels like a promise of so much more.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Breck
Ikiss Rory’s shoulder, moving across the bare skin of her back until I reach her spine. My lips start a wandering path down each vertebra that’s on display for me and she shivers, a small sigh escaping her.
“Good morning, beautiful.” I make my way back up with slow precision, landing a kiss just below her ear. “I didn’t want to wake you, but I couldn’t help myself.”
She rolls over, bringing the sheet with her, and covers the expanse of skin I was enjoying.
