Chapter 9
DON’T JUDGE A TEXAS GIRL BY HER BIKINI
CLAIRE
“If you hurt yourself, I’m not scaling a mountain to find you,” Declan gritted out as I picked up my super cute pink snow board and turned toward the lift.
“Have a little faith in me,” I said over my shoulder.
“No,” he said, his own snowboard in hand.
Today, the itinerary stated that a few of the mountain slopes would be reserved for the company.
There were instructors ready to help and free rentals for all guests.
Declan had asked if I’d ever gone skiing—which I had—but when it came down to picking between skis and a snowboard, I went for the board.
Just before the lift entrance I dropped my snowboard and clipped one foot in before doing a slightly sideways walk-slide into the lift line. Declan eyed me skeptically before mimicking my actions, as if he didn’t know how I knew to do that.
As we approached the front of the line, my stomach started twisting in knots. Behind us was a lodge of sorts. It had a restaurant, bar, and ski shop, along with locker rooms to change in. It sat at the bottom of the slope, but far above the bottom of the mountain.
The ski area was only accessible by cable car. The bottom station left from our resort, and it lifted us halfway up the mountain. I never knew I was afraid of heights before today. I’d been on a lot of ski lifts in my life but never in a mountain range this massive.
Declan placed his hand on the small of my back when it was our turn in line. We pushed to the red line and waited as the chair swung around behind us. With ease, we both sat. Declan pulled the lap bar down as I gripped it tightly.
As nervous as I was, I’d never seen anywhere more beautiful than this. Everywhere you looked was snow covered mountains and blue skies.
“It’s nice, right?” Declan asked.
I looked over at him with a bright smile. “I have never seen anything like this.”
“You never really get used to it. The beauty is stunning year after year.”
“How long have you been coming here?”
He tilted his head side to side. “Sarah brought me when we were in college and then a few years after. Eventually I got invited because of my position in the company and not my relationship. So maybe ten years?”
“Ten years?” My jaw was on the floor. “Okay, Richie Rich.”
“I think you mean suit rich.” He corrected.
I snorted. “Sorry, but bottom feeders need to be corrected sometimes.”
Declan’s face dropped for a second but he quickly schooled his face as we approached the station.
“Can you get off by yourself?” He asked in a cooler tone.
I tried my best not to snarl at the fact that he thought I was simply incapable of this.
“I’ll manage,” I said with snark.
Just as the chair reached the top, Declan raised the bar and we hopped off. I rested my board in the snow and placed my unlatched foot on the center so I could ride a few feet, out of the way of oncoming traffic.
When I was clear from the path of people getting off of the lift, I dropped to sit in the snow and attached my free foot to the snowboard.
Declan did the same, still eyeing me skeptically.
“Stop looking at me like that.”
“Did you google how to do that or something?” He asked.
“Yeah. I stayed up all night, looking up how to get on and off a ski lift.” I playfully smacked his arm.
“I’m just wondering. A Texas girl isn’t usually the best on the slopes.”
“What a horrible cliché, Boss Man. We don’t just sit around, tanning in bikinis all day. Don’t judge a book by its cover.” I jumped to my feet and started sliding forward. “Race you to the bottom!”
With that, I took off. I weaved right and left as the wind hit my goggles.
At one point, the slope got steeper and I tumbled into the snow, but I bounced right back up.
Declan trailed slightly behind me. Occasionally I would sneak a glance over my shoulder and just admire how hot he was.
It was the perfect time since my entire face was covered and I was already red from sweat.
I was the first to the bottom. I raised my hands in the air and cheered as I came to a stop, throwing my arms to the side and tipping backwards into the snow.
Declan plopped down next to me and burst into laughter as I shoved my goggles to the top of my helmet.
He pushed his goggles up and unclipped his helmet, staring down at me in disbelief.
“Where the fuck did that come from?”
I shrugged, pulling my fleece gaiter down and offering him a smile. “Just because I grew up in Texas doesn’t mean I’ve never been to a mountain. My parents used to take us to Colorado over winter break. It’s nothing compared to here, but still.”
“I think you might be right.”
I furrowed my brow and leaned on my elbows. “Right about what?"
“I don’t know who you are, Claire Bear.”
“Don’t call me that,” I groaned, dropping back into the snow.
“Too late,” he said on a laugh.
“Declan? Is that you?”
Both Declan and I snapped our attention toward the lodge. Paul Driscoff was standing near the entrance with his skis in one hand and his helmet in the other.
“Behave,” Declan said as we stood. “And if you’re going to blurt out a fun fact about animal anatomy, don’t.”
“It's more of an uncontrollable reflex than a choice.”
“You’re a fucking handful.”
“You chose me, hubby. I’ll keep you on your toes.”
“I have no doubt, Bear.” Declan’s face lit up as he said, “Paul! Good to see you.”
“I’m sorry I missed you last night. I hear congratulations are in order.” Paul looked between the two of us as his face softened.
It was clear that this man valued relationships and one of his hopeful leaders finding love seemed to genuinely please him.
“Thank you, sir. I thought it would make this trip extra special. This is my fiancée, Claire.” Declan placed a hand on my hip, causing me to lean into him as Paul shook my hand.
Until two days ago, this man had never even grazed my hand by accident. Now, I was growing used to his subtle innocent touches. I kind of liked them in a super not innocent way.
“It certainly did. I can’t wait to hear all about it at dinner this week.”
“Our story is an exciting one,” I said, talking completely out of my ass.
Declan and I didn’t have a story beyond working ten feet apart for three years.
Declan cleared his throat, “well, my girl and I were about to get a drink. We’ll see you at dinner.”
Paul offered us a wave as Declan ushered me inside. The moment Paul was out of earshot he turned to me and crossed his arms.
“Our story is an exciting one?”
“I panicked,” I said with a shrug.
“You need to stop saying that. I’m starting to think you’re a loose cannon.”
“Starting to think?” I giggled. “Life’s a lot easier when you do that.”
Declan landed a slap on my ass as he turned toward the bar. I could barely make it out but I swore I heard him mutter, “maybe you just need a fucking gag in public.”
“What was that?” I asked.
“Nothing. Let’s get a drink and think of some big grand story of how we fell madly in love.”
“Sounds like fun,” I said with a wink as I passed him.
We were technically lying to everyone, but I kind of liked our real story. Getting to know your boss on an intimate level while in the Swiss Alps at Christmas time sounded like a pretty exciting story to me.