Chapter 8
8
KILLIAN
M y gaze was trained on Christopher as he braced for the start, but my body was hyperaware of the woman sitting between my legs.
Her hair brushed the scruff on my chin, and I breathed her scent in with every inhale.
I hadn't bothered to shave since I wasn't doing any public appearances. I felt more like myself here at home than I had in years. And I was enjoying Noelle's company.
We were getting to know each other in a different way. We weren't just classmates or teammates. We were forming a friendship of sorts. When we were in school, as captain of the ski team, I had been focused on making her better.
Noelle wasn't a good-time girl. She was the woman that you planned forever with. Not something I'd ever considered for me before. But now that she was in my arms, and I was getting to know her, I was intrigued. And there was no denying the desire humming beneath my skin for her.
The gun sounded, and Christopher pushed off, zigzagging from one pole to the other. I leaned closer to Noelle so that her cheek was next to mine. "Are you breathing?"
She shook her head. "No."
"It makes you nervous to watch him?" I asked, amusement tingeing my tone.
She placed a hand on her stomach. "So nervous."
I placed my hand over hers to provide support. All it did was make my heart pound harder. It was tough to pay attention to Christopher's progress.
I forced myself to refocus on him. He moved at a good clip, and when he reached the bottom, the time put him in second place.
"He has to go one more time."
"I know the drill." I reluctantly removed my hand from hers. I wanted to keep touching her. It was nice to provide her with support. She wasn't someone who asked for it, who asked for anything. She was so different from everyone else in my life who wanted something: publicity, money, advice.
With Noelle, I could just be the man I was before I became famous. It was an addicting feeling.
"I'm not going to survive the second run."
"He'll be fine."
"He doesn't get nervous at all. He just loves to race."
"That reminds me of myself." I'd love to mentor someone like Christopher. Help them see their talent, push them to go harder, be bigger. That was a thought I'd never had before. Would I want to coach when I retired? I hadn't thought much beyond my current situation. Heal, train, and return to the top.
"I wish I could help him, but he has Xander and your brothers. He doesn't need my advice."
"I don't know about that. You know what it's like to compete, how it can be a mind game with yourself. I bet you could give him some good advice about that."
"Maybe."
"What do you say about going out on the slopes when I'm all better?"
Noelle snorted. "You're out of commission for a while, and when you're better, you shouldn't risk your recovery for recreation. You'll be training, and then you'll be gone. Back to your real life."
Before I could protest that she was wrong, Winnie appeared in front of us. "Can I learn how to ski?"
"Of course," I said as Noelle elbowed me.
"Why can't she have lessons? It's never too early to learn." I was confident Winnie's lessons would be free just like Christopher's. Besides, it was always smart to invest in the future of the local ski teams. It showcased the talent we cultivated here at the resort. The Richards had talent, and I was excited to see what Winnie could do.
"I don't want to take advantage," Noelle said.
There was a crease between her brows I wanted to smooth with my thumb, but Winnie was watching our interaction.
"Xander will teach you. Let Noelle or your mother know which lesson time is best for you, and we'll get you equipment."
"Are you serious?" Winnie asked me, then looked to Noelle as if she was worried she'd say no. I wondered how often Noelle turned down things like this because she only saw it as a handout.
"It's up to Mom."
Winnie took off, presumably to ask her mother.
Noelle turned toward me. "You didn't have to do that."
"I don't have to invest in the future of another amazing Richards skier?" I teased.
Her lips twitched. "When you say it like that?—"
I inclined my head slightly. "You can't refuse my generous offer."
Noelle giggled, and I wondered when was the last time she'd truly let loose and had fun. When she'd forgotten about the heavy weight of her responsibilities.
"You want your sister to be happy."
"I do."
"Then you'll say yes when it comes to her. But not you."
Winnie ran up to us. "Mom said yes."
I grinned, not quite believing how much my life had changed in a few weeks. I was used to charming women, but now I was excited to give this twelve-year-old what she wanted.
"That's amazing," Noelle said. "I'm excited to see you on the slopes."
"Now we just have to get your sister back out there." I nudged Noelle, and she gave me a sharp look.
"I haven't been in years. I've probably forgotten everything I ever learned."
I shook my head. "I bet it's like riding a bike. You never forget."
Noelle's shoulders were stiff, so I didn't push it any further for now. But I needed to see her on the slopes. It hurt my heart that she walked away from her love of the sport. I wanted to show her what she was missing.
Bianca moved over to us. "Christopher is up again."
We focused on the skier on the slope. He was poised and ready to go. Bianca and Winnie stood off to the side and in front of us, so I placed a hand on Noelle's side, encouraging her to lean against me. I wanted her to relax.
When we were talking to Winnie, she'd gone all stiff, as if she was uncomfortable with my proximity or the conversation. It was probably both.
"He's going to do great," I whispered against her cheek.
"I hope so," Noelle agreed, but her focus was on her brother.
The gun sounded, and I lifted my head to watch him go through the gates, one after the other. He was going at a faster clip than last time. He gave me the chills as he perfectly executed each one, and when he glided through the finish line, I moved back on the seat as Noelle got off the snowmobile and made her way to her brother. I couldn't get close with the snowmobile, so I hung back, hoping she'd bring Christoper to me.
A few minutes later, Noelle led her brother to me.
I stood and rested a hand on the handlebar since I didn't have crutches out here. I reached my hand out to him. "Congratulations on your win."
"Thanks, Killian. I can't believe you were here to watch my race."
"I wouldn't have missed it. You have impressive talent." That second run was remarkable.
His cheeks were red with the cold and exertion. "I've never skied like that. It was like something came over me."
"You were in the zone. I always compete better when I can get my head in that space."
Christoper's eyes widened. "Yeah. I was completely focused on one gate, then the other."
"I can't wait to get better, then I can go up there with you." I nodded toward the mountain.
His brow furrowed. "You would coach me?"
I nodded. "I can give you some pointers."
"That would be amazing," Christoper sputtered.
I spent most of my time with professionals. I never got the opportunity to see such raw talent at this level. My blood was humming with excitement. "You did great."
"Thanks."
Noelle hugged her brother. "I'm so proud of you."
Christopher squeezed her waist. "Thanks, sis."
I could see the affection between them as they stared at each other. They were close in a way I wasn't with my brothers. I saw them as competition or an annoyance growing up. Not guys I could depend on. It was a nice dynamic, one I wished I had.
I'd been so focused on myself and my success; I hadn't checked in with my family nearly enough. I was missing out on that connection.
"I have to go be with my team."
"Congratulations," I said to him as his mother hugged him.
Noelle focused on me. "How are you feeling?"
"My knee is aching." It was a combination of standing without my crutches and being out in the bitter cold.
"Let's get you home. You're probably due for more meds."
For once, I didn't argue with her. I wanted to get my leg elevated. I sat on the snowmobile, leaving space for her to sit in front of me this time.
"You want me to drive?" Noelle asked as she sat in the space I provided.
"Do you remember how?"
"Of course I do. I've ridden a snowmobile since you left town."
"Just not a snowboard?" I asked her.
Her back was stiff again, and she didn't respond.
I didn't want to make her uncomfortable, but I wanted to understand how she could walk away from something she loved so much.
"It was too hard," she said so softly that I wasn't sure I heard her correctly. Then she turned on the engine, and any sound she made was drowned out by the roar.
She maneuvered us through the crowd and to the door to the lodge. I got off and stood gingerly on one leg.
"I'll grab your crutches." Noelle disappeared inside, and Eli approached.
"Didn't think I'd see you at a high-school race."
"Noelle's brother was racing."
"I get why she's here. But why are you?"
"She won't let me out of her sight. Does that have something to do with you?" I asked, hoping he didn't see through my diversion.
He raised a brow. "Are you letting her do her job?"
I shifted slightly, trying to ease the pain that was intensifying. "You mean letting her hang out with me all day long? Then, yes."
"Are you taking it easy and following your doctor's instructions?"
"I don't need a keeper," I said tightly.
Eli just shrugged as Noelle returned and handed me the crutches. I'd never been so grateful for those two sticks in my life. I rested my weight on them.
"Christopher had an amazing run that second time," Eli said to her.
Noelle's eyes brightened. "He was so excited."
"He's showing real promise. Like you and Killian did."
"I don't know about that. I was never destined for greatness or anything. But maybe there's hope for Christopher to get an athletic scholarship." Noelle's voice was hopeful.
"You know we offer scholarships at the resort too."
"I'll let him know so he can apply when the time comes. We have some time before that, thankfully."
I wanted Christopher to do everything that Noelle felt she couldn't do, and I had this burning desire to ensure that Noelle did things she enjoyed now. It wasn't right that she was missing out on life. It was more than paying the bills and working hard.
"I'm going to get this one back on the slopes." I tipped my head toward Noelle.
"Good luck with that."
"I haven't been in so long; I'll probably fall."
I had a sponsorship deal with a sports equipment brand which would cover all of her necessary gear. I'd order a few options for her, and she couldn't say no to free.
"I've been asking her to coach these kids, but she always says no," Eli said.
"I don't think I'd be able to help them. Just because I could snowboard doesn't mean I can coach."
"Are you sure about that? You're good with Christopher." I watched her face closely for her reaction.
Emotion flitted across her eyes. "I'm already so busy."
"The invitation's always open. They could use a mentor."
"I told Christopher I'd give him some tips. Just as soon as I'm on my feet again," I said.
"I'm sure you have to get back to training and work. You'll be gone before you know it," Eli said dismissively.
That was something I'd hoped for not too long ago. But now I wasn't in a rush. I was enjoying this time with Noelle. It was a refreshing change of pace.
Noelle curled a hand around my elbow. "I'd better get him to bed. He needs his meds."
Eli grinned, and I rolled my eyes. "Yes, please put this one to bed. He can't be up late. He gets grumpy."
"So true," Noelle said with a laugh.
I took a few steps with my crutches, and Noelle's hand fell away.
"I don't appreciate you ganging up on me with my brother," I told her.
Noelle waved a hand at me. "It was fun though."
I gave her a look but couldn't stay mad at her. I liked seeing her laugh. It should happen more often, and I wanted to be the guy who made her feel good.
My knee throbbed more with each lumbering step. By the time we got back to my room, I was sweating. I eased myself down on the couch. "Can you grab the pain meds and some water. Please."
"On it," Noelle said as she grabbed the items from the kitchen. She dropped the pills in my hand and then handed me a glass of water.
I washed them down, and then Noelle helped me move my leg onto the couch. "Can I get you anything else? Ice? Heat?"
"I'm okay for now." I grabbed the remote and searched for the local station that always carried the high-school ski races and put it on.
"This is better than being outside in the cold." Noelle pulled off her jacket, then sat in the armchair to watch.
I patted the space next to me on the couch. "Sit here. It's a better view of the TV."
"Okay." She moved slowly over to me, sitting on the end of the couch where my foot rested. "I'm not jostling you, am I?"
I shook my head no. I wouldn't care if she was. I had this need to keep her close.
The pain meds kicked in, and I couldn't help nodding off. For the first time in a long while, I felt content, happy even. It was hard to believe I could feel that way when my professional life was in shambles. I never thought I could be content living at the resort, but I was. At some point, I sensed a blanket being thrown over me and maybe even the brush of lips on my forehead. Then I swear Noelle said, "Sweet dreams."
I must have been dreaming because there was no way Noelle Richards would tuck me in and kiss me like that. Not after my nonreaction to her kiss. She'd never forgiven me for that, and I couldn't' blame her.