Chapter 16
NOAH
My lips are already on the blonde's neck the minute we enter my cabin, kicking the door shut behind me. She’s unbuttoning my pants while we step out of our shoes. I take the hem of her shirt and pull it over her head, going back to her neck, sucking it hard.
She moans as she guides me further into the room, pulling me down on my bed, hovering over her body. I snake my hand toward her back, unclasping her black bra and tossing it halfway across the room.
I pull back, and the cool air makes her nipples peak as I dive mouth-first, flicking and sucking on one and then the other.
Her moans are loud, echoing through the room, and her fingers glide through my hair, nails scraping my scalp as I continue to tug on her nipple.
She reaches for my collar, trying to pull it up.
I break away for a second, removing it and throwing it behind my back.
She smirks, then catches my mouth with hers, except… My mind imagines Red and her plush lips, wishing it were her hands and body against mine, that I was the one privileged to devour her. To take her to new heights and hear breathy moans come from her.
This kiss is flat. No fireworks. No desire to tug her underwear off. I start to slow my movements while she picks up speed, her fingers digging inside my boxer briefs.
She stalls, then pulls back. “You’re not even hard.”
I shut my eyes, because how do you tell a pretty girl who’s basically half naked in your bed she doesn’t do it for you? Because you’re wishing the smart-mouth redhead was under you instead.
She crawls out from under me, probably gathering her belongings. “I should’ve known the minute you got into that argument with the redhead.”
I open my eyes and roll on my back, staring up at the ceiling, afraid to even look her in the eye. “I’m sorry.” I’ve never been so flaccid in my entire life. What a joke.
“Oh no, don’t apologize to me.” She comes over, obstructing my view, leaning over me. “But you should tell her how you feel. Maybe she can help with your problem.”
“You’re too nice,” I mumble.
She gives me a half smile. “See you around, Noah.” She leaves me with my embarrassment and thoughts of Red. It’s the first time since my ex that someone else has taken up residency in my head.
And it scares me.
I’m up the next morning, having made the decision last night to hide in my cabin, putting my phone on silent and trying to get her out of my head.
Whatever effect she has on me is something I wasn’t prepared for.
Granted, she makes my dick twitch, and her smart mouth pushes my buttons, but for her to infiltrate my mind while I’m trying to hook up with someone else? Absolutely diabolical.
It’s completely out of left field.
Mark, Cody, Taylor, and I are at the top, waiting for maintenance to smooth out the half pipe. The air is frigid, the sun bright and blinding, the only warmth to kiss my cheeks. Closing my eyes, I breathe deeply, cold air coating my throat, lighting my muscles up, and keeping my focus sharp.
“Where did you go last night?” asks Cody.
I open my eyes, finding him staring at me with concern. “I stayed inside, wanting a night to myself.”
His eyes squint slightly, definitely not taking the bait but accepting my answer regardless.
Cody is the only member of our team who doesn’t pry into others’ business but will lend a listening ear if needed. A calm presence through a storm, a solid friend overall. And yet he’s the youngest in our group. He's a good kid. I wish he weren’t so hellbent on his on-and-off-again girlfriend.
Henry approaches us, bundled up in sleek snow gear, taking a picture of Cody and me. “For the gram.”
“Do we have any idea if they started to sell tickets?” asks Mark, joining us.
“I tried to ask the owner's daughter, but she just gives me attitude,” Henry says, typing on his phone.
“Did you say something to her?” questions Cody. His tone is rather accusatory. Weird.
He barely looks up from his phone and says, “I bumped into her at the coffee station. She argued with me about not paying attention. I told her if she knew I wasn’t, then why didn’t she move out of the way before we collided?
I tried changing the subject, asking about ticket sales, and she just blew me off. ”
“They’re both so feisty, I love it,” comments Taylor, sliding his goggles down to cover his eyes. He takes his place, strapping his snow boots, and starts his run, shouting, “Let’s gooo!”
“Both?” Henry gives us a confused look.
“I’m assuming he means Hannah and Maya. Quite the duo.” Mark lines up next, watching Taylor perform below.
“They’re best friends, right? I get why they act defensive, especially to us outsiders. They’re putting all their trust in us to save their favorite place. I’d be on edge too,” comments Cody, following behind Mark.
I blink. “You’re quite team Hannah and Maya this morning.”
Cody looks over his shoulder and shrugs. “They’re not bad people.”
“Then again, I’m not the one fighting my sexual tension with one of them,” Mark adds, chuckling.
I flip him off behind his back as he starts his run, hands up in the air like the cocky bastard he is.
Henry comes over, flashing me his phone. “Got another sponsor lined up. Are you interested?”
But I’m too busy staring ahead, where Red comes into view, climbing up with her best friend.
My eyes are hidden behind tinted goggles, watching every move she makes, right down to her facial expression.
Even now, her nose scrunches as she talks to Maya, one of her arms moving with animation to whatever they’re discussing.
Her hair is fiery like her personality, and I can’t help but let myself indulge in inappropriate thoughts of how feisty she could be in the bedroom.
What words and moans I can get those sinful lips to release, or how my hands could roam all her curves while I’m buried deep inside her, admiring who and what she is.
It would be an honor to have her sit on my face and ride it until she begs me to stop.
That’s the real tragedy here. Coming off arrogant and rude is NOT my usual demeanor, but when someone takes a baseball bat to your heart, it's hard to repair the damage and let someone else in. Red just does something to me that I put up walls to protect myself. Even if I want to feel her hot mouth on me, it’s wrong to rile her up, but the faces she makes and her quick comebacks are too entertaining.
And I won’t let up, because I don’t think I want off this train, and I haven’t even touched her—yet.
That’s the real tragedy here.