SEALed Under the Mistletoe

Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

VICKIE

V ickie tightened the straps on her ski boots. The water-repellent one-piece ski jumpsuit made her feel like Stay Puff Marshmallow Man. Glancing at her reflection in the glass, she looked an awful lot like the character from Ghost Busters. She glanced around the bustling ski lodge and took in the eclectic mix of her group. Knox and his brothers, her sisters, her older brothers and their significant others, and a few cousins and all of Gage’s family and friends. The group had young and old, and every body type imaginable. Like the spa, the entire ski slope was booked for their private party. It was lively, chaotic, and exactly what she’d expected from Melody’s wedding.

The room was buzzing with energy, laughter, and the occasional frustrated muttering of someone struggling with unfamiliar equipment. Vickie adjusted her gloves, trying not to notice how Knox kept stealing glances her way as he fastened his skis. She told herself she wasn’t flustered by it—not even a little.

“Ready?” Knox’s voice was deep, warm, and far too close for her comfort.

Vickie turned to find him standing next to her, skis slung over his shoulder, his easy grin firmly in place. She swallowed, determined not to let him rattle her. “Of course. I grew up skiing here. It’s been a few years, but I’m sure I can still manage.”

“Good,” he said, nodding toward the gondola. “Stick with me.”

She wondered briefly at the bossiness in his tone. It was the same tone he’d used with her three years ago that got her to agree to go on a date with him in the first place. The bossy, dominant but not over the top tone. The tone that went straight from his lips to her clit.

The group began loading into the ski lifts, splitting into pairs or trios. Vickie found herself ushered toward a two-person lift, Knox sliding into the seat beside her. The cold metal bar came down with a satisfying click, and the lift jerked forward, carrying them up the mountain.

Vickie exhaled slowly, the panoramic view stealing her breath. The pine trees below were dusted with fresh snow, their branches glistening like a postcard brought to life. The scene reminded her of the Thomas Kinkade scene she had framed in her office. Above them, the sky was a brilliant shade of blue, unbroken save for the occasional drifting cloud.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Knox said, his voice quieter now.

“Yeah,” she admitted, unable to keep the awe out of her tone. “It’s like another world up here.”

They sat in companionable silence for a few moments, the rhythmic hum of the lift filling the air. Up here, she could forget about everything. The air was fresh and clean. There were no bills, no responsibilities. She hadn’t skied in at least a decade. She hoped it was like riding a bike. As if he read her mind, Knox turned to her.

“How confident are you about skiing?” He asked.

Vickie rolled her eyes. “I told you; I used to ski as a kid. We came here every couple of years as a family. I’ll be fine.”

He smirked. “I just don’t want to have to carry you back to the lodge if you wipe out.”

“Please,” she shot back, playfully bumping his arm with her elbow. “I could probably out-ski you.”

His grin widened. “Is that a challenge?”

“You bet it is.”

The lift crested the hill, and they dismounted gracefully, gliding over the snow to regroup with the others. After a brief discussion, the group decided to stick to the beginner and intermediate trails to warm up, everyone eager to find their rhythm.

Knox stayed close to Vickie as they started down a moderate slope, his movements fluid and controlled. Vickie’s initial nerves faded as muscle memory kicked in. The cold wind rushed past her face, and the familiar thrill of skiing coursed through her veins.

“Not bad,” Knox called over his shoulder as she kept pace with him.

“Not bad?” she huffed, deliberately zipping past him. “Try to keep up.”

He laughed, chasing after her. They navigated the trail with ease, weaving through the other skiers and enjoying the playful competition. By the time they reached the bottom, Vickie was grinning, her cheeks flushed from the cold and exertion.

“See? I told you,” she said, brushing snow off her jacket.

Knox shook his head, his smile softening as he looked at her. “Yep. Looks like you’ve still got it, Vick.”

Her breath hitched at the way he said her name, but before she could respond, he gestured toward a branching trail map.

“Let’s take that one,” he said, pointing to a wider, more advanced slope.

Vickie followed his gaze, her excitement bubbling. But then her eyes drifted to another trail marker, one labeled with a double black diamond.

“Not that one,” Knox said firmly, catching the direction of her glance.

“Why not?” she asked. She remembered taking it in high school and doing just fine.

“That trail’s no joke,” he said, his tone serious now. “It’s steep, narrow, and riddled with ice patches. It’s dangerous and not worth the risk.”

“I can handle it,” she said, the challenge in his voice sparking her stubborn streak. How many times was she underestimated? She grew up skiing out here on this mountain, she could do it.

“Vickie,” he warned, his brows drawing together. “I’m serious. Don’t. I just found you, I don’t want to lose you again.”

“You are overreacting.”

“I’m not. There are other trails we can take that are fun but not as dangerous.”

The allure of the trail was too tempting, especially after the warnings he gave her. At least, that was the excuse she would give herself for making one of the stupidest decisions of her life. It definitely wasn’t her wanting to see what would happen if she didn’t listen to him. So, when Knox turned to talk with one of his brothers, Vickie veered off, heading straight for the double black diamond. She ignored the little voice in her head telling her it was a bad idea.

And, it was. It was a very bad idea.

The slope started steep but manageable, and for a brief moment, she felt triumphant. But then the snow turned icy, her skis losing traction as she picked up speed. Panic surged as she struggled to regain control. She was propelled forward and her speed picked up faster and faster. Her movements were jerky and uncoordinated.

She was going to die.

Or at least, end up with a broken leg.

She tasted bile when she swallowed hard, her heart was speeding faster than what she knew was biologically possible.

“Vickie!” Knox’s voice boomed from somewhere behind her, but she couldn’t look back.

Her heart pounded as she careened toward a tree, the massive trunk looming closer with each passing second. She braced herself for the inevitable crash?—

And then, out of nowhere, Knox was there. He tackled her from the side, their bodies tumbling into the snow in a tangle of limbs.

The impact knocked the wind out of her, but she was too relieved to care. She lay sprawled in the snow, staring up at the sky as her breath came in ragged gasps.

“What are you thinking?” Knox demanded; his voice sharp with panic as he loomed over her.

“I—” she started, but he cut her off.

“You could’ve gotten yourself killed!” His face was inches from hers, his expression a mix of anger and fear.

“I didn’t think?—”

“Exactly,” he said, his hands gripping her shoulders. “You didn’t think. Do you have any idea how close you came to?—”

“Knox,” she said softly, her voice trembling.

He stopped, his jaw tightening as he looked at her. She saw the worry in his eyes, the way his breathing matched her own uneven rhythm.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, the words barely audible.

His jaw loosened and his gaze softened. The anger was replaced by something else entirely. He let out a shaky breath, his forehead resting against hers. “Don’t scare me like that again,” he murmured.

For a moment, the world around them disappeared. It was just the two of them, lying in the snow, their breaths mingling in the cold air.

Then, almost imperceptibly, Knox tilted his head. His lips brushed against hers, tentative at first, then firmer as she responded. The kiss was soft, warm, and utterly consuming, a stark contrast to the icy snow beneath them. When they finally pulled apart, Vickie’s heart was racing for an entirely different reason.

“That’s payment for scaring me half to death,” he teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Vickie smiled shyly, still catching her breath. “I didn't mean to?—”

“I know you didn't,” he interrupted, tracing her jaw with his fingers. “But next time, remember what might happen if you don't listen. I know what kind of romance novels you read and what kind of man you're looking for. And trust me, I have no problem spanking that beautiful ass of yours.”

Heat rose to her cheeks at his words, but she couldn't deny the thrill she felt at his bold statement.

“You were right,” she said, her voice breathless. “I should’ve listened.”

Knox chuckled, his hand brushing a strand of hair from her face. “When you are mine, I’ll make sure you understand the importance of listening to me. You’re lucky I was here to catch you.”

“Always the hero,” she teased, though her voice was laced with arousal.

“Only when it comes to you,” he said, his tone serious again.

She swallowed hard, her gaze searching his. There was no mistaking the authenticity in his words or the raw honesty in his eyes.

“Knox...”

“Don’t,” he said, pressing a finger to her lips. “Don’t overthink it. Just... feel.”

For once, Vickie let herself do exactly that. In that moment, with the snow falling softly around them and Knox holding her close, nothing else mattered.