Obsessively Yours (Joe & Ella 1)

As we trudged from the changing area in our clumpy ski boots to the bottom of the slope that was covered in snow I skidded and almost fell on my ass.

“It’s so slippy!” I said sounding like a total idiot now.

“Yes, it’s snow.” He said but not in a condescending way, more playful at my naivety.

“Come on Bambi let’s get you on the lift and up to the top.”

He carried both skis and managed to part carry me across the snow to the elevator that acted as a lift to take us to the top of the slope. I was shaking in fear right now. I couldn’t believe I was actually going along with this. It was my worst nightmare.

“You are a glutton for punishment, I am the worst student when it comes to stuff like this, and my co-ordination is none existent.”

“I don’t mind, I like holding you and helping you,” he said as he kissed me on the end of my nose, “you are so cute right now, all wrapped up in a bundle of clothes and your kitten ear muffs with your pink cheeks and nose, looking terrified. It’s turning me on.” He winked.

“You’re twisted.” I smiled a shy smile.

When we got to the top I was literally sliding all over the place trying to find my footing to walk away from the lift and get to an area where I could feel safe. Joe just threw his skis down like he wasn’t human, clipped them onto his boots and started to move in front of me, holding both of my hands and guiding me forward. He put my skis on the floor next to me and held me tight as he helped me step each foot into place. Then he eased us down the slope slowly, him facing backward and me forward, all the while holding my hands and talking to me to keep me calm. I just kept my head down, feeling every muscle in my body tense in preparation for the pain of a fall.

“See you can do it.” He was being too kind, trying to boost my confidence, “You won’t fall I’ve got you, just relax and look up, look at me.”

“I can’t I need to look down or I’ll go dizzy.” I argued. I was going to ache all over tomorrow morning after this.

We made it to the bottom in one piece and I breathed out a huge sigh of relief.

“You are just too cute. I can’t wait to take you on the real slopes and show off my little Bambi girl.”

“I think I’ll be better staying at the bottom and finding a nice bar or coffee shop I can hide in. I shook my head at him now. There was no way I was going to gracing real slopes any time soon.

We went up and down a few times together. Joe was the ultimate gentleman and super teacher as he held me and gave me encouraging comments throughout my practise runs. After a while I was able to ski down on my own, at a very slow pace but alone all the same.

“I’ve held you back enough, why don’t you do a few rounds without me? I can watch you from the café in the warm.” I half stated and half pleaded. I didn’t want him to think I hadn’t enjoyed our date or that I was ungrateful. “Besides I’d like to see what you can do when you let go. I like watching you let go.” I said with a cheeky sparkle in my eyes.

He thought for a bit before relenting and walking me to the café first, setting me down with a caramel latte and a chocolate muffin, before heading back. “I’ll be five minutes baby, ten tops. I don’t like leaving you alone.”

“I’m fine. Go…” I shooed him away and sat back to enjoy the show.

He was amazing, he flew down the slopes like he was at the winter Olympics, skidding and sliding this way and that. He looked so at home out there, he loved it I could tell. I should have known this was his kind of thing. He was a fitness fanatic after all. Oh hell what would the next date be? I thought. Skydiving? Water skiing? Balancing on a tight rope over two sky scrapers? Anything was possible where this man was concerned.

He came back about ten minutes later looking totally pumped, his eyes shining and cheeks flushed.

“You are amazing!”

“I’ve had a lot of practise,” he said, “Once you’ve been skiing as much as I have you’ll get it.” I very much doubted I’d ever ‘get it’ but I just smiled up at him. I didn’t want to seem negative.

“Skiing is my heaven, I love it.” He looked at me questioningly. “So, what’s your idea of heaven angel?”

“Apart from you?” I bit my lip provocatively. “If I was to describe my heaven it would be total relaxation, no stress, no phones or computers, nothing but me, chilling and maybe a massage thrown in.”

He nodded to himself, “Noted, I’ll bear that in mind for our next adventure.”

“Thank you.” I sighed and kissed him on the chin.

“What, thank you for scaring you half to death and dragging you up and down the slopes and making you freezing cold?”

“No, thank you for sharing your heaven with me…and for looking after me. You were right, you are the best teacher ever.”

He smiled the kind of smile that lit up his face and shone from his eyes.

“I want to share everything with you beautiful girl of mine.”