Yard Sale
Mollie swallows thickly, and after giving me a searching look, she turns her gaze to the mountains.
“This is my favorite part, you know. It’s so quiet and peaceful,” she says with a small smile, echoing my thoughts from earlier.
I clear my throat. “Like the calm before the storm,” I mutter.
“Exactly,” she whispers, sounding surprised.
Once we’re at the top, I hop out first and extend my hand to help her down.
“This way,” I say, and she follows. I lead her to the lookout deck. You can see the whole lake from here. People pay to come up just for this view.
“Oh my God,” she breathes, taking it all in. The crystal blue lake that reflects like a mirror, the snow-covered mountaintops in the distance. “It’s beautiful.”
“Beautiful doesn’t even fucking begin to describe it,” I say, but I’m not looking at the lake. The pink in Mollie’s cheeks deepens. I like making her blush. I want to make that whole body blush, again and again.
“Why did you bring me here?” she asks, her tone cautious and unsure.
I could give her some bullshit line, but if I remember correctly, Mollie is the type of girl who appreciates straightforwardness.
“You looked sad.” I shrugged. “I guess I wanted to fix it. Also, your ass looks fucking phenomenal, and I wouldn’t mind spending time with it again. I mean you. You again. And also your ass.”
She looks up at me with tears swimming in those brown eyes. Okay, I guess she didn’t appreciate the honesty…
“Whoa, my bad, Mollie. Don’t cry.”
“No,” she says, waving me off. “That was just really sweet.”
That’s not exactly the word I’d use to describe it, but I’m not going to argue. I notice a little smudge of brown on the corner of h
er berry-colored lips, and without thinking, I lean in and slowly slide my thumb across it. Mollie’s breath hitches, as I pull it back and suck it off my thumb.
“Mmm. Hot chocolate.”
Mollie bites her lip, and in a bold move, I lean forward again to lick it straight from the source. Her lips part, and I take the opportunity to suck her bottom lip into my mouth. Her palms come up to my chest, but instead of pushing me away, she grips my jacket. I take that as permission to slip my tongue inside, sliding it against hers.
“Cam!” a familiar voice shouts. I break away from Mollie with a groan and look over to see Emersyn with her parents and two older people. She holds up a finger, letting them know she’ll be right back, and runs over to us.
“Long time no see, Mini Shredder.” Who shall from now on be mentally referred to as Mini Cockblock.
“My mom and dad wanted to show my grandparents the lookout,” she says, rolling her eyes.
I laugh at her attitude and ruffle her wind-knotted hair. “Tough break,” I say sarcastically.
“I know, right? Is this your girrrrrlfriend?” Em sings.
“No,” I say, clearing my throat and scratching at the back of my neck. “Emersyn, this is my friend, Mollie. Mollie, this is one of my kids.”
Mollie’s wide eyes dart to mine, and I realize how that sounded.
“One of my students,” I’m quick to amend. “I teach at the ski school.”
“His best student,” Emersyn clarifies, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“You cocky little—” I start, but then I turn to Mollie. “She’s right, though. You’ll be seeing this kid on TV someday soon. Mark my words.”
Emersyn preens like a goddamn peacock and Mollie laughs at her antics, but her eyes are still glassy.
“I really have to go,” she says, hooking a thumb behind her. “But it was nice to meet you!” she tells Emersyn. Turning back to me, she adds, “Thank you for this.”