My Mom's Ex-Husband (The Forbidden Fun)

“No, sweetheart, you can be athletic even if you’re curvy,” Hunter says. “Besides, you’re climbing a mountain right now, so you’re definitely somewhat athletic at least. You don’t have to be skinny to be good at sports.”

“It’s not just that…”

But Hunter meets my eyes.

“Listen honey, athletes more than anyone understand that weight has nothing to do with health or general fitness. There are plenty of bigger people who are stronger and faster than me and it takes real muscle to get down a mountain on skis. What matters how much you work out and exercise, and not what the scale says.”

I swallow with tears in my eyes.

“Unfortunately, not everyone thinks that way.”

He leans over and kisses me tenderly. The PDA is unexpected, and I melt against him.

“I know, and I’m sorry about that,” he growls. “I hope you know that I think your body is amazing, though. Obviously, I love being inside you.”

I bite my lip, feeling emotional.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “I love having you inside me too.” With that, we kiss passionately before pulling away to finish our lunch on a lighter note. After it’s done, Hunter pulls me up to begin hiking again.

“Ready?” he asks with a quirked eyebrow. “I see another promontory in the distance that looks promising.”

“Promontory?” I tease. “Why, what big words you use, Mr. Stockton!”

He merely growls and pulls me in for another quick kiss.

“Hey, just because I didn’t go to college doesn’t mean that I’m a dunce. So promontory, it is. I’ll be teaching you a lot of other new words too, baby girl – while we’re in bed, that is.”

And with that, we’re off. The rest of the hike is amazing, and I feel incredibly happy with the sunshine on my head, while trailing behind this handsome man’s broad back. After all, Hunter Stockton appreciates me just the way I am, and I’ve never been happier for it.

5

Hunter

* * *

When we get back into my truck, we’re exhausted and dirty but incredibly content too. The hike was grueling, but Faith is an athletic girl. Maybe she doesn’t think so because of her curvy figure, but I saw how she scaled those rocks, and how she was able to walk for three hours straight. She’s healthy, active, and round, which is exactly how I prefer my women.

After slamming the truck doors shut, I rev the engine and start backing out of the lot.

“So, tell me more about your skiing,” Faith says conversationally. “What’s it like?”

I grin.

“Well, what do you want to know?”

“Where do you usually compete? I know you said all over the world, but are most of your tournaments in the U.S.? In Europe?”

I think for a moment.

“It depends. When I was younger, I went to a lot of overseas competitions because there are a lot of amazing mountains all over the world. But now that I’m getting up there in age, I stick to the United States.”

Faith giggles. “You’re not old!”

I shoot her a sideways look.

“Maybe not chronologically, but I am for a professional athlete. Most of the people I started with have retired by now, if you can believe it.”

Her eyes widen. “Wait, really? Are you serious?”

I nod.

“Things like knees and backs get worn down fast when you’re going down a hill at sixty miles an hour. In our sport, it’s possible to have the body of an eighty year old even when you’re only thirty.”

She nods solemnly.

“So do your friends have other jobs now?”

I shrug a bit. “Some do, but most of them earned enough money as professional athletes to live a good life, so long as they manage their finances right.”

“Oh, wow. I didn’t realize how much money there was as a competitive skier! I thought it was maybe a middle-income job at best.” Then, she covers her mouth with her hand, turning to look at me with wide eyes. “I’m sorry for being so rude,” she says quickly. “I hope you don’t hate me.”

I shake my head.

“No, honey, it’s totally fine.” And it is. I love when Faith blurts something out because it tells me what’s on her mind. But she deserves to know a bit about my finances. “I do make a lot of money, but it’s not about that for me. I keep racing because I love being on the slopes, and feel most like myself when I’m on skis. Plus, winter is my favorite season because I get to travel and experience the finest, most challenging mountains in the world.”

“But you’ve never been to Medina before? Even though we have such an amazing resort?” she teases.

“I’ve never been here to ski,” I say, somewhat evasively. “But I’ve heard of this little town before.” After all, I’d rather not rehash the last time this city came up in my life. Faith’s right – me landing here isn’t completely random, but I want to keep that under wraps for now.