Page 95 of On the Slopes of Tahoe
Rory’s face softens and her head tilts to the side, her smile turning from one of excitement to one that holds more. Emotions I’m afraid to put a name to. Emotions that mimic those I feel bubbling in my chest. I don’t know what she’s doing here, but the time and space between us feels like a rubber band that we stretched too far, and it finally snaps.
I stalk across the space, and when my lips meet hers, I feel like I’m finally home.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Rory
The moment when Willow saw me standing outside the car at school pickup was perfect. She was so excited, literally running the last thirty feet between us once she caught sight of me. This moment though… I didn’t even let myself dream it would be like this. I didn’t know what to expect after the radio silence of the past month and a half. Now, with Breck’s hands tenderly framing my face and his lips insistent against mine… I know I made the right decision.
I lean into him and inhale his scent. It surrounds me to the point where there’s nothing else. No one else.
A throat clears nearby and a giggle follows. Wes and Willow, thick as thieves those two. Breck and I pull apart, still not acknowledging the rest of our little group. His thumbs trace over my cheekbones and his eyes search mine.
“What’re you doing here?” he asks, almost reverently, like he can’t believe it’s me in his arms.
“This,” I murmur, pressing up on my toes to kiss him again. It’s as good as I remember.
After a moment, Breck steps back, only to pull me into his side like he can’t stand not touching me now that I’m here.
He narrows his eyes and uses his free hand to point at my brother. “You—why didn’t you tell me?”
Wes shrugs with a wicked smirk on his face. “Can I hug mysister now?”
The apartment isn’t huge, but I run the few paces between us and jump into his arms.
“I’m here!” I squeak in his ear.
“You’re here. God, I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
He holds me a little tighter before finally releasing me so he can look me over. “Your flight was okay?”
“Perfect. A little long. Think you could talk to Qantas about that?” I sigh, grinning. “I could probably use a shower.”
“That’s probably a good idea,” Wes says, pulling back farther and making a face.
I swat his arm. “Rude.”
“I only meant because you two,” he says, indicating between me and Breck, “are going out.”
“Wait, what?” I jerk back.
“Yup.” He looks at Willow. “You up for pizza, a movie, and a sleepover with Uncle Wes and Aunt Joss?”
“Hell yes!” Willow bursts out.
“Hey! Language,” Breck scolds her, but he looks like he really couldn’t care less.
“Well, that’s settled. You”—he points at me—“shower, and you two can leave when you’re ready.”
“But… are you sure?” I ask. I’ve only gotten to see him for five minutes.
“Would you stop? You’re here for two weeks.” He waggles his finger. “And you two have a lot to talk about.”
Breck steps up next to me, his hand skating along my low back to my hip. “I don’t have anything here for Willow. I didn’t know about this plan. Rory, you good with this? You must be exhausted.” His fingers dance along my cheek to cup my face, searching for the answer in my eyes.
Yes, I’m exhausted, but when he looks at me like that… It’s like a shot of adrenaline, and I could ride that high all day.
