I scowled but couldn’t answer as we were almost to the top.
My board hit the snow, and I quickly stood up. The lift nudged me, but this time, I was prepared. I let the board move forward and put my back foot on the spot between my bindings like Erin had shown me. I was about to declare victory when my board picked up speed, and I panicked. My back foot jutted out, and I was about to do a faceplant when I felt strong arms around me, tugging me back.
Looking up, I saw Giles smirking down at me. “This doesn’t count as a success.”
“What if I say two-and-a-half out of four times?”
He raised his eyebrows as if considering my question. “I’ll allow it.”
He released my waist, and I hated to admit how much I wanted his hands to stay right where they were.
“So, what did Erin teach you so far?”
“I’ve just been riding down on my heels.”
“That’s good you’ve got that down, at least. We should work on your toe side and carving.”
He ran through a few instructions. He told me where to lean my weight and how to shift my body. As if to demonstrate, he would move slightly anytime he gave directions. I nodded along, but in reality, I was slightly distracted. He looked so in control and comfortable on a board. I mean, obviously, he did. What had I expected? But something about seeing him out here in person was different. He looked really good…
“Did you get all that?”
I realized he was talking to me. I pulled myself out of my thoughts and nodded my head. “Totally.”
He leaned down and strapped in his other binding while still standing. I had to plop on my butt, or I’d lose my balance.
“Alright, let’s take it slow. Start on your heel, and don’t pick up any speed. When you feel ready, switch to your toe and then back to your heel. You can exaggerate the movements to start with.”
He gave a quick demonstration until he was twenty feet down the hill.
“Your turn,” he called up to me.
“Okay, don’t look stupid,” I muttered under my breath. Me eating shit was not the visual I wanted Giles to have of me.
Placing my hands behind me, I pushed up from the ground. Once upright, I scooted myself down the hill on my heels. I did as he instructed and slowly let off my heels to transition to my toes. My board shifted beneath me. Once the nose was going straight forward, I picked up a little speed.
“Ahhh!” I panicked and leaned into my heels so hard that I fell on my butt.
“That was close.” Giles gave me a thumbs up. He was still below me on the hill because I had only moved forward about two feet.
“Don’t placate me!” I shouted back.
He chuckled and gestured for me to keep going.
I continued to try, and Giles continued to give me feedback. It took me five attempts of falling and getting back up, but at the end of the run, I finally managed to dig into my toes. Sure, I fell on my knees as soon as the board shifted, but I was getting more comfortable with the movements.
On the next run, I only fell twice and was able to transition from my heels to my toes a few times. At the bottom, I stopped on my heels and pumped my arms in victory. Unfortunately, that movement caused me to lose balance. I started to topple over before Giles rode up and grabbed me.
“Whoa there.” He laughed. “Good run, but you know I can’t follow you around and catch you all the time, right?”
“Why not?” I pretended to pout.
His grin widened as he stared down at me.
Time stopped for the next few seconds. His hands lingered around my waist, and his face was so close that I could smell his minty breath. Instinctively I licked my lips, and I swear he moved an inch closer to me.
Giles cleared his throat and stepped away. Looking down, I tried to mask my disappointment. For a moment there, it almost felt like he was going to kiss me…
That would be ridiculous, though. He had just gone from my moody nemesis to a casual acquaintance. I was imagining things because I was lonely. Plus, me and Giles? The part owner of the lodge? Talk about unprofessional. No way Bev would be pleased with that development.
