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My arms reaching around him and holding Serena again too.
Feeling her hip under my hand, wanting to trace down over that fine ass of hers but contenting myself with a brief group hug with my friend and his daughter.
Reminding myself what she said.
‘After.’
“That’s more like it,” Greg announces, one arm around each of us as we all head back to the lodge for lunch.
As promised, our table’s still waiting and we don’t draw any attention as we come back inside. The buffet is our unanimous choice over the menu, especially once we’re told it’s all that’s left. The kitchen is closed now, the old sour-faced woman informs us, and reminding me, in particular, we’re lucky to get anything at all.
The look on my face is enough to make Greg punch my arm as she leaves, reminding me how we all agreed to have a good time, regardless.
“You’re right,” I grumble, finally chuckling as we all get up.
My hand on Serena’s back as I move her ahead of me, behind her dad towards the buffet, which has so much food left I’m grateful for that.
I’d forgotten how hungry I was.
Confusing physical hunger with my other, newest obsession.
Serena.
For all their gruff service, the lodge puts on a very decent spread of fresh and very well made food.
Frowning at how little Serena has on her plate, I urge her to have some more of everything.
Wanting to tell her she’s going to need her strength if I have my way.
But how?
How on earth can I get her all alone, with Greg at the table every meal, right next door to me in my cabin?
I hide the groan I make with a hungry sound as I turn my attention to the food instead of my new problem.
It feels like one of those good luck, bad luck stories. Something positive happens, but there are a dozen things in the way to stop you from getting to it.
But at least I know for sure know what I want.
I know from a simple look here and there as we eat that Serena is as interested in me as I am in her.
To the point, I think her dad’s even noticed it as much if not more than I have.
“Uh… Maybe tell us about your plans, Carter. Now that you’ve finished up at the rigs. What do you intend to do with yourself?” Greg asks, wiping his mouth with a napkin, giving Serena a firm look before he looks back to me.
“Well,” I muse loudly. “I don’t think Wendy and I will settle down anytime soon, if that’s what you mean,” I quip, trying to make light of recent events but see how much it hurts Greg.
Serena stifles a laugh, pretending to choke a little on her mineral water.
Greg’s eyes flash to his daughter again, his breath is sharp as he inhales before calming himself.
Telling himself everything I doubted myself until I had my hands on her.
Telling himself there’s no way his best friend and only daughter could ever find any real physical interest, let alone love.
The thought of that word makes me more curious about her, more curious about my own feelings.
And Greg seems only more determined to make sure we’re never alone again, not even for a minute.
“How ‘bout we head out for some snow after eating?” he suggests.
“I brought extra skis, Carter,” he adds, confirming what I know about him too well.
The man who might not have everything, but he almost does in the huge trunk in his truck.
Anything and everything for the great outdoors, and in any weather.
Serena makes a face, saying it’s too cold and maybe she’d prefer to stay in her cabin.
I shrug, seizing the opportunity to act normal and suggest Greg and I go ski together.
Serena pouts, but her dad doesn’t notice.
She suddenly livens up, saying maybe she could manage to go outside, after all, no point being cooped up in her room all alone is there.
“That’s settled then,” Greg confirms, assuming the role of our tour guide and group leader, which is fine by me.
I’ve had twenty years of organizing people and now there’s just one other who has my attention.
Telling myself I have a whole week with Serena, I yield to the concept I might not be holding her in my arms again anytime soon.
But I also remember what she said. The one word that’s been circling my mind since she said it.
‘After.’
“I’ll go get changed,” she chirps, suddenly more animated than ever and even ignoring the offer for dessert and coffee.
“I’ll have a cup with you Greg,” I offer once he says he’d prefer it and we both watch Serena disappear through the glass doors, out to her cabin.
Instinct tells me to follow her. To go with her and protect her.
Common sense tells me to stay put and act natural, keep her dad happy too.
