Page 84 of Corrupt Me

Dane’s brow furrows. “Yes, and that is suspicious as fuck.”

“She’s planning something, and that was why she sent us away,” Blake counters.

“So what? Aren’t you tired of always fighting? I am, so just stop it, and let’s enjoy this,” Mia says.

“At least try,” I suggest.

Hunter’s eyes turn to slits. “I don’t like the secrecy one bit.”

“No one does, but I’ll find out what’s going on. Now let’s try to unwind,” Kaden says, and we all nod.

After we buy our lift tickets, we hop on the gondola, taking us high onto the mountain. Hunter leans on the opposite glass wall, watching me, which makes it challenging to imprint this scenic view into my memory. Lucky for us, I can come back here anytime.

Abi pulls her phone out, and we take selfies before the guys photo-bomb our girls-only pictures. For a moment, we’re just college students having a good time, not heirs to a corrupt legacy whose lives are being threatened. As I take some pictures, the group engages in a snowboard versus ski conversation.

“You could snowboard. It’s okay if you’d prefer that, baby,” Mia tells Blake, who looks at her incredulously.

“Where you go, I go.”

I swoon, hugging them. I am so happy for my friends.

On top of the mountain is an après-ski location where people congregate, drink, and have fun. Sun lounges stretch out along the edge of the mountain, and music blares from the speakers. The good vibe catches me, drawing a smile from me.

Two by two, my friends take off down the mountain. I tap my snowboard and slide down in long curves. Surrounded by a blanket of snow and the sun casting its light all around me, this place appears as if I am on another planet. It’s glittery and peaceful, making it easy to forget everything else. But not for long.

As I reach the top of the hill again after my run, I catch a group of girls giggling at Hunter, who has taken off his helmet and is basking in the sun. The one on the right points at him, and another nearly trips on her feet, ogling him.

Three other girls are arguing over who gets to call dibs on him and how hot he is, and that pisses me off. I hate that I can’t be secure enough in what we have to stop the jealousy from ripping into my confidence.

One week. One damn week, that’s all, and then he’ll be free to be with someone else.

After three runs down the slopes, I tell my friends I’m thirsty and head inside the ski lodge. It’s an open space with thick wood columns boasting a cabin-like atmosphere. Everywhere you look from the floors to the tables, wood dominates the space. An intricate wooden bar spans the entire wall on the left side, and a huge fireplace fills the right corner. The large windows offer natural light, making the rustic space feel cozy.

The smell of food wafts through the air as people chat animatedly, drinking and enjoying their meals.

I am at the bar when the guy next to me flashes me a smile. “I thought this place was beautiful. But it’s you who’s making it more so.”

Not used to that attention and blatant attempt at flirting, I smile awkwardly, asking for a hot chocolate.

“I’m Nick.”

“And she’s taken,” Hunter says in a gravelly voice behind me that has goose bumps erupting on my skin.

“Well, mate. I haven’t been jealous many times in my life, but you’re one lucky guy.”

“Actually, we’re not together,” I blurt out.

He only wants me for a week. There’s no reason for him to claim otherwise.

Hunter’s nostrils flare, pinning me with a hard look that promises an even harder fuck. That won’t deter me. I am on an emotional rampage, fueled by jealousy.

“Well, that changes everything,” Nick says, and I sweep my gaze over him. With his thick blond hair, straight nose, and full lips, he looks nice. Even behind his ski attire, he appears to be in good shape.

“You seem like the type who cares about how he looks. Don’t make me rearrange your features, mate,” Hunter spits the last part out.

I plaster on my fakest smile and even pat Hunter’s arm. “I’m sorry, my friend here is very protective of me.”

Hunter grits his teeth and whispers in my ear, “I’ll show you ‘friend’ tonight. You’re going to erase that word from your vocabulary when thinking of me.”

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