Page 22 of Entranced in the Mountains
“If I’ll have you?” I say as I cup her cheeks in my big hands. “Angel, you’re already mine.”
She moans as I kiss her again.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Ellie
Ifeel like I’m floating on a cloud by the time I head back to the inn to shower and get dressed for dinner. My body is buzzing and I can feel every hard beat of my heart reverberating throughout my chest.
That kiss… My god…
I moan as I replay it in my head over and over, feeling Ryland’s strong hands on my hips, pulling me closer. The blissful growls and groans he was making. Thetasteof him.
My whole being longs for another one of those magical kisses.
I’m on cloud nine as I walk down the hall and slide my key into the door.
But then, it all comes crashing down.
“Ellie,” Mira snaps as she opens the door across the hall. “We need you in here. Now.”
I sigh when I spot Sloane and Tessa in the room behind her. All three of them look despondent. Tessa is in tears.
I’d give anything to be back up on that mountain with Ryland instead of walking into whatever shitstorm is waiting for me in that room.
“What’s going on?” I ask as I walk in, my mood plummeting as reality hits.
Mira closes the door and leans against it, her expression hard enough to cut diamonds. “Do you want to tell her, Sloane?”
Sloane shifts in her seat, looking very uncomfortable. “I’m pregnant.”
I gasp, squeal, and then run over and wrap my arms around her. “Congratulations!” I say, squeezing her tight. “I’m so happy for you.”
She sighs and hugs me back. “Thank you,” she says, smiling with relief. I don’t think she got the same warm reaction from Tessa and Mira.
“She’s quitting,” Mira says bluntly.
“I’m sorry,” Sloane says, turning red. “I’m just not enjoying it anymore. You two are always fighting and the constant grind of traveling is starting to get to me. I’m just… I’m done.”
“What are we supposed to do?” Tessa says.
“Are you seriously only thinking of yourselves?” I say, looking at them both. “This is amazing news. Sloane is going to be a mother. What is wrong with you two?”
They just stare blankly, probably wondering what is wrong with me.
“We can ask Rachel,” Tessa mutters, ignoring my question. “She plays the violin.”
“Ugh,” Mira says, rolling her eyes. “She’s so annoying though. I guess we can ask her.”
Something in me snaps. Maybe it’s from the wonderful day I had, or the adrenaline of being in Ryland’s big muscular arms still radiating through me, but I realize I’m out too. I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m done.
I take a deep breath, pull my shoulders back, and look Mira right in the eyes. “I’m done too.”
“What?” Tessa gasps. “Why?”
I lock eyes with her. “It’s not fun anymore. I’m out.”
Tessa starts crying again and Mira crosses her arms while muttering something under her breath. Only Sloane looks happy for me. She gives me a conspiratorial smile when I look at her. She knows how miserable these two can make things. We’ve been living it for years.
