King Sized Beds and Happy Trails (Beds Series) (5 page)

“Let’s go, you goof.”

She punches my shoulder as she hands me my coat. “Looks like you need this. You’re a little nippy there.”

She dodges my headlock and skips outside. I grab all our stuff and catch up with her pace as we head to our new room.

With one bed.

I’m trying real hard not to think about it. She’s been my friend for years, since we were too little to understand the difference between play-doh and cookie dough. So this shouldn’t be a big deal.

Not a big deal.

But things are shifting below the belt and my chest is squeezing my lungs so tight I can barely breathe. Like it
is
a big deal. One bed, one room, and a locked mini bar I think I can get into. Not that I would. Lex’s rule of “no drinking” and all, which is understandable.

She grabs my arm, like she always does, and like always—
‘cause I’m an arrogant ass—I flex under her fingers and adjust the bag on my shoulder.

I can handle this. And when she starts skipping next to me, I know I need to handle it. ‘Cause it would suck to
ruin our friendship over my confusing feelings.

I glance over at her, she’s looking around the whole place, and it hits me.
She’s up here to try to get together with that jackhole, Sean. She’s looking for him right now. And when there’s nothing, she slumps her shoulders and huffs at the ground. Before she starts twirling that ring of hers, I pick up my leg, and kick her in the butt.

“You won’t beat me this time.” I grin and take off, knowing she’ll chase me and all the other crap going through her head will disappear, even if it’s just for a second.

When we reach our new cabin, she stops in the doorway and grabs my arm, yanking me back from going in without instructions. “You make sure the coast is clear.” Her eyes narrow and she points a finger in my face. “And I’ll know if you lie to me.”

I nod and do another lame Mission Impossible impression as I inspect every inch of the room.

“All clear.”

After a minute of studying my purple-free face, she breathes a sigh of relief, shrugs off her coat and does the same plop on the bed as she did befo
re. “I call this side.”

Okay, I know I said it wasn’t a big deal, but that’s a damn lie. I
can’t
sleep in the same bed as Lexie. It’ll be too weird.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take the floor. Lucky you, you get to have both sides.”

She sits upright, rolling her eyes. “Geez, Ry. You can fit like, five hundred people in this bed and they wouldn’t touch each other. I’m not letting you sleep on the floor.”

Of course she wouldn’t think it’s a big deal. Because to her, I’m just her good ol
e buddy, Ryan. And if I act weird about this, she’s going to catch on, and it’ll ruin everything.

I jump on the other side of the bed, stretching out and kicking off my shoes.
I’m being girly about this. So I’m manning up and relaxing. It’s Lexie. And I’m going to have fun this week, not tip toe around her like a pussy.

I throw her a grin as I tuck my arms behind my head.
“Now, I know you’ll try something with me in your sleep. Face it, Lex, your subconscious wants a piece of this. But, please be gentle with me.”

She punches my shoulder before resting her head against it. “You keep that morning wood and
those weird fantasies going through your mind to yourself, or you’ll be sleeping in the same room as Nate and Kaylee.”

“
Ugh. You win.”

It’s quiet between us, and it’s nice just listening to her think. She’s twisting her ring, but stops when she sees me watching.

“So, what do you want to do tonight?” I ask.

Her gaze goes out the window and wouldn’t you know it, jackhole and Ski Resort Barbie are headed to the hot tubs, huddled into each other since
it’s freezing and they’re practically naked. I groan, but Lex shoots upright.

“
Wanna go for a dip?”

My brand new black halter top and double string bikini bottom equals best investment ever! The only way my boobs could look better is if they were fake. I do a back check in the mirror, make sure I don’t have too much cheek hanging out then emerge from the bathroom.

Ryan is lying
down on the bed, feet dangling off the edge, and I watch the rise and fall of his chest. He changed into his snazzy black board shorts with the teal and white stripe across the top. A snore escapes him, and I can’t help myself. I run full force at the bed and land one foot on either side of him.

From the awesome dismount
, I land with a thud and Ryan’s body flings up.

“What the…
? Oh, it’s on.” He grabs me by the waist and flings me onto the bed. His fingers find my sides and my most ticklish spot as if they knew exactly where to go. I toss and turn, and when his hands brush the skin on my lower back they pause for a second as his eyes widen, and he looks down at my boobs. The sleepiness in his gaze has vanished, and I think he just realized I’m not in my jeans and t-shirt. I cock my eyebrow at him and poke his forehead.

“Up here, buddy.”

“I wasn’t…I…uh.” He shakes his head and his fingers go right back to my sides.

“Ahh!
” I scream as he tickles me until I can’t manage another scream. Arms, legs flailing I try to break free, but it’s no use against his tickle fingers and his unusually strong arms. “Mercy! Mercy!”

His fingers stop moving
, his hands wrap around my wrists and pin me down. “If I let go, you have to promise me we’re even.”

I stare up into his dark eyes and flash the most innocent smile I can muster. “Promise.”

He glares back at me, eyebrows drawn together. My innocent smile curls up and a giggle slips. “Liar!” he yells and his fingers go right back to my sides.

My legs kick back and forth, my arms following a similar suit until they make contact with a solid mass.

“Uhh!” Ryan’s hands fall from me, and he curls up into a ball.

“Oh my
God, Ry, I’m so sorry.” I’m not even sure what I hit. Felt like his hard head, but he’s holding his stomach. “Are you okay?” He holds his finger up, and I crawl closer. Not that I’m a doctor or anything, but I don’t like feeling helpless especially when it concerns Ryan.

I run my fingers through his hair and then rub his back. “Knocked the wind outta me,
” he says in a weird, deep voice. “That’s twice.”

“Oops.” I
give a slight shrug. “Sorry, but not for nothing. You could have broken my hand there, Hulk. Seriously when did your abs get so hard?” I look down at his stomach to emphasize my point, but my eyes wander to his happy trail.

I still remember when the hair grew in. He was so excited you would have thought he was sprouting gold. Back then it looked funny on his small lanky frame, but now…

“Enjoying the view?” he asks, and my head snaps back.

“You wish!” I poke his side
, and he shoots up.

“Trying to cause bodily harm again?”

“Bodily harm my ass. Man up! Now come on. There’s a hot tub with our names on it.”

I stand up ready to head out into the cold when a hoodie is draped over my shoulders.
I wrinkle my nose. “Ryan, how am I supposed to win over Sean in your sweatshirt? I mean don’t get me wrong it’s nice, but not nearly as sexy as my bikini.” I shake it off and let it fall to the floor.

His eyes move down to my boobs, but he darts them back up as if he wasn’t looking.
“Pneumonia isn’t sexy either.

“Sandy wasn’t wearing a sweatshirt.” I protest
, hands poised on my hips in my don’t-mess-with-me stance.

A dimple winks at the corner of his mouth.
“Really? You’re using her as an argument? Put the damn sweatshirt on.”

I shift from one foot to the other and peek up at him through
long lashes. He isn’t budging. His dimple went back into hiding, and he doesn’t look amused.

The longer it takes us to get to the hot tubs
, the more likely we’ll miss Sean or worse he’ll already be macking face with Sandy. I did not spend sixty bucks on a bathing suit for it not to be seen.

“Fine!”

He picks the hoodie off the floor and hands it to me. “You’re welcome,” he says and smirks in triumph.

I roll my eyes and start to walk away. “Lex?” I turn back around.
Ryan is zipping up his own jacket, but keeps his eyes on me. 

“Yeah
, Ry?”

“
Sweatshirt or not, if Sean doesn’t notice you…he’s an idiot.”

“And that’s why you’re my best friend. Now come on.” I lock my arm around his
, muscles flexing at my touch. I roll my eyes again and pull him out the door. “Holy crap, it’s cold!” I yank Ryan closer to me, hugging his bicep like it’s the only source of heat in the world.

“But you wanted to walk out in an eye patch.”
His arm wraps around my waist, and he draws me close to him. Heat radiates from his sides, and I nuzzle closer. He runs his hands up and down my sleeve, creating friction and a little bit of warmth.

“Eye patch?”

“That’s about as big as what you’re wearing.”

“For your information this eye patch cost me a day’s pay.”

His hand stops, so do his feet. His lips press into a thin line. “Are you out of your freaking mind?”

“What?” I ask confused by his sudden anger.

“A day’s pay, Lex! For what? A few pieces of material. Really?”

“Looking hot is expensive
.” I throw my hands up in the air. “What do you want from me?”

He runs his hands through his golden brown
streaked hair that he thinks just looks dirty. Like it doesn’t know what color it wants to be. Crazy boy. I’d kill for his natural highlights. Not that I could pull them off. I don’t have his lingering summer glow.

“To realize you don’t need an overpriced bikini to look hot.”

I go to spit words back at him, but his hit me like a water balloon to the face. I’m pissed over his reaction. It’s my money
. I can spend it however I want. But then I’m not pissed anymore. He always knows the right things to say. And it may just be because he knows me better than anyone else, but regardless a calm washes over me, and my mouth quirks up at the corners.

“I’ve saved every penny I’
ve ever made. I just wanted to splurge on something that would make me feel good. And this bathing suit…makes me feel good.”

He heaves a gusty sigh.
“Can’t argue with that now, can I?” Then throws his arm back over my shoulders. “Didn’t mean to—”

“Be you?”

He lowers his eyes to me. “Yeah.”

“Apology accepted. Now can we stop arguing? It’s seriously putting a damper on my mini vacation in paradise.”

“Truce.” He holds his hand out to me, and I shake it.

“Truce.”

The closer we get, the more steam is visible, rising from the tubs and into the bright blue skies. My feet break into a dance, but stop before anyone other than Ryan sees me.

“Calm down there
, happy feet.”

“Do you see him?” I scan the three tubs, looking for the dark hair and gorgeous face. My heart sinks when they don’t find him.

A jab to my side makes me jump. “Over there.” Ryan nods his head to the far corner. And there in all his glistening glory is Sean. No Sandy. Score!

Coat hangers line the wall
, and Nate’s fedora hangs near an open hook. I strut over to Sean, hips swaying as I let Ryan’s sweatshirt fall from my arms. I toss it back to Ry, and his face strains. I laugh it off because we called a truce, he can’t say a darn thing.

I know how good my ass looks, now if Sean will just look this way and see what he
’s missing out on.

“Bestie! Over here!” My strut turns into a stagger as I lose my balance.
Before I can straighten myself, my foot slips on a patch of ice. Cold, sharp pain runs through my butt cheek as I hit the deck with a loud thump.

My ass is cold, but my cheeks are burning with embarrassment. Talk about least
sexy move ever.

“Lexie
!” Sean’s voice fills my ears like a beautiful song. He pulls his body out of the water— dripping wet and oh my—and jogs over to me not missing a single step. “Are you okay?” His blue eyes look me up and down.

Sixty bucks well spent.

“Yeah, just a little embarrassed.”

Sean
extends his hand to me, and my heart races at the sight. Anticipation of his skin against mine runs through me as I reach up to take hold. With one gentle tug he has me back on my feet.

“Nothing to be embarrassed about.” His dark hair drips water onto his chest
, and I can’t help but watch as they run down his pecs.

“You look amazing,” he says, looking me over once more, but this time not hiding his approval.

I want to jump up and down clapping, but I’ll save that for behind closed doors. “Thanks.”

“Oh my
God, Lex. Are you okay? I didn’t mean to scare you. How’s your ass? You hit hard!” Kaylee bounces obviously not immune to the cold air.

“Fine.”

“You do have plenty of cushion.”

My eyebrows rise
, and I tilt my head in her direction. “Kaylee,” I say through clenched teeth.

“What
? You do! I wish I had more cushion. Maybe my jeans would fit a little better.” Kaylee, how I love the girl, but sometimes her mouth is more destructive than a category five hurricane.

“Babe, it’s too cold. Come back here,” Nate calls from the hot tub,
black hair slicked back, arms out in front of him waiting for Kaylee’s return. Ryan sits across from him, arms resting on the outer part of the deck.

“Coming,” she sings
over her shoulder. She turns back to me, big green eyes rise, glossed lips purse together. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Still fine.”

“Okay good.” She jumps in the air does a spinny, turny thing and skips back to the boys without managing to ass plant. Guess she’s not as talented as me.

I honestly thought her and Nate wouldn’t leave their room for the whole trip. I’m happy they did. It’s nice to have familiar faces around
even if she did just totally embarrass the heck out of me

Sean is still standing
at my side, eyes roaming up and down the curves of my body. “Thanks for helping me up.”

“No problem.”

“Where’s Sandy?” As quickly as the words leave my mouth, I want to take them back. He’s here, standing with me, talking to me, checking me out, and I bring up the girl who stole him from me.

“Uh, b
athroom.”

Probably making sure her makeup isn’t melting off her face from all the steam.

“So, you going to hit the trails tomorrow? I hear Bear Claw is a pretty sick hill.”

“I’d say so
. It’s a double black diamond.”

Double black diamond exceptionally steep slopes and other hazards such as narrow trails, exposure to wind, and the presence of obstacles such as steep drop-offs or trees, intended only for the most experienced skiers. Thank you
, Wikipedia.

I’ve never skied or
snowboarded a day in my life, but Sean’s a seasoned snowboarder. He even spent last winter break in Switzerland.

Sean grabs my arm and leans down to my ear. I swear my heart stops. “You know Sandy and I—”

“Excuse me!” Sandy pushes past me and practically forces Sean’s arm around her. Her red bikini clashes with her pale skin and overdone hair. Unlike my black one that compliments any skin tone.

“I was just helping Lexie up. She slipped on the ice.”

“Whatever. I’m cold. Can we get back in the hot tub?”

“Sure,” Seans says, but his eyes are still on mine. “Maybe I’ll see you on the trails.” Sandy rips his arm, causing him to stumble away from me. He follows her to the other side of the deck, but his eyes linger on mine.

Lexie two.

Sandy zero.