Page 75 of Beauty & Chaos

Jesus.

That’s when I hear her laugh.

A full belly laugh.

The most beautiful sound in the fucking world.

I turn and take in Brook’s blonde hair splayed out—her wool hat AWOL—and the pink of her cheeks. I’ve never seen anyone more alive.

My lips twitch, my chest starts bouncing and, without my permission, I’m laughing just as hard and loud.

Brook turns to me, and our laughter shifts into grins, like we are two school kids, and then fades to a simmering heat.

We both know what this is.

I don’t think she wants it any more than I do. But it's goddamn here, and I’m not sure what to say.

It’s going to fuck up my plan.

Yet, I don’t want to move. I want to lie here and watch those pretty blue eyes smile at me while the snow melts around us. Part of me aches to reach out to her and say we’ll work this out. The other part wants to run.

The problem is she doesn’t know me.

Not all of me.

She hasn’t met the devil inside me. The one who wants to destroy my father and who will do anything to make that happen.

Giving up Brook?

Yesterday, I would have said yes.

Today? Today feels different.

She chews her bottom lip between her teeth, and her eyes drift up to the sky.

I’m fucked. Completely and utterly fucked.

I want this woman.

And there’s no way on earth I can have her.

I’ve lied about who I am, and it’s only a matter of time before she figures it out or I have to tell her. Today would be a good time...but we all know that’s not happening.

Can I really walk away from the need to destroy my father and be happy with that for the rest of my life? Could I do that to keep this smart, kind, blue-eyed beauty?

––––––––

BROOKLYN

––––––––

CHRIST MY BODY hurts, and this time it’s not because Trav has spent the night devouring me.

Although he did.

No, the need to prove I was a competent skier is coming back to bite me. Shoot me, I’m competitive. Thankfully, our suite has the most divine hot tub with a view of the mountains, so we’re currently soaking in it and listening to the wind roar outside.

I’m wondering if Trav is one of those kidnapping kind of billionaires I read about in novels. If so, let’s hope today is the day he decides to break the law. I’d happily stay right where I am and shrivel into a prune. Die happily staring out at the Matterhorn. And the gorgeous naked man soaking opposite me.