Sadie (18+)

Chapter 11

Skipping school for a week to spend time with the Alessi's at their lodge was always a treat, though I hated to admit I was excited for the wrong reason.

However, every time I made a subtle move on Vincent, I took two steps backward, slinking back into my shell like a frightened turtle.

I wanted it to be different this time. Every night since I'd watched that nature documentary with him, I felt myself growing more impatient, more stimulated as I kept the memory on replay in my head.

Unfortunately, that was all I could do. Instead of making anymore progress, I lived in that tiny, heated moment until it was no longer fresh.

We left while the sky was still dark; by the time we'd reached our destination, the sunlight was leaking over the wintery horizon like a watery egg. Up in the mountains, sparkly snow glittered all around us. I gazed up at the beautiful lodge nestled against the pine trees.

"Are we going skiing today?" Tony asked, clutching the handle of his suitcase. "I'm ready to go now."

"Can we settle in first?" Gina asked, laughing. "It's not up to just you."

"I'd rather relax today," Julia said, then grunted as she yanked her suitcase out from the trunk, a clunk following as it hit the ground.

I went to retrieve mine, but Vincent was already pulling it out swiftly and with ease, his strength admirable. I pretended he did this for me specifically, but he pulled Gina's out, plus a few more bags, and my heart sank a little.

"Thanks," I mumbled, avoiding his gaze, then wheeled it over to where Julia stood. "I'd like to relax, too." I was stiff from being wedged up against the window, but listening to Tony and Julia bickering for two hours was the main reason for my energy drain.

"Why can't I go on my own?" Tony asked, irritation evident. "I'm not sixteen. I won't be all day, either."

Gina glanced over at Vincent, her eyebrows pulling together. "What do you think, hon?"

He bit his lip, then nodded. "Why not? Let him. He's a man now, eh?" He punched Tony playfully, but in a blink they were play-wrestling on the wet ground, Gina shrieking with worry.

After the car was unpacked and the chaos had subsided, Tony was quick to leave, taking the family car. Julia's parents settled in while she and I inspected the room we'd be sharing together, a dimly lit, cozy little space with a soft, forest green bedspread. I laid out some of my things on the bed as Julia rummaged through her suitcase for the bikini she'd sworn she remembered to bring.

I slipped off my pants and headed out into the living room, staring up at the wooden beams on the ceiling as I waited for Julia to put her bikini on. I had mine on under my clothes, a baggy crewneck thrown over the flimsy lilac thing. It was a cute bikini, but a little showy. I regretted not bringing something a little more modest.

Gina walked over to me. "Vincent has to finish taking off the covering for the hot tub. It shouldn't take long. Do you want a snack?"

"Maybe I should help him," I suggested casually, "but thank you."

Gina twisted a lock of my hair around her finger, then smiled gently at me. "You're so sweet. I'm glad you're here, Sadie."

I wrapped my arms around the kind woman, thankful to be apart of such a loving family. "I'm glad I am, too. Thank you, Gina." She kissed the top of my head, then reminded me to help myself to a snack whenever I felt like it.

What startled me more than my lewd thoughts was the fact that I was getting the hang of playing double, guilt no longer threatening me as it once did. I contemplated what this meant, but my pondering was interrupted once I'd spotted Vincent through the window, crouched down on the deck next to the hot tub. I sucked in a breath and headed out, shutting the sliding door behind me.