Noah & Navid

Chapter 27- The Slopes

The next morning we got up to meet the other guests at the lodge. The guy who organized it was an older Persian man who was with a fit Asian guy who looked to be closer to Navid's age.

Then there was a trio of white guys who looked to be in their 40's. I didn't know what their story was, but they seemed nice and happy to be there.

"You two are in the room above us, yeah?" A Persian man who looked to be about Karim's age came out of the kitchen and eyed us with interest.

The man I assumed was his boyfriend came out behind him and gave us a lookover as well. He looked Persian too, but was smaller and thinner than the first guy.

"I guess so," Navid said with a questioning look.

"Sounded like a hot night!" The guy retorted with a laugh. 

I buried my face in Navid's chest with a blush. I heard his heartbeat speed up.

"This place has thin walls, floors too, I guess," said a voice I didn't recognize.

"I am sorry. We will not bother you next time," Navid apologized in a tone of regret.

"Relax! It was definitely not a bother! I'm just surprised the boy can still walk," the man laughed.

The room lit up with laughter that I didn't turn my face to look at. 

Navid laughed awkwardly in return, and I looked up to see a deep blush had settled into his cheeks.

He wasn't just here for his birthday weekend. These were wealthy clients and contacts who could help him succeed. He needed to impress them. 

I worried that my need for his pounding had embarrassed him. He hugged me against his chest, and didn't look down at me.

He released me and then we made introductions to everyone. I couldn't look anyone in the eyes and I didn't really catch their names. I was too ashamed.

Mike saved me by sitting next to me for breakfast and talking to me while the others carried on with their happy conversation.

Navid ate and tried to keep up with the others while I picked at a bowl of fruit and some toast. He looked over at me every few minutes to check that I was ok.

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After breakfast, we got suited up to go to the ski run. 

Navid ensured that I was covered from head to toe since it was forecasted to be colder in the day than it had been the night before. Still, when we stepped outside, the cold hit my face and dug into my bones. I tried to walk behind Navid for shelter from the wind that howled across the landscape.

We took a van up to a ski place ten minutes up the mountain from our lodge. It was warm and cozy as we all squeezed in. I was between Karim's shoulder and Navid's chest as he propped his arm up behind us. We stepped out under a covered portico that led inside the grand lodge.

There weren't too many people inside and we must have looked like a band of foreign invaders to the guide who came to greet us. He was a tall, younger guy with a tan and muscles that filled his tight, long-sleeved thermal top and thick jogging pants.

"Hi! We don't get many foreign visitors here. Where are you guys from?" he asked with a forced smile.

"Los Angeles," answered one of the guys in our crew.

"Oh, uh, yeah of course! Well right this way! It's been a very slow day so you'll have the slopes mostly to yourselves" He led us to a counter and gave us envelopes he said we would need for the ski lift.