1. Griffin

1

GRIFFIN

"... A nd Chelsea makes twelve," I say to the group of kids gathered in front of me. I look over the roster one last time and count heads, nodding to myself when I see that everyone is here. "Before we get fitted for skis, does anyone need to go to the bathroom? Go now or forever hold your pee- ace.” I smirk at my own lame joke, not caring that most of the kids think it’s cheesy. It got a few snickers which is worth it.

Several girls peel off toward the bathroom here in the lodge of Colorado’s most luxurious ski resort, Frosted Mountain. In my five years working as a ski instructor, I’ve learned that the first step to a successful lesson is making sure to take care of bathroom breaks up top. Once we’re out on the slopes, it’s a major headache to stop and get out of all the gear. This is true of kids and adults, so everyone gets the reminder.

The rest of the students in my twelve and under class are chatting amongst themselves, giving me a few moments to take in the picturesque winter scene before me. Looking out of the floor-to-ceiling west-facing window, I smile to myself when I see snow flurries floating wistfully in the cool afternoon breeze. They catch the sunlight and sparkle as they make their way lazily to the ground.

I take a deep breath, loving the smell of the fireplace mixed with fresh pine from the Christmas trees and decorations we put up last week. I love this time of year and I’m once again thankful to have a job where I can enjoy nature and have a cozy fireplace to warm up next to while sipping hot cocoa.

When I’m not giving lessons or working in the ski shop, I act as a handyman of sorts. I’ve put my blood, sweat, and tears into this resort and I’m proud of every square inch of it from the logs that make up this structure to the red and gold ornaments dotting the perfectly trimmed Christmas trees. It’s a beautiful sight. I don’t know that the lodge has ever looked quite this festive.

And then the front doors open, revealing a goddamn angel. I didn’t think this picture-perfect scene could get any better, but the aura surrounding the woman standing in the doorway illuminates the entire lodge in a soft light.

My breath is caught in my throat and my chest grows tight with an unfamiliar tension. The big double doors shut behind the beautiful creature, the movement causing her long dark hair to swirl around her shoulders before settling back in place.

Why can’t I look away? Why can’t I breathe?

The longer my gaze is trained on her, the stronger my need is to talk to her, to touch her, to be next to her in some way. I’ve never had these obsessive thoughts about anyone before, let alone a stranger.

As if sensing my possessive thoughts, the woman lifts her head and fixes her eyes right on me. Bright blue irises meet mine, a look of surprise flashing in them. Her cheeks are a light pink, but I’m not sure if it’s from the cold or from my prying stare. She tilts her head to the side and I wonder if she’s feeling whatever I am.

Then the ethereal woman dips her head down, breaking our connection. A chill passes through me and I realize I want all of her attention. It belongs to me. She belongs to me. Whoever she is.

Get it together, I yell internally. Even as I think the words, I know I won’t forget the angel with blue eyes and coffee-colored hair.

I watch her chatting with the manager behind the front desk, observing the way she holds herself. The woman seems… a bit timid. Like she’s not sure she belongs here. She gets the key card to her cabin and then grabs her rolling suitcase by the handle and starts walking in my direction.

I try not to stare at her hips as they sway back and forth or her generous curves that I can see even through her thick winter coat. Instead, I focus on the way her dark hair frames her delicate face, her round cheeks tinged with the slightest blush and her full lips. Her button nose coupled with a light sprinkling of freckles is almost too adorable for me to take.

She draws ever closer to me, every one of my senses on high alert. Part of me knows she’s not actually walking toward me , but rather toward the back door where she can easily access her cabin. Still, I can’t seem to stop myself from saying something.

“Welcome to Frosted Mountain Ski Resort,” I greet her, giving her my best smile. The woman gasps softly and has to tip her head way up to meet my gaze. She’s a short little thing, with curves in all the right places. I get the insane urge to scoop her up and take her back to my cabin here on the resort property.

“Uh, hi,” she squeaks out, the pink tint in her cheeks turning red. “Thanks.” She tucks some of her hair behind her ear, drawing my eye to the motion. My fingers twitch with the need to comb through her long locks. I wonder if they are as silky as they look.

“Want a ski lesson?” I blurt out like an idiot. What is wrong with me? I don’t normally get flustered or tongue-tied. I’ve been told I’m a smooth-talker and even charming on occasion. Right now, however, I feel like I’ve never held a conversation in my life.

“Oh. Right now?” She tilts her head to the side again and nibbles on her bottom lip. I want to nibble on that lip. I want to kiss her fully on the mouth and see if she tastes as sweet as she looks.

“Sure. Yes. Now. Or later. Whenever.” Smooth. Very cool. Good job, bud , I tell myself sarcastically.

“It seems like you already have a full class,” she answers, nodding toward the kids gathered around me.

Idiot , I scold myself for what feels like the hundredth time since meeting this radiant goddess. How could I forget about my twelve and under class?

“Right,” I say, clearing my throat and rubbing the back of my neck. “Yeah. I meant later, then. I could give you a private lesson.” I wince, realizing how that could be interpreted.

“Do you give lots of private lessons?” she asks, lifting an eyebrow.

“Never.”

It’s true. I know the effect I have on women. That’s not me bragging. In fact, it’s kind of annoying. I’ve had plenty of divorcés beg me for “private lessons” and even a few married women who are looking for a weekend fling. I’m not into that sort of thing and never have been.

My momma raised me right, along with my grandma and aunt. Between the three of them, they made sure I grew up with a healthy respect for women and relationships. I always knew when I found the one , that would be it for me. Why would I want to waste my time and energy on anything else?

“Oh. Okay then,” the woman says, bringing me back into the present moment.

“Okay to a private lesson?”

She tries and fails to suppress her smile. It makes her eyes sparkle and her freckles darken with a blush. So fuckin’ adorable.

“I… I don’t know about that. I, um… I just got here and–”

“Mr. Griffin, are we ever going to leave the lodge?”

I look over at one of my students who has an exasperated look on his face. “Yes,” I tell him, swallowing thickly. This woman is throwing me for a loop, but this kid is right. I have a job to do right now, even if all I want is to ditch the kids and curl up by the fire with my future wife.

Slow down , I tell myself, though it’s no use. My mind is already racing with thoughts of our future.

“I’ll leave you to it,” my mystery woman says, smiling at the boy who interrupted our conversation. “Good luck out there.”

My mouth opens and closes, but no words come out. I watch her leave through the back door, taking note of which cabin she drags her bags into. For safety purposes, of course. And for my own peace of mind.

“Alright,” I announce to the group as I clap my hands together. “Who’s ready for their first skiing lesson?”

Three hours later, the kids are either going down the bunny hill with their parents or recovering in the lodge. My duties for the day are done and I’m looking forward to relaxing by the fire. It’s one of my simple joys in life - sipping hot cocoa while gazing into the flames.

After rinsing off in my own cabin, I change my clothes and head toward the lodge. The sun will be setting soon, which makes it the perfect time to stretch out and watch the brilliant colors through the large window while the fire warms my bones.

As soon as I step inside the lodge, my eyes are immediately drawn to the woman curled up in my favorite chair in front of the fireplace. She’s here. I didn’t think I’d get a second chance so soon.

I decide to get us both some hot chocolate, though I hardly take my eyes off of her the entire time. I’m afraid she might disappear if I lose sight of her. I at least need to get her name today. I can work on the rest later.

She adjusts in her seat, tucking her legs beneath her and snuggling up with the hand-knit blanket draped over the back of the chair. The golden-orange glow of the flames lights up her features, and I notice for the first time how vulnerable she looks. The woman curls in on herself, wrapping her arms around her torso as if physically holding in some kind of pain.

I want to ease her burden somehow, but first, I need to get my foot out of my mouth and stop embarrassing myself in front of her.

"Hot cocoa?" I ask as I sit on the couch just to the left of her chair.

She looks up at me, so many emotions swimming in the depths of her bright blue eyes. “That sounds wonderful,” she whispers. “Thank you.”

Our fingers touch when she wraps her hand around the mug, and I try not to focus on the tingling, buzzing sensation ricocheting through my body. “We didn’t get the chance to do a proper introduction earlier. I’m Griffin.” I hold out my free hand for her to shake. She slips her tiny hand into mine and I hold it, losing track of time for a moment.

“I’m Destiny.”

Destiny. My Destiny. “Ye,s you are.”

“What?”

“Uh, nothing,” I’m quick to say. Jesus, reel it in, buddy. “How was your first day at Frosted Mountain?” I ask, hoping to get her to open up a bit.

Destiny sighs heavily and I wonder what’s on her mind. “It’s beautiful here,” she says softly. “I’ve never traveled alone. I’ve never traveled at all, really. I wish I had done it before… Well, anyway. It’s beautiful.”

Her answer is as puzzling as she is, but at least she’s talking to me. I don’t love that she’s traveling alone for her own safety, but part of me is glad she’s not here with another man. I might have had to send him down the black diamond slope with one ski and a broken compass to make sure he couldn’t find his way back here.

“It’s my favorite place on earth,” I tell her truthfully. “Especially this time of year.”

“The lodge is absolutely gorgeous,” Destiny agrees. “And my cabin has a Christmas tree all set up as well. I wasn’t expecting that. My grandma would have loved everything about this trip.”

Her voice grows scratchy toward the end of her sentence, but she pulls it together. Without her having to say anything, I know this is the first holiday season without her grandmother. No wonder she’s feeling all kinds of mixed emotions.

I sit next to her, both of us watching the flames dance as we drink our hot chocolate. I can feel the weight of her heavy heart and want nothing more than to make it lighter and fill her life with love and laughter. It should freak me out how far gone I am for this woman, but it feels natural. Like I’ve always loved her and now she’s here to experience it first hand.

“About that skiing lesson,” she starts, surprising the hell out of me.

“Yes,” I nearly shout out of excitement. This pulls a smile from Destiny, which makes my outburst totally worth it.

“It turns out I suck at skiing,” she admits. I chuckle a bit while she shakes her head. “I couldn’t even get the boot thingies to fit into the ski thingies.”

“That’s the hardest part,” I tell her.

“Really?”

“No,” I say with a laugh. She joins me, the sound of her laughter like bells on Christmas morning ringing in joy and the start of a new day.

“So, you’re telling me a lesson may be necessary for me to be able to stumble my way down the shallowest of bunny hills?”

“I’m afraid so. I happen to be an excellent teacher, though.”

“And humble, too,” she adds. I chuckle again, loving our back and forth. Destiny is shy and a bit timid, but she has some sass to her. I can’t wait to see more of it.

“The most humble,” I agree, nodding seriously. “What time tomorrow? It’s my day off.”

“Oh. I can wait until you have an opening in your schedule. I wouldn’t want to make you come into work when you’re off the clock.”

“Destiny,” I say, leaning closer to her and capturing her gaze in mine. “I promise there’s nowhere I’d rather be tomorrow than with you.” I worry I came off as too strong, but I watch her absorb my words and smile ever so slightly.

“Well, in that case… How does ten-thirty sound?”

“Like it’s my new favorite time of day,” I answer without hesitation. “I’ll meet you right here tomorrow morning?”

"Yes. Ten-thirty," she confirms. I feel giddy and get the sudden urge to fist-pump the air. I don't, but it takes a lot of willpower.

We say our goodbyes and I float back to my cabin, already anxious for the night to be over with so I can see my Destiny again.