Ten Inches Read Free

the way.”
     
    Skiers began to fill the
lobby of the resort. Nick followed Ian as they weaved their way
past the gondola loading area. Ski and snowboarding equipment
filled the racks. Groups gathered and people spoke into cell
phones. Nick and Ian slipped out the main doors. Heavy snowfall
dropped visibility to less the fifty feet. Ian squinted into the
distance. “I’m not scheduled, but they may need me for ski patrol
tonight.” He glanced over his shoulder to Nick. “It’s your in, if
you want it.”
     
    Nick nodded. He’d rather
keep the job he had, but he also wouldn’t leave people stranded on
the slopes if he could help. Blowing wind whipped the falling snow.
The icy spray stung his eyes and mouth as his breath clouded in the
air.
     
    The room Ian reserved was on
the back side of the building on the upper floor. They entered the
doors leading to the pool, gym and sauna. Ian pressed the up button
on the elevator and the doors immediately opened. A moment later,
Nick followed Ian down a long corridor
     
    “ We’re just down the hall
from the bar.” They took a left and an immediate right. Ian slid
the keycard through the lock then opened the door. Nick preceded
him into the room and dropped his gear along the wall.
     
    “ Holy shit.” Nick turned a
quick circle. Ian had reserved them a suite.
     
    Ian stepped into the room
and the door clicked shut. They were alone, in a hotel room, and
the air instantly thickened. Nick inhaled a deep breath and willed
his body to relax. Awareness simmered hot in his gut. Anyone but
Ian, and he’d take the subtle hints and lingering glances as
interest. But not Ian.
     
    Nick surveyed the large open
room. A dancing fire crackled and burned in the hearth on the north
wall. Dark leather sofa and love seat framed an intimate seating
area. A flat screen television hung across from the sofa above a
long table where a DVD player sat. A mini bar stretched from the
corner to the fireplace. The decor was rustic yet elegant, luxury
all the way. But that wasn’t the best feature.
     
    Nick crossed the room. The
carpet was plush and thick beneath his heavy boots. “I hope the
room was a comp.”
     
    The entire East wall was
floor-to-ceiling windows. The mountain vista stole the air from his
lungs. Snow blanketed the runs carving into the mountain. Clouds
clung to the mountain peaks, wrapping the horizon in a heavy gray
shroud.
     
    “ Nick.” The husky word from
Ian warmed…yet chilled Nick’s flesh. Ian stood close behind him.
Nick could feel Ian’s presence without turning around. He was
afraid to turn around, afraid of what he might see in Ian’s eyes
while secretly wanting so much more.
     
    Nick didn’t speak. He
watched the snow fall as rioting emotions ripped through his
gut.
     
    “ I don’t know what to do.”
Ian’s voice quavered, and he took a deep breath. Sliding his hands
into his pockets, he stood next to Nick.
     
    Nick stared at their
reflection in the glass. “Don’t know what to do about…?”
     
    Ian’s mouth formed a hard
line, and his jaw ticked. He glanced at his feet, out the window,
turned to Nick, then quickly shifted his gaze away.
     
    “ Ian?”
     
    Ian sighed and his shoulders
slumped. He shifted his weight from his right foot to his left and
slightly turned toward Nick again. “You really need me to
explain?”
     
    Yes, he did, because Nick
didn’t want to make assumptions, didn’t want to hope for something
impossible. And if he admitted to being attracted to Ian and
wanting more, only to find out Ian needed advice on something
trivial, Nick would fuck up their friendship. Or worse, Ian might
want advice on Jenny. “I don’t want to guess. If you have something
to say—”
     
    “ I do,” he interrupted.
“Since you don’t seem to be able—or want—to pick up on my
not-so-subtle hints, there’s nothing to do besides come right out
and ask.” He stepped in front of Nick. “Are you interested in
me?”
     
    “