Mountain's Peak Part I

         Classes had started in August. They had come and gone. Today was the beginning of Christmas break and Liz was looking forward to the month of vacation before school started again. She and Sebastian had grown very close during the previous months. They were hardly separated from each other it seemed. All of Liz's friends made jokes about it at least once a day because even though Sebastian went to UTD and her to UD he was always around. Did he even go to classes anymore? He must because he was maintaining his 3.8 GPA and he was too honorable to cheat that much.

         Liz was waiting outside her dorm for Sebastian. He told her that he would be there at 2:30 and it was closer to 3:00 already. She was about to turn around and go inside to wait for him when he pulled up. He hopped out of the car and simply said, “I’m sorry," before he pulled her into a deep kiss. God he knows how to ask forgiveness...I wonder what he will do when he does something really big, since this is what I get this when he is a little late. Liz blushed at where her thoughts were going and pulled back out of the kiss reluctantly. Sebastian looked at her questioningly, but when he saw her blush, he just smirked and looked content. He could guess what she had been thinking about. He took her by the hand and asked, “You ready to go? Our flight leaves in two hours but we better be there early to get through holiday security." He picked up her bags and put them in the trunk while she hopped into the car.

         When they got to the airport the rest of the group was waiting. Charlie and his friends, John, Alexandra and her boyfriend Jim were already at the gate sitting around drinking coffee. Everyone was excited about the trip. They were going to private ski lodge in Montana. John's dad owned it and the plane that they were flying on too. John didn't want everyone to think he was showing off but hey, if this was going to help everyone have a good time he didn't mind. The flight was quick but enjoyable and the small plane landed at the near deserted airport earlier than expected. With a quick drive to the lodge, they were settled far sooner than they thought. It was a posh lodge. It looked like an enormous log cabin on the outside, but inside it was beautiful and comfortable. It was huge because it was mainly used for bringing prospective business partners on a different sort of wining and dining experience. Here they were away from society and with ample time and luxury could be worn down so they would agree to just about anything, or so John said. His dad didn't use it that often so the group could enjoy the next week and half freely. Everyone was excited to be there, and itching to jump on the nearby slopes. It was early anyways and there was plenty of light so they prepared to go out.

         They all met in the lounge area of the lodge. The boys were waiting impatiently for Liz and Alex when they finally entered. Liz was a bit nervous about skiing. She whispered to Sebastian, “Is there an easy part of the mountain that I can start on? I haven't done this in a really long time..." Sebastian grinned and replied, "Sure, there's a bunny slope on the other side that we can put you on." Liz smacked him while laughing, "That is not what I meant! I know I'm going to be pathetic...but not that bad!" He laughed and said, "Don't worry you'll have me with you the entire time." "That's what I am afraid of... You're gonna drag me down." Sebastian took on a mock look of offense and said, "Well if that is all I am to you, dead weight, well fine, you can ski by yourself."

         The others in the group were watching their conversation with interest. They had seen them at it several times before and always had bets going on who would win.

          "Fine, I will ski by myself. More fun that way, so at least I can get John to myself," She purred. John's jaw dropped when he heard that, and was already denying it when Sebastian turned to look at him with a tad bit jealous eyes. Liz continued with her eyes twinkling, "So I better go, otherwise we might get stuck skiing together." She started walking over to John with just a little saunter, when Sebastian grabbed her arm and turned her around so quickly that she practically fell into his arms. Liz knew what was happening but pretended to be amazed. Sebastian held her close to his hard frame while gazing in her eyes. His were glinting with a look she knew would be dangerous to her heartbeat. His face was only a few inches from hers. "I don't think you're going to go with John, sweetheart. At least I don't think I can allow him within 10 feet of you now. You're gonna have me with you no matter what." He pulled her impossibly closer as his lips descended to trap hers in a kiss. It was a tender kiss that showed how much he needed her. He held most of his passion in check but every time Sebastian kissed Liz, it became a little harder to do so. Liz responded instantaneously and with more passion. She pulled her arms around his neck drawing him deeper into the kiss. The passion was escalating quickly, but Sebastian read something else in the kiss. Liz felt vulnerable when he said he was not going with her. She had wanted him badly to stay with her and even in their jesting she had felt helpless. Sebastian pulled out of the kiss and looked in Liz's eyes. He brushed some of the loose strands of hair away from her face and whispered, "You know I could never leave you. I love you too much." Liz smiled, realizing that he understood how she had felt. She stood on tiptoes and pressed another kiss against his lips, while she whispered "I love you, too."

         Finally, both of them realized that they had started this in front of all their friends. They turned to apologize, but realized that none of them were there. They walked into the kitchen area and saw them all lounging around the table with hot chocolate and playing cards. When Jim saw them both come in, he pulled out a stop watch and read, "6 minutes and 38 seconds. Not the record breaker, but still pretty good. Alright who was closest?" Liz ans Sebastian looked on, bewildered. Jim slapped his piece of paper down on the table and said, "I think it's me. I got 5 minutes 45 seconds." Alex smirked and sashayed over to the table pulled out her piece of paper and said with an innocent look, "Oooh, I'm sorry honey but I think it's me. 6 minutes and 30 seconds is closer isn't it?" All the guys sighed and pulled out one of their glove heaters and gave them to Alex. She put them in her boots and gave the extra ones to Liz while saying, "Thanks babe, I knew you were predictable enough to bet on." Liz and Sebastian both flushed and Sebastian practically stuttered, "You, you bet on us?" "Everytime, darling, everytime," was the answer he got. He turned an even darker shade of pink at that answer. The fact that they knew they could bet on how long they spent kissing was a little embarrassing and revealing. Obviously, they had done too much of it in public.

         He cleared his throat, and said, "Uh, are we ready to head out?" "Ready and been waiting" came the smart aleck reply. "Well, let's go."
          They headed out to the base of the mountain where the first ski lift was, to take them part of the way up.