CHAPTER 692. IN MY NEXT LIFE. Trapped"Nothing’s going to happen to us," Peter assured her with a sigh, though deep down, that was just what he hoped. "This cabin is built to withstand worse situations. A storm hits Skatgan Peak every two or three weeks, so don’t worry," he muttered through clenched teeth. The truth was, unfortunately, no one could truly prepare for something like this.The cabin was certainly equipped for such situations, and more, but that wasn’t the real problem. The issue was that a storm could last hours—or days.“Damn it! This could be a total disaster!” he growled in frustration, knowing that if the storm dragged on, he wouldn’t make it to his second Winter Games event.He paced the cabin, running his hands through his hair in frustration, then turned to the girl huddled in a corner.“Come on, get up from there. You’re completely soaked, and so am I. The last thing we need right now is for either of us to get sick.”Peter grabbed some clothes from one of the sh
CHAPTER 693. IN MY NEXT LIFE One Last Hope... ShatteredNow she was truly scared, so scared she felt her knees tremble to the point of buckling. Kim glanced at the snow falling from the top of the door held by Peter, and that could only mean that nearly two meters of snow had piled up outside against the door.She helped him push until they managed to close it again with difficulty, both leaning their backs against the wood, hearts racing.“This can’t be… it just can’t be!” the young woman exclaimed, clutching her head. “God can’t do this to me! I have to get out of here… we have to… you have a championship, and I…! God…!”It seemed she wouldn’t be able to string one thought to another, let alone form a coherent sentence. Peter took a deep breath and tried to reach her, but it looked as if she was on the verge of reaching a point she hadn’t touched even during the worst moments of the storm: hysteria.“Hey, it’s okay. There’s still hope. With the wind out there, I can almost guarantee
CHAPTER 694. IN MY NEXT LIFE. An AdventurePerhaps “calm” wasn’t the right word—maybe “lethargic” was the best term to describe how she felt at that moment.She covered her head with her hands and curled into a ball, but nothing, absolutely nothing, could change the fact that they were trapped there and that she wouldn’t be able to leave. She wouldn’t be able to deliver that photo or earn the money she so desperately needed.Kim cried with the desperation and helplessness of someone who has already taken too many blows from life and cannot bear another. But the truth was that, at some point, she had to accept that nothing was under her control anymore, least of all her own life.She didn’t even know how much time had passed—maybe an hour, maybe six—but the moment the wind began to sound again like a giant, misaligned drum, she felt Peter’s arms lift her firmly and push her back into the cabin, where they once again took refuge from the terrible weather.“I was hoping it would be less
CHAPTER 695. IN MY NEXT LIFE. ScarsPeter breathed slowly. She was so soft, so strangely small compared to him, that it felt as if she had been made to fit as a part of him, ready to latch on like a perfect gear at his side.He couldn’t deny it—what was left of the day and the rest of that night was torturously difficult. Sometimes he could hear her crying softly in the darkness, but so faintly it was as if she genuinely hoped he wouldn’t notice the anguish that was torturing her.But finally, a new day dawned. It was a day when Peter should have been competing in the second round of the championship, and she… God only knew where she was supposed to be. It was obvious neither of them would reach their destinations.Peter got up slowly, leaving her curled up, and went to wipe a bit of frost from one of the windowpanes to look outside. The sky was still dark and gray, and the weather hadn’t improved at all.He made some breakfast and tried to get Kim to eat, but she chose the most child
CHAPTER 696. IN MY NEXT LIFE. An Opportunity“Can I see that picture?”For a second, Peter’s question made Kim feel like she was reliving the realization that all the risk she’d taken no longer mattered. But her camera was intact, sitting in a corner, and there was no real reason not to show him what was on it.She stood up slowly, taking it out of its case and handing it to him, while Peter sat behind her, pulling her against his chest. The small digital screen lit up within seconds, and soon they were both looking at the last photo she had taken.The profile was strange and slightly distorted—the snowboard looked massive from below, with him atop it, his expression a mix of fury and focus beneath his snow goggles. Behind him, the sky loomed dark with the storm, and the terrifying shadow of Skatgan Peak stood out in the background.It was an incredible photo, proof of her expertise as a professional.“Damn it! How old are you, and who else have you photographed in your life?” Peter a
CHAPTER 697. IN MY NEXT LIFE. Shadows of DesireShe wasn’t lying. Because at that moment, no matter how strange it might seem, Peter’s smile brought a sense of peace to every part of Kim’s body. She knew there would be a time for regret, but it certainly wasn’t now.For Peter Ferguson, the day he had accidentally walked into her hotel room was the first time he’d even known she existed. Kim, on the other hand, had seen him countless times already. She had studied his every jump, his every competition, to ensure that he was, indeed, the man she wanted to photograph.Maybe it was that one-sided connection, or maybe it was simply the allure of the unknown and the dangerous, but deep down, she knew the real reason she’d chosen him was because she liked him—more than any other, even if some were better athletes.She felt herself melting as every inch of her skin made contact with Peter’s. He was so damn warm it drove her crazy, as if her body craved him in some inexplicable way. All the su
CHAPTER 698. IN MY NEXT LIFE. What Would You Change?It was strange how much he liked that sound, but the way she purred against his chest made Peter melt. She was smart, she was beautiful, and something about her made him feel she deserved all the good things in the world, especially since it was obvious life wasn’t exactly treating her kindly.“Hungry?” he asked when he saw her open her eyes and smile.“Am I allowed to want more?” she teased with that effortless sensuality she seemed incapable of controlling.“As much of me as you want,” Peter murmured, pulling her close, rolling her over, and kissing her. “But if you want to keep playing this game, babe, we need to refuel because I fully intend to fill your stomach first… and then every inch of you… as deeply as I can.”“Ouch!” Kim laughed, running her fingers through Peter’s curly hair. “In that case, Mr. Ferguson, let’s feed the body first. We’ll deal with the soul afterward.”Outside, the weather was still awful, but inside, the
CHAPTER 699. IN MY NEXT LIFE. It Was HerThe sound made Peter lift his head immediately, hurriedly patting Kim’s hip to wake her up.“Do you hear that? Can you hear it?” he asked, his heart racing. Within seconds, he saw her react, having heard it too—the unmistakable sound of helicopter blades.Both of them jumped to their feet and dressed as quickly as possible. Peter wrestled with the door, climbing over the small mound of snow blocking it and stepping out to signal the aircraft.He was certain that the moment he failed to show up for the competitions, his family had begun searching for him. Still, he hadn’t expected them to find him so quickly, much less there. But the resources of the Kellers and his new political family were undeniable. Sure enough, there was one of his cousins, frantically waving from the helicopter to signal he’d been spotted.“Kim, come on! Grab whatever you need—we’re leaving!” he shouted. The young woman grabbed only a thick coat and her camera.She threw a