Page 10 of Tempted By the Mountain man

“If that’s what it took to keep you safe, then of course. But I’m not⁠—”

River doesn’t have the chance to finish his sentence because my lips cut him off. I don’t know how it happened—how my arms ended up around his neck or my mouth fused to his. He’s so tall. How did I ever reach his mouth? My fingers run through his beard, and I open my mouth to invite his tongue in for a delicious tango.

A series of sharp barks breaks us apart instantly. We both turn to find Marty charging down the driveway toward the black bear.

“Marty, halt,” River orders.

The dog obeys instantly.

The bear who had apparently considered returning disappears into the tree line instead. And within seconds, we’re left alone with nothing but the awkwardness of reality. Fuck, I just attack-kissed my boss.

“Um, I better go,” I say, speedwalking toward my cabin.

“Jade, wait⁠—”

“Thanks for saving me from the big, bad bear. Goodnight!” I rush into the guest cabin, closing the door and sinking down behind it.

Well, shit.

6

RIVER

I’m haunted by that kiss.

That fucking axis-tilting kiss.

I tossed and turned all night, wishing like hell Jade was in my bed so I could kiss her all night—in all the places. I wanted—needed—more.

If I had any doubts about the gut instinct that drove me to invite her here, I don’t anymore.

Jade is it.

She’s the reason no other woman ever stuck.

She’s the reason that until now, I never fully understood the term soul mates.

But that kiss rattled her so badly she practically sprinted back to the guest house to get away from me.

All day, I’ve been biting my damn tongue, refusing to bring it up first. I don’t want her to think I hired her for the wrong reasons. Which only makes it more imperative that I don’t tell her the truth. If she knew I knew she was a high school history teacher with exactly zero appraisal experience, she’d question my motives.

Which, she should.

Who the fuck falls in love after one three-minute video interview?

Me, that’s who.

But any sane person would run for the fucking hills if they knew that.

Which is why I decided after a couple of awkward hours upstairs sorting through boxes this morning that we needed to get out of the house. The bed of my truck was already packed full of thrift store dropoffs. It seemed as good an excuse as any to break the awkward tension.

After the last box was unloaded, I decided we needed a detour before heading back to the cabin. We picked up some sweet treats at Sugar Moon Bakery, and I drove us north out of town, toward a scenic drive I hoped would take her breath away.

Half an hour later, the view is doing exactly what I hoped.

We sit on the tailgate of my truck, eating mini cupcakes as we take in the beautiful view—one that is transforming from summer green to autumn yellows and oranges.

“This is the view I missed most when I was away,” I admit.