Page 9 of Wild Peak

He glances around the deck. “At least drink some water—”

“Hunter?” When he meets my gaze, electricity sizzles through my veins. I fight not to blush even harder, keeping my expression faux-stern. “I’m fine. Don’t fuss.”

The afternoon sun is golden, catching on a few bronze strands in his dark hair. Hunter’s smile is crooked. “I’ll always fuss over you, Brookeworm. You’re my best friend’s little sister. It’s the law.”

It’s such a weird sensation: my stomach sinks, even as my heart clenches with longing. Because Idowant that, I want Hunter fussing over me for every minute of every day… but not because I’m Jake’s little sister. Because I’mme.

“I’m not a kid anymore.” My voice sounds all throaty and weird. Choked with emotion.

First aid supplies are scattered around us on the deck, forgotten, while Hunter holds my hand and stares me down. His chest rises and falls beneath his flannel shirt.

“I know that, Brooke.”

“Do you?”

“Obviously.”

And now he sounds pissed, like I’m missing something obvious, but all I know is this man was a constant part of my life foryears, an essential part of my foundations, and now he’s virtually a stranger to me.

I don’t know what Hunter does up here in his cabin all alone. Don’t know what he cooks himself for dinner, or what books he reads at night, and whether he brings other women here from town, romancing them on this very deck.

I don’t know what he and Jake do when they hang out, or the things they talk about together, and I don’t know why Hunter moved up to this cabin three years ago. Don’t know about his best days and worst days on the job in Mountain Rescue. Don’t know anything.

I grit my jaw and glare right back.

“Prove it.”

Just like that, all the bravado drains from Hunter’s face. His eyes flick to the side, like he’s checking his escape routes. “Uh. What?”

“If you know I’m not a kid anymore, if you know that I’m a grown woman, then fine. Prove it.”

We’re still so close, Hunter kneeling over me on the wicker sofa. My pulse races, but I raise my chin in challenge.

And this is it. Hunter knowsexactlywhat I’m daring him to do. It’s written in the tense lines of our bodies, both trembling from the effort of holding back. It’s in the blush staining my cheeks and the heavy breaths dragging from his lungs and the way everything else seems to recede—the birdsong, the whispering breeze, the plunk and splash of little fish in the lake—all of it fading until there’s nothing but the two of us, alone at long last. Afteryears.

I’ve wanted this for so long.

Wantedhimfor so long.

And now my brother’s best friend is close enough that I could lean forward and lick the salt from his neck. Could taste that delicious musk on his skin.

Hunter looks tempted, too. Those icy blue eyes keep dropping down, roaming over my cheeks, my parted lips, my throat… even lower. I press my thighs together against a hot bloom of arousal.

“Jake wouldn’t like it,” Hunter says slowly. It’s not really directed at me. More like he’s bargaining with himself, making a last ditch attempt for self control.

Well, screw that.

“Jake’s not here. And it’s not his call anyway—that’s my whole freaking point. I’m a grown woman.”

Hunter nods slowly, staring openly at my mouth now, and yeah. This is happening, even though we’re both still kinda mad. Everything inside me coils tight with anticipation, and the wicker creaks as I lean forward, impatient for his kiss.

“I shouldn’t,” Hunter mutters, still grappling with himself. But hewantsme, he definitely does, because his gaze on my mouth is ravenous. Like he’s a starving man and I’m a ten course meal.

It’s so powerful, being looked at like that. I’m giddy with it, tingling from my head to my toes.

“Oh, for Pete’s sake.”

For the second time today, my hand fists in Hunter’s shirt—but this time I yank on it and drag him closer. He lets out a soft grunt but leans down without a fight, pressing his hands into the sofa cushions on either side of my hips. Bracketing me in with those strong, tanned arms. The tip of his nose rubs against mine.

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