Page 8 of Her Mountain Rescuer

He nods, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. His thumb brushes against my chin, and I shiver. Not because I’m cold, but because of the thrill it sends sparking through me. “Yes. Her wife. You know I haven’t had a girlfriend in years.” There’s a gentle admonishment in his tone, and I blush, feeling silly. “Although I can’t say I hate that you were jealous.”

My stomach explodes with butterflies, my heart picking up speed.

“Oh?” I breathe, and for the first time, his gaze drops to my chest and the tops of my breasts. He exhales roughly.

“What did you mean when you said I’d never look at you the way you wish I would?”

My mouth goes dry, my heart slamming against my ribs. There’s another rumble of thunder, so loud and close that it feels like it’s shaking the cabin. What do I say? Do I lie?

Or is this my chance to tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may?

I look at Beau, at the heat in his eyes, and I decide that I’ll regret it if I’m not honest.

“I meant…” I lick my lips, gathering up my courage. “I meant that I wish you’d look at me like you want me. Like you see me as a woman you want to…to be with. Romantically, and…in bed,” I say, blushing furiously. “Like you see me as more than just your best friend’s daughter.”

Beau’s eyes darken. “And how am I looking at you now?”

I meet his eyes, my clit throbbing at the intense heat shining out at me. “I…I don’t know,” I admit. “I’m not exactly experienced with…anything, really.”

He swallows thickly. “Hailey,” he murmurs, his voice rough. His huge hand comes up to cup my face, and I press into his touch like an eager little kitten. “I do see you, sweet girl. More than you know.”

“You do?”

He nods. “You’re the only woman I’ve wanted for years, now. Only you.” He leans in, his forehead pressed to mine. His chest heaves, and I can practically feel him fighting against himself. The knowledge that Beau wants me too, that he sees me as a woman, has me lit up. It’s like fireworks are going off inside me. This realization feels even better than graduating. Even better than anything I’ve ever accomplished in my life.

“Beau,” I whisper, my heart pounding so hard I’m sure he can hear it. “Will you…” My courage falters, and he swipes his finger across my cheekbone.

“Anything,” he rasps, looking at me like he’s starving and I’m buffet.

“Will you give me my first kiss?”

His eyes widen, and his nostrils flare. “Your first…” He shakes his head. “Hailey, are you telling me that you’ve never been kissed before?”

I shake my head, a blush creeping across my cheeks. “I’ve never done anything with anyone. I was never interested. I’ve been…waiting for you. Saving everything for you.”

A groan rumbles deep in his chest, and it’s the sexiest sound I’ve ever heard in my life. He closes his eyes briefly, and he almost looks like he’s in pain. When he opens them again, the heat, the need, the purewantblazing out at me takes my breath away.

“We shouldn’t do this, but god, I want you. I’ve wanted you for so long.”

His hand slides into my damp hair, cupping the back of my head, and then his lips are on mine.

Holy shit. Beau Cameron is kissing me. This is actually happening.

His lips are soft, his movements slow as he kisses me with so much gentleness, so much tenderness that my eyes prick with tears. He’s a massive beast of a man, and he’s kissing me like I’m the most precious, most breakable thing in the world. Heat pools low in my belly as sparks dance against my skin.

He pulls back after a few all-too-short seconds, and our eyes meet. A beat passes between us, and it’s like a dam breaks. He kisses me again, this time claiming my mouth like he’s starving, his tongue sweeping in and tasting, stroking, consuming.

I thought being naked in this sleeping bag with Beau was going to be the highlight of my life, but I was wrong. This is, right here. His mouth on mine is better than I could’ve ever imagined.

I moan against his mouth, completely swept away by the sensations racing through my body. The lushness of his mouth on mine. The throb of my pulse in my clit. The swooping excitement and lust in my belly.

The way my heart wants to leap out of my chest and make a home in Beau’s body.

My hands clutch at his shoulders, nails digging into his skin. The small bite of pain I must be causing only seems to encourage him, because he kisses me deeper, tasting every inch of my mouth with his talented tongue.

God, if I’d known that this is what it feels like to kiss Beau—hot and intense and consuming and so damn good—I don’t think I could’ve held myself back.

His arms wrap tightly around me, holding me closer, my breasts pressed against his deliciously hard chest. His hands roam up and down my back as he kisses me and kisses me. He strokes over my sides, my hips, as if he can’t get enough. As if he needs to touch me everywhere all at once.

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