Page 24 of Mountain Summons

Tristan went on her knees beside her, propping her bad ankle on a nearby cushion. He took another pillow and pulled it behind her head—which put him close to her face. So close,it was impossible not to smell him. God, he smelled good. She forced herself to stay still, and not to sniff. She wouldn’t sniff. She wouldn’t?—

Yes.

He didn’t move a muscle, except perhaps for the ticking muscle behind his jaw. But he didn’t move away either, even as she bridged the gap between them, raising her face towards his until their lips met. The softest pressure, at first, her lips against his, and then his lips opened on a sigh. And as he let her in, he slowly, oh so slowly, took over the kiss. His lips were firm, demanding in a way that sent heat curling low in her stomach. It was like the kiss they’d shared outside the bar, after their first date … except even better.

His thumb brushed just beneath her jaw, a slow, careful stroke that sent shivers down her spine. His touch was steady. Intentional. Lena’s fingers curled into his shirt, gripping the fabric as she shifted, angling herself closer despite the twinge in her ankle. It didn’t matter. Not when Tristan was kissing her like this—like they had all the time in the world to memorize the shape of each other’s mouths.

But then, just as quickly as it had begun, Tristan pulled back. His forehead rested against hers, his breathing ragged.

“Lena,” he murmured, his voice thick, rough. “You have no idea how much I want to keep kissing you right now.” A part of her wanted to grab his shirt again and ask him to get right back to it, but before she could get the words out, Tristan had stood up, widening the distance between them. “But you just got out of the hospital. You need to rest.”

She swallowed hard and nodded, leaning back against the pillows, trying to get her brain working again. Her traitorous brain, which had scrambled the moment their lips touched. Even now, she was having trouble remembering the problem. There was this irrational part of her that wanted to ask him tostay. But she wouldn’t. Because this man worked for her father. She, of all people, knew what her father’s schedule had cost her family. She’d promised herself that would never happen to her. So, out of all the men out in the world, to date a man from her father’s team … that would be the biggest mistake ever. And not one her heart could survive.

It took her a while, but she finally forced the words out. “I think I need to be alone now.”

His gaze flickered around the room, his expression unreadable. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. What time is your father coming back?”

Lena let out a short laugh. “My father? He’ll be back when all the work is done, and not before.” And that was the crux of the problem. That her father’s type of work—Tristan’s type of work—was never truly done.

“I could stay,” he said. Then raised his hands, palms up. “I don’t mean it like that. I mean, I could make you something to eat or drink. Some tea, maybe. I could stay until your father gets here.”

Man, he was making this hard for her. She wanted so badly to say yes. He was offering to take care of her, and dammit, she needed that today—more than ever. But it was a poisoned offer, and the longer she spent with him, the harder it was going to be to let him go.

“No,” she said firmly. “Thank you. I’ll be okay. I’d prefer if you leave.”

Tristan frowned. “You shouldn’t be alone, Lena.” Something in the way he said it made her throat tighten. There was no pity in his tone, no judgment. Just quiet understanding. Again, making it harder for her to make the right choice. The safe choice.

“I’m fine. Really.” She didn’t need anyone looking after her. “Thank you for dropping me off.”

Hurt filled his blue eyes for an instant, making them even brighter. Then it was gone. “Please call me if you need anything. Anytime.”

“I will,” she lied. Anything to get him out of the house. So she could think again. So she could remember all the reasons why the two of them were a stupendously bad idea.

Tristan

Sitting in his car made him feel like a stalker, but that’s what he was doing—waiting, watching, until the colonel came home.

He’d called Beau to say he needed a few hours off. That had gone about as well as expected—yet another award-winning entry in his recent streak of shitty conversations with his boss.

But sitting here was driving him crazy. He wanted nothing more than to knock on her door and see how she was doing. But Lena had made it clear that she wanted him to leave.

Still, that didn’t stop him from texting.

How are you feeling?

He held his breath, waiting. Eventually, three little dots appeared.

Dozing.

Shit. He’d woken her up.

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.

It’s okay.

A pause.

I’m going to heat up some soup.

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