Page 15 of Claim Me, Colt

The truck pulls into the clearing, and a tall, lean man climbs out. He’s got sandy hair and an easy smile, but there’s a tightnessaround his eyes that reminds me of how Colt looked when we first met. Somehow, I know Boone has monsters in his past that he still needs to slay.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” he says, grinning as he approaches. “The hermit’s got himself a woman.”

Colt smirks. “Boone Mitchell, meet my fiancée, Simone. Simone, this is the bastard who taught me how to fish.”

Boone tips an imaginary hat. “Pleasure. I’ve been telling Colt for over a year that he needs to fix those porch boards. Guess it took a pretty woman to light a fire under him.”

“He’s been doing a lot of things he never used to,” I say, smiling as Colt wraps an arm around my waist.

Colt kisses the top of my head. “She’s changed everything.”

I shake my head. “You give me too much credit.”

“No,” he says gently. “You don’t give yourself enough.”

Boone raises an eyebrow, glancing between us. “Sounds like there’s a story there. How’d you two meet, anyway? Colt’s even more of a recluse than I am.”

I open my mouth, then pause. “Well, it’s kind of a long story—”

“The mountain code,” Colt says, cutting in with a knowing look.

Boone groans. “Oh, notthatagain.”

I blink. “The mountain what?”

“It’s just an old legend the locals tell,” Boone says, rubbing his jaw. “About men who move up here to be alone.”

Colt pulls me closer. “The saying goes:You stay alone… until the mountain sends you a woman.”

I raise an eyebrow. “And you think the mountain sent me to you?”

Colt’s gaze doesn’t waver. “I don’tthink. Iknow.The mountain always knows when it’s time.”

“Give me a break,” Boone mutters.

Colt laughs. “Who knows, buddy? Your turn may be next.”

The look on Boone’s face makes me laugh. “Until then,” I say, chuckling, “Would you like to join us for dinner?”

Later, after Boone’s left and Colt and I are tangled in bed, I marvel at the moonlight spilling through the windows. I love it here on the mountain. And it’s not just because of the gorgeous man beside me.

Okay, it’s mostly him. But I love the tranquility and the solitude, too. I’m at peace here, with him.

His fingers trace slow circles along my spine.

“Any regrets?” he asks quietly, like he already knows the answer.

“Just one,” I whisper.

He tenses. “What is it?”

I plant a soft kiss on his jaw. “That it took me so long to find you.”

He exhales, pulling me tighter. “The mountain sent you when I needed you most.”

I rest my cheek against his chest, smiling as I soak in the quiet certainty of his voice.

Maybe it’s just a story.

Maybe it’s fate.

Or maybe the mountain code is real after all.

Either way, I’m exactly where I belong.

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