Page 15 of Seduced By the Mountain Man

"Just doing my job," I replied, not meeting his eyes.

"Right." Matt's tone made it clear he didn't believe me. "Well, she's signed up for cliff jumping tomorrow."

I nodded, already thinking ahead to the evening. I needed to finish inventory in the boathouse anyway. With the next day's activities requiring water equipment, it was a legitimate reason to be there late—and a perfect place for privacy if Delaney sought me out.

***

Sunset found me alone in the boathouse, methodically counting paddles and life vests by the light of old overhead fixtures. I was so lost in thought, replying the moments under the rock overhang, that I didn't hear the door open, only registering another presence when it closed with a decisive click.

Delaney stood there, hair still damp from what must have been a recent shower, dressed in clean shorts and a loose tank top that revealed the graceful curve of her collarbone. She looked determined, though about what, I couldn't tell.

"Dee," I straightened, setting aside the clipboard. "What are you doing here?"

"I told the girls I needed to check what equipment we'd need for cliff jumping tomorrow." She walked further into the room, her steps deliberate. "But really, I needed to talk to you."

"About what happened on the trail."

"About all of it." She stopped a few feet away, her arms crossed protectively over her chest. "Jackson Hole. The text. Last night. Today."

I waited, giving her space to continue.

"I've been thinking about what you said." She took a deep breath. "About telling Tyler. About taking a chance."

Hope surged in my chest, but I kept my expression neutral. "And?"

"And I think you're being selfish." The words came out in a rush. "You're willing to risk a friendship that spans decades for what—a fling? Some vacation sex? How is that fair to Tyler?"

The accusation stung, but I recognized the fear behind it. "Is that what you think this is? Just sex?"

"What else could it be?" She threw up her hands. "We live in different states, Jace. I have a career in Denver. You're here, living your mountain man fantasy. And between us is my brother, who trusts you. Who would be devastated."

"You don't know that," I repeated, moving closer to her. "And you're wrong about what this is. Yes, I want you—God knows I've never wanted anyone the way I want you—but this isn't just about sex for me."

"Then what is it about?" Her voice cracked slightly. "Because from where I'm standing, you're asking me to risk hurting my brother for... what exactly?"

"For us," I said simply. "For a chance to see if what I've felt for years—what I felt that night at the wedding, what I've feltevery time I've seen you since—is real. For the possibility that maybe, just maybe, you're worth risking everything for."

"Don't put this all on me!" she shot back, anger flaring. "You're the one who walked away. You're the one who sent that text. You're the one who didn't call for six months. And now you expect me to believe you're all in? That this is somehow more than just wanting to finish what we started?"

I closed the distance between us in two strides, backing her against the wall of equipment racks.

"You want to know if this is real?" I growled, frustration boiling over. "Every morning for six months I've woken up reaching for you. Every time Tyler mentioned your name, my heart stopped, wondering if he somehow knew if you'd told him. Every relationship I've tried to start has ended because they weren't you."

Her eyes widened, but I wasn't done.

"I didn't call because I was a coward, yes. Because I was afraid of losing Tyler, afraid of my own feelings, afraid that what I felt was one-sided. But I'm done being afraid, Delaney. I'm done pretending I don't want every part of you—your body, your mind, your heart. All of it."

"Jace..." she whispered, but I cut her off, my hands braced on either side of her head.

"Tell me you don't feel it too," I challenged. "Tell me I'm imagining this thing between us, and I'll walk away right now. I'll respect the line you're drawing. But don't tell me what I feel isn't real."

For a long moment, she stared at me, her chest heaving with emotion, her eyes searching mine. I could see the battle waging within her—desire versus duty, want versus fear.

Then her hands were in my hair, pulling my mouth down to hers with a ferocity that answered every question.

Our bodies collided with the force of desire that had been building for years. My hands slid down to grip her ass, lifting her against me as her legs wrapped around my waist. Her back hit the wall with a thud, paddles and life vests rattling on their hooks, but neither of us cared.

"This doesn't mean—" she gasped as my mouth moved to her neck, sucking at the sensitive spot below her ear.

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