Page 22 of Seduced By the Mountain Man

"That's my girl," he murmured, the pride in his voice sending warmth flooding through me. "Just step off and enjoy the ride."

I took a deep breath and stepped into empty air.

The initial drop made my stomach lurch but then came the exhilaration—the rush of wind in my face, the breathtaking view of forest and lake, the sense of flying free. I heard myself laughing as I glided toward the next platform, where Kayla waited with a thumbs up.

As the guide there unclipped me, I turned back to see Jace watching from the departure platform, a smile on his face that made my heart skip.

Just a fling, I reminded myself sternly.Just physical attraction.

But as the day progressed through increasingly challenging zip-lines, I found myself seeking him out at eachplatform, our eyes meeting in brief moments of connection that seemed to transcend the physical space between us.

By the time we completed the final, exhilarating ride back to the base, I was flushed with adrenaline and confusion in equal measure. Because if this was just physical, why did his simple words of encouragement mean so much? Why did his belief in me matter more than anyone else's?

And why, when he helped me out of my harness with the same professional detachment he'd shown earlier, did I feel its absence like a physical loss?

***

"You have to come to the sunset cruise," Amber insisted as we lounged on the cabin deck that afternoon. "It's supposed to be the highlight of the pre-Fourth festivities. Live music, dancing, cocktails—"

"And a certain outdoor guide who might be there," Whitney added with a wink.

"That's not a selling point," I lied, flipping through a magazine I wasn't actually reading. "I'm tired from zip-lining. I might just stay in."

"Absolutely not," Kayla said firmly. "You're coming. Even if it's just to enjoy the scenery and music."

I relented, partly because I knew they wouldn't give up, and partly because—despite my protests—the thought of seeing Jace again sent a thrill of anticipation through me.

Just physical, I reminded myself as I changed into a simple sundress that brought out the amber flecks in my eyes.Just temporary.

The cruise departed at seven, just as the sun began its descent toward the mountain peaks. The resort had transformed one of their larger pontoon boats into a floating cocktail lounge,with twinkling lights strung along the railings, a small bar set up at the stern, and a three-piece band playing soft jazz near the bow.

About thirty guests mingled on the deck as we pulled away from the dock, the golden light of late afternoon gilding the lake's surface. I accepted a glass of white wine from a passing server and found a spot at the railing, watching the shoreline recede.

I spotted Jace almost immediately, not because I was looking for him (I absolutely was), but because he was impossible to miss—tall and commanding even in the simple uniform shirt and shorts he wore. He was speaking with Ruth, the resort owner, their heads bent together in what appeared to be a serious conversation.

As if sensing my gaze, he looked up, his eyes finding mine across the deck with unerring precision. For a breathless moment, we simply looked at each other. Then Ruth said something that recaptured his attention, and the connection broke.

I turned back to the water, sipping my wine and trying to calm the ridiculous flutter in my stomach. This was getting out of hand. One passionate encounter (okay, two if you counted Jackson Hole) and I was acting like a lovesick teenager.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Ruth's voice came over the small sound system. "Welcome to our sunset cruise. We'll be touring the lake for the next two hours, with a special stop at Echo Cove to watch the sunset. Please enjoy the music, the drinks, and the company."

The band shifted from background jazz to more upbeat numbers, and several couples moved to the small dance floor near the bow. Whitney immediately dragged her doctor fromChicago to join them, while Amber and Matt were already swaying together, oblivious to anything but each other.

I remained at the railing, nursing my wine and watching the forested shoreline slip by. The mountains reflected perfectly in the still water, creating a mirror world that seemed more peaceful than the real one.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

I didn't need to turn to know Jace had joined me. His presence at my side was as familiar now as my own heartbeat.

"It is," I agreed, not looking at him for fear of what my face might reveal.

"One of my favorite parts of working here," he continued. "The way the light turns the mountains to copper and gold at this time of day. Like they're holding the sunset inside them."

I nodded, taking another sip of wine to avoid speaking. If I opened my mouth, I might say something dangerous, like how I'd thought about him all day, or how his words on the zip-line platform had touched something deep inside me.

"Are we going to talk about last night?" he continued softly.

"I thought we agreed to give me time to think," I replied, finally turning to face him.

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