Page 6 of Seduced By the Mountain Man

Until I stripped off my shirt.

Montana summers are hot. Paddleboarding is physical work. Removing my shirt while demonstrating technique was perfectly reasonable. If I flexed a little more than necessary, well, that was between me and the sun.

I didn't miss how Delaney's eyes followed me. Or how she suddenly lost perfect balance and wobbled when I helped the redhead back onto her board after a suspiciously convenient fall.

Kayla—the woman with braids—paddled over to Delaney and said something that made her laugh. The sound carried across water, hitting me unexpectedly hard. When was the last time I'd heard Delaney laugh like that? Open, uninhibited, head back, sunlight catching highlights in her hair?

Too long. My heart did a small flip-flop in my chest.

"Jace!" Matt called, breaking my reverie. "Mrs. O'Henry's stuck by the rocks again."

I reluctantly turned attention to guiding the nervous older woman away from shore. When I looked for Delaney again, she'd drifted toward deeper water, attention fixed on something in the distance—probably the bald eagle slowly circling the far shore.

She didn't notice how far she'd strayed until a motorboat passed, its wake creating waves that threatened her stability. I watched her wobble, arms out, fighting to stay upright.

Without thinking, I was in the water, strong strokes carrying me to her side. I reached her as the second wave hit, hands catching her hips to steady her.

"You're a walking hazard, Dee," I said, voice low as my hands lingered. "Or maybe a floating one."

She stiffened but didn't pull away. "I was fine until you decided to turn this into Magic Mike: Lake Edition."

I laughed, surprised and pleased by her sass. "If I'd known you were such a fan, I'd have brought tearaway pants."

"You're impossible," she muttered, but I caught the slight curve of her lips.

"And you're too far from the group," I countered, nodding toward the main gathering. "Come on, I'll escort you back."

"I can manage," she insisted.

"I know you can," I said, treading water beside her board. "But humor me. It's my job to keep everyone safe, even stubborn marketing directors who think they know everything."

Her head snapped toward me. "How did you—"

"Tyler mentioned it," I admitted. "We still talk, you know. Even if you and I don't."

Something complicated passed across her face—hurt, maybe regret—before she masked it. "Fine. Lead the way, Mountain Man."

I guided her back, swimming alongside her board, hyperaware of her presence. When we rejoined the group, the blonde—whose name I’d learned was Whitney—shot me a speculative look, making me wonder if the electricity I felt between Delaney and me wasn’t merely my imagination.

The session finished without incident, though Delaney stayed firmly in the group's center, far from me. As they headed to shore, her friends surrounded her, heads bent in obvious gossip. I caught fragments—"seriously hot" and "what was that about?"—before they moved out of earshot.

Matt helped secure boards and vests in the equipment shed. "Amber asked me to show her the trails later," he said, trying to sound casual. "Think it's okay?"

I clapped his shoulder. "Just remember you're on duty at seven tomorrow, regardless of how late your 'trail tour' runs."

He grinned, face flushing. "Yes, sir."

Alone, I found myself staring across the grounds where Delaney and her friends had disappeared toward the dining area. Tomorrow would be hiking—more time in close proximity. More opportunities to decide if what I felt was worth potential consequences.

Tyler had been my friend since we were teenagers. When Mom struggled financially, the Shaws gave me summer work. Tyler stood by me through everything. Would he understand if he knew I had feelings for his sister? Or would he see it as betrayal?

Six months ago, I'd convinced myself the answer was clear. Made the mistake of running when things got complicated, choosing the safe path of friendship over the uncertain one of pursuing Delaney.

But seeing her again, feeling that same pull, I wasn't sure anymore. Maybe some things were worth the risk.

This time, I was considering standing my ground.

This time, I might play to win—if I could find the courage to face what came after.

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