Page 8 of Rugged Mountain Man
I bite my lip, torn between practicality and the wild urge to say yes. “I don’t know. I have to check with my boss.”
“Go ahead,” he says, leaning back in his chair like he’s got all the time in the world. “But make it quick. We’ve got some ground to cover if I’m going to show you what this place is all about.”
“You mean… now? Don’t you have to see to your business?”
“I have people taking care of everything. I’ve got the day. You’ve got decisions to make. Might as well make them with the right view.” His tone is steady, almost teasing, but there’s something in his gaze that makes me feel anchored. Like maybe, just maybe, I could actually stay. I get dressed quickly while Cole tidies up.
I grab my phone from the charging point and step outside, the crisp air biting my cheeks as I dial. My boss picks up on the second ring, her tone sharp.
“Parker. Please tell me you’re calling with an offer.”
My stomach twists. “Not quite. Look, I need to extend my trip by a few days.”
“Extend?” she repeats, incredulous. “Sadie, are you serious? You haven’t made a sale in months, and now you’re asking for more time off?”
“I’ll handle my leads remotely, but I need a little more time. I’ve hurt my leg and need some time to heal.” I lie. It doesn’t matter because as usual she doesn’t listen.
Her laugh is cold. “You think this little mountain getaway is going to fix your numbers? Newsflash, Sadie, your performance is on me, and it’s not cutting it. If you’re not back by Monday with an offer, don’t bother coming back at all.”
She hangs up before I can respond.
I step back inside, my thoughts spinning as the weight of everything presses down on me. Cole is still leaning against the counter, arms crossed, watching me like he’s waiting for an answer.
“All set?” he asks.
“She’s not happy,” I say, trying to keep my voice light. “But I can stay a few more days.”
His lips twitch, almost a smile. “Guess she’ll survive.”
I shrug, my chest tightening. “I just… need to figure out my next move.”
“Then stop thinking so hard,” he says. “Come on. I’ll show you a few of my favourite spots.”
I blink at him, surprised. “What?”
“The mountains,” he says simply. “The real ones. Not the tourist trails.”
My throat tightens. Something about his calm certainty steadies me. “I… I’d like that.”
“Good,” he says, turning to grab his jacket.
Before I can stop myself, I cross the room and wrap my arms around his waist. It’s impulsive and probably ridiculous, but I don’t care. I just need to say thank you somehow, to show him how much I appreciate… all of it.
For a moment, he’s stiff, clearly caught off guard. But then his arms come around me, warm and solid, and I feel his breath against the top of my head. His hands rest lightly on my back, like he’s afraid of crushing me.
“Thank you.”
His chest moves beneath my cheek as he exhales, his grip tightening ever so slightly. “You’re welcome.”
The hug lingers, the air between us shifting. My pulse is racing, every nerve hyperaware of the heat rolling off him, the steady strength of his body. When I pull back, my face is burning, but his gaze holds mine, unreadable and intense.
“Let’s get going,” he says, his voice lower now, rougher. “You’ve got some real mountains to see.”
Chapter Four
Cole
Her scent lingers, soft and sweet, even as I haul the truck up the dirt path that winds through the mountains. The feel of her body pressed against mine is burned into my skin. That impulsive hug—quick, unexpected, and too damn intimate. Her arms around my waist, her cheek against my chest—it’s all I can think about, and it’s messing with my head. I should’ve pushed her away, kept it professional. But instead, I’d stood there, holding her like a damn fool, every instinct roaring that she belonged in my arms.
