Page 19 of His Wild Desire

Caleb Stone, larger than life yet somehow even more handsome than I remember. He’s wearing an impeccably tailored suit that only serves to accentuate the raw masculinity he can't seem to shed, even in the heart of the concrete jungle. Thick waves of black hair are slicked back, but a few unruly tendrils have already escaped to frame those striking blue eyes. He clutches a bouquet of wildflowers, their brilliant hues impossibly vibrant against the drab city backdrop.

The sight of him standing there steals the breath from my lungs in a harsh rush.

"Caleb? What are you..." The words stick in my suddenly dry throat as he takes a halting step forward.

"Emma, I..." He trails off. "Dammit, I had a whole speech planned, but seeing you here, now, I can't... I can't remember any of it."

He takes another step, closing the distance between us.

"I was so wrapped up in my own little world up there in the mountains that I couldn't see anything beyond the trees,” he admits. “But you... you blew in like a whirlwind and turned everything I thought I knew on its head."

A wry chuckle ghosts across his lips, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I tried to fight it at first, convinced a city girl like you could never understand the simple life I loved so much. But you surprised me, princess."

He reaches out then, his fingertips ghosting a featherlight trail down the curve of my cheek. "Our connection is like nothing I've ever felt before. I knew from that first moment when I held you in my arms that you were something special."

A lump forms in my throat, tears prickling treacherously at the corners of my eyes. He takes my hand, enveloping it in the warm, comforting strength of his grip as his eyes bore into mine with an intensity that leaves me breathless.

"I let you walk away once before, and not a day's gone by that I haven't kicked myself for being such a coward. I'm not making that mistake again." Lifting my knuckles to his lips, he presses a lingering kiss to my skin, his gaze never wavering. "Give me another chance, Emma. Please."

The aching vulnerability in his plea breaks through the last of my defenses. A choked laugh bubbles up, giddy and incredulous as my heart swells to capacity.

I launch myself into his arms, the wildflowers crushed between us as my lips crash against his in a searing, desperate kiss. Caleb doesn't miss a beat, his strong arms banding around me as he returns my fervor with equal passion, our bodies melding together in a way so achingly right it renders all my doubts and fears insignificant.

Catcalls and wolf-whistles from passersby fade into obscurity as we drink each other in, oblivious to anything but the scorching heat that's been simmering between us since the moment we met. Caleb's fingers tangle in my hair, holding me impossibly close as our kisses turn deep and searching and hungry, as if making up for every moment we've been apart.

When we finally break for air, his forehead rests against mine, his ragged breaths mingling with my own. A grin splits my face, bright and unrestrained and so gloriously wild.

"You've got your second chance, hoss," I murmur. "Now, let's go get lost for a while."

Chapter 9

Caleb

Iset the last box down with a grunt, swiping my forearm across my brow as I take in the cozy mountain rental Emma's secured for the next few months. Rustic beams crisscross the vaulted ceiling, and the scent of pine hangs thick in the air.

"That's the last of it," I announce, straightening to find Emma already in the midst of unpacking, a whirlwind of infectious energy.

She pauses, eyes sparkling with excitement as she sweeps her gaze around the open living area. "Isn't this place perfect? It has everything we need—a real fireplace, a big soaking tub, and just look at that view!"

Following her gaze, I can't help but grin at the panoramic vista visible through the wall of windows, the jagged peaks and rolling evergreen valleys an achingly familiar sight. Having Emma here to share it all makes the splendor that much sweeter.

"It's not bad, I suppose," I tease, crossing the room to snake my arms around her waist from behind. She lets out a breathless giggle as I nuzzle into the crook of her neck, basking in her intoxicating floral scent mingled with the crisp mountain air. "Although I seem to recall a certain city slicker who wasn't so easily charmed by the Great Outdoors not too long ago."

Emma lets out a derisive snort, leaning back into my embrace with a contented hum. "Well, that was before I had an unfairly handsome mountain man to properly introduce me to all its splendor."

Chuckling against the silken warmth of her skin, I trail a path of featherlight kisses along the graceful curve of her neck, relishing the way she shivers in my arms.

"Speaking of introductions," she says, "I've narrowed it down to three local businesses that could really use my expertise. I thought maybe you could put a good word in for me?"

"Oh yeah?" I ask. "What businesses are those?

An adorable little crease forms between her brows as she launches into a detailed rundown. "The Grizzly Growler needs a complete rebrand and social media overhaul. Then there's Alpine Bliss Yoga and Wellness—they've got a solid following, but their online presence is practically non-existent. And Campfire Coffeehouse is doing okay, but with a few strategic—"

I can't help but grin as she rambles on, her hands punctuating the air with those graceful gestures that never fail to captivate me. The passion in her voice and the determination in those expressive eyes are all so quintessentially Emma. It fills me with a profound sense of pride to see her embracing this new path that allows her to share her talents and drive without sacrificing her spirit to some soulless corporate machine. She's finally doing it her way, thriving in a realm perfectly suited to those boundless reserves of ambition and creativity.

"You're really set on this whole freelance marketing thing, huh?" I remark, settling onto the worn leather sofa and stretching my long legs out before me.

Emma's features soften into an affectionate smile as she abandons her unpacking to cross the room and straddle my lap, lowering herself down. "Well, when you know what you want, there's no sense dilly-dallying, right?"

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