Page 12 of Peaked Desires

Elise shifts on her pillow, setting her empty plate down beside her.

“That wooden structure down at the retreat? The one of the man and the smiling boy… that’s you and your father, isn’t it?”

I grin, thinking about the centerpiece I made to celebrate my father’s vision for his land.

“Yeah, that’s us,” I say. “It took me months to make that structure.”

“It’s beautiful,” Elise says, her lips tilting.

“This was his dream, to share the beauty of our land. Make it a place for everyone to enjoy. He didn’t get the chance to do it, so I’m helping him.”

“I’m sorry he’s not here to see it,” Elise says gently.

“Me too,” I admit.

As the fire dies down, we empty another bottle of red wine. Elise is the perfect company and we don’t stop talking about our lives. She tells me about the city, and I cringe at how awful it sounds.

“I hope you never go back there,” I tell her.

I can’t stand the thought of this beauty ever leaving. Not to the city. Shit, not even back to her cabin tonight. She belongs here now, with me. She might not know it yet, but I’m never letting her go.

Not tonight. Not any night.

The room grows darker, and I let the fire start to burn out. I move in close, my hand brushing against Elise’s as we snuggle on the floor. She moves into me, giving me exactly what I want. Our fingers intertwine together, and I wrap a protective arm around her.

I can’t resist this woman. I was a fool for thinking I could.

But I don’t need to.

I was scared of her becoming a distraction, but she cares about this retreat just as much as I do. The fear in her eyes when she thought she had destroyed all the bookings, the regret and despair in her voice. She cares.

Dad wanted to share this land, and I can’t think of anyone better to share it with. I’ve already decided it. For the rest of my life, Elise will be with me.

“Elise,” I whisper, sliding my fingers to intertwine with hers. “Spend the night with me.”

Her eyes sparkle and without even a hint of hesitation, she nods.

I lean in and kiss her, knowing my life is never going to be the same again.

CHAPTER SIX

Elise

Huxton grips the back of my head, pulling me closer. Our lips touch and the moment they do, nothing else matters.

All professionalism is gone.

My body fills with heat, a swarm of butterflies crashing in my belly. I’ve waited for this, waited too long. The kiss deepens, his mouth opening as I get my first taste of this gorgeous man.

Finally.

His kiss is hot and possessive, it’s everything I imagined it would be. My hands latch onto the back of his head, pulling him closer. My fingers grip his hair, each roll of his tongue sends a surge of heat to my throbbing core.

He’s grunting, devouring me like a wild animal.

But this isn’t what I came here for. I didn’t expect this to happen, steaming up the mountain, terrified that I screwed everything up for this man. Should I even be doing this? I mean, this is my boss.

“Huxton,” I whisper when we break for air. “This is…”

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