“It’s been a week and look what’s happened. A mess.”

“I don’t see a mess.”

“Yeah, well, you’re biased.”

“Maybe.” I say with a grin. “But you’ve always had a knack for self-sabotage. Remember junior year when you got grounded for two weeks for stealing Griffin’s dad’s car?”

She flushes and ducks her head, but I can see the ghost of a smile tugging at her lips. “I maintain my innocence to this day.”

“Yeah, yeah. You always were good at talking your way out of trouble.”

“But not this time,” she says softly, staring into the fire. “Not this time. The three of you have me in a lot of trouble.”

I lean closer, drawn by the weight of her words, by the way she’s finally letting the truth slip past her defenses. “Maybe it’snot trouble. Maybe it’s just…working itself out like the lodge. It might look messy right now, but give it a year and this place is going to be beautiful.”

The firelight dances in those bright blue eyes, catching flecks of warmth that have been missing for too long.

“Sierra,” I start, my voice low and rough, “I know this is complicated. I know we’ve got all this history between us, and with Griffin and Cody too… but I still want you,” I confess, my voice thick with need. “Hell, maybe I never stopped wanting you. But I’m tired of pretending that I’m fine with us just being… unfinished business.”

Her breath catches, and I can see the battle in her eyes—one part of her wants to run, the other part is desperate to stay. “Wyatt, I?—”

I can’t wait anymore. I close the distance, my free hand cupping the side of her face, my thumb brushing over her cheekbone. Her skin is soft, and warm under my touch. For a brief moment, she leans into it, her eyes fluttering shut.

“If you don’t want me to then say it.”

Sierra’s eyes open slowly, her gaze locked on mine, unsteady but unwavering. Her lips tremble, but she doesn’t say a word.

It’s all the answer I need.

I close the gap between us, pressing my lips to hers in a kiss that’s been years in the making—slow and tentative at first, but quickly growing in urgency, fueled by all the emotions we’ve held back for too damn long.

Her mouth is soft and warm, tasting faintly of cocoa, and she responds with a need that matches my own.

My hand slides to the back of her neck, fingers threading through her hair as I pull her closer. Sierra’s hands move to my chest, hesitant at first, then fisting in the fabric of my shirt, like she’s afraid to let go.

The kiss deepens, it’s desperate, and hungry, filled with everything we’ve never said.

I angle her head, needing more of her.

The years of distance, the regret, the confusion—they all dissolve in the heat of this moment, leaving only the raw, undeniable want between us.

She pulls back for a breath, her forehead resting against mine, her eyes still closed. “This is so stupid,” she whispers, her voice shaky.

“Probably,” I agree, my breath ragged. “But when has that ever stopped us?”

A small laugh escapes her, breathless and real, and it’s the most beautiful sound I’ve heard in a long time. Her lips return to mine. Sweet and slow. She tastes so damn good and it’s taking every ounce of self control to not rip her clothes off, but that control is fleeting.

I want to feel her soft, naked body against mine.

My hands move down to her waist, gripping her hips, pulling her even closer as our kisses grow more heated, more demanding. Sierra's moans only stoke the fire inside me, and I can't help but deepen the kiss further, my tongue tangling with hers.

I reach for her shirt and she doesn't stop me as I unbutton it, exposing her delicate collarbones, and her perfect breasts that I've been fantasizing about for so long. Sierra's hands are busy too, unbuttoning my shirt and pushing it off my shoulders.

Her smooth, warm skin against mine feels better than anything I could have ever imagined.

But it's still not enough. I need all of her, right now.

We stumble backward, making our way to the couch, our mouths still connected as if we're afraid that if we stop, this moment will evaporate like a dream.