Page 15 of Chosen for the Mountain Man

“Back up,” I snap, stepping into his space. Rock star or not, I’ll lay him out if I have to.

Duke grabs Lennox’s shoulder, but I’m too fired up. “Everything we did was between two consenting adults. True, I didn’t know about her condition. But you know what Idoknow? She hiked three miles yesterday. Swam naked in a crystal clear stream. Laughed so hard she snorted. She’s doing great, if you ask me. So maybe step off, okay?”

Ciara’s mom gapes. “She... hiked?”

“And skinny-dipped,” Duke adds helpfully. Ro elbows him.

Ciara limps forward, eyes blazing. “I love you all, but I’mdonebeing your porcelain doll. Max doesn’t coddle me—he just...supports me.” Her gaze lands on me, vulnerable. “But Max, I’m not twenty-eight.”

The air deflates. “Wait,” I say, dread pooling in my gut. “Please tell me you’re not a minor.”

“I’m nineteen!”

“Oh thankChrist,” I exhale. Though I guess I’m a still a cradle robber anyway.

Ciara’s chin quivers. “I thought you’d never give me a chance if I told the truth. I’m not athletic, or mature, or independent. I just wanted the dating app to choose me as your best match.”

I cup her face, thumbing away a tear. “You’re the sweetest, sexiest, most resilient person I’ve ever met. Your condition doesn’t define you. So what if your joints hate you? Mine hate me too—thanks, Fallujah.”

A surprised chuckle bursts out of her.

Ciara’s dad clears his throat. “So... you’re dating?”

“Yes,” Ciara says.

“No,” I say at the same time.

She blinks.

“What we have feels like so much more than dating,” I clarify. “I mean, I love you, Ciara.”

Her smile could rival the sun. “I love you, too, Max.”

Duke claps his hands. “Great! Now, let’s go get brunch. I’m starving and you two need to put on pants.” He eyes our robes.

Lennox finally submits and apologizes when Hallie pats his chest, and Ciara’s parents give us weak smiles. It’s a start for sure.

As the group shuffles inside, Ciara tugs at my sleeve and we head to the bedroom. “You’re really not mad?”

“Furious. You’ll need to grovel extensively. Naked.”

“Deal.” She rises on her toes, whispering, “For the record...orgasms really seem to help my RA.”

“Good. Because I plan to give you more the second we get back.”

Her grin is pure wickedness.

MyMsWrite28…

EPILOGUE - CIARA

ONE YEAR LATER

“Focus, Ciara,” Max rumbles behind me, his hands firm on my hips as we shift into the next tai chi move. Morning sunlight filters through the pines, glinting off the gold band on his finger.

Thegold bandIgave him. Myhusband. It still feels surreal.

“I am focusing,” I lie, biting back a grin. His breath ghosts over my neck, warm and distracting. “You’re the one who can’t keep his hands to himself during ‘flowing mountain streams’ or whatever this move’s called.”

---