Page 27 of Stranded with the Mountain Man

"I did walk away," I insist. "But some debts can't be ignored.Tank took two bullets for me three years ago.When he calls, I answer. Once.Then I come home."

"Home to what, Ross?" Her eyes search mine, looking for something I'm not sure how to give."Your isolated cabin? Your woodworking?Your memories?"

"To you," I say before I can stop myself."I came back to you, Dee."

She blinks, clearly not expecting that answer."For how long?"

"For as long as you'll have me." The words feel like jumping off a cliff, but I'm tired of holding back, of protecting myself from what might hurt."I didn't leave because I didn't want what we started.I left because I had to, and I figured you'd be gone by the time I got back.That you'd take the easy out I gave you."

"Since when have I ever taken the easy way?" The first hint of a smile touches her lips."You think hiding in a lab is easy?Dealing with university politics and grant committees?"

I step closer, testing whether she'll retreat.She doesn't. "No easier than hiding on a mountain, I guess."

"We're quite the pair, aren't we?" She uncrosses her arms finally, hands falling to her sides."Both running from the world in our own ways."

"Maybe we're done running." I reach out, brushing a loose curl back from her face, half expecting her to pull away.She doesn't. "Maybe we've been running long enough."

Her eyes dart to my hand, then back to my face."What are you saying, Ross?"

"I'm saying I want to try this for real.Not just while you're stranded here, not just until your sabbatical ends." I cup her cheek, feeling her lean into the touch despite herself."I'm saying I want to see if we can build something that lasts this time."

"And the club? What happens the next time Tank shows up needing you?"

"We set boundaries. I'm not rejoining, but I won't pretend they don't exist." I stroke my thumb across her cheekbone."What about your career? Your lab?Your life in Atlanta?"

"I've been thinking about that." She takes a deep breath."There's a research position opening at the community college in Riversend.Teaching part-time, field research the rest.It's not as prestigious as Atlanta, but--"

"But you'd be closer."

She nods. "Four days in Riversend, long weekends here.Or wherever makes sense. If... that's something you'd want."

Hope, dangerous and fragile, unfurls in my chest."You'd do that?"

"I haven't decided yet," she cautions."But I'm considering it. If there's something worth considering."

I could spend more time talking, trying to convince her with words.But I've never been good with those.Instead, I close the distance between us, claiming her mouth with mine.She makes a small sound of surprise before melting against me, her arms winding around my neck.

The kiss deepens, her body fitting against mine like it was designed for me alone.When we break apart, we're both breathing hard, foreheads pressed together.

"I missed you," I admit, the words easier now."Every minute I was gone."

"I missed you too." Her fingers play with the hair at the nape of my neck."Even though I was mad as hell at you."

"Still mad?"

"Getting over it." She smiles, a real smile this time."But you've got some making up to do."

"I think I can manage that." I lift her onto the counter, stepping between her legs."Starting now."

Her legs wrap around my waist, pulling me closer."I still have questions. About the club, about what happened three years ago--"

"And I'll answer them," I promise, pressing a kiss to her neck."But can we talk later?"

She laughs, the sound lighting me up from the inside out."Later works for me."

As I carry her to the bedroom, her mouth never leaving mine, I know one thing with absolute certainty: this time, neither of us is running away.

Steam fills the bathroom as I step out of the shower, muscles finally relaxed after three days of tension.Deena's curled up in my bed, her bare skin still flushed from our reunion, hair spread across my pillow.The sight of her there, comfortable and soft in sleep, does weird things to my insides.This is what I want--her, here, always.

---