Page 20 of Hot for the Mountain Man

His eyes flashed with raw need as I rose up, straddling him. “You—” He swallowed, voice tight. “Fuck, you’re incredible.”

I brushed my lips against his in a teasing kiss, my body still buzzing from earlier. “I want you,” I whispered against his mouth, rolling my hips so he could feel how ready I was. His responding groan set my blood aflame, and I reached behind me, guiding him against my slick core.

He gripped my waist, lips parting as I sank down slowly. The sensation nearly stole my breath—he stretched and filled me, each inch intensifying the deep ache of desire. A hiss escaped my lips as we settled together, bodies locked in place. For a moment, we stayed perfectly still, reveling in the exquisite shock of closeness.

Then Grant exhaled shakily, hands sliding to cradle my hips. “Move,” he urged, voice thick with longing.

I complied, raising myself just enough before sinking back down. The friction set every nerve aflame, drawing a shared groan from both of us. I found a steady rhythm, rolling my hips as his hands guided me, and soon we were lost to the push and pull of each other’s bodies. He lifted his torso, wanting to be closer, pressing hot kisses to my throat and collarbone. My pulse hammered, each thrust sending jolts of pleasure up my spine.

His lips grazed my ear. “You feel so perfect—like I’ve been waiting forever,” he murmured, words ragged against my skin. I moaned in response, too overwhelmed for coherent speech.

Heat coiled tighter, the pace growing more frenzied. My breath caught, and I knew I was chasing another peak. He sensed it, too—one hand slid down to stroke me where we joined, amplifying the pressure. My vision blurred, body arching as bliss climbed to dizzying heights. I let out a broken gasp,holding onto his shoulders as everything inside me unraveled in a sharp, euphoric rush.

“Grant,” I cried, voice cracking. My climax crashed over me in rolling waves, hips grinding desperately against him. My inner muscles clenched, triggering his own release with a choked groan. His arms clutched me tight, and I felt him pulse within me, groaning my name in a low, shattered tone that sent aftershocks through my trembling limbs.

We stayed locked together, foreheads touching, breath mingling. My heart pounded so loudly I wondered if he could hear it. Eventually, I let out a trembling laugh, burying my face in his shoulder. He stroked my back tenderly, every motion a contrast to the fierce hunger that had propelled us moments ago.

“God, Peyton,” he whispered after a long silence. “That was…”

I lifted my head, meeting his gaze. His eyes shone with gratitude and awe, and I felt a tender ache bloom in my chest. “Everything,” I finished softly.

A gentle smile curved his lips. “Everything,” he agreed, tugging me down for a lazy, post-bliss kiss. My body hummed with the fading remnants of pleasure, contentment weaving between us like a warm cocoon.

We eventually shifted onto our sides, limbs still tangled, his fingers gently sifting through my hair. Outside, the faint rustle of leaves or distant hum of traffic seeped in, but it felt far removed from this quiet, intimate universe we’d created in the bedroom.

“I’ve wanted you for so long,” he confessed, voice low and still a bit uneven. “Tried to do the right thing, keep my distance… but I couldn’t.”

I pressed a kiss to his jaw. “I didn’t want distance,” I admitted, heart thudding with honesty. “I wanted you from the moment you appeared on that mountain.”

His arms enveloped me, warm and protective. “Glad we’re here now,” he murmured. “No more holding back.”

I smiled, eyes drifting shut. The day’s tension had ebbed, replaced by a sweet, satisfying exhaustion. “No more holding back,” I echoed, settling against his chest. In that quiet stillness, with our bodies still intertwined and our breathing gradually calming, it felt as though the entire world had shifted. We drifted to sleep still entwined, the world beyond the cottage temporarily forgotten.

???

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains I'd forgotten to close, warming my bare skin. I stirred, becoming aware of Grant's solid presence beside me, his arm still draped possessively across my waist. For a moment, I simply watched him sleep, his features relaxed in a way I'd never seen before.

As if sensing my gaze, his eyes flickered open, focusing immediately on my face. A slow smile spread across his lips.

"Morning," he murmured, voice rough with sleep.

"Morning," I replied, returning his smile.

He leaned in to kiss me, and I melted against him, my body already responding to his touch. His hand had just begun a tantalizing path down my side when a sharp electronic buzz interrupted the moment.

Grant tensed, reaching for his phone on the nightstand. His expression shifted instantly as he read the screen.

"What is it?" I asked, already knowing it wasn't good news.

"Wildfire," he said grimly, sitting up and reaching for his clothes. "Western slope of Fire Mountain. They're calling in everyone."

Fear clutched at my heart as I watched him dress quickly. "How bad?"

"Bad enough for an evacuation order," he replied, buckling his belt. "Governor's declared a state of emergency. They're setting up the community center as a shelter for evacuees."

I swallowed hard, pushing back the tears that threatened. This was his job—the dangerous reality I'd have to accept if I wanted him in my life. "Be careful," I managed, hating how inadequate the words sounded.

Grant paused in his preparations, turning back to me. His expression softened as he cupped my face in his hands, pressing a fierce kiss to my lips.

---