Page 15 of Craving the Mountain Man

Skylar leans across the table, pressing a quick, sweet kiss to my lips. "Absolutely," she says. "Let them talk. I'm proud to be with you, Grayson Wells."

As we leave the diner hand in hand, nodding and smiling at our fellow diners, I'm struck by how different everything feels. The town I've lived in for years suddenly seems more like home than ever before.

We walk slowly back toward my cabin, enjoying the crisp air. It’s so comfortable to be around her. I feel at ease, and I know that I’m exactly where I want to be, where I’m supposed to be.

“This is what you want, right?” she asks softly once we reach my cabin. “Stepping back from the business, taking smaller groups... being here with me?”

My brows snap together. “Of course, I want to be here with you. That’s not a question.”

But Skylar presses gently, her voice steady. “I mean all of it. Are you really happy, Grayson? Or are you just... trying to make it work?”

The question cuts deeper than I had expected. I pause, turning to look out at the dark horizon. “I don’t know,” I finally admit. “I’ve been so focused on keeping things running for solong, I’m not sure I even know what happy looks like anymore. But this... being with you... it’s the closest I’ve felt to it in years.”

Skylar rests her head on my shoulder, and the silence between us feels heavy. “I just want you to feel like yourself again,” she says quietly.

I wrap my arm around her, pressing a kiss to her hair. “You’ve already done that more than you realize.”

Despite my words, a flicker of doubt lingers in my mind. Is stepping back from the company really the right move for me? Or am I letting go of something too important—something I've spent my entire life building?

I take a deep breath, knowing I need to be honest - with Skylar and with myself. "The truth is, I'm not entirely sure," I admit softly. "Stepping back from the day-to-day operations of the company... it's a big change. One I thought I was ready for, but now..."

Skylar pulls back slightly to look up at me, her eyes filled with understanding. "You're having second thoughts."

It's not a question, but I nod anyway. "Fire Mountain Expeditions has been my whole life for so long. The idea of letting go, even partially... it's harder than I expected."

She reaches up to cup my cheek, her touch gentle and grounding. "Grayson, you don't have to give it all up. We can find a balance. Something that lets you stay involved with the company but also gives you time to be happy and live your life."

I lean into her touch, marveling at how she seems to understand my struggles even when I can barely articulate them myself. "You'd be okay with that? Even if it means I'm not around as much as we talked about?"

Skylar smiles softly. "Of course. I fell in love with you, Grayson Wells, mountain man and all. I don't want you to change who you are for me. I want us to grow together."

Her words wash over me like a soothing balm, easing the tension I didn't even realize I was carrying. I pull her close, burying my face in her hair and breathing in her comforting scent.

"What did I do to deserve you?" I murmur.

She chuckles, the sound vibrating against my chest. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe it was all those charming scowls and grumpy orders when we first met."

I can't help but laugh at that, the last of my unease melting away. "Well, I'll have to keep those up then. Wouldn't want to lose my charm."

Skylar pulls back, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Don't worry, your rugged mountain man appeal is safe with me. Now, are you going to invite me inside, or are we going to stand out here all night?"

I raise an eyebrow, a slow smile spreading across my face. "Why, Miss Hayes, are you propositioning me?"

She grins, rising up on her tiptoes to press a quick kiss to my lips. "Maybe. What are you going to do about it?"

In one swift motion, I scoop her up into my arms, delighting in her surprised squeal. "I think I have a few ideas," I growl playfully as I carry her towards the cabin door.

CHAPTER 8

GRAYSON

As I carry Skylar over the threshold of my cabin, her laughter fills the air. It's a sound I never tire of hearing, one that seems to chase away the lingering shadows in my life.

Once inside, I set her down gently, but keep my arms wrapped around her waist. Skylar looks up at me, her eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and tenderness.

"So, Mr. Wells," she says, her voice low and teasing. "What exactly did you have in mind?"

I lean down, my lips brushing against her ear as I whisper, "Why don't I show you?"

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