Page 5 of Craving the Mountain Man

But I refuse to complain. Every time I feel like I can't take another step, I catch sight of Grayson glancing back at me, his expression a mix of concern and something else I can't quite read. It spurs me on, determined to show him I can handle this.

As the sun begins to dip behind the peaks, Grayson calls for us to make camp in a small clearing. I breathe a sigh of relief, my legs trembling as I lower my pack to the ground.

"Not bad for your first day on the mountain, Hayes," Grayson says, his voice gruff but not unkind. "Get some water and help set up the tents."

I nod, too exhausted to speak, and fumble for my water bottle. As I take a long drink, I survey our group. Mr. Donovan and his team look nearly as worn out as I feel, but there's an excitement in their eyes as they take in the breathtaking views surrounding us.

Grayson, on the other hand, looks completely at ease. He moves around the campsite with fluid grace, his body clearly accustomed to the rigors of the mountain. I find myself watching him, admiring the way he seems so at home in this rugged wilderness.

"Like what you see, sunshine?" Jake's teasing voice startles me out of my reverie. I feel my cheeks flush as I realize I've been staring at Grayson.

"I was just... observing," I mumble, busying myself with unpacking a tent. "Learning from the expert, you know?"

Jake chuckles. "Sure, sure. Just remember, our fearless leader isn't as tough as he likes to pretend. I've seen the way he looks at you when you're not watching."

Before I can process that startling piece of information, Grayson's voice rings out across the camp. "Hayes! I need you to check in with base camp. Let them know our position and status."

Grateful for the distraction, I hurry to grab the satellite phone and make the call. As I relay our coordinates and confirm that everyone is safe and accounted for, I can feel Grayson's eyes on me. When I finish the call and look up, he gives me an approving nod.

"Good work," he says. "Now get some food and rest. Tomorrow's going to be even tougher."

As the group gathers around the small campfire for a meal of trail rations, I find myself seated between Jake and Grayson. The conversation flows easily, with Mr. Donovan regaling us with stories of his business exploits. But I'm acutely aware of Grayson's presence beside me, the heat of his body a stark contrast to the cooling mountain air.

When a particularly cold gust of wind makes me shiver, Grayson wordlessly drapes his jacket over my shoulders. The gesture is so unexpected, so uncharacteristically gentle, that I find myself staring at him in surprise.

"Can't have my assistant freezing to death on the first night," he says gruffly, but there's a softness in his eyes that makes my heart skip a beat.

As the fire dies down and we retire to our tents, I find myself lying awake, my mind racing. The day's exertion should have knocked me out, but I'm too keyed up—a mix of lingering adrenaline, aching muscles, and confusing thoughts about Grayson.

I toss and turn, replaying the moment he draped his jacket over my shoulders. Such a simple gesture, and yet it felt monumental coming from him. I remember the warmth of his body next to mine, the subtle scent of pine and something uniquely him clinging to the fabric.

A rustling outside my tent snaps me out of my thoughts. I hold my breath, listening intently. There it is again—the sound of footsteps crunching on gravel.

Curiosity gets the better of me. I unzip the tent as quietly as I can and poke my head out. In the pale moonlight, I see a familiar silhouette moving away from the camp.

Grayson.

Without thinking, I slip out of my tent and follow him. The night air is crisp, biting at my exposed skin, but I barely notice as I carefully pick my way through the campsite.

He leads me to a small outcropping of rocks just beyond our clearing. As I approach, I see him sitting on a boulder, his head tilted back as he gazes at the star-filled sky.

"Couldn't sleep either, Hayes?" His voice, low and gravelly, startles me.

I freeze, caught. "I... how did you know I was here?"

He turns to look at me, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You may be good at organizing files, but stealth isn't your strong suit."

I feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment. "Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I just saw you leave and..."

"And you were curious," he finishes for me. He pats the space beside him on the boulder. "Well, since you're here, you might as well join me."

Hesitantly, I make my way over and perch next to him. For a long moment, we sit in silence, both of us looking up at the vast expanse of stars above.

"It's beautiful," I breathe, awed by the sight.

Grayson nods. "This is why I do what I do," he says softly. "To protect this. To share it with others who understand its value."

I turn to look at him, struck by the passion in his voice. In the moonlight his usual stern expression has softened, revealing a vulnerability I've never seen before.

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