Page 28 of The Mountains Edge

I'm directing families to shelter when Marcus returns hours later. His eyes find me immediately.

"Fire's contained," he says, voice rough from smoke. "Cabin's safe."

"And you?"

"Better now."

Heat that has nothing to do with fire floods my veins. He stalks closer, backing me into the storage room.

"You disobeyed orders." His hands cage me against shelves.

"Are you planning to punish me?"

His eyes darken. "Definitely."

He kisses me hard, pressing me into the shelves. I wrap my legs around his waist as he lifts me.

"I was worried about you," I gasp between kisses.

"Impossible woman." But he smiles against my lips. "My impossible woman."

"Yours."

He growls, deepening the kiss. His hands find skin under my smoke-scented shirt.

A throat clears.

We spring apart as Cole appears. "Sorry but the fire is out here, please don’t start one in here.”

Marcus's forehead drops to mine. "I'm going to murder someone."

"Later." I straighten his shirt and look at Cole. “And I’ll deal with you later.”

Cole grins. “Looking forward to it.”

I can hear Cole tell Marcus that ’I am a stubborn one’ and Marcus telling him that yes, I was. But there was pride in that time. That I was his.

Chapter 14: Marcus

One Month Later

Daisy's scent lingers in my car as I drive to our monthly meeting. For once, I'm not the first to arrive at the TradingPost. My late arrival has everything to do with how she looked in my shirt this morning, hair mussed from my hands.

"That smile's disturbing." Jake's voice breaks through my thoughts. He's leaning against his truck, arms crossed. "You're scaring the wildlife."

"Bugger off."

I can't wipe the smile completely. Not after last night, or this morning. Daisy was everything and more.

"Man, you've got it bad." Cole joins us, rifle slung over his shoulder. He's been tracking something in the high country. "Good thing we like her."

Finn arrives last, limping slightly. The weather change always affects his old injury.

"Let’s get inside," I order, noticing his discomfort.

They follow me into the Trading Post's back room.

"Alright." I settle into my usual corner. "Status."

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