Page 15 of Rescued By the Brooding Mountain Hero

Jade shoots me a defiant look. "I'm fine," she insists, even as she stumbles slightly over a rock in the path.

I reach out to steady her, my hand lingering on her arm perhaps a moment longer than necessary. "Stubborn woman," I mutter, shaking my head.

Finally, after what feels like hours of climbing, we reach the summit. Jade is panting heavily, her face glistening with sweat, but there's a fierce light of accomplishment in her eyes.

I take her hand and gently tug her forward. "Come here," I murmur. "I want to show you something."

We step out onto a rocky outcropping, and Jade gasps, her free hand flying to her mouth. The view is breathtaking - a sea of jagged peaks stretching out as far as the eye can see, their snow-capped summits glinting in the sunlight. Far below, Heartwood Lake glimmers like a sapphire nestled amidst the evergreens.

"Beau," Jade breathes, her eyes wide with wonder. "This is incredible."

I squeeze her hand, feeling a swell of pride in my chest. "I thought you might like it," I say softly. "It's one of my favorite spots in the whole world."

"I can see why," she breathes, the wind whipping her chestnut hair around her face as she turns to face me. The awe in her eyes sends a thrill through me, and I can't help but feel a swell of pride that I was the one to bring her here, to share this special place with her.

I reach out and tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering on the soft skin of her cheek. "I'm glad you like it," I murmur, my voice low and rough with emotion. "I wanted to share it with you."

Jade's eyes meet mine, and the intensity in their depths takes my breath away. Before I can second-guess myself, I lean in and capture her lips with mine, pouring all of the pent-up desire and longing I've been feeling into the kiss.

She responds instantly, her arms winding around my neck as she presses her body against mine. The feel of her soft curves molding to my hard planes is intoxicating, and I deepen the kiss, my tongue tangling with hers in a dance of passion.

When we finally break apart, both of us breathing heavily, I keep my arms wrapped around her, holding her close. I know in that moment that I can't let her go, can't let her leave without telling her how I feel.

"Jade," I say softly, my heart pounding in my chest. "I know this might sound crazy, but... I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay here with me."

She looks up at me, her eyes wide with surprise. "Beau, I..."

I take her hand in mine, my thumb rubbing circles on her palm. "I know we haven't known each other long, but there's something about you, Jade. Something that pulls me to you like a magnet. I don't want to lose this chance. We have to see where this could go."

Jade bites her lip, her brow furrowing. "Beau, I... I'm not sure I'm cut out for this kind of lifestyle," she admits, her voice trembling slightly. "Walking up this mountain nearly killed me, and that storm terrified me more than I expected. My life is in the city; it's what I know."

I feel my heart sink at Jade's words, the admission that she doesn't think she's cut out for life on the mountain hitting me like a physical blow. But even as disappointment floods through me, I refuse to give up. I've never been one to back down from a challenge, and this woman in front of me is worth fighting for.

"Jade," I say softly, taking her hand in mine. "I know this life is different from what you're used to. But I promise I'll be there every step of the way. I'll protect you, keep you safe."

She looks up at me, her brown eyes searching mine. "But Beau, my work, my publisher... I can't just abandon everything."

I nod, understanding her hesitation. "I know. And I'm not asking you to. When you need to go back to the city to meet with your publisher, I'll go with you. I'll be by your side no matter where you are."

Jade bites her lip, considering my words. I press on, determined to make her see that we have a chance, that this thing between us is worth exploring.

"And while you're here, I can help you explore the mountain safely. We can take it slow, go at your own pace. I just... I don't want to lose this, Jade. I don't want to lose you."

I watch nervously as Jade thinks it over, my heart racing at a million miles an hour. Finally, a slow smile spreads across her face, and I feel a surge of hope.

"Okay," she says softly, squeezing my hand. "I feel it too, Beau. This connection between us. It would be silly not to at least see where it could go."

Relief and joy flood through me, and I pull her into my arms, holding her close. "Thank you," I murmur, burying my face in her hair. "Thank you for giving us a chance."

Jade tilts her face up to mine, her eyes shining with emotion. Slowly, I lower my head, capturing her lips in a kiss that sends sparks racing through my veins. She melts into me, her body molding to mine as she kisses me back with equal passion.

In that moment, with Jade in my arms and the stunning vista of the Colorado Rockies surrounding us, I know that I've found something truly special. And I'll do whatever it takes to hold on to it.

EPILOGUE - JADE

[Three months later]

I take a deep breath as I step out onto the cozy porch of Beau's A-frame cabin. This place, nestled among the towering pines with an incredible view of the peaks, is now my home. It's hard to believe how much my life has changed in just three short months.

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