Page 7 of The Mountain Man's Chance

“You will?”

“Of course, Camille. There’s no question. Let’s go. You can tell me what happened on the way.”

Camille quickly locked the diner, and we ran out to my truck. The rain came down in sheets, pelting us sideways as the wind nearly knocked us over.

“My mom sent me a pin drop. I’ll put it in the GPS app,” she said as her fingers flew across the screen of her phone.

“Perfect,” I said as I steered out of the parking lot. The visibility sucked, and the rain and wind whipped at my truck. I kept my speed below twenty as I tried to navigate the fallen debris from the trees.

“A tree came down right in front of them and blocked the road. Two seconds earlier, and it would’ve come down on them,” Camille said, her voice shaking with fear.

I reached over and squeezed her hand. “They’re okay; that’s what’s important. We’ll find them, sweetheart.”

It didn’t take long to locate their car. I loaded them up safely inside my truck and hooked their car to my tow hitch.

After taking the long way back to their house due to the storm, I got them all safely inside and unhooked their car.

“Thank you so much for everything, Zach. I appreciate the help,” Camille said to me, and I think it was the nicest tone she’d used with me since returning to town.

“You know I would do anything for you, sweetheart.”

“You wouldn’t mind doing me one more favor, then?”

“Name it.”

“Would you mind giving me a ride back to the diner? I’ll drive myself home, I just need?—”

“No way. The storm is only going to get worse.”

“I don’t have a choice. I need to clean up and prepare for the morning.”

“So open later. I doubt anyone will be out in the morning. Not until the roads are cleaned up at least.”

“Zach, you don’t understand. I need to close up.”

“Fine, I’ll drive you there. And back. There’s no way you’re driving on these roads tonight.”

Camille crossed her arms and let out a puff of air, her signature annoyed look, but I secretly loved it. It never failed to make my dick hard. “Ugh! You’re impossible.” She kissed her parents goodbye and stomped outside. It was fucking adorable.

When I pulled into the diner almost thirty minutes later, her hand was on the door handle, and she was ready to jump out with a goodbye.

“What’s the rush?” I teased, and she shot me a dirty look.

As she went to open the door and hop out, I pulled her back inside. I couldn’t hold back, couldn’t resist anymore, and this goddamn sassy attitude of hers only made it more difficult.

I was taking what I wanted. And I wantedher.

With my hand on the back of her neck and my fingers in her hair, I guided our mouths toward each other and kissed her with all the love I felt for her, all the passion and longing I’d fought for so long.

She kissed me back. She actually kissed me back.

For a split second.

Then it was over.

“What the hell, Zach?” Camille pushed me off her and hopped out of the truck. Without a look back, she stormed into the diner.

CHAPTERFIVE

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