Page 11 of Temptation for the Mountain Man
Rolling off me, she turns to me with a satisfied grin. "Happy birthday," she whispers shyly.
"Best birthday of my life," I huff, pulling her close.
"Go back to sleep," she murmurs, snuggling into my chest.
I drift off to the sweet scent of the woman I love and the realization that I've never been happier.
Chapter 7
Callie
I stare at Blaze's front door, unsure if I'm allowed back inside. I left only a few minutes ago. My shift starts in half an hour, and I didn't want to wake him since I don’t know what to expect in the light of day. If I'm honest with myself, I'm running away so I don't have to face potential disappointment. I said I was in for the night, but my heart is in it for life, and I don't think I can take it if he's changed his mind.
I tried to get a rideshare up the mountain, but none were available, so I decided to walk until I could catch the bus. I made it about a hundred yards before I realized the roads were so slick from the thin coat of ice that nobody was getting down the mountain safely today.
Now, I need to figure out my next move, but that requires me to deal with what happened last night.
As I reach out to turn the knob, the door flies open, and a half-naked Blaze fills the doorframe.
"Callie!" He reaches out and crushes me to his bare chest. His pants are still half undone, and he only has one shoe on.
I listen to his racing heart and realize that he was worried about me. "I'm sorry. I didn't have a glass slipper, so I left my number," I mumble against his skin, breathing in his soap and musk scent.
"Fuck. I don't want your number." Blaze’s voice rumbles in the small front room. "I want your soul, Callie."
"I'm sorry," I breathe against him, pulling back to look up at him. "I didn't know if you'd feel the same way in the light of day, and I needed to get to work."
"Trees are down across the roads in weather like this. The ice is too dangerous to drive. You'll have to call in sick."
I pull back. "No, Blaze. I need this job." Panic rises from my stomach into my throat, and my breathing instantly intensifies.
"Callie, nobody expects you to be able to come in today from here. I promise."
"Oh, my god. I should’ve gone back to the resort last night. What was I thinking?" I pace the small room, gazing out the windows as if I expect summer to magically appear if I hope hard enough.
Blaze stops me in my tracks. He reaches forward and grips my hands, rubbing small, soothing circles on my skin. "Breathe."
I try to speak, but he shakes his head and takes a deep breath. He does it again, and I do it with him. After four deep breaths, I'm calmer.
"I know you've had to deal with all this by yourself for so long, gorgeous." Blaze's steady voice wraps around me. Tears prick the back of my eyes as he gazes down into my eyes with so much love that my heart is ready to burst open. "But you're not alone anymore. And I know you may not believe me for a while, but I’llbe here to remind you every day until you do, for as long as you'll let me. Hell, even if you won't let me because I won't be able to leave you alone."
Holy shit.
I don't know what to say, so I sink against him, my tears wetting his chest as I try to process what he's telling me.
"I've got you." He rubs my back in slow circles, and the tightness in my chest gradually lessens. "Call your boss. Tell them you're stuck because of the storm and offer to work overtime later this week." He pulls back, wiping the tears from my eyes as he looks down at me with more love than I could possibly imagine exists in one person. "You won’t lose your job because you don't show up due to a weather emergency."
I nod, realizing he's right.
I call Millie, who tells me she would’ve sent me home at noon again anyway.
"Take today off. You can work the full shift on Saturday."
"Okay, thank you, Millie." I let out a relieved breath.
"Hey, was Celeste able to work something out for you?"
I glance at Blaze with a smile. "Yes. It worked out better than I could have ever dreamed." I thank her again and hang up.
