Page 19 of Broken on the Mountain
And tonight, it's even better. Because I'm bringing Piper into it.
Piper smooths her hands down the front of her sweater, a soft cashmere thing in cream. She glances around the tavern with those bright blue eyes that have been driving me insane all day.
"I can't believe I left this place to climb a fire escape last night."
"You were very determined."
"I was very drunk."
"You were very sexy." I lean closer, dropping my voice. "Still are."
Her cheeks flush, and I want to kiss the color spreading across her skin. Want to peel that expensive sweater off and discover what she's wearing underneath all over again.
Is that allowed? I've never done this before… friends with benefits… where does the line start, and where does it end?
Perhaps we could skip dinner entirely and take her back to my place to properly seal our little 'arrangement.'
The one where we're supposed to keep things casual.
Fun.
Except right now, watching firelight dance across her face and her lips part slightly as she looks up at me, casual with this beautiful womanstillfeels impossible.
"Chase."
"Piper."
"We're in public."
"I'm aware."
"You're looking at me like—"
"Like I want to take you home and make you climb something else?"
She laughs, breathless. "Exactly like that."
We've been to various spots around town all afternoon. We picnicked with sodas at the meadow, grabbed a beer at theoverlook, then swung by the station where Knox gave her the full tour like she was royalty.
She laughed at everything. Asked questions. Fit in like she'd been here forever instead of forty-eight hours.
Now she's tucked against my side in a corner booth of my favorite bar, and I'm half-convinced I've died and gone to some beer-commercial version of heaven.
But when do I get to take her home and ravish her all over again?
Charlie spots us from behind the bar and waves, already reaching for two frosted glasses.
"Finally! Told you I'd save you the good booth," he calls, sliding out from behind the walnut counter to stand at the end of our table.
He sets down two cocktails—his signature honey-whiskey concoction he calls the 'Timber Kiss,' which is basically liquid fire dressed up as dessert.
"On the house," Charlie says, winking at Piper. "First-timer special."
"You're going to spoil me," Piper says, wrapping both hands around the glass like it's precious.
"That's the plan."
Piper leans forward, elbows on the table, chin resting on her interlaced fingers. "How long have you owned this place, Charlie?"
