Page 5 of Broken on the Mountain
"Yes. Breakfast. Public walk of shame. All of it." The words tumble out faster than I can stop them. "But I'm borrowing one of your flannels because I refuse to do the walk of shame in my dress. It's designer standard, andveryexpensive."
Chase grins and I melt a little more inside. "That's my girl."
His hand reaches up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, and I hold my breath, caught in the intensity of his gaze.
For a moment, everything around us fades away—the rustic kitchen, the lingering scent of coffee, even the impending doom of a public walk of shame to Bear Paw Café.
It’s just him and me, standing on the precipice of something terrifyingly new and exhilarating.
He stares into my eyes, and for a split second, I’m sure I see something there. Something deeper than lust. Something that makes my heart beat a little faster.
But I’m quick to squash it, reminding myself that this is temporary. A holiday fling while I check on my best friend.
Nothing more.
Then he leans forward and kisses me.
It’s tender at first, a gentle brush of lips that sends a shiver down my spine. But then it deepens, turning hot and urgent. His hand curls around my waist, pulling me closer as his tongue teases mine.
I respond eagerly, wrapping my arms around his neck to pull his hard, naked body closer. My breath hitches as he presses me harder against the counter, his hands roaming down to grip my hips.
“Chase…” I murmur against his lips, but he swallows my words with another searing kiss.
“Yeah?” His voice is rough with desire as he trails kisses down my neck.
“We’re going to be late for breakfast.”
He chuckles, the sound vibrating against my skin as he bites down on my collarbone. “Are you really thinking about food right now?”
His eyes darken with want as he lifts me onto the counter effortlessly.
“No,” I admit breathlessly as he nudges my legs apart and steps between them. “But we should… you know. Make a move.”
“Fine.” He pulls back reluctantly and hands me one of his flannels from the back of a chair. “But you said you’d wear this.”
I slip it on, the fabric warm and smelling like him. “Happy?”
“Ecstatic,” he says with a grin that makes my heart skip a beat.
"Just so we're clear," I say, straightening his hair where my fingers messed it up, "this is definitely the worst decision I've ever made."
"Oh, baby…" Chase says, pressing one more kiss to my forehead, "we're just getting started."
I follow Chase out into the mountain air, his flannel drowning my dress.
Three days ago, I was Piper Whitman: perfect daughter, perfect nurse, perfectly miserable.
Now I'm someone who makes terrible decisions before breakfast.
And for the first time in my life, I can't wait to see what happens next.
Chapter Two
Chase
The bell above Bear Paw Café jingles like it's happy to finally see me with a woman.
And holy hell… not justanywoman.Piper Whitman.
