Page 83 of Broken on the Mountain
He's quiet for a moment, then he mumbles, "You matter."
I matter.
Me.
The real, messy, imperfect version that hikes in teal boots and loses at chili cook-offs. Not my last name. Not my trust fund. Not my ability to smile politely at charity galas and make small talk with hedge fund managers.
Tears prick my eyes, and I blink them back furiously.
"Hey." Chase tilts my chin up, concern creasing his forehead. "You okay?"
"Yeah." My voice comes out thick. "Just… thank you. For saying that."
He searches my face, and I wonder what he sees. The perfect Whitman daughter façade? Or the woman underneath who's falling so hard for him it terrifies her?
"Come here." He pulls me into his lap, and I go willingly, wrapping my arms around his neck.
We sit like that for a long time, wrapped up in each other while the wind whispers through the pine branches and the sun tracks slowly across the sky.
"Piper?" His voice rumbles against my ear.
"Mm?"
"Stay with me tonight. Under the stars. Right here."
I pull back to look at him. "Here? At the lookout? Won't we get cold?"
"There's a rescue hut about ten minutes from here." Chase brushes a strand of hair from my face. "Always stocked withblankets, firewood, emergency supplies. Part of the mountain safety network. I'll take care of you, baby. Always."
"I know you will. You always do."
That's what makes this so much worse.
"Yeah." His eyes are soft, vulnerable. "Because, and I know this is probably breaking every single one of our napkin rules, but I want to watch every sunset with you. Make love to you under the stars whenever I want. Wake up with you in my arms and watch the sunrise.Forever."
My heart cracks wide open.
This man.
"Yes," I whisper. "Yes, I'll stay."
He kisses me, slow and deep and achingly tender. Not the desperate passion from last night, but something quieter.
Something that feels dangerously close to forever.
Chapter Seventeen
Chase
The rescue hut sits on the side of the mountain, tucked against an overgrown outcrop, camouflaged by weathered wood that's been battered in countless wild storms over the years.
I shoulder open the door with ease because there's no lock. These huts are dotted around the mountain, left available in case of emergencies. Over the years, they've helped save more than a few lives, not to mention a few forced proximity romances that have bloomed because of them.
Emergency supplies line the shelves in organized rows. Medical kits. Flares. Water purification tablets. Everything exactly where it should be, because Jamie runs this mountain operation like the experienced military man he is.
A blast of wind howls around the hut, creaking the walls.
She said yes to the dance.
