Page 40 of Jason Bourne (Seals on Fraiser Mountain #7)

Zoe

I wasn’t on Frasier Mountain five minutes before he found me.

Forest Reed.

The last time we’d seen each other was when he’d guarded me like a shadow, his hands steady on my wrists as he cut me free. I’d sworn I’d never forget the look in his eyes—quiet, unshakable, like I wasn’t just another rescue.

He carried as if I didn’t weigh anything. Then he stayed at the hospital, even followed me home, and stayed until my people showed up.

And now here he was, leaning against the hospital wall like he owned it, arms folded, those dark eyes tracking me the second I walked by.

“Detective Brewer,” he said, voice low and rough.

I didn’t mean to stop. But I did. “Forest.”

His mouth curved like he knew exactly what I was trying not to remember. “We need to talk.”

“About the case?”

“No.”

That one word slid through me like a spark. I should’ve kept walking. Should’ve reminded myself why I was here. But instead, I let him tug me into a supply closet, the door clicking shut behind us.

The second it did, his hands were on me—big, callused, gripping my waist like he’d been waiting years for this. His mouth crashed to mine, hot and demanding, and I kissed him back with every ounce of frustration I’d been holding inside. My hands slid up under his shirt, and then moved to his belt.

“Zoe,” he growled against my lips, “been thinking about this since the last time.”

“Then stop thinking.” My fingers fisted in his shirt, yanking him closer. “This is lust, Forest. That’s all it is.”

“Lust?” His laugh was dark, disbelieving, before his mouth claimed mine again. “Sweetheart, this is a hell of a lot more than lust.”

I ignored the way my pulse skipped at his words, the way his touch set me on fire. I convinced myself this was just heat, just release, just the danger of the mountain working through us.

Because if I didn’t?

Then I’d have to admit the truth. And I wasn’t ready for that. Not yet.