Page 91 of Wrecked on the Mountain

"I didn't have a choice. Before I accepted this job, or more to the point, wasforcedto accept this job, I was in danger of completely losing everything. My work. My friends. Mymind." I clear my throat of the emotion suddenly evaporating from somewhere deep inside my body. "My attending physician basically told me I was one mental breakdown away from being banned from ever practicing medicine again. Apparently, working thirty-six hour shifts and refusing to take vacation days for three years straight is considered 'concerning behavior' in the medical community."

"Imagine that," Jamie says dryly, his fingers threading through my hair.

I pull back to look around the penthouse again, taking in every carefully planned detail. The champagne chilling at the perfect temperature. The rose petals on the bed. The view over the private balcony.

It's all beautiful.

And he's done this… for me.

"I can't remember the last time someone took care of me with this level of thoughtful attention."

Actually, I can.

It was my dad, making me birthday donuts and pretending they were better than cake.

"Come here," Jamie says, moving toward the champagne setup. "Let me properly welcome you to Cascade Springs Resort."

He pops the cork, and of course Mr. Mountain Man knows how to open champagne without making a mess. He hands me a glass with a strawberry now bobbing in the golden bubbles.

The first sip is crisp, expensive, with a hint of sweetness from the fruit.

"To many more perfect weekends," he says, raising his glass, looking to me with those cutting blue eyes.

"To spoiling me rotten," I counter, clinking my crystal against his.

"Here, here."

We drink, and I wander across the plush carpet to the wall of windows, champagne making me warm from the inside as I take in the view. From this height, I can see the entire valley where I've built a life I never expected to want.

"So what's the plan, Mountain Daddy?" I ask, settling onto the couch and curling my legs under me. "Please tell me you've scheduled every moment of perfection."

His ears turn red at the nickname, but he's grinning as he joins me on the couch.

"Of course. We've got a couples massage in an hour," he says, checking his phone like he's coordinating a rescue operation. "Then a swim in the pool, then dinner prepared by a personal chef right back here on our private balcony."

"A personal chef," I repeat, shaking my head.

"Five courses, each with wine pairings. Locally sourced ingredients." He's trying to sound casual, but I can see the pride in his eyes. "I wanted you to see what Stone River has to offer."

What Stone River has to offer.

Huh. Maybe this isn't just a romantic getaway after all.

This is Jamie showing me what our life could look like if I stay. The luxury lifestyle we could build together in these mountains.

Well God help me, it's working.

I feed him a piece of chocolate from the silver platter, and when he catches my thumb between his lips, sucking gently, heat pools low in my belly.

"You're trying to ruin me for regular weekends, aren't you?"

"Absolutely," he says, not even trying to deny it. "Is it working?"

Instead of answering, I lean forward and kiss him, tasting chocolate and champagne. I reach for the front of his jeans, ready to show my appreciation properly, but Jamie jumps up like I've electrocuted him.

"Not yet!" His champagne glass sloshes everywhere. "We need to go!"

"Seriously?" I laugh as he pulls me to my feet.