Page 95 of Wrecked on the Mountain

His response is a kiss that tastes like wine and promises and forever. When he lifts me, carrying me toward the rose-petal-covered bed, I think hazily:I never want this weekend to end.

But deep down, I know Piper's arrival tomorrow will bring reality crashing back.

Chapter Twenty-One

Jamie

I'm feeling like the king of the fucking world as I pull into the pickup zone at Stone River Regional Airport.

My truck is pristine—washed, waxed, and detailed like I'm about to transport royalty instead of Brooke's best friend from Chicago.

The interior smells like leather and the pine air freshener I strategically placed under the seat this morning. I've stocked the center console with bottled water, snacks from Linda's general store, and even those fancy mints in a metal tin that Mom insists are "essential for making good first impressions."

On the passenger seat sits a small bouquet of white roses from Mom's shop, wrapped in brown paper with a ribbon that matches the autumn leaves scattered across the mountains surrounding us.

This is it,I think, checking my reflection in the rearview mirror one more time.Time to show Piper what Brooke's got here.

After our perfect weekend at Cascade Springs Resort, I'm riding a wave of confidence that feels unshakeable. Brooke saw exactly what our life could look like if she forgets the three-month contract expiration and just stays forever.

With me.

I've given her luxury, romance, endless possibilities nestled in the most beautiful place on earth. She melted into every moment, from the couples massage to the champagne in the infinity pool.

She gets it now. She understands what we're building.

Right?

The automatic doors slide open and passengers start streaming out of the small but modern terminal. Stone River Regional isn't much compared to those big city places, but it's got character.

I spot Piper immediately, and damn, she's exactly what I expected.

Five-foot-six with perfectly styled blonde hair that's as straight as an arrow. She's wearing a designer coat that's definitely not from Linda's general store. Her boots have that expensive shine that says they've never seen actual mud, and she's pulling two pieces of matching luggage that look like they came straight from a high-end travel shop.

But it's not just the obvious city polish that marks her as Brooke's best friend.

It's the way she moves—confident, purposeful, scanning the crowd with the same intelligent assessment I've seen Brooke use. These women definitely trained together, probably survived residency by tag-teaming every challenge that came their way.

No wonder Brooke turned out so fierce.

I climb out of the truck and stride toward her, putting on my best "charming mountain man" energy. It's this front that made my sisters' friends giggle in high school, and usually gets me out of speeding tickets with female officers if I ever venture out of town.

"You must be Piper," I say, extending my hand with the confident smile that Mom always said would get me in trouble someday. "I'm Jamie. Welcome to Stone River Mountain."

"Jamie! Hi!"

Her eyes widen as she takes me in from head to toe. She's probably cataloging everything from my height to my old rescue jacket.

I can practically see her mental checklist:Tall? Check. Handsome? Check. Actually exists and isn't a serial killer? Check.

"Holy shit," she breathes, then catches herself. "I mean—wow. Brooke wasn't kidding about the mountain man aesthetic. You're huge."

I laugh, already liking her direct approach. "And she also mentioned you're not easily impressed, so I'll take that reaction as a good sign."

"I'm really not," Piper grins, shaking my hand with a firm grip that suggests she's dealt with plenty of men trying to intimidate her with overly aggressive handshakes. "But those are gorgeous flowers, and your truck looks so cool."

"My mom insisted on the flowers," I admit, reaching for her luggage. "Said it's proper manners for out-of-town guests."

"Yourmom?" Piper's eyebrows shoot up as I easily lift her designer suitcases like they weigh nothing. "Brooke, get your ass out here! This man's mother taught him to bring flowers for houseguests!"