Page 31 of Wrecked on the Mountain (Stone River Mountain #2)

Chapter Eighteen

Brooke

This is what love feels like.

The thought spirals through my brain as Jamie's hands frame my face, his kiss deepening under the golden sunrise. Holy shit, this man just told me he loves me while the sun rose over his kingdom.

I can barely breathe from how perfect this moment is.

"God, Jamie..." I gasp against his mouth, gesturing wildly at the breathtaking view surrounding us. "This is... We're actually going to do this? On your deck? Oh my god."

He chuckles, that rough sound that makes my stomach flip, and starts trailing kisses down my neck while his hands work at the buttons of my jacket.

"Got you here, in my favorite place," he murmurs against my skin, each word sending shivers through me. "Time to make it ours."

The morning air is freezing as the wind up here blows against my skin. It should be cold, but as Jamie peels away layers, the heated blankets beneath us and his enormous, chiseled body towering over me keep me warm.

He kisses me and starts to spread one of the soft blankets across the cedar deck, adjusting the tent protruding in the front of his jeans.

"You know the whole valley can see us," I laugh breathlessly, but I'm already reaching for his shirt, needing to feel his bare skin against mine.

"Let them," Jamie's voice is rough with want as he helps me out of my jeans. "Now they know about us and we can start our lives. Together."

The way he says our lives makes my heart race. This isn't just sex—it's a claiming, a promise, a declaration written across the landscape he loves most.

Jamie guides me gently down, spreads me out on the heated blanket like I'm a feast he's been starving for, his hands desperate as they explore every inch of my skin.

The sunrise is growing brighter, shining in his dark hair, the tattoos covering his arms now glowing, the intense blue of his eyes as he looks at me like I'm the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.

"You're perfect," he whispers, pressing kisses to my collarbone, my ribs, the soft skin of my stomach. "Perfect and mine."

His mouth eventually finds the sensitive spot between my legs, I arch off the deck with a gasp that echoes across the valley. Jamie's stubble scratches deliciously against my inner thighs as he settles between my legs, the anticipation making me tremble.

"Jamie," I breathe, my voice barely a whisper. "Please."

He slides his hands under my thighs, spreading my legs wider as he dips his head. The first touch of his tongue against my core is gentle, a caress that makes me inhale sharply and clutch the blanket beneath me.

"God, Jamie..." My hands find their way into his thick hair, fingers tangling as I try to anchor myself to something solid. He chuckles against my clit, the sound vibrating through every nerve ending.

He takes his time, teasing with slow, languid strokes that have me writhing, desperate for more. The contrast between the roughness of his hands and the softness of his mouth is intoxicating.

Jamie hums against me, the vibrations sending shocks of pleasure through my body as he changes pace, licking faster now. His tongue circles and flicks over my clit, leaving me breathless but still needing more.

He knows exactly what he's doing. Knows how to build me up until I'm teetering on the edge, and then, only then, does he pull back like some kind of cruel sexy mountain saint.

"That's it, sweetheart," he growls, lapping at my entrance, tasting my warm free-flowing juices coating his beard. "You come when I say you come. Got it?"

I can barely nod from the pleasure.

My world narrows to the sensation of his mouth on me again, every nerve alight with pleasure. This man doesn't give up. When he finally barks his command, sucking hard on my clit… I come apart with a cry that echoes across the valley.

"FUCK! JAMIE!"

His tongue retreats, only to be replaced with his fingers move quickly over my pussy, fast swipes on my clit until my body is pulsing with pleasure so sharp I feel like I'm suspended at the highest peak before freefall.

"That's it, good girl. Come for me," Jamie growls, his hand moving faster as I explode from within. "Yes, fuck, look at your cunt. So damn sexy."

The pressure that explodes from within me is exquisite.

I clutch at his shoulders, my nails leaving crescent moons in his skin. Pleasure coils tighter with every expert touch, the mountain air kissing my feverish skin as I arch against his hand.

He kisses his way back up my body, his lips glistening with evidence of my release.

"Perfect," he whispers again as he kisses me deeply. The taste of myself on his lips is electric, grounding me in this perfect moment.

While I'm still trembling from my orgasm, I reach for his belt with shaking hands, needing him more than I need air.

"Need you inside me," I whisper, working frantically at his buckle. "Now, Jamie. Please."

He helps me free him from his jeans, and then he's settling between my legs, the thick head of his cock teasing my entrance and rubbing over my already sensitive clit.

"You sure about this?" he asks, even though we're already both naked on his deck with the entire valley spread below us. "Here, like this?"

"Absolutely. Make love to me in your sacred place, Jamie. Make it ours."

He slides into me and we both groan at the perfect fit. The heated blanket cushions us while mountain air kisses our skin, and I've never felt more alive, more beautiful, more wanted than I do right now.

Jamie moves slowly at first, his forehead pressed against mine as we find our rhythm. But as the sun climbs higher and our need grows more desperate, he picks up the pace until we're both gasping and clinging to each other.

"I love you," he pants against my neck, his thrusts becoming more urgent. "Love you so fucking much, Brooke."

"I love you too," I cry out, feeling another orgasm building. "Always, Jamie. Always."

When we come together, our voices mingling in the crisp morning air, I know this moment has changed everything.

This deck, this view, this man… they're all mine now, just like I'm his.

Afterward, Jamie wraps us both in blankets and pulls me against his chest, our breathing slowly returning to normal as we watch the valley wake up below us.

"Well, I guess we should probably head to work soon," I murmur eventually, though I never want to leave this perfect bubble we've created.

"Probably," he agrees, but his arms tighten around me. "Five more minutes?"

I smile and settle deeper into his embrace. "Five more minutes."

***

I float through the Mountain Rescue station doors thirteen minutes late and absolutely glowing. My skin still tingles from Jamie's touch, and I can't stop the smile tugging at my lips every time I think about this morning.

I love you too. Always, Jamie. Always.

The words replay in my mind as I hang up my jacket, trying to look professional despite feeling like I'm walking on air.

"Well, well, well," Chase's voice cuts through my post-orgasmic haze. "Look what the mountain cat dragged in."

I turn to find him leaning against the equipment lockers, arms crossed and wearing the biggest shit-eating grin I've ever seen. Knox sits at the communications desk, not even pretending to work as he studies me with raised eyebrows.

"Morning, boys," I say, aiming for casual but probably missing by a mile. "Beautiful day, isn't it?"

"Sure is," Knox drawls, his deadpan delivery making me squirm. "Real... glowing kind of day."

Heat creeps up my neck. "I had a good night's sleep."

"I'll bet you did," Chase snorts, then straightens as the station door opens.

Jamie walks in, and oh sweet Jesus, he looks just as wrecked as I feel. His hair's still mussed despite obvious attempts to tame it, and there's a satisfied gleam in his blue eyes that makes my stomach flip.

"Oh, here he is! Striker!" Chase calls out cheerfully, practically skipping over to Jamie. "You're looking mighty refreshed this morning, ol' cheese. Get some good... rest ?"

Jamie shoots him a warning look. "Don't you have equipment to check?"

"Already did," Chase grins wider. "Funny thing though… your truck was gone from your usual spot this morning. Knox here was worried you'd been abducted."

"Real concerned," Knox adds with zero emotion. "Almost called it in."

I busy myself with the coffee machine, hoping they can't see how hard I'm trying not to smile. The rich aroma fills the air as I pour, and I swear I can feel Jamie's eyes on me from across the room.

"Coffee's fresh," I announce to no one in particular.

"Thanks, sweetheart."

The endearment slips out before Jamie can stop it, and the silence that follows is deafening. Chase's eyebrows shoot toward his hairline while Knox's lips twitch with barely suppressed amusement.

" Sweetheart ?" Chase repeats slowly, sniggering so hard his eyes water at the attempt to hide it. "That's new."

"Professional nicknames," I say quickly, reaching for a second mug. "Very... team-oriented."

"Right… professional ," Knox says. "Hey Chase, be a darlin' and get me a refill."

"Of course, shnookums," Chase laughs, not even bothering to stop the barrel of his chest as he bursts out with a booming laugh.

I pour Jamie's coffee and carry both mugs across the room. When our fingers brush during the handoff, electricity shoots up my arm.

"Thank you," Jamie murmurs, eye our colleagues who are practically rolling around on the floor in their own amusement. "Ignore those assholes. We've got nothing to hide."

"I know," I whisper back, then clear my throat. "So! What's on the agenda today?"

For the first time in months, maybe years, I feel genuinely happy. Not the hollow satisfaction of a successful surgery or the brief relief of saving a life, but pure, uncomplicated joy.

This is what I came to Stone River to find. Not just healing from burnout, but remembering what it feels like to be alive.

Before anyone can respond, the radio beside Knox crackles to life.