5. Tessa
five
Tessa
I wake to warmth pressed against my back, a heavy arm over my waist. Disorientation clouds my mind before it all rushes back: the storm, the cave, Corbin... last night.
Sunlight filters through the cave entrance, painting the stone walls golden. The steady rain has softened to a drizzle. I shift slightly, feeling Corbin stir behind me.
"Morning," he murmurs, voice rough with sleep. He withdraws his arm, creating space between us that wasn't there moments ago.
I turn to face him, oddly shy. "Morning," I reply, searching his face for regret. His expression is guarded, but he doesn’t seem upset.
"Storm's letting up," he says, nodding toward the entrance. "We should check outside."
His practicality grounds me. Whatever happened between us, we're still stranded on a mountain. I appreciate that he doesn't try to over-analyze what happened, at least not yet.
We dress in silence. Every movement feels charged—his fingers brushing mine as he hands me my shirt, his eyes following me as I gather my belongings.
Outside, the world is transformed. The mountain air smells fresh, the forest dripping with rainwater that catches light like tiny prisms. Patches of blue peek between receding clouds.
"Beautiful," I breathe, taking in the valley below, mist hovering over treetops.”Can we start making our way down?" I ask, even though I know I don’t want to leave.
Much to my relief, he shakes his head as he surveys the terrain. "Not yet. Ground's unstable. Landslides are an even greater risk after this much rain." He points to darkening clouds on the horizon. "And that's another system moving in. We've got a few hours at most."
Disappointment mingles with a secret thrill at the thought of another night with him. "So we're still stuck."
Corbin chuckles. “Welcome to the rainy season, city girl. For now. The Search and Rescue crews should be out once it’s safe for the choppers." He shoulders his pack. "But we can use this time. Come on."
He leads me along a narrow path, skirting the mountainside. I follow carefully, noticing how he occasionally glances back, offering his hand at steeper sections. His giant hands are warm and calloused, making me remember how good they felt on my body.
"Where are we going?" I ask after at least fifteen minutes of hiking.
"You need to learn a few things if you're going to spend time in these mountains," he says, matter-of-factly. "First lesson: finding water." He shows me how to identify signs of a freshwater spring. When he locates a tiny trickle between rocks, the satisfaction on his face makes me smile.
"It's like you speak the mountain's language," I say, watching him collect the water in his special filtered water bottles.
Something softens in his expression. "It's just observation. Anyone can learn." He hands me his water bottle. "Your turn."
I awkwardly position the bottle to catch the trickle. His hands cover mine, adjusting my grip. "Like this," he murmurs, breath warm against my ear. I'm suddenly more aware of his chest pressed against my back than the lesson.
"I think I've got it," I say, voice embarrassingly breathless.
Corbin steps back, but I feel his eyes on me as I finish. When I turn with my accomplishment, the pride in his slight nod feels more rewarding than any workplace accolade.
"What's next, Professor Mountain Man?" I ask, hoping the teasing eases the tension.
"Food," he replies simply.
The next hour passes in a blur of new knowledge as Corbin shows me edible plants, berry identification, and animal sign reading. I absorb it all eagerly, delighting in this new world.
"These," he says, crouching beside small mushrooms, "will make you violently ill. But these—" he points to a different variety, "—are edible and nutritious."
"How do you remember all this?" I ask, impressed. "They look almost the same."
"Practice. Necessity." He glances up. "Mistakes you only make once."
I catch his meaning immediately. "You've poisoned yourself?"
"Early on." He straightens. "I survived. Learned from it."
I imagine him younger, finding his way alone in this wilderness. "You're a good teacher. I'd have probably eaten the wrong mushroom on day one."
"Probably. But you're a good student," he says, sounding surprised. "You pay attention."
"I'm motivated," I reply. "Nothing like potential starvation to focus the mind."
We reach an outcropping that offers shelter and a view of the valley. The approaching storm is visible now, dark clouds rolling in from the west. We have an hour before it hits.
"We should head back soon," Corbin says but makes no move to leave. Neither do I, savoring these moments of peace and connection before we face the returning storm.
I settle beside him on a relatively dry patch of stone, acutely aware of his proximity, the heat of his body next to mine in the cool mountain air. The silence between us feels comfortable now, filled with unspoken understanding.
"Thank you," I say finally. "For teaching me. For..." I pause, not sure how to talk about what happened between us without shattering this fragile new connection.
He turns to face me, his dark eyes searching mine. "Tessa," he begins, his voice low and rough. "About last night." It’s like he’s reading my mind.
My heart speeds up. "Yes?"
"I don't regret it." His directness takes my breath away. "But this isn't—I'm not—" He struggles visibly with the words.
I place my hand over his, feeling the calluses on his palm and strong fingers. "I don't regret it either. And I'm not asking for promises or definitions."
Relief flickers across his face, followed by something darker, more intense. His hand turns beneath mine, fingers interlacing. "What are you asking for?"
The question hangs between us, loaded with possibilities. The truth rises to my lips before I can second-guess it. "More moments like this. More of you. For however long we have."
His other hand moves to my face, thumb brushing my cheekbone with unexpected tenderness. "That I can give."
This time, when we kiss, there's no hesitation. His lips are warm and certain against mine, his hand sliding into my hair to cradle my head.
I move closer, eliminating the last space between us, letting my hands explore the solid warmth of his chest. He makes a low sound in his throat that sends heat spiraling through me, his arms tightening around my waist.
I break our kiss, meeting his questioning gaze with newfound confidence. Slowly, deliberately, I slide from the rock to kneel before him, my intentions clear in my eyes.
His breath catches visibly. "Tessa, you don't have to—"
"I want to," I say simply, my hands already working on his belt. "Let me."
The heated look that crosses his face emboldens me further. My fingers tremble slightly as I undo his jeans. When I finally free him, I can't help the small gasp that escapes my lips. He's impressively endowed, thick, and hard, and the sight of his incredible cock sends fiery heat to my core.
"You're amazing," I whisper, looking up to find his eyes dark with wanting, his chest rising and falling with quickened breaths. I’ve never seen a cock as thick and powerful as his before. It pulses in my hand, the head already swollen and glistening.
"Tessa," he groans, his voice strained as my fingers explore his length. His hand comes to rest lightly on my hair, not guiding, just connecting.
I take my time, savoring the feeling of him against my palm before leaning forward to taste him. His sharp intake of breath encourages me, and I grow bolder, taking him deeper, letting my tongue trace patterns that make his thighs tense beneath my hands.
"God, Tessa," he murmurs, his fingers threading gently through my hair. The tenderness of the gesture contrasts with the raw passion of the moment, and something in my chest tightens with emotion.
I push my head down, my cheeks hollowing out as I wrap my lips around his impressive girth. I think I’ll choke, but somehow I don't. I lose myself in pleasuring him, in the sounds he makes, in the knowledge that I can affect this powerful man so deeply.
Out here, with the vast wilderness spread around us and the approaching storm painting the sky, everything feels primal and honest. There’s no room for pretense or performance, just raw connection.
Corbin’s breathing grows more ragged, his hand tightening slightly in my hair. "Tessa, I'm close," he warns, giving me the choice to pull away. But I don't want to. I want all of him, this moment, this connection. I increase my efforts, taking him deeper, and am rewarded by the warm, salty taste as he comes down my throat.
When he finally pulls me back up to him, his kiss is fierce and grateful, his arms wrapping around me with a tenderness that makes my heart swell. "You're something else, city girl," he murmurs against my lips.
I laugh softly, feeling freer than I have in years. "Maybe I'm finding who I really am out here."
The distant rumble of thunder interrupts the moment. Corbin glances at the approaching storm front, his expression shifting to concern. "We need to get back to the cave. Now."