11. Jade
11
JADE
I blink awake, the sound of birds chirping outside my cabin window replacing the booming thunder from last night. Stretching tentatively, I'm relieved to feel no lingering soreness from my harrowing ordeal on the mountain.
Memories of Beau's strong arms carrying me to safety, his urgent hands stripping off my drenched clothes flood back in vivid detail. I can still feel the heat of his bare skin pressed against mine, a passionate collision amid the raging storm.
I emerge from the warm cocoon of blankets, the chill morning air pebbling my naked skin. Beau's intense blue gaze follows my every move from where he sits in the armchair across the room, already fully dressed. An awkward silence stretches between us, heavy with the weight of what transpired in this very bed mere hours ago.
"Mornin'," Beau says finally, his deep voice even rougher than usual. "Storm's passed. How you feelin'?"
I tug the sheet higher, suddenly self-conscious about my curves on full display. "I'm okay. Thanks to you." I clear my throat, unsure what else to say.
Beau nods slowly, eyes still locked on mine. He looks like he wants to say something more but thinks better of it. "I best get goin'."
He stands abruptly, the chair screeching across the hardwood floor. I feel a pang of disappointment as he strides to the door without so much as a backward glance.
But then he pauses, hand on the doorknob, his broad shoulders rising and falling with a deep breath. "Jade, about last night..."
I clear my throat. "I... I don't usually..." Trailing off, I feel the heat rising to my cheeks. Getting intimate with a virtual stranger, even one as ruggedly handsome as Beau, isn't like me at all. Yet I can't deny the storm of desire he awakened or the undeniable connection I feel with him.
Beau turns back to face me, his chiseled features softening. "I know. This ain't exactly typical for me either." He rubs the back of his neck, looking endearingly uncertain for such a physically imposing man.
I clutch the sheet tighter, heart pounding. "So where does that leave us? I mean, you literally saved my life, and then we..." I can't bring myself to say the words out loud in the stark light of day.
"Jade, I..." Beau takes a step closer, then stops himself. "I don't regret a single moment. But I also know you didn't come here lookin' for complications."
I swallow hard, knowing he's right. My sole focus is supposed to be on writing my novel, not navigating the aftermath of a passionate encounter with the man who rescued me. But gazing into Beau's piercing blue eyes, I can't ignore the magnetic pull drawing me to him.
"Maybe complications aren't always a bad thing," I say slowly, hardly believing my own words.
Beau's eyes widen slightly at my confession. He takes another step forward until he's standing right beside the bed. I have to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact, my breath catching at his proximity.
"I feel it too," he says roughly, reaching out to tuck a stray curl behind my ear. His calloused fingers skim my cheek, and I shiver at the contact. "Jade, I... I want..."
He seems to be warring with himself, torn between his desire and his reluctance to pressure me. I make the decision for both of us, rising on my knees and pulling his face down to mine. Our lips meet in a searing kiss, reigniting the flames from last night.
Beau's strong arms wrap around me, pressing my sheet-clad body flush against his muscular frame. I lose myself in his embrace, all thoughts of caution and hesitation melting away.
Beau's piercing gaze finds mine, his brow furrowing slightly. "How many nights you got left here?" he asks, his deep voice sending heat rushing back to my core.
I hesitate, pulling the sheet tighter around my naked body. "Three," I admit finally. "Although after what happened yesterday with the storm... I'd be lying if I said I hadn't contemplated leaving sooner."
Beau's rugged features tighten almost imperceptibly. "That so?" His tone is carefully neutral, but I catch the flicker of disappointment in his eyes.
I sigh, pushing a hand through my tangled hair. "I'm clearly not cut out for this rural lifestyle, Beau. I mean, look at what happened when I stupidly ignored your warnings about the weather."
He shakes his head, taking a step closer to the bed. "Jade, everyone makes mistakes. It don't mean you gotta run back to the city at the first sign of trouble."
I bite my lip, torn between my stubborn pride and the undeniable pull I feel toward this man. "I don't know, Beau. My whole life is in Salt Lake. My career, my friends, my family. I came out here purely to do research for my novel, and I think I’ve done that…”
Beau reaches out, his calloused hand cupping my cheek. "And what about this? What about us?" His thumb strokes my skin, igniting a spark low in my belly.
I swallow hard, my heart pounding. "Is there an 'us'? We barely know each other, Beau. One night of passion doesn't change that."
He drops his hand, taking a step back. "You're right. I got no claim on you, Jade. If you wanna leave, I ain't gonna stop you."
But even as he says the words, I can see the hurt and disappointment etched on his handsome face. It shocks me to realize that I'm having such a profound effect on him after such a short time.
"Beau, I..." I trail off, unsure what to say. Part of me wants to reassure him that I'm not going anywhere, that I'm willing to see where this unexpected connection between us might lead.
But the rational side of my brain reminds me that I came here for one reason and one reason only - to write my novel. Getting involved with Beau, no matter how tempting, will only complicate things.
He seems to sense my inner turmoil, his shoulders slumping slightly.
"Just give me one chance, Jade. One chance to show you how amazing this mountain can be if you know how to navigate it."
I hesitate, my heart pounding as I gaze into Beau's piercing blue eyes. The rational part of my brain screams at me to stick to my original plan - focus on my novel and avoid any distractions, no matter how tempting.
But there's another voice, one that's growing louder by the second, urging me to take a chance on this unexpected connection. To see where this magnetic pull between us might lead.
Beau must sense my inner turmoil because he takes a step closer, his large hand cupping my cheek. "Jade, I know this is all happenin' real fast. But I can't ignore what I'm feelin' for you. Just give me a chance to show you the beauty of this place. Of us."
His deep, rumbling voice sets my skin on fire. I lean into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment. When I open them again, Beau is watching me intently, his gaze a mix of hope and apprehension.
"Okay," I whisper, hardly believing the words coming from my mouth. “I can do that.”
A slow, devastating smile spreads across Beau's rugged features. "You won't regret it, sweetheart. I promise."
He glances at his watch, reluctantly pulling away. "I gotta check in at the rescue station and head home to change outta these damp clothes. But if you get your hiking boots on, I'll swing by and pick you up in an hour. Show you some of my favorite spots on the mountain."
My heart skips a beat at the thought of spending more time with Beau, just the two of us. I nod, not trusting my voice.
Beau leans in, his lips brushing against my forehead in a tender gesture that makes my breath catch. "One hour," he murmurs, his breath warm against my skin.
And then he's gone, the door closing softly behind him. I sink back onto the bed, my mind reeling. Am I really doing this? Putting my heart on the line for a man I just met?
But as I replay Beau's words in my head, I can't ignore the flicker of hope igniting in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, this is my chance at something real. Something amazing.
I'd be a fool to let it slip through my fingers without even trying.