Page 158 of The Lumberjack and the City Slicker

His answer is not words.

It’s the way he gathers me closer.

The way he moves with me like we are not two separate people but something aligned.

Outside, the town is waking.

Inside this room, it’s just us.

Breath.

Heat.

Heartbeats colliding.

So, yeah, if this is a dream—I never want to wake up.

Chapter 32

Greyson

I slip out of Clara’s room before Kelly and Evan wake up, easing the window down behind me like some kind of delinquent teenager instead of a grown man who just confessed his love.

The bag of breakfast burritos hangs from my fist.

Cold now.

Almost forgotten.

But totally worth it.

I circle around to the front door and knock like a normal person this time.

Clara answers.

Her hair is loose around her shoulders, lips slightly swollen, eyes bright in a way that has nothing to do with sleep.

She’s glowing.

And grinning.

Kelly stands behind her with one eyebrow arched so high it’s practically in her hairline.

“Well, good morning, Mountain Man,” Kelly drawls. “But really, you could’ve just stayed inside.”

Heat creeps up my neck.

I clear my throat.

“Mornin’.”

Clara leans in on her toes and presses a kiss to my mouth.

Soft.

Chaste.

Compared to what we just did, it’s almost innocent.