“Summit or bust.” Then he kissed her, a long, slow kiss that left her cold toes curling.

At this rate, they weren’t going anywhere.

“We should do this at the bottom of the mountain,” she told him after regretfully pulling away. “Or closer to the bottom of the mountain.” Another kiss had her murmuring, “Or maybe back here after we summit.”

Easton nipped her earlobe. “Are you sure you want to get to the top?”

“Definitely.” Giggling, she escaped his hold. They put on their boots, then River grabbed his hand. “Come on. We need to get going. I want to summit. I turn thirty today.”

“It’s your birthday? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Why? Would you have gone out and gotten me a present?” River grinned at him. “Because all I see is snow and snow.”

“And rocks too,” Easton murmured against her ear, hugging her. “Happy birthday.”

River leaned into him, enjoying the heat radiating from his body. “I used to be terrified of turning thirty. I thought it would signal the official death of my career. I’d mourn, but I’m too busy doing the most awesome thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

“Peeing in negative degree windchill?”

River pressed her nose into the scruff on his throat. “Hmm. That too. Hey, Easton? Let’s go climb a mountain.”

“I’ll race you to the top.”

As they got ready for the day’s climb, Easton double-checked and triple-checked all the supplies she had packed, including making sure her carabiners were in good shape, her radio was tucked in her pack, and her transmitter was turned on.

“You’re being a worrywart,” River told him as he tossed her a protein bar.

After a considering look, he pulled out a second one and slipped it into River’s pocket.

“We’re burning calories like crazy up here,” Easton explained. “Try to eat as much as you can.”

River narrowed her eyes at him, even as she ripped open a bar and began to chew. “If I’m doubling up, so are you.”

Easton tucked a second protein bar in his own pocket without protest. “Are you always this bossy?”

“Are you?” River countered, arching an eyebrow at him before putting on her goggles.

“Only about things that matter,” he told her, moving in closer.

“Don’t you bust out the sexy low rumble on me.” River took a large bite of her protein bar, jaw protesting as she chewed the cold-hardened meal. “I’m completely immune.”

She wasn’t immune in the least, but he didn’t need to know that.

“I have never had a client hold up this well to the climb,” Easton complimented her. “You might have missed your calling.”

“Oh, trust me, I nailed my calling. This is the best of both worlds. Mountain documentaries may be my thing. I’ll travel the world, climbing my way through the glass ceiling.”