His Turn to Take the Boulder

So that’s all it was. Ten years of marriage as repayment for my lost career.

A debt that had suffocated him, one he'd been desperate to escape.

Now that I have a second chance, I refuse to get tangled up with him again.

But first, that goddamned avalanche was still waiting for us.

This time, I would change everyone's fate.

"Per Article Three of the Mountaineering Safety Protocol, combining teams can confuse the chain of command and create internal coordination risks."

I stood in the center of the conference room, my voice clipped and formal.

Anything to get away from Cole. In this life, I refused to be indebted to him, and I damn well refused to be the instrument of his atonement.

But my reasoning clearly struck a nerve with my teammates.

Maya's eyes widened in disbelief, and she hissed in a low voice,

"Luo Li, are you insane? That's a summit team led by Cole himself! We're talking about the best of the best in the entire organization!"

"If we want to avoid arguing over tactical disagreements on the trail, it's best we operate separately," I replied, my face impassive.

"Come on, it's Cole! I'd carry all his gear for him just for a chance to summit with him!"

Maya's words were met with a chorus of agreement.

Of course, they hadn't tasted the bitterness of a decade-long cold shoulder from the man they loved. So naive.

I sneered inwardly.

I thought his pride as a leader would make him drop it after such a public rejection.

I never expected him to call me out directly.

"Scared to join my team?"

His voice was magnetic, sending a shiver down my spine.

I snapped my head up, my gaze locking with Cole's from the head of the conference table.

He was resting his chin on one hand, the collar of his black windbreaker slightly open, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his collarbone.

His deep, wolf-like eyes were locked on me.

"Let's make a bet," his voice, laced with an infuriating arrogance, echoed in the quiet room. "You win, I'll agree to your proposal. You lose, you join my team."

I frowned, about to refuse.

He let out a low, goading laugh. "What's wrong? The world's top female climber scared of a little challenge?"

"What's the challenge?" I shot back.

"See you at the climbing gym."

Ten minutes later, the climbing gym was packed with curious team members.

Cole had taken off his jacket. His black athletic tank top clung to his powerful frame.

I had to admit, even in this life, the way the harsh gym lights carved out the lines of his body was breathtaking.

"The rules are simple," Cole said, dusting his hands with chalk, a wicked grin playing on his lips. "This is a V10 route. Complete it in under five minutes while I do everything I can to distract you, and you win."

A murmur rippled through the crowd.