Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23649 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23649 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Her lips part, her breath hitching, and I can see the moment the words sink in.
The officiant announces us as husband and wife, and I don’t hesitate—I haul Palmer against me and crush my mouth to hers, claiming her in front of the whole damn town.
The crowd cheers, and I swear I hear Zane make a bet with Ridge about how fast we’re getting knocked up.
Not that he’d be wrong.
The reception is in the massive ski lodge at the top of Devil’s Peak, strung with twinkling lights, the smell of pine and woodsmoke thick in the air. It’s warm, packed with our family and friends, everyone talking, drinking, and celebrating.
Palmer’s jewelry business is thriving—she just signed a contract with a chain of Colorado-based jewelers, thanks to a friend of mine who owns part of the company. She fought me on it at first, but when she saw how much they loved her work, she knew it was because she’s damn good, not because she’s my wife.
Now she’s practically glowing, standing in the middle of the room, holding up her left hand to show Indie and Emma the custom wedding ring I had made for her.
A thick gold band with a canary diamond in the center, wrapped in a design that mirrors the twisting branches of the trees outside.
It suits her.
Wild. Untamed. Beautiful.
I step up behind her, sliding my arms around her waist, pressing my lips to the shell of her ear.
"Having fun, Treasure?"
She hums, leaning into me. "Best day of my life."
I smirk. "So far."
She turns, eyes narrowing playfully. "Is that a challenge?"
"More like a promise."
Before she can say something smart, the music changes, and the first notes of an old country song start playing.
Our first dance.
I lead her to the floor, one hand gripping her hip, the other laced with hers, keeping her close.
The crowd watches, but I don’t care.
Palmer is all I see.
"You’re finally mine, my precious treasure,” I murmur, pressing my forehead against hers.
She grins, her voice soft and full of something I’ll never get tired of hearing.
"And you’re mine, mountain man."
The song swells around us, and I swear, in this moment, with her in my arms, her heartbeat against mine, and the mountains surrounding us, I’ve never been more at peace.
The reception winds down, the guests trickling out, leaving just a few close friends behind. The fire is still crackling in the giant stone hearth, and Palmer and I stand outside on the balcony, looking out at the mountains that belong to us now. This woman has captivated me, made me want love, not just a wife to secure this land for the next generation. She’s made me think about things like building a legacy.
The snow sparkles under the moonlight, the wind whispering through the trees, and I tug her closer, wrapping my arms around her from behind.
She sighs, tilting her head back against my chest.
"Did you ever think this would be your life?" she asks softly.
I press a kiss to her temple. "Not in a million years."
She turns in my arms, looking up at me. "And now?"
I slide my hand down, resting it over her stomach, over the place that will one day carry my children. "Now, I wouldn’t trade it for anything."
She smiles, wrapping her arms around my neck, and whispers, "Good. Because I’m not going anywhere."
I slide a folded envelope out of my pants pocket and pass it to her. She grins, sliding a finger under the seal and opening it. I watch as her eyes scan the single sheet of paper, and then her lips round in a soft O. “Really?”
I nod, smiling as emotions well in my chest. “What’s mine is yours. Forever.”
She wipes at happy tears, folds the deed to my land and tucks it back into the envelope. I knew adding her name to the paperwork would be an emotional moment, watching her tear up in front of me now proves that—but it also makes my heart throb with love for this woman that’s rooted herself inside of my soul. And as I kiss her, long and slow, with the mountains standing witness, I know she was always meant to be mine.
My hands lock with my wife’s as I drag my lips across the soft skin of her neck. I guide her into the shadows of the trees as my fingers find her damp core. She’s soaking wet for me, our bodies already slipping and sliding together in the moonlight. “I need a taste of you.”
I press my broad chest against her body. I plunge my tongue in and out of her mouth, relishing the sweetness only she can give. “You know it makes my cock leak to think of you all soft and full with my babies.”
My hard erection tents my suit pants, anxious to touch the promised land. I’ve never been able to get enough of her, but when Palmer said I do, all bets were off.