Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

B arron

The forest around us is thick, the cool mountain air doing little to calm the heat that's been building inside me. Tamlyn's just a step behind, and every time I hear her footfalls crunch the leaves underfoot, my pulse picks up. I know I shouldn't have brought her out here alone, know damn well that the moment we're together, things spin out of control. But I can't help it. I can't resist the pull she has on me. Especially after I revealed my deepest heartache to her last night.

It's like the forest itself is pushing us closer, the wildness of this place matching what's been boiling inside of me since the first time I kissed her. Every inch of me wanted to take her last night, cover her with my body and never let her go, but I know once I make her mine, I'll never let her go again, and I'm not sure if she's ready for that.

I stop abruptly in a small clearing, the trees towering overhead, circling us like they're protecting this moment. I turn to face her, and the look in her eyes is enough to knock the breath from my lungs. Her lips are parted slightly, her gaze locked on me, and I can see the fire that's been burning between us mirrored in her eyes. That same hunger, that same need.

Before I can even think it through, my hand is already reaching out, my rough fingers grazing the smooth skin of her wrist. The connection sparks something inside me, something primal, something I've tried to bury under layers of control, but with Tamlyn, that control is slipping.

Her eyes flicker with a mix of emotions—desire, need, and maybe a bit of fear—but it's the same look I've been carrying. Without a word, she steps closer, her body brushing against mine, and that tension that's been hanging between us finally snaps.

"Thank you for telling me about your past yesterday," she finally breathes.

I nod, unable to shift my gaze away from hers. I pull her to me, my mouth claiming hers in a kiss that's all heat and need. It's more than a kiss—it's a demand, a release. The taste of her hits me like a rush, fresh and wild, like the forest around us. And for a moment, all I know is her heat, her breath, the way her hands fist the fabric of my shirt, like she's trying to hold on to something solid, something real.

The forest fades away, the sounds of nature around us replaced by the pounding of my heart and the ragged pull of her breathing. I push her gently back against the nearest tree, my body pressing firmly against hers, my hands roaming down to the small of her back, pulling her closer until there's no space left between us.

Her fingers tangle in my hair, tugging slightly, and the sensation sends a shiver down my spine. It's like she knows exactly how to unravel me, knows exactly what buttons to push to make me forget everything but her. The feel of her body against mine, the way she arches into me, is enough to drive me wild.

I can feel the rough bark of the tree at her back, the solid earth beneath our feet, but none of it matters. The only thing that exists right now is the fire between us, the way every kiss, every touch, feels like it's burning away the walls I've built to protect myself. With her, it's not just about the desire—it's about letting go. Letting go of the past, of the fear, of everything that's been holding me back.

She gasps against my mouth as my hands roam over her body, exploring every curve, every inch of her skin. Her breath hitches when I lean in close, my lips trailing down the curve of her neck. The way she responds, the way her body moves against mine—it's instinctive, wild, like we've both been waiting for this moment longer than we realize.

The need between us is frantic now, urgent, but it's not just lust. It's something deeper, something that scares me as much as it pulls me in. I've always been a man of control, of discipline, but with Tamlyn, that control is gone, replaced by the raw, primal need to be close to her, to feel her heat, her energy.

She arches against me, her hands gripping my shoulders as I press her harder against the tree, my lips finding hers again, demanding more. The forest around us is quiet now, as if the whole world has paused to witness this moment. And in the back of my mind, I know that something has shifted, that this is more than just a physical connection.

"Tamlyn," I press my forehead to hers, fighting to control my breathing. Every part of me is on edge, tension coiling tighter. "You don't know what you're doing to a man like me."

Her eyes squeeze shut, and confusion flickers across her delicate face. She's too good, too pure. And I'm the furthest thing from it. "I'm a savage, baby," I rasp, my voice rough. "I've seen things I'll never unsee. That part of me... it doesn't just go away."

"Barron," she whispers, her hands sliding up to cup my cheeks. Her eyes are clear, determined. "I don't care about any of that. I only care about you. I've been waiting for you. All this time, I've been ready. I know that now. I gave you space because I knew you needed it."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. A growl escapes my throat, raw and feral. "Tamlyn…"

Before I can stop myself, I crush her against the tree, my mouth claiming hers in a bruising kiss. My cock presses against her heat, and the contact almost undoes me right then and there. The tip leaks, desperate, as my muscles coil so tightly, I feel like I'm going to tear apart if I don't sink into her soon.

Her hands glide under my flannel shirt and down my abs, tracing the ridges of my muscles, her fingers light and teasing. She drops to her knees, popping the button on my work pants and pulling the teeth of the zipper down to reveal my rock hard cock to the fresh air. She brings her lips close to the tip, brushing just near enough to drive me insane, but never quite touching.

"Teach me how to please you," she whispers, her breath hot and full of promise.

"Babe," I growl, the warning clear in my tone. She's playing with fire, and she knows it. She's all innocent seduction, but she's no innocent. She knows what she's doing.

Her eyes meet mine, a flicker of something dark and dangerous in them. "I want to be good for you. I want to taste you."

My whole body goes still, and I meet her gaze, feeling the tension between us spike. Then, a slow grin spreads across her face, her eyes hooded with lust as they trail down my body. Her fingers skim over the sharp angle of my hips, before wrapping around my cock, hard and throbbing, straining for her out here in the wilderness.

In one fluid motion, she surprises the hell out of me by sinking her mouth onto my cock. The heat, the wetness, it's overwhelming. She takes me deep, sucking, her hand working in tandem, and I'm nearly seeing stars.

My hands thread through her hair, gripping tight as she takes me down to the back of her throat. I can barely form a coherent thought. "From the moment I saw you, I wanted to fill every inch of you, baby," I groan, the words spilling out unfiltered. Her body squirms at my words, and the way her tongue works my cock, licking like she's savoring every inch, it's too much.

She's got a rhythm now, taking me in, pulling back, and going deeper, each time pushing me closer to the edge. I can smell her arousal in the air, her scent thick and sweet. The fire low in my spine begins to smolder, threatening to explode.

"Can you take all of me, baby?" My voice is hoarse, and when she sinks her mouth down even further, taking me to the base, a strangled gasp rips from my throat. The pressure doubles, and she's licking, sucking, humming, her tiny fist rotating in perfect rhythm.

It's too much. "Tamlyn, stop," I manage, barely holding on. "You feel too good. Stop or I'm going to blow."

Before she can stand, I drop to my knees and adjust her under me, sliding the zipper on her jeans and stripping her naked in the soft moss. I clamp my palms around her thighs and spread them, her sweet pussy gleaming like a feast for me. I use my tongue to stroke her soaked slit, loving the way she moans under my pleasure. I lick and nip at the little bud of her clit, swirling my tongue and then adding a finger, sinking it deep inside her hot pussy. She grinds against my beard, her soaked pussy soaking even more as little yips of pleasure fall from her lips. Within minutes she's clutching at my hair and cumming in waves on my tongue, the soft spasms of her orgasm tightening around my finger as I slow my movements. My eyes take her in, greedy as I watch her release pulse and ease under me.

"We should stop." I finally say, wanting to do anything but that.

Her eyes fall closed with disappointment.

"For now," I add, a smirk lifting my lips. I know I'm driving her crazy, but I want to savor this, savor us. I need to take this slow or I'm afraid I'll fuck this all up before it even had a chance to begin. I want so much from her, I want forever, but I've only got one chance at getting this right.

We're both breathless, our bodies still pressed together against the soft moss, the only thing keeping us grounded. My forehead rests against hers, our breathing slowly returning to normal. But the intensity between us hasn't faded. If anything, it's stronger, more real.

I pull back just enough to look at her, to really see her. Her lips are swollen from the kiss, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes—they're dark, filled with the same need I feel deep in my bones. She doesn't say anything, doesn't need to. The look in her eyes tells me everything. She's feeling the same thing I am. This is more than just lust. It's connection, pure and simple.

We don't speak as we pull away from each other, adjusting our clothes, catching our breath. But something has shifted. This isn't just about giving in to desire anymore. It's about finding something real, something neither of us thought we could have. And as I watch her, the soft smile playing on her lips, I know one thing for sure—we're not done. Not by a long shot.

The forest may be our haven, but it's more than that now. It's the place where everything between us changed. Where I stopped running from what I feel and started letting it in. And as I stand here, watching her, I know that whatever this is, whatever we're building, it's only just beginning.