Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

T amlyn

The scent of pine and earth fills the air around me, grounding me as I stand in the clearing. The late morning sun filters through the branches, casting a golden glow that makes everything feel softer, almost surreal. The breeze stirs the leaves, the trees whispering in the quiet, and yet all I can hear is the pounding of my heart in my ears.

I've been running for as long as I can remember. From people, from places, from feelings. Always moving, always chasing something just out of reach. But Copper Mountain—it was supposed to be another stop. Another place I'd pass through, do my research, and leave behind. But then Barron happened, and now, here I am, stuck between the urge to flee and the overwhelming pull to stay.

His words still echo in my head. The way he opened up, laid himself bare, told me he's fallen for me. The way his eyes darkened with vulnerability and fear, as if he couldn't believe I'd want him. And what's worse? He's convinced I'll leave, just like everyone else.

I stare out at the trees, my breath shallow. I came here to protect them, to catalog the rare species that could be lost if this place were logged. But it's more than that now. It's about the life I could have here, with him.

I close my eyes, letting the air fill my lungs, trying to make sense of it all. I've always avoided this—commitment, roots, staying. But with Barron, it's different. I want to stay. I want him. And that terrifies me.

"I'm not leaving," I say, my voice softer than I intended, but steady. His eyes flicker with surprise, but he stays silent, waiting for me to continue. I step toward him, my heart pounding. "I'm choosing you, Barron. Not because I have to, but because I want to. This place, these trees, you—you're my home now."

His breath catches, and I see the emotions flicker across his face—relief, disbelief, and something darker, more primal. He steps closer, closing the distance between us, his hands finding my waist, pulling me against him. His body is warm, solid, grounding me in a way nothing else ever has.

"You don't know how long I've waited to hear you say that," he murmurs, his voice rough and low as his lips brush against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. There's an edge to his words, something possessive, something that makes my pulse quicken.

His hands slide down my back, slow and deliberate, his touch igniting a fire under my skin. I can feel the shift between us, the air thickening with the weight of unspoken need. His lips trail down the side of my neck, his breath hot against my skin. "I'm not letting you go," he growls softly, his hands tightening on my hips. "You're mine now. And I'm chaining you to this mountain, to me."

I don't know whether it's the heat in his words or the sheer force of his presence, but my knees feel weak, my breath hitching in my throat. Barron pulls his leather belt from his waist with a slow, deliberate motion, his eyes never leaving mine. My heart races, an unfamiliar nervousness settling in my stomach, but there's also an undeniable thrill.

His gaze softens, though, and he steps forward, lifting my chin so I'm forced to meet his eyes. "Trust me," he whispers, his voice full of reassurance and something deeper. "I'll take care of you. I won't hurt you."

I swallow hard, my pulse pounding in my throat. This is new, and I don't know what to expect, but there's something in his eyes—something tender, something full of love—that makes me trust him without hesitation.

Slowly, he loops the belt around my wrists, binding them loosely behind my back. It's not tight, not uncomfortable, but the vulnerability of it—the feeling of being at his mercy—sends a wave of heat coursing through me. He guides me backward, pressing me gently against a tree, the rough bark cool against my skin.

His hands slide down my sides, slow and teasing, grounding me, reminding me that I'm safe with him. "If you want me to stop, I'll stop," he murmurs, his lips brushing against mine, the words a soft promise. "Just say the word."

I nod, my breath shaky but full of anticipation. "Don't stop," I whisper, and his eyes darken, a spark of something dangerous and exhilarating flashing in them.

His mouth finds mine again, this time slower, deeper, full of raw need. His hands roam my body with purpose, claiming every inch of me as if he's memorizing the feel of my skin. The tension between us builds, the air electric with the chemistry we've been fighting for so long.

Barron's lips move down my neck, his teeth grazing my skin as his hands tug at my clothes, undressing me with a reverence that makes my heart ache. Each kiss, each touch is like a promise, a reassurance that I'm his, and he's mine.

I feel the cool air on my bare skin, but the heat from his body keeps me warm, his presence enveloping me. He undresses himself with slow, deliberate movements, his eyes never leaving mine. The belt around my wrists feels like a reminder of the trust I've given him, the vulnerability I've allowed myself to feel.

When he finally presses his body against mine, the sensation is overwhelming, his skin hot against mine, his touch both rough and tender. He enters me slowly, deliberately, and I gasp, my back arching against the tree as my bound hands press into the bark.

The rhythm we find together is primal, instinctual, but there's a tenderness beneath it, a deep connection that goes beyond the physical. Every movement, every breath is shared, our bodies moving together like we've done this a thousand times before.

The world fades away, the trees, the forest, everything except Barron and me. His hands grip my hips, his lips trailing fire down my neck, his breath coming in ragged gasps as we move together, faster, more desperate. My head falls back, my breath catching as I feel the release building inside me, powerful and unstoppable.

"Mm, Barron…"

His hands run under my shirt as he pins me against the tree. His lips on my neck, teeth nipping at the flesh and making my nipples pucker tightly. He yanks the jeans down my legs and discards them on the forest floor before doing the same to his own. One of his palms trails up my thigh to hook my leg around his hip. A thumb hooks in the rough lace of my panties before his fingers breach the fabric and run up my soaking wet slit.

"Oh, yesss," I hiss as he swirls, his lips finding my neck and sucking the hollow softly. My body writhes against him before he slips a hand behind my ass and squeezes. He presses me against him, and I feel every aching, hard inch of his cock against me. His fingers find my pussy and work in and out of me before my first orgasm blooms low in my belly and shoots across every nerve I have.

"Tamlyn," his breath at my ear sends more shudders erupting. "Where the fuck have you been all my life?" He growls and lays me down on the mossy forest floor. He is so strong and protective and dominant, I never want him to leave. "I love those soft little noises you make when you're coming."

His hard body hovers over mine, caging me in. He growls against my neck as his rough hands trail up my legs and over my rib cage before pulling my shirt over my shoulders. Fingers hook in my pushup bra and pull the fabric down to reveal the hardened peaks of my nipples.

His teeth drag across the sensitive flesh as he slides between my thighs and teases his throbbing arousal through my slick folds. The low growl that escapes his throat as my nails dig into the hard muscle of his back and drag across his skin when he pushes into me makes me nearly explode on the spot.

I feel his hands on my body, rough and commanding. My skin tingles with anticipation as he pushes inside me, making me moan in pleasure. His fingers expertly find my clit, sending sparks of ecstasy through me as I reach my orgasm in minutes. He grinds his hips against mine, making me gasp for air. "Oh, oh Barron–oh yes!" I cry out, unable to control myself.

"Say it louder, baby," he whispers, sucking on my bottom lip before trailing kisses down my neck. "I love hearing how filthy I make you feel. So fucking sweet and beautiful and sassy."

I run my hands over his toned stomach, wanting him more with every passing second.

"I want you," I moan, grinding against his hard cock. "You make me so wet." All I can think about is being in his arms, feeling him inside me, giving me the satisfaction I've never known before. With him, all my insecurities fade away and I feel confident for the first time during sex.

"Tamlyn," he growls, desire evident in his voice.

"Fuck me, please," I beg, nipping at his lip and feeling a surge of power at the way he responds to me. "Fill me."

"But first, there's something else I need to say," he whispers huskily. "You're breathtaking and all I can think about is spending the rest of my life taking care of you. I'll spend every day of my life making you happy," he trails a fingertip through my soaked folds, "making you cum…but first: will you be my wife?"

I'm shocked by his words but then I say the only word echoing through my mind. "Yes," I cry out, tears streaming down my face as I realize how deeply he loves me. "Yes, a thousand times yes."

He doesn't waste any time before showering kisses all over my body and fulfilling every desire with his mouth. But before he can go any further, I take control and move down his body until I'm on my knees, my hands still tied together with his belt, hovering over him, eagerly taking him in my mouth.

"I want to suck you," I whisper, looking up at him with pure desire and love in my eyes.

His intense gaze meets mine as I speak, he unwraps the belt from my wrists before firmly grasping his hard cock at the base with one hand. He entangles his fingers in my hair and guides me towards him, slowly positioning himself at the edge of my mouth. My breath quickens in anticipation as he teases the tip against my lips. Tasting him on my tongue, I take him into my hand and follow the shaft down before engulfing it with my mouth. He growls in pleasure as his body trembles while I try to take him all the way to the back of my throat. With each motion, he tightens his grip on my hair, setting the rhythm as he thrusts into me and I struggle not to gag.

Looking up at him through hooded eyes, I can see the strain on his face and the sharp definition of his abs as he gasps for air. My hands roam up his powerful thighs, feeling the toned muscles underneath as I continue to pleasure him with my mouth.

"You feel fucking incredible, baby," he moans, gripping my hair harder as he controls our movements. "I want to fuck you so deep you'll feel me in every part of your beautiful throat." The thought alone makes me wet with desire, and I can't resist touching myself as I pleasure him.

"Don't touch yourself," he commands, making me look up at him again. His intense gaze shoots a spark of electricity through me. "Your orgasms belong to me now."

As he stands above me, his thick length aimed directly at me, I can't help but yearn for it to be back in my mouth again, bringing him even more pleasure. "You're hungry for this cock again, aren't you?" He smirks and begins stroking himself slowly and firmly with one hand. "I can see it in your eyes, don't try to deny it. Tell me." He flicks his thumb over the tip of his thick cock, causing it to twitch with excitement.

"Yes," I whisper, unable to look away from him. The way he's touching himself is mesmerizing.

"Not yet." Suddenly, he spreads my thighs and grips them tightly as he leans down and runs his tongue along my inner thigh. My moans echoes around the trees as he licks and sucks at me until I am dripping wet. With one finger inside me, he expertly hits all the right spots, but he stops before I can reach my climax.

"Don't come," he commands with a smirk, knowing exactly how close I am to exploding with pleasure. He skillfully maneuvers his fingers inside of me, simultaneously sucking on my sensitive bundle of nerves. My body arches and squirms in response, unable to resist the intense pleasure coursing through me. But he stops, teasing me with his words as he urges me to hold back until he can join in on the fun. I moan incoherently, unable to suppress the overwhelming need building inside of me. His fingers continue to work their magic, swirling around my clit and spreading my arousal before gracefully pulling out and trailing up my body. He watches intently as I play with my own nipples, a wicked grin playing across his lips. He orders me to put my nipple in my mouth, and I eagerly comply, feeling a new wave of desire flood between my legs as I pleasure myself for his viewing pleasure. He slowly builds me up again, skillfully alternating between fingering me and pleasuring my clit with his tongue. Unable to hold back any longer, I cry out as an orgasm overcomes my body.

But he's not done yet; in one swift motion, he thrusts deep inside of me, filling me completely and pounding away at a frenzied pace while fondling my breasts. I can't help but call out his name as wave after wave of pleasure washes over me.

He spins me around then, positioning himself against my back.

"Get that ass in the air, gorgeous," he smacks my ass cheek and I jump in surprise as a fresh wave of arousal pools between my legs. Despite just having an orgasm, he manages to turn me on even more this time. His palm slides up my spine, feeling every ridge as he guides me over a fallen tree, leaving me wide open for him.

"Mmm, love this pussy," he runs a finger through my slick flesh before pounding into me. Gripping my hips tightly, he thrusts harder than ever before. Each movement hits the end of me, almost painfully. "I want this," he teases my back entrance with his finger, using the juices from my pussy to lubricate it. "So fucking wet I don't even need lube," he rumbles. As his finger slips inside up to the first knuckle, I groan at how wrong it is but also how good it feels.

"Feels so fucking tight when I'm inside you from both ends," his voice drops another octave as he continues to pump his cock in and out of my pussy while fingering my ass.

"I can't take it anymore," I moan.

"Sure you can. Feel me taking you? Owning this sweet body? This pussy, this ass." He punctuates each word with a powerful thrust. "It's mine. No one's been here but me," he groans as he penetrates deeper into my ass and another orgasm takes over me.

"Look at you, so soft and open for me." He slows his movements and removes his finger from my back entrance before pulling out completely and teasing the head of his cock at my other hole. "Do you want me to take you here?"

I moan in affirmation, nerves twisting and pulling in my stomach. I'm terrified it will hurt. Seeing him up close, his cock thick and hard as steel, makes me doubt how it could ever fit and if it will feel good at all.

I grip the fallen tree tightly as pleasure shivers through me when he slowly nudges the head of his cock against my tight muscle, swirling arousal around the tip and taking his time before pushing against it. I groan in discomfort as painful sensations shoot through my body and try to push him back out. "It hurts . . ." I whimper.

"Do you want me to stop?" He stops moving and runs his hands up my back, caressing my skin and sending shivers racing through me.

"I . . . I like it . . ." I murmur as his hands tighten around my waist.

"Fuck, baby," he murmurs to me as he caresses my backside lovingly. I concentrate on relaxing my muscles, inhaling and exhaling through the uncomfortable stretching sensation.

He kneads my ass with his fingers before my body relaxes and adjusts to his girth. I feel pleasure seeping out of me as I give into him, his cock filling my forbidden entrance.

"Fuck babe. So fucking tight. Need to go slow, but don't know if I can," he grits through his teeth as his hands slide around my skin, slowly pushing in farther. He stops and takes deep breaths as he kneads my ass cheeks before rocking in and out of me gently. A low moan escapes my throat as I throw my head back. The sensation is new and overwhelming—twinges of pain mixed with the headiest sense of pleasure and the most delicious feeling of fullness.

"Fuck, you make me crazy, you know that, right?" he murmurs and fists one hand in my hair, giving it a soft yank.

"Yes," I moan. "Please. Harder, faster, anything."

My insides quiver with want. The need for him to take me is overwhelming. My body has adjusted to his rock hard intrusion and now craves the release he can give.

"Jesus." He pushes in a little deeper. "Fucking warm and hot and tight. You feel like fucking Heaven."

He holds onto my hip as he works up a slow and steady rhythm, owning me completely, so much more than anyone else ever has. And somehow, it doesn't scare me. Instead, I love it. With him is the only place I'm meant to be.

"Harder, please." I reach between my legs and feel for his balls, wet from my juices and hanging against the entrance of my pussy. I roll them around softly and a long groan escapes his throat as he pumps in and out of me a little quicker.

"Fucking can't get enough of you. Feels so fucking good, so right, damn perfect." He thrusts steadily as one arm wraps around my body and tugs and massages my clit. Waves of pleasure unfurl from deep inside and roll out slowly, causing my body to go limp and my eyelids to flutter closed on a soft moan. My legs turn to jelly and he supports me with one hand at my hip. I whimper and moan as the pleasure rushes through my system, swirls around my head, gasps wracking my body.

His thrusting speeds up before his fingers tighten on the flesh of my ass as his whole body shudders and quakes. I groan, feeling him twitch and empty inside me, his balls tightening up with release as his chest heaves. His pumping slows before finally coming to a stop and he leans over my body. I feel his hand tickling at my back as his palms smooth up my torso, tracing across my skin, causing goosebumps to form and feel-good pheromones to erupt and release. I sigh and smile into my arm.

"Want to hold you for the next week and make love to you over and over again," he whispers in my ear before slowly pulling out of me. I relish the slow drag of his softening cock against my back entrance as he pulls out, and wince as the tip of him breaches the overworked muscle at my entrance.

He cuddles me into him and I snuggle under his arm and feel his fingers trace patterns on my shoulder. His warm breath tickles my neck, filling me with a sense of comfort and contentment. I've never felt so loved and fulfilled in my life.

As I run my hand over his sculpted abs, the fading sunlight casts rays over our heated skin. The light catches our hands clasped together, and I wonder if it's true–if I really agreed to marry this man. "Sometimes I think you're crazy, Barron Steele."

"I've always known that when it's right, it's right, baby." He takes hold of my hand and places a tender kiss on it. "We'll have to move your things into my place in the morning and get you a ring. I can't spend another night without you, call me spoiled."

"It won't take long, I don't have much."

"Not much, huh?"

"Everything I own fits in a suitcase. You never know when you might need to make a quick escape–I'm always prepared."

"Oh, baby," he tilts my chin up and presses a soft kiss to my lips. "I love you for saying that, but trust me, you'll never have to worry about escaping me."

I hum with satisfaction, feeling incredibly loved for the first time in my life. "You really are crazy."

He shakes his head, laughing. "Just wait and see, baby. I have big plans for us."

This man has taken me to places I never believed existed and every moment was filled with love and adventure.

As long as I am in his arms, I feel invincible and so loved.

For a moment, everything is still, our bodies pressed together, our hearts racing in sync. Barron is gentle as he pulls me into his arms, our bodies still tangled together. He presses his forehead to mine, his hands cupping my face as his breath steadies. "I've fallen so hard for you," he whispers, his voice rough with emotion. "I'm not letting you go. Not ever."

I smile, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "I'm not going anywhere," I whisper back, my voice soft but sure. "I'm here. With you. For as long as you'll have me."

And in that moment, I know I've finally found my home. Not in the land, not in the trees, but in him—here, on Copper Mountain, with Barron Steele.