Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

Bash

I'm used to being surrounded by mountains, but Montana is on a whole other level. Parts of the state are so flat and open that you can see for miles in every direction, but from Sage's ranch, I can see layers of blue-tinged peaks falling away along the horizon.

The ranch sits on a relatively flat patch of land, but I'd forgotten what it's like to be around trees. There aren't many of those in the desert, and most of the time when I travel, I'm flying, or trapped on some highway.

As I take it all in, my eyes drift to the pastures where a group of horses grazes peacefully. The sight is something out of a painting—majestic animals moving with effortless grace across the lush, green fields that stretch endlessly under the expansive sky. The sun casts a golden glow over the scene, highlighting the sleek coats of the horses and the vibrant greens of the grass, creating a tranquil, almost ethereal atmosphere. Watching them, I understand completely why Sage fought so hard to save this slice of heaven. It's not just land and livestock; it's a serene sanctuary, a living postcard of natural beauty and calm, where every breeze seems to whisper secrets of the old, wild West.

Sage wasn't kidding when she called herself a country girl.

The ranch reminds me less of my Vegas home and more of my Québec roots. I can see myself living someplace like this after I retire from the NHL.

With the big game coming up, thinking about life after hockey feels strange. Hockey is my entire world and has been for as long as I can remember.

But I'm starting to realize that not only does my career have an expiration date… but I kind of want it to. Not yet. Not for years, God willing, but someday.

The little A-frame Sage drives me to isn't far from the main house, but the rough private road is slow-going. The setting sun turns the sky over the mountains umber and gold and glints among the tall grasses around the cabin.

"I'm about dead on my feet," Sage says. It's the first thing she's said since she got back behind the wheel. "Do you mind if we eat before we talk?"

"I'm happy to do whatever you'd like," I tell her.

I retrieve my duffle and Sage's overnight bag from the back, while she collects Annie. The cabin is locked, and when Sage opens the door, the air is stuffy. She opens the windows for a cross-breeze.

The fresh mountain air starts to breathe life into the cabin as the windows swing open, pushing out the stuffiness. Sage sets down Annie, who immediately begins exploring the quaint space. As I set our bags down, the glow of the sunset casts a warm light that seems to envelop everything in a soft, golden hue.

"First things first, mon amour ," I say, stepping closer to Sage, drawn by a force stronger than the mountain winds outside. "I missed you."

"Me too," she replies, her voice softer now, fatigue lining her words but her eyes bright with something unspoken. "You don't know how hard it was to leave without saying goodbye in person. I didn't think I'd survive it."

The distance between us diminishes as I reach out, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. Her eyes flutter closed at the touch, and there's a moment, just a heartbeat, where everything stands still.

Feeling the pull, undeniable and strong, I lean in. Our lips meet, and it's gentle at first, like the touch of the breeze through the open windows, but it deepens quickly, a reflection of all the pent-up emotions and missed opportunities. Her hands find their way to my back, pulling me closer as if trying to merge our past and future into this one perfect moment. The kiss says what words can't, that erases the distance and the time apart, sealing a promise between us that needs no further discussion.

As we part, the world comes back into focus. The colors of dusk still paint the sky outside, now a backdrop to a new beginning.

"So, what's the plan?" she asks. "I fuel up tomorrow and head back to Vegas?"

"Actually, I thought we could fly."

She starts opening the cabinets in search of supplies for dinner. "But Annie…"

"Dante sent me by private plane. Annie can come with us."

Sage pulls down a couple of cans. "Wow, okay. That's surprisingly generous of him. He must want you back fast."

"How'd you know?"

"I'm pretty sure I have Dante figured out. He's not as scary as everyone thinks." She takes the cans to the counter and begins scrounging through the freezer. "In fact, I kind of respect the guy and the empire he's built. What time do we have to leave? And what should I pack?"

"He said the plane will leave by ten."

She stands up abruptly to check the clock. "Tonight?"

"Tomorrow."

"Oh, thank God." She bends back to retrieve a bag from the freezer. "That'll give us some time to rest and pack. Today has been so long, I can hardly wrap my head around it."

"Do you want a hand?"

She shakes her head. "I've got it."

I watch her putter around the tiny kitchen, then turn my attention to the rest of the cabin. It's rustic and quaint, and it's exactly the kind of place I would expect Sage to build for herself, given the choice. So far, I've only seen small projects, but I recognize the attention to detail in the window seat she built facing toward the mountains, the clever shelving that turns the lowest portion of the wall into usable storage space, the figurines and photos of horses that cover most available surfaces. She's even built a cat tree and climbing surfaces for Annie into the walls. The second floor, such as it is, is a half-loft over the main living space. There's a little fireplace for heating in the winter. The whole cabin is so cozy, and so Sage, I can hardly stand it.

"In case you're wondering, you're the only guy I've ever brought back here," Sage calls. "To the home that I built. It's my sacred space."

I wander back to her. "I like that." The smell of cooking potatoes makes my nostrils flare. I haven't eaten since breakfast, even though the private jet crew offered to bring me something. Back then, my stomach was in knots. Now, I'm ravenous.

The timer goes off, and Sage pulls a pan of frozen fries out of the oven. I didn't see what was in the cans she pulled from the cupboard, but when I see the bag of shredded cheese on the counter, I get the idea.

"Sage, my love, are you making poutine?"

"Sort of. I'm improvising." She divides up the fries and pours thick Sloppy Joe mix on top. "I didn't have anything fresh, so we're working with what we've got, okay?"

"It's perfect."

She adds a generous serving of cheese to each plate. "You haven't even tasted it yet."

"Trust me. It's perfect."

We sit down at the little table, which is just large enough for both of us, and tuck in. This iteration of poutine isn't about to become anyone's national dish, and shredded cheese will never supplant cheese curds, but I'm still of the opinion that I have never had a more enjoyable dinner in my life.

Because she's here. And she made it for me.

Sage leans back and rubs her belly. "I can't believe I ate that so fast… I needed that."

"You had a long day, mon amour . What now?"

"I need a shower." She pushes herself to her feet. "What about you?"

"I had one this morning. I'm okay, unless…" I waggle my eyebrows.

She laughs and rubs my shoulder, sending lightning bolts of sensation down my arm. "Tempting, but you haven't seen how small this bathroom is. I'll admit I never considered a 6-foot-4 NHL player when I installed it. You'll have to wait for me."

While she takes her things to the little bathroom, I wash the dishes by hand and leave them out to dry, then mount the stairs to the loft. Even in the night, the view from the window over the bed is fantastic. I haven't seen this many stars since summer camping trips when I was a kid. Everything is so quiet out here.

Annie chirps from the top of her cat tree.

"Yeah," I agree. "I can see the appeal of living here."

The bathroom door opens downstairs. The stairs creak as Sage mounts the steps, her dark auburn hair tossed over one shoulder in a damp coil. She meets my eyes as she adjusts her grip on the towel covering her freshly scrubbed skin.

"Oh." I take a step closer, marveling at her body, which I will never get enough of. "Hi."

Sage pads over to me and stands on her toes, her eyes bright with mischief and arousal. "You're wearing far too many clothes."

"I can fix that," I say, already reaching for the hem of my shirt.

"One request?" she asks. "Can we… not do the whole role-play thing tonight?"

I freeze. "What?"

"Can it just be us?"

"We can do whatever you want," I agree.

"Good." She watches me shuck off the rest of my clothes. "Lie down."

As soon as I'm in her bed, she switches off the light. I can hear her padding toward me. My eyes adjust quickly, as there's enough light from the moon and stars outside streaming through the glass skylight that I can make out her silhouette. She climbs onto the bed and feels her way along my legs until her fingers find my already half-erect cock.

"Sage," I groan.

"I like when you say my name," she says. Her tongue traces my head, circling the sensitive skin. I don't know if it's my heightened emotions, or the long day, or the fact that the stillness and the dark dull all of my other senses, but her touch is amplified tonight.

"You were really going to fight Trevor, weren't you?" Her voice is soft with amusement as she draws me deep into her hot, wet mouth again.

"I was fighting—ah." I roll my head back against the pillow and close my eyes.

"Because he tried to steal me away?"

"Because he hurt you. He cheated on you. Anyone who treats you that poorly doesn't—nngh—deserve you."

She cups my balls in one palm as she swallows me deep, and I don't think I can take much more of that without embarrassing myself. "Sage, can you…? I want you."

"So desperate," she teases. "I plan on sucking on this beautiful dick a lot, so you're gonna have to get used to it."

"Mon dieu."

"I appreciate your honesty." She shimmies up my body until she's straddling me. I rest my palms on her strong thighs, grateful for all the horses she's ridden over the years. She's so sturdy. So self-sufficient. She doesn't need me, but she's still here. Men aren't used to being wanted just for ourselves, and I find I like it.

I like it a lot.

She will be the perfect life partner and mother of our children. I can't wait to make a family with her. I wish I could start right now.

I suck in a breath as she sinks into me, guiding my cock inside her with one hand.

"Already?" I ask.

"I may have fingered myself in the shower," she admits.

"Oh, fuck." I trace my palms up to her hips, her belly, her breasts. "I want to watch next time."

"Really?" She sounds pleased.

"Mm-hmm. I want to watch you make yourself come and lick you clean after. Let's do that when we get home."

I realize that this is the first time Vegas and my huge house have felt like home to me instead of Canada. Because she will be there with me.

She tightens around me as her breathing hitches. I rub my thumbs across her taut nipples.

"Would you like that?" I ask.

"I think I would." Sage rocks her hips, and I groan, arching my back to meet her. "I can think of a lot of things I would like."

"Let's try them all." The feel of her wet heat surrounding me, the press of her thighs, the way she shudders and moans as I thrust to meet her… it's going to do me in. "I want to give you everything you want, Sage. I want you to take everything I have to give. Then I want you to take even more."

She rests her palms against my chest to help brace her upright. "Bash…"

"Would you prefer if I took what I wanted, mon amour ? If I tied you up again and fucked you until you squealed for release?"

"Oh my—Bash…"

I lift myself on one elbow so that I can take one of her nipples in my mouth. My other hand snakes down between her legs. My hands are trembling and movements are rushed, but she seems to like that. She bears down on me with a wordless cry and shudders her way through an orgasm that almost takes me along with her. I know her body by now, though. I let my hand go still but keep thrusting as her legs shudder and go limp. Before long, she whines again, and my fingers resume their movements. A second orgasm follows soon after.

This time, I find my release, too. I fall back, unable to support myself as I come so hard that the number of stars in my field of vision doubles.

"See?" she pants, when her heart rate finally slows. She's boneless atop me, and her speech is slurred. "No roleplay needed."

I kiss the top of her head. "We should wash up," I murmur. "I'm this close to falling asleep."

"Me, too. Just give me a minute." She nuzzles her face against my throat. "I'm not ready to move yet."

Far be it from me to deny this woman a single thing she desires.