Epilogue

L ark–one month later

The river is quieter today, its rush a soft murmur beneath the summer sun. It's been weeks since I stood here, a mess of fear and desperation. But now, everything feels different—calm, settled. I look down at my reflection in the water and see something new in my eyes: peace. There's a certainty here that wasn't there before. A wild, untamed certainty that comes from finally knowing where I belong.

I lean back against a sun-warmed boulder, letting the cool water lap at my toes. I'm wearing Hunter's flannel shirt, the sleeves rolled up to my elbows, and nothing else. It smells like him—pine, smoke, and something ruggedly masculine. The shirt is a little too big, hanging off one shoulder, but I love it that way. It feels like a claim, a mark of possession that I welcome.

Hunter emerges from the trees, his gaze locking onto me like I'm the only thing worth looking at. His dark eyes glint with that familiar hunger, the kind that sends a rush of heat straight to my core. He's shirtless, his muscles hard and glistening with sweat from the hike down. My heart stutters in my chest, the sight of him still having the same devastating effect, even after all these weeks.

"Comfortable, are we?" he teases, his voice a low rumble as he steps closer.

I stretch my legs out, letting the water ripple around my bare thighs. "Very," I reply, a smirk tugging at my lips. "But you seem a little overdressed."

His grin is slow, predatory. "Is that an invitation?"

"Maybe," I say, letting my voice drop to a playful whisper. "Or maybe I just want to see if you're as distracted as you look."

He's on me in an instant, his body pressing mine against the rock, his hands rough and possessive.

"You think you can distract me?" he growls, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine.

"Seems like it's working," I taunt, my voice breathy, my pulse racing.

Hunter's mouth crashes down on mine, a hard, demanding kiss that leaves no room for doubt. I respond with equal ferocity, my fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer, needing more. His hand slides up my thigh, his touch both teasing and insistent.

"You drive me crazy," he murmurs against my lips, his voice low and hoarse.

"Good," I manage to say, my words a mix of challenge and surrender.

He pulls back just enough to look into my eyes, his gaze intense, filled with a raw, unfiltered love that's still new enough to make me breathless. "You're mine, Lark," he says, his voice rough with possession. "You'll always be mine."

I smile, the words settling warmly in my chest.

"And you'll always be mine, my very own mountain man," I whisper back, my voice steady, sure.

He lifts me up, my legs wrapping around his waist as he carries me to the riverbank. He sets me down gently, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Stay right there," he orders, his voice a mix of command and tenderness.

I watch, curious, as he reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a small, black velvet box. My heart stops, my breath catching in my throat.

"What…?" I start to ask, but my voice falters.

Hunter drops to one knee, his gaze steady, unwavering. "Lark," he begins, his voice soft but full of intensity, "I never thought I'd find someone who could match me—who could handle everything that comes with this life and still want to be part of it."

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I force myself to stay steady, to listen. "You showed me what it means to be free," he continues, his eyes dark and full of emotion. "But more than that, you showed me what it means to love someone, fiercely and completely."

He opens the box, revealing a simple, yet stunning ring—a thin band with a small, unpolished diamond that catches the sunlight. "Will you marry me?" he asks, his voice raw. "Will you be my wild, untamed wife and build a life with me on Devil's Peak?"

The tears spill over, but I'm smiling so hard it hurts. "Yes," I say, my voice breaking with joy. "Yes, Hunter, I'll marry you."

I throw myself at him, covering him in kisses, laughing and crying all at once. He pulls me close, his arms wrapping around me tightly, as if he's afraid I might disappear. "Mine," he murmurs against my hair, his voice filled with a mix of relief and love. "All mine."

"Yours," I agree, the word a promise, a commitment I've never been more certain of.

He slips the ring onto my finger, his hands surprisingly gentle. The diamond catches the sunlight, a perfect reflection of everything we've built, everything we've fought for. I look at him, my eyes bright with love and confidence.

"I love you," I say simply, the words carrying a weight that's been missing for too long.

"I love you too," he replies, his voice thick with emotion. "More than you'll ever know."

I tug at his waistband, a playful glint in my eyes. "So, are you going to kiss your fiancée properly, or what?"

He laughs, the sound deep and rich, filled with a happiness I've rarely heard from him.

"Oh, I plan on doing a lot more than kissing," he growls, his eyes darkening with desire.

Before I can respond, he lifts me onto the boulder where I was sitting, my legs spread wide to accommodate him.

"Right here?" I ask, my voice a mix of excitement and teasing.

"Right here," he confirms, his hands sliding up my thighs, pushing the flannel shirt higher until it's bunched around my waist.

His mouth finds mine again, and this time, the kiss is slow, full of promise and possession. His hands are everywhere—rough, demanding, and utterly confident. I can't hold back the moan that escapes me, my body arching into his touch, desperate for more.

"Hunter," I gasp, my fingers digging into his shoulders.

He grins against my mouth, his voice a low, wicked rumble.

"You ready to start making babies, Lark?" he asks, his tone playful but filled with a raw, primal desire.

The words send a jolt of heat straight through me, my core tightening in response.

"Is that so?" I taunt, my voice breathy.

He nods, his hands moving with purpose, sliding between my legs. "Starting now," he growls, his mouth trailing kisses down my neck, his teeth nipping at my skin.

I gasp, my back arching, my body yielding to his touch.

"Now," I agree, my voice filled with a mix of urgency and surrender.

"I need to taste you first," he growls, his lips crashing into mine, not gentle—frantic, like he's been starved for this moment. Hell, I think I have been, too. My hands wind around his neck, pulling him closer as his tongue pushes past my lips, tangling with mine in a messy, desperate kiss.

Each thud of my heartbeat sends passion flooding through me, his hands roaming over my heated skin, making me feel like I might combust. I'm always a mess in his presence—my panties soaked, my thoughts consumed by the need for his touch.

It's been just a few days, and my body is already addicted to him.

He keeps his lips on mine as he cages me in his arms, his tongue moving slow and deep, teasing and devouring, as we melt together.

"I can't wait to get you underneath me again, baby," he murmurs, his hand inching higher up my thigh, kneading the flesh until I'm ready to come apart. His fingers don't even need to reach my pussy—I'm already on the edge, teetering, aching for more.

"I can hardly think straight with your hands on my skin," I manage to say, my voice a shaky whisper.

"That's exactly what I had in mind," he says, his breath hot against my ear. He nips at my earlobe before slipping his thumb beneath my panties. The rough scrape of his fingertip against my wet heat sends a jolt of molten pleasure shooting through my veins. I bite down on my lip, my thighs shaking as his thumb strokes back and forth, my pussy growing wetter with every pass.

With one swift move, he strips me bare, his clothes following in a blur. His mouth is on me in an instant, covering my hot, slick flesh with greedy licks. He works me closer and closer, his teeth catching my clit and tugging before he sucks hard, sending soft moans echoing around the walls of my apartment.

"I know you love my fingers inside your pussy, sweetheart," he rasps against me, his words vibrating through my core. "But I've been dreaming of tasting you all day. I want to get drunk on you." His voice is a rough edge at my ear. "You want me inside you, baby? Owning this pretty cunt?"

His filthy words hit me like fireworks exploding in my chest, waves of release pulsing through every muscle in my body. I'm completely his, and he knows it. I clutch at his firm biceps as he keeps licking and stroking, not letting up, determined to draw another orgasm from my trembling form.

My teeth clamp down on my bottom lip, my whole body a mix of force, need, and lust as another orgasm builds rapidly, taking all control with it.

"Oh my God, I've never—" I gasp, struggling to breathe. "I can't believe?—"

He looks up from between my thighs, his grin crooked and dangerous. He sucks his thumb into his mouth, licking my arousal clean.

"You taste sweet, Sunshine," he says, his voice low and filled with hunger. He presses his lips to mine, forcing me to taste myself. "We have all the time in the world, beautiful. I can wait as long as you need. But everything we're doing here is about your happiness, your comfort. You're mine, Lark," he repeats, his voice low and demanding. "You come first. Always."

He enters me in one swift, powerful thrust, his body claiming mine completely. I cry out, the sound echoing off the riverbank, raw and filled with pleasure. Hunter doesn't hold back, his movements rough, possessive, driving me higher and higher.

"Oh God," I gasp, my hands clutching at him, my body meeting his with equal intensity. "I love you, always and forever, Hunter Warner."

He growls, teeth catching my bottom lip and dragging slowly as his need for me consumes him. The world fades away, leaving only the heat of his skin, the roughness of his hands, and the steady rhythm of our bodies. It's wild, untamed, and completely us.

When we finally reach the edge, I shatter, my cries mingling with his as we find release together. He collapses on top of me, our bodies slick with sweat, our breathing ragged.

We lie there for a long time, the river's gentle flow a soothing backdrop to our heavy breathing. The sun is warm on our skin, the air filled with the promise of a life we're just beginning to build.

"I meant what I said," Hunter murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear. "I want babies. I want a family—with you."

I turn my head, meeting his gaze, my heart full.

"Then let's start trying," I say, my voice steady, filled with love.

His grin is slow, wicked.

"Oh, we will," he promises.

He kisses me again, sealing a love that's as wild and untamed as Devil's Peak itself.