Chapter 6

Chapter Six

L ark

The first thing I notice is the warmth, the heavy weight draped over me, and the steady rise and fall of a chest beneath my cheek. For a moment, I stay still, my eyes squeezed shut, unwilling to face the reality of what happened. But then I feel the rough scrape of stubble against my forehead, and everything comes rushing back—the storm, the cave, the raw need that tore through me like wildfire.

I shift slightly, my muscles sore and a delicious ache settling low in my body. The realization of where I am, who I'm with, and what we did hits hard. Hunter's arm is wrapped around my waist, holding me close as if he's afraid I'll disappear.

I look up, my gaze landing on his face. In the dim light of the cave's entrance, he looks different—vulnerable, almost. His jaw is relaxed, the tension that usually hardens his features gone, replaced by something softer, almost tender. I let myself study him for a moment, my gaze tracing the curve of his lips, the strong line of his jaw, the faint scar near his temple. I try to reconcile the man who just held me like I was his whole world with the gruff, distant stranger who rescued me days ago.

But the more I watch him, the more a cold knot of fear starts to twist in my chest. What happens now? The thought is sharp, jagged, like a blade against tender skin. I've never been in a moment like this—raw, exposed, completely without armor. I've fought for control for so long, fought to keep every wall up. But last night, I let them all crumble. And now… now I don't know if I can build them back up again.

Hunter stirs, and his eyes flutter open, confusion and then clarity settling over his features. His gaze locks onto mine, and for a second, something passes between us—an unspoken understanding, maybe even a promise. But it's gone as quickly as it appeared. His eyes darken, and he pulls back, shifting away from me.

"Morning," I say, trying to keep my voice light, but it sounds shaky, uncertain.

He sits up, rubbing a hand over his face, his body tense, closed off.

"Morning," he replies, his voice rough and graveled with sleep.

"Hunter, about last night—" I start, but he cuts me off.

"You were vulnerable, Lark. I'm sorry I took advantage of that. I feel like such a piece of shit. It kills me to think I hurt you." His gaze hands heavy on mine.

"You didn't take advantage of me, you didn't hurt me," I say, my voice stronger now, defiant. "I wanted it as much as you did."

He finally turns, his expression a mix of guilt and frustration. "You don't understand," he says, his voice low, rough. "I've seen the darkest the world has to offer…" For a moment, something flickers in his eyes—pain, regret, maybe even longing. "I'm afraid I'll never be good enough for you."

"Are you kidding? You're my hero—you whisked me away from someone evil?—"

"I stole you away in the middle of the night like a coward, I should have faced him, man-to-man. Maybe I'm no better than he is?—"

"You didn't steal me!" I laugh.

"I did—scared you at the window and stole you away barefoot—sounds like stealing to me," he grunts.

"You're filled with so much good, so much love, every moment with you feels like a fairytale." I reply.

"I'm sure that old man would say I stole you?—"

I narrow my eyes at him, then cup his cheeks in my palms and press a soft kiss to his lips. "I'm so grateful you stole me then, it'll take me a lifetime to make it up to you. My tattooed, bearded hero."

He kisses me back, slowly at first, but then his hands wrap around me and pull me close, snuggling me into his body and breathing in my hair as he murmurs sweetly in my ear: "You're my everything now, Lark, I'd risk my life if that's what it took to make you smile."

He holds me like that for long moments as we listen to the morning drizzle on the evergreens. I feel so happy right now, in this moment with him. I can't help but melt into his touch. His hands rub loving patterns across my torso and then down to my aching pussy, I can feel the heat between us intensify. My body is ready for him, craving his touch and his taste. He bends over me, admiring my soaked core with lustful eyes. I want nothing more than to have him inside me again, filling me with pleasure and desire.

His mouth closes on my clit in the next instant and sends shivers down my spine. I can feel his cock straining against me in anticipation of filling me again. I moan as he explores me with his tongue, eager to please me in every way possible. His expert movements bring me to the brink of ecstasy, and I thrust my hips towards him, urging him to keep going.

When he finally sheathes himself inside me, it's pure bliss. Every nerve in my body is on fire, and all I can think about is the pleasure he's giving me. As my hands grip onto his hair, pulling him closer, I know that this moment is heaven on earth for both of us.

"Oh God..." I moan, lost in the feeling of being completely consumed by him.

As he continues to pleasure me with his skilled fingers and tongue, I am overcome with a mixture of pleasure and desire. Each touch sends electric shocks through my body, making me quiver and moan uncontrollably.

"You know how to make me feel like no one else ever could," I gasp, as his mouth explores every inch of my hot core. He groans over my pussy in response and it adds fuel to the fire, driving me closer to the edge. As I reach my peak, I can't help but think that this man is like a drug for me—addicting and irresistible. And even after my body has calmed down from its orgasmic high, I know that he's not finished with me yet. But I'm more than willing to let him take me on this wild ride again and again.

He runs his hands over my thighs before gripping my hips and twisting me around to face away from him. My body tingles with anticipation as I feel his hands spread my ass cheeks and his tongue explore my sensitive puckered hole.

"I want you here, Little Bird," he growls in my ear before delving back into my ass with his talented tongue. I can't help but moan, grinding my hips against him to show him how much I want this too. His hand smacks down on one cheek, sending a jolt of pleasure through me, which he quickly soothes with his reverent touch. I give myself over to the sensations as he continues to feast on me, finally slipping a finger into my soaking wet pussy before pushing it into my tight asshole. The combination of his tongue and finger has me screaming out his name in ecstasy, unable to believe how good it feels to let go completely with him.

"You feel so good, Hunter," I gasp as he adds another finger and continues to work me towards another explosive release.

I cry out, my body shaking uncontrollably as this man's fingers coax pleasure from my aching body. His breath is hot on my skin and I can't get enough of him.

"Mm, Hunter," I moan, my voice raw with ecstasy. My orgasm crashes over me like a tidal wave, and I feel so incredibly loved in this moment. If only every day could be like this - waking up to his rugged face and falling asleep to the sound of him whispering my name.

He flips me onto my back unexpectedly and kisses me fiercely, his desire for me palpable.

"I need you now, sweetheart," he pants hungrily. "I want you by my side forever."

He sees me as sweet and pure, yet he sets my heart on fire with desire for love, commitment, maybe even a family someday.

"Are you on birth control?" he asks urgently, already thinking of our future together. In that moment, I know that he sees me as his own, and I'm overwhelmed with emotion at the thought of being his everything.

"Yes," I rasp, my voice barely above a whisper. "Well, I was until Cyrus brought me up here, then my prescription lapsed. I was only on it to regulate my cycle anyway, I—I've never had sex…until now."

His arms wrap around my neck, his lips pressing against the skin behind my ear, claiming ownership of my body. I can't help but feel a sense of surrender and longing. "Good, because I want a family with you, and I want to start now."

His words wash over me, washing away any doubts or hesitations. With each kiss on my stomach, between my breasts, and along my neck, I feel myself melting into him. And when he finally enters me, I know that this is where I belong. He promises to fill me with his seed and make me his forever, and I can't deny the thrill that shoots through me at the thought. As he claims me as his own, I realize that I never want to be anything else.

I want to be his, every inch of me, inside and out.

"I'm yours, Hunter," I whisper in response to his possessive declaration. And as we lose ourselves in each other's bodies, I know that we are meant to be together forever.

An hour later, we've packed up and are walking the trail again, and I know with every bone in my body that this man means what he says and that I'm starting to fall for him. Hard.

As the leaves glisten in the morning light, I try to focus on the path ahead, on the physical exertion, but my thoughts keep circling back to Hunter—his touch, his kiss, the way he looks at me like I'm something precious.

He made me feel—alive, free, wanted for the first time in my life. It's a dangerous feeling, one I'm not sure I can afford.

As we keep moving, the silence between us comforting and natural. The sun climbs higher, the heat building, and I can feel the sweat trickling down my back. We finally stop for a break near a small creek, and I drop down onto a fallen log, my legs trembling with exhaustion. Hunter watches me, his eyes guarded, as if he's waiting for me to break.

"You're stronger than I thought," he says quietly, his voice soft.

I glance at him. "You don't know the half of it, Mountain Man." His eyes darken with my nickname for him. "You make me want things I didn't know I wanted, make me feel things I didn't know I could."

His grin deepens and he pulls me into his arms. "Good, because there will never be a day I don't want you at my side Little Bird."