Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

H unter

The next morning I wake without her. The lodge feels colder without Lark in it. It's strange how quickly a place can turn hollow when the person who filled it is gone. I run a hand over my face, staring at the note she left on the rough wooden table. The words blur in front of me, each one a punch to the gut.

I went for a walk. Please don't come after me.

The paper crinkles under my grip, the edges torn from the force of my frustration. Anger, regret, and a desperation I've never felt before surge through me, each emotion hitting harder than the last. I promised her I'd keep her safe, and I always keep my promises.

I shove the note into my pocket, grabbing my jacket and stepping out onto the porch. The early morning air bites at my skin, a stark contrast to the heat roiling inside me. The trail is faint, barely visible in the damp earth, but I know Lark's movements as well as my own. She's smart—too smart. But she's also running on fear, and that's a weakness I can use to find her. I'll track her across the Continental Divide if I have to.

As I move into the dense underbrush, the adrenaline takes over. Every step is fueled by a primal need to get to her, to hold her, to make her understand that she can't run from this—from us . But then, maybe letting her go is the right thing to do. She's barely eighteen, how could I really think we had a chance when I'm sixteen years older than her? The memory of her in my arms, of her soft gasps and desperate touches, only sharpens my determination. I didn't just protect her because I had to; I did it because I wanted to. Because she's mine, whether she believes it or not.

The trail leads me deeper into the woods, the damp scent of pine and earth filling the air. I push through low-hanging branches, the ground uneven beneath my boots. Lark's tracks are scattered, but I can tell she's moving fast.

I reach a clearing near the edge of the river, the sound of rushing water filling the air. And there she is, her small figure huddled on a rock by the water's edge, her shoulders hunched in defeat. She's staring into the river, lost in thought, her posture heavy with regret.

I approach quietly, but she hears me. Her head jerks up, her eyes wide, and for a split second, I see relief flash across her face before it's replaced by anger.

"You shouldn't have come," she says, her voice weak and filled with emotion.

"And you shouldn't have left, Sugar," I reply, my voice low but steady.

Her eyes cast up to meet mine. "I did it for you—for your family," she says, frustration evident in her tone. "I'm trying to protect you."

"Bullshit. Anyway, you didn't get very far," I say, closing the distance between us. I tip her chin, forcing her eyes to meet mine, "I could never sleep knowing you're out here alone."

"You don't understand—you're so good and I'm not worth the trouble," she insists, her voice wavering.

I pull her to me in a possessive embrace. "You don't get to decide what I'm willing to fight for."

"Why, Hunter?" she demands, her voice breaking. "Why would you want to risk everything for someone like me?"

I take a breath, the words heavy on my tongue. "Because I love you, Lark," I say, my voice rough with emotion. "And I'm not letting you go. Not now, not ever."

She blinks, her eyes widening in shock, her lips parting as if she can't believe what she's hearing.

"You don't mean that," she whispers, the disbelief clear in her voice.

I take a step closer, cupping her face with both hands, forcing her to meet my gaze. "Yes, I do," I say, my voice fierce. "I love you, Lark. And I'm not scared of whatever comes with that. I'll face it with you."

Her body trembles beneath my touch, a mix of fear and longing radiating from her.

"Hunter…" she starts, her voice thick with emotion. "I love you too."

I lean in, my forehead pressing against hers, my voice low and intense. "You're not alone anymore. We're both a work in progress, but at least we have each other."

Her resistance crumbles, and she collapses against me, her hands clutching my shirt as if she's afraid to let go.

"I don't know how to be free," she admits, her voice muffled against my chest.

I wrap my arms around her, holding her close, the relief overwhelming. "God sent me to show you what it's like to be loved. I believe that with all of me. I was sent to protect you, Lark. You're my purpose for breathing."

"You really mean it?" she asks, her voice small, almost childlike.

I brush a strand of hair away from her face, my thumb grazing her cheek. "I've never meant anything more."

The vulnerability in her eyes shifts, turning into something warmer, something real.

"I'm scared," she confesses, her voice barely audible.

"I know," I say, my voice soft but resolute. "But I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

She leans into me, her lips finding mine in a soft, hesitant kiss. It's different from the desperate passion of before—this kiss is filled with all the unspoken promises, the hope that maybe, just maybe, we can make this work. I deepen the kiss, my hands tangling in her hair, pulling her closer until there's no space left between us.

When we finally break apart, her eyes are filled with tears, but there's a small, hopeful smile tugging at her lips. "I want to try," she says, her voice filled with a mix of fear and determination. "I want to try with you, here."

"That's all I need to hear," I reply, my voice thick with emotion. "We'll figure it out, you and me, one step at a time."

She nods, wiping at her tears with the back of her hand, her expression softer, more open. "I'm sorry," she says, her voice filled with regret. "For leaving this morning without letting you know first—you looked so peaceful I didn't want to wake you."

I shake my head, thinking about the night I had—what I did to protect her after she fell asleep last night. I brush a kiss against her forehead, choosing to leave out the details. "We're both scared," I admit, my voice low. "But I think we're stronger together."

Her hand finds mine, our fingers intertwining, a small but significant gesture.

"Together, hmm?" she echoes.

"I think so, but I guess this leaves us in a very interesting position." I run my fingers through her hair, loving the silky texture, watching as she shivers softly in response. I finger the fringe of her scarf, the silky feeling of it against my fingers sends a spark straight to my gut.

Her gaze falters for a moment, then locks back on mine, but I see something there—hesitation, a flicker of uncertainty. It's the look of someone who's been hurt before. It's not easy for her to trust. Well, come hell or high water, she's going to learn she can trust me. I'll make damn sure of it.

"I need you to know," I continue, my tone dropping, "no matter what happens between us, you're always safe here, no pressure. Whatever you decide, it won't affect your safety. You're welcome to stay at Devil's Peak Lodge however long you'd like. Forever, if you want."

She nods, her eyes searching mine, as if looking for something real to hold onto. And I give it to her—no flinching, no bullshit, just me.

"I don't want any complications for you or your family though," she says, her voice softening as her gaze drops to the ground between us.

"Hey," I say gently, tipping her chin up until our eyes meet again. My voice lowers, heavy with emotion. "You've already become a complication. When you ran out on me this morning, a thousand thoughts ran through my head, but two stuck: making sure you were safe and that we're okay. I'd beat myself up if I thought I hurt you in any way."

She shakes her head slowly, sighing before she whispers, "You were perfect. It wasn't you—it's me."

The words hit me hard, like a crack in my chest. She's offering me an out, like she thinks she's not worth the complication. But the truth is, she's worth every damn one.

"Listen here, Little Bird," I say, cupping her cheek with one hand while the other slides under the scarf, uncoiling it from her neck. I pull it through my fingers, inhaling her scent, heady and addictive, before continuing, "You're perfect for me. You chase away my complications with your laugh, your smile, and the way you radiate warmth like an angel sent from Heaven."

I loop the scarf back around her neck, using it to pull her closer. I kiss her, slow and sensual, filled with a promise I want to make real every day.

"And this classy, dressed up side of you?" I murmur against her lips, referring to the scarf around her neck. "This gorgeous body all wrapped up like a present, waiting for me to unwrap it… I fucking love it."

"I borrowed a scarf from the lodge," she confesses breathlessly, "because you left marks on my neck last night."

The possessiveness surges through me, making my cock harden instantly.

"Mm, my mark on your pretty pink skin makes me hot," I growl, my mouth descending on hers again.

We kiss for long, fevered minutes, and she clings to me, her little fingers digging into my waist. Her soft body sways against my hard one. Right now, all I want to play with is her.

"We should get back…" she mumbles finally, her voice thick and reluctant.

I kiss her one last time, walking her backward down the trail. I give her a crooked grin, my thumb tracing the curve of her cheekbone. "Whatever you say, babe."

She's already walking ahead of me as I trail the scarf from her neck, inhaling her scent deeply.

"I'm keeping this," I call after her.

Her eyes widen when she turns, a sweet giggle falling from her lips. With a groan, I palm my aching dick, the memory of her hands and lips on me driving me wild. I feel the softness of the scarf against my skin as I stroke my cock through my pants, my eyes closed, reliving every moment with her—her lips trailing down my abs, her fingers digging into my shoulders, her tight, wet heat wrapping around me as I thrust deep inside her.

I groan, my voice a low, desperate growl as I press harder, my release buzzing in the base of my balls. The thought of waking up next to her every morning almost drives me to the edge. She's everything I never knew I needed, and I want to make her mine in every possible way.

My breath is ragged as we walk back to the lodge, and my heart pounds as her hips sway with each step, her soft hair whispering on the breeze. She's not just a complication—she's my biggest challenge, my most urgent desire. And I plan on keeping her. I speed up a few strides, locking my hand in hers as we walk, my heart lighter than it's been in a long time.

"You're doing a helluva number on me, Little Bird," I say, my voice filled with a mixture of relief and determination. "I can't wait to get you home."

Lark hesitates, her gaze lingering on the river. But then she nods, her lips curving into a small, genuine smile. "I had no idea mountain men could be so charming."

I laugh loudly, feeling like a cloud has lifted for the first time in days.