Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

S arah

The cabin is quiet except for the faint crackle of the fire. Outside, the wind howls around the mountain, a wild reminder of the world we’ve left behind for this little cocoon. Grady’s cabin feels like its own universe tonight—warm, safe, and impossibly intimate.

I glance over at him, sitting across from me at the kitchen table, his strong hands wrapped around a mug of coffee. Bear snores gently by the fire, his big black body stretched out in a way that makes my heart ache with how much he belongs here, how much I want to belong here too.

Grady catches me staring. His dark eyes narrow slightly, his lips pulling into that almost-smile that I’ve come to crave. “What’re you thinking about over there, beautiful?”

I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. He always does this—asks simple questions in that deep, gravelly voice of his and makes me feel like I’ve been stripped bare. “Just... Bear. How peaceful he looks.”

He snorts, leaning back in his chair. “Bear doesn’t have a care in the world. That old dog’s got it made.”

“And you?” I ask softly, before I can stop myself. “Do you feel like that? Like you’ve got it made?”

His gaze sharpens, and the playful flicker in his eyes turns serious. For a moment, I think I’ve overstepped, but then he stands and walks toward me, his heavy boots thudding softly against the wood floor.

I stay rooted in my chair, my heart thundering as he looms over me. He leans down, one hand braced on the back of my chair, the other gripping the edge of the table. His face is so close now, I can see the flecks of gold and green in his irises, the slight stubble on his jaw.

“Ask me that again,” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble.

My breath hitches, and I swear I forget how to speak for a moment. “Do you feel... like you’ve got it made?”

His lips twitch, and for a split second, I think he’s going to kiss me. Instead, he pulls back just enough to meet my eyes fully. “Not yet,” he says simply. “But I’m starting to.”

The air between us feels electric, like one wrong move could set it ablaze. I force myself to look away, my hands clenching in my lap. “You say things like that, Grady, and I don’t know what to do with them.”

He straightens, his presence still heavy and commanding. “Maybe it’s time you start figuring it out, Sarah. Because I’ve been trying to hold back, and I’m not sure how much longer I can.”

My head snaps up, his words hitting me like a freight train. “Hold back?” I repeat, my voice trembling.

He nods, his jaw tight. “Since the moment Bear stole your cookies, sunshine. You walked into my life with that smile, looking like you didn’t have a clue how dangerous you were to me. And I’ve been fighting it ever since.”

I stand abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. “Grady?—”

He silences me with a kiss, his lips capturing mine with a tenderness that takes my breath away. For all his rough edges, his touch is impossibly soft, like he’s afraid I’ll shatter if he pushes too hard.

My hands find his shirt, clutching at the fabric as if it’s the only thing keeping me grounded. He deepens the kiss, his tongue brushing against mine in a way that sends heat spiraling through my body. Every part of me feels alive, electric, like I’m discovering a whole new language in his arms.

When he pulls back, his forehead rests against mine, his breathing ragged. “Marry me tomorrow,” he murmurs. “Let me love you, Sarah. Let me show you.”

Tears prick at my eyes, and I nod, unable to find the words. He steps back, taking my hand and leading me toward the bedroom. The firelight dances across his face, highlighting the raw emotion in his eyes. I’ve never felt so exposed, so wanted.

The room is bathed in a soft glow from the lamp on the nightstand. Grady turns to me, his hands finding the hem of my sweater. “Can I?” he asks, his voice rough.

I nod, lifting my arms as he pulls it over my head. His eyes rake over me, dark and full of something primal that makes my knees weak. “You’re beautiful,” he says simply, the words carrying a weight that makes my heart ache.

I reach for him, my fingers fumbling with the buttons of his shirt. He stills my hands, guiding them with a patience that steadies me. When his chest is bare, I let my hands roam over his warm skin, marveling at the strength beneath my fingers.

“You’re staring,” he teases, his lips quirking up.

I bite my lip, heat rushing to my cheeks. “Maybe I like what I see.”

His laugh is low and rich, and he pulls me close, his lips finding mine again. This time, there’s no hesitation, no holding back. His hands explore my body with a confidence that leaves me breathless, his touch igniting a fire that burns hotter with every passing second.

“You know, I never pegged you for the kind of guy that talks at town meetings,” I say.

His eyes glint for a moment. “I stand up for what I believe in.”

He sucks his bottom lip between his teeth and pulls the flesh taut. My heart skips a few beats as I watch the slow movement.

“And you believe in me?” I whisper, my eyes never leaving his lips.

“One hundred percent,” he says without moving.

“Oh...” I murmur. He pulls me closer and my hand moves to the back of his neck to tangle in his dark hair. He presses his lips to mine, and we kiss fiercely.

One hand presses into my lower back, holding my body to his while the other smooths up my back and winds my hair around his fist. He pulls gently, arching my neck, exposing my flesh to his lips. He nips down my throat and places soft kisses under my ear. His fingers brush along the nape of my neck, holding me to him. I whimper and press my hips into his, feeling his arousal.

Another groan escapes as thoughts of him filling me crash through my brain. His lips on me. His tongue dancing across my skin. His fingertips caressing me, peeling off my panties, his eyes taking me in, running his tongue up the sensitive flesh around my hips. I bring his face back to mine in a fiery kiss, wanting everything he has to give.

His palms drop to my thighs and lift me around his hips. My ankles lock around his waist as he holds me, one hand on each ass cheek.

“Sarah,” he grunts as he kneads the flesh.

“Grady, yes.” I nip along his jaw. He sucks in a sharp breath, his hands tighten almost to the point of pain. He walks backward with me in his arms, kissing and sucking, until the back of his legs hit the bed. He sits and I straddle his waist, our lips still exploring languidly. His hands on my body kneading, his tongue tasting, lips caressing―drives me mad with lust.

“Every night I go to bed and think about our future together. Ways I can protect you, make you happy, give you everything you deserve. Every morning I get out of bed and can't wait to spend more time with you,” he murmurs, dragging his teeth along my earlobe.

“Oh God, me too,” I bow into his hard body.

His fingertips skim my ribs and my body arches into him. His palms caress the underside of my breasts, my head swims with lust. I want him to touch me. I want all of him tonight. I want all of him every night.

“Grady.” I moan before his fingers travel over my bra lightly, feathering across my painfully aroused nipples. I throw my head back and my body bows as I rock, seeking release of the ache between my legs. His fingers pull down the cups of my bra and lift my sweater just high enough to take one breast into his mouth. He licks around the hardened peak before drawing it further into his mouth, sucking and twirling his tongue around the pebbled tip. He releases it to the cool air, causing it to throb with need. His lips travel to my other nipple to pay it the same attention while his fingers find the abandoned one, pinching and elongating it further.

“I want to feel you inside me,” I moan. I think of the river water traveling down the ridges of his muscles, down his pecs, through his abs, and following the cut of his pelvic muscles.

“Lie back.” I lean over him, wanting my tongue to follow that same path. My hair curtains around us as I tease my tongue from behind his ear, down his neck, and across his collarbone where I pause to swirl my tongue in the hollow. My hands make their way up his torso, feeling every inch of him as my tongue travels the opposite direction, down between his pectorals, past the sharp lines bisecting his abdominals, and then across his sharp hips.

His fingers run through my hair and he jerks his hips when I place a palm firmly on his cock, rubbing and caressing. Our eyes lock for a moment. His lips open slightly, dragging his bottom lip through his teeth.

“Sarah,” he breathes.

“What?” The word escapes my lips.

“Sarah, God, you feel so good.”

“Good, pleasing you makes me happy.” I breathe. I gaze up at him through my eyelashes.

“Fuck,” the word escapes his lips in a rush. He flips me over and leans over my body, his searing gaze holding my own for a few breathless moments. I’m not sure what he’s going to do. “Sarah,” he coasts his fingertips against my stomach.

“What?” I mumble.

“Look at me,” he says, the command emerging from his throat in a husky tone. “I meant what I said earlier. I plan on marrying you just as soon as we can plan it.”

My eyes flutter open at his words. I bite my bottom lip as my thoughts flick through my brain. This man is so devoted–protective–loving.

“I can’t wait to marry you,” I whisper. He licks his lips slowly as his eyes sear mine. His hands hold my waist and his thumbs work small circles on my hipbones. My breathing comes out in ragged pants and I close my eyes again, the lust becoming too much to bear.

“Good, I can’t wait to make you my wife–give you my name–spend the rest of my days loving you,” he says, his lips caressing mine sweetly. I get lost in the sensation of the breath that passes between us, the fingers threading through my hair, the small undulations our bodies make against each other. With every breath I inhale the fresh, clean scent I have come to associate with Grady.

His lips trail down my throat, taking me in leisurely, tasting every inch. I exhale noisily and press my hips into his, my legs locked around his waist. His lips kiss and suckle at the hollow of my neck. His palms travel up my ribcage, lifting my sweater. I lean up so he can peel it off my body. I lay back down and his eyes take in my chest. He pulls the straps of my bra down my shoulders and over my arms. He kisses the exposed skin then gently unhooks my bra. He lays me down again, revealing my aching breasts. He sucks in a sharp breath as he pulls the lingering fabric off and tosses it on the floor.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs. My nipples pucker from the cool air. I grind my hips into his as he leans over and kneads one breast in his hand, taking the nipple between his lips and swirling it with his tongue.

“Grady, I need you,” I moan and arch into him. He switches to my other breast and kneads and sucks, causing my body to hum. The cool air against my overheated flesh has goosebumps running across my body. His hands caress me reverently. He drives me wild, makes me dizzy with arousal.

“Lift up, baby,” he whispers and I comply. Sitting back on his knees, his hand slowly runs up my legs, chasing away the goosebumps left from the cool air, leaving a trail of hot need in their wake. I moan and writhe beneath his touch.

His mouth curves in a lopsided grin before his nose whispers along the sensitive flesh at my hips. He runs his hands up my thighs and kneads the aching flesh between my legs. He looks up at me again, before brushing his nose along my exposed mound. My breath catches as he slides a finger between the slick folds.

“Like silk,” he breathes. I moan and he drags his finger through my lips and rubs around my clit causing my hips to buck into him.

“God,” I whimper. He runs a single finger back down before slowly pushing it inside me, thrusting and swirling. My breathing becomes rough pants and he lowers his mouth to the sensitive flesh before sucking my clit between his lips. My hips keen and roll in ecstasy. I moan his name as he adds another finger and thrusts in and out of me, probing and exploring as his tongue swirls and his lips suck. I feel his teeth drag along my clit and tug while pressing inside me. My body rocks as an orgasm overtakes me.

"Grady," I gasp, feeling my body throb under his continued suction. My toes dig into the blankets and my hands clutch at his shoulders as my orgasm overwhelms me. Heat floods through my skin as he holds onto my hips with one hand, slowing down his movements. Coming back to reality, I moan, "Oh God." He lifts his head, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"You're beautiful," he breathes before crawling up my body and tangling his hands in my hair. I lean up to kiss him, tasting my own arousal on his lips.

"So beautiful," he murmurs against my mouth, sucking delicately at the skin below my ear.

"I want you," I moan, trailing my hands down to pull at his boxer briefs. He stops me, holding onto one of my hands tightly.

He runs his tongue along his bottom lip before capturing mine in a passionate kiss, showing me just how much he wants me too.

Lowering his head again, he whispers against my lips, "I love being inside you."

With a guttural groan, he quickly removes his jeans and briefs and presses our bodies together. My fingers grip onto his firm backside as we move against each other. We both sigh in contentment as Grady teases me slowly with the tip of his cock, running it against my wet folds. He cups my face in his hands and traces circles on my cheeks with his thumbs, kissing me deeply as he enters me slowly. The pleasure is overwhelming and tears spring to my eyes as I adjust to him.

"You're so perfect," Grady whispers as he continues to move in and out of me steadily. "So damn perfect."

I open my eyes to see him biting his bottom lip in concentration. "This is...it's never been..." he pauses, unable to finish his thought. I run my hands up his smooth back, digging my nails into his muscles, needing him harder and faster.

"You're perfect too," I moan, feeling every inch of him fill me. "You feel so perfect."

He rocks more quickly, picking up a steady rhythm that makes our bodies move together blissfully. He straightens above me and runs his palms down the back of my thighs, causing fire to ignite in my nerve endings. He holds them firmly in his hands and leans over me, holding my legs tightly. He works in and out of me, taking on a punishing rhythm as errant strands of hair fall over his forehead and he pants above me. My hand slides down between us and I touch the root of him where our bodies connect. His eyes flicker open as he watches.

"Fuck," the word escapes his lips as I begin massaging my clit. His eyes close and he angles deeper, thrusting faster with his face twisted in pleasure and his body shuddering with release. I close my eyes and fall over the cliff as my climax wracks my body for the second time. He continues to ease in and out of me slowly as my nerves tingle with pleasure. My chest heaves and I try to catch my breath while finding him staring down at me with a thoughtful and sated expression.

"You look beautiful when you do that," he says with a small grin lifting his mouth. I bite my lip in embarrassment and cover my eyes with the back of my arm.

"Oh no, not a chance. You're not hiding that beautiful face from me." He smiles as he lifts my arm away and I roll my eyes at him. His grin widens as he rests on top of me, his elbows holding his weight. I sigh as our cool, sweat-slicked skin makes contact.

"Okay?" He lifts his head in concern.

"Perfect." I press his head back into my neck. Our breathing mingles together as we try to catch our breath. The cool air sweeps up our skin and a large smile spreads across my face as I thread my fingers through his hair. We lie there for a long time in silence, still connected, until finally Grady turns his head and I feel his lips kissing me beneath my ear.

"I love you," he whispers.

I turn my face to his with a content smile and my lips trace the shell of his ear. "I love you back, Grady. So much."

The tenderness in his touch contrasts with the intensity in his eyes, and I feel completely undone. “Sarah,” he murmurs, his voice rough with emotion. “You’re everything I never knew I needed.”

Tears slip down my cheeks, but I’m smiling, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. We lay tangled in the sheets, the room quiet except for the sound of our breathing. Grady’s hand strokes my hair, his touch soothing and steady.

“You know,” he says, his voice a low rumble. “Bear’s not the only one who’s stubborn in this house. You’re the only woman I’ve ever met who could out-stubborn me.”

I laugh softly, turning to look up at him. “Maybe that’s why we work.”

“Maybe,” he agrees, his lips brushing against my forehead. “But don’t think for a second that I’m letting you go, Mrs. Stevens . You’re mine now. Always.”

I smile, my heart swelling with a happiness I never thought I’d find. “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.”