Epilogue

L ila–one week later

The crisp mountain air fills my lungs as I stand at the edge of the secluded ledge, the warm glow of the setting sun casting long, golden shadows over Devil's Peak. The world stretches out below us—endless shades of green and blue, the valley dipping and rising like it's breathing along with me. The sky shifts from deep pink to violet, the stars just beginning to twinkle overhead, and yet all I can focus on is Holt.

His gaze is locked on me, darker than the twilight settling around us, filled with a tension that sends a shiver down my spine. The air between us is charged, the kind of heat that never fully fades, no matter how many times we've touched, kissed, and whispered secrets under the stars.

I turn toward him, catching that serious look in his eyes. My pulse races, my heart quickening as I sense that something is coming. He steps closer, and I can feel the weight of his presence. The same rugged mountain man who had once seemed so distant, so unreachable, now looks at me like I'm the only thing that matters in his world.

He's quiet for a moment, the kind of silence that hangs in the air, thick with anticipation. Then his rough, steady voice breaks through the stillness. "Do you remember the last time we were here? That night under the stars?"

A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth, the memory of that night flooding my mind—how it felt to be with him, open and raw, both of us fighting the pull and giving in all at once. "How could I forget?" I say, my voice playful, though my heart is pounding so hard I'm surprised he can't hear it.

Holt reaches for my hand, his touch grounding me, his thumb brushing over my skin with a tenderness that makes my breath hitch. "That night... I knew I wanted more than just a fling. More than just this place, this mountain. I wanted you. And I'm ready to take any risk, make any promise, if it means having you by my side. Always."

My throat tightens, my breath catching. I search his face, my heart swelling with a love so deep it feels like it might drown me. But before I can respond, I hear footsteps behind us. I turn, confusion flashing through me as I see Zane stepping out from behind a cluster of trees, a grin on his face and a small book in his hands—the kind that officiants carry.

"What...?" My voice trails off as the realization sinks in, and my heart starts to race for a different reason. I look back at Holt, my eyes wide with both excitement and disbelief.

He's grinning now, that wicked, mischievous grin that always makes my knees weak. He pulls me closer, resting his forehead against mine, his voice thick with emotion. "Surprise, city girl. I don't want to wait any longer. Let's make this forever, right here, where it all started."

I laugh, a soft, breathless sound, as my heart feels like it's about to burst out of my chest. "You planned this?"

He nods, his thumb brushing against my cheek, his gaze locked on mine with a fierceness that sends a shiver through me. "The brothers knew, but I wanted it to be a surprise. For you. For my folks." He glances behind me, and I follow his gaze, spotting his parents standing a little way off, their faces lit up with smiles.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I blink them away, turning back to Holt, my voice trembling. "You're serious?"

"Dead serious." He leans in, kissing my forehead gently before pulling back to look into my eyes again. "Marry me, Lila. Right here, right now. Under these stars, where we made our first promise."

Zane clears his throat, stepping forward with a mock-serious expression as he flips open the book. "Well, if you two lovebirds are ready, I've got a sunset to catch, so let's get this show on the road."

I laugh again, my heart racing as I nod. I meet Holt's gaze, my hands trembling in his, but I feel steady in this moment. "Yes. Let's do it."

Zane keeps the ceremony short and sweet, his usual cocky attitude softening as he watches Holt and me exchange vows. My heart feels like it's swelling with each word, each promise.

Holt's voice is low and steady as he speaks, his eyes never leaving mine. "I promise to love you, even when the mountain gets rough. Even when we're faced with the kind of climbs that seem impossible. I'll be by your side, every step of the way. You brought me back to life, Lila. And now, I don't ever want to live another day without you."

Tears finally spill over as I speak my own vows, my voice shaking. "You make me braver, Holt. You made me realize that love doesn't have to be safe—it just has to be real. I want to face every challenge with you, every mountain, every fall. I'm yours. Always."

As Zane pronounces us husband and wife, Holt pulls me into his arms, his kiss possessive and full of unspoken promises. The world fades away as our lips meet, and all I can feel is the steady thrum of his heart beneath my hand, his arms wrapped tightly around me.

Cheers erupt from his brothers, clapping from his parents, but all I hear is Holt's breath against my lips, all I feel is the way his body presses against mine, sealing this moment between us.

After the celebrations die down, Holt takes my hand and leads me back to the ledge. The stars are out now, twinkling above us like a thousand witnesses to our love. He spreads out a blanket, pulling me down beside him, his hand slipping under my dress as he leans in, his lips grazing my ear.

"I want you," he murmurs, his voice rough with need. "Right here, right now. Just like that night."

My heart races as his hands slide over my skin, the cool night air mixing with the heat of his touch. "Holt," I breathe, my voice trembling as he lays me back on the blanket, his body hovering over mine. The weight of him, the solid strength of him, sends a thrill through me, making my pulse race.

We make love under the stars, slow and deliberate, each touch a promise, each kiss filled with the weight of everything we've been through to get here. My fingers curl into his hair as our bodies move together, the stars spinning above us, the mountain wind cool against my heated skin.

"I love you," he whispers against my neck, his breath hot as he pulls me closer. "I've fallen so hard for you, Lila. I can't imagine my life without you."

My body trembles as I wrap my legs around him, pulling him deeper. "You'll never have to live without me again," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "I promise."

Butterflies flutter in my stomach as I think about his heavy length inside me, claiming me, making me feel things I'd never imagined. I'm no longer a virgin because of this man. And now, unexpectedly, I'm a married woman. The thought hits me hard, but I don't feel shame or regret. I feared I might wake up feeling like I'd made a mistake that morning, that maybe I'd feel like a slut. But with Holt, it's different. He sees me. He always has. From the moment we met, it felt like he looked right through all my defenses and into the real me. And now, lying here on our ledge, I feel anything but regret.

Holt is lying naked on the sleeping bags, his chest bare and his body gleaming with moonlit sweat from our lovemaking. I feel a flush of heat pool between my legs as I watch and then without thinking, I crawl across his body, palming his thick, still-hard dick in my hands. His dark eyes lock onto mine, and I see the flare of lust as his hands reach for me, threading through my hair and tilting my head up.

"What are you doing to me, Lila?" he growls, but his voice is rough with desire, not protest. His eyes burn with intensity, and I can feel the heat radiating off his body. "I just came deep inside your beautiful pussy and I feel like I could go again. You drive me insane in the sexiest ways."

His thick, hard cock leaks more beads of pre-cum and my breath catches at the sight of it. God, he's huge. I never imagined a man could bring me so much pleasure. I grin, feeling the weight of him in my hands, marveling at the way he fills my grip. His size should intimidate me, but instead, it thrills me.

"Lila..." His voice falters as I kiss the tip of his cock, tasting the salty bead of pre-cum. His groan fills the air, deeper and more primal than the sounds he makes when he's doing a challenging climb, and it spurs me on. My lips close around him, my cheeks hollowing as I take him deeper into my mouth, sucking him the way I've always imagined.

"Fuck, Lila!" Holt grits through clenched teeth as his hand tightens in my hair, urging me to take more. The taste of him, the feel of his thick length in my mouth, drives me wild. My hips begin to rock on their own, my need for him growing with every moan that slips past his lips.

Then, his rough hand slides down my back, slipping beneath the waistband of my panties. His fingers find my soaked entrance, and I moan around his cock as he thrusts two fingers inside me, the intrusion sending pleasure shooting up my spine.

But just as quickly, his hand is at my collarbone, pushing me back onto my heels. His fingers still inside me, fucking me relentlessly as his other hand trails up my neck, caressing the sensitive skin there.

"You're not getting my cum again that easily," he says, his lips hovering close to mine, teasing me with the promise of a kiss. "You're going to work for it." His thumb brushes over the tight bud of my back entrance, and I gasp, my body quivering with anticipation. "And maybe we'll have a little fun too."

His words are a challenge, and my pulse quickens. I know he's not done with me. Not even close.

"How does that sound, beautiful?" His voice is a seductive growl, and I can barely form the words as my entire body trembles with desire.

"Yes, Holt," I stutter, my voice breathless, eager for whatever he has planned. "Anything."

A wicked grin spreads across his face. "Good girl." He finally presses his lips to mine, and the kiss is electric, pulling me under his spell as his fingers push me over the edge, sending me spiraling into a quick, intense orgasm.

He doesn't stop. His thumb teases my back entrance, and I'm completely his, trembling in his hands. He knows exactly how to play my body, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Fifteen minutes later, Holt has me wrapped in his arms, the weight of our encounter still thrumming through me. I can't stop staring at him, his body all hard edges and raw power. He glances at me, catching the look in my eyes, and a knowing smile tugs at his lips.

"I've got plans for us tomorrow," he says, his voice full of that teasing promise that sends my heart racing. His eyes roam over me, dark with desire. "But none of it involves you wearing clothes."

My mouth falls open in shock. "What?"

He grins, stepping closer until he's towering over me, his hand trailing down my back. "You heard me, Lila. I've got an adventure planned, and I want you naked the entire time."

I swallow hard, my body already humming with anticipation. "I'll never sleep tonight if you keep teasing me like this."

Holt takes my hand, his intentions clear in every look. My heart pounds with excitement, knowing that whatever he has in store, I'll follow him anywhere.

"I can't believe we tied the knot today," I laugh, still in disbelief.

"Mm, you're officially tied to me for all eternity now."

I grin up at him. "And I wouldn't have it any other way. My very own mountain man, I feel like the luckiest girl in all of Colorado."

"Then that makes me the luckiest man, precious." He presses a kiss to my temple, his fingertips grazing my arm lovingly.

I reach for my camera, capturing a shot of Holt holding me close, the stars bright above us. I glance at the image, a smile tugging at my lips as I look at the photo—him, me, and the sky.

This is it. This is the beginning of forever.

Our journey, from fear and uncertainty to love and trust, captured in a single moment under the stars.