Page 94 of Wilder

Emmett felt a grin spread on his face.

This time, when he got behind Wilder on his motorcycle, he felt at peace. A few things had settled inside him. Things he hadn’t known were making him nervous to explore, but now? He was more ready for a future with Wilder than he’d ever been.

He wasn’t surprised that by the time they pulled to a stop, they were surrounded by trees.

He took Wilder’s hand and let him lead them down the path to the lake. There were a few birds chirping while a slight breeze rustled the leaves on the trees, but other than that, it was a quiet paradise, the last rays of the sun reflecting in the water and bathing everything in a soft lilac glow.

“I bought it.”

He glanced up at Wilder with a frown. “Bought what?”

Wilder met Emmett’s gaze, his lips pulling up at the corners as he spread his arms wide.

“The lake?” Emmett spluttered. “You bought the lake?”

“And the surrounding area.”

His heart was pounding, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to form words.

“I figure we could build a little house right there,” Wilder said, pointing at a small hill with a view of the lake. “Maybe make enough bedrooms for the boys to stay over.”

Tears pricked at Emmett’s eyes.

“I think I’m supposed to tell you that we should’ve made this decision together?”

Wilder’s low huff of laughter burrowed its way straight into his heart, and his knees wobbled when Wilder’s arms wrapped around him, pulling him up against his body. He tilted his head back, meeting those green-flecked brown eyes and seeing the same love he felt reflected back at him.

“I didn’t have time to ask you before making the decision. Otherwise, I would have.” A cheeky smile spread on Wilder’s face. “Let’s be real, though. You would’ve said yes. This is for you. This is forus.”

His heart felt so full he was afraid it might burst. Yes, this was for them. This was the start of forever. Their forever.

“You really bought us a plot of land before you gave me a property cut?”

“Oh, it’s coming,” Wilder said, grabbing Emmett by the hips, fingers digging in just right. “We won’t be anywhere near the others when I put that on you the first time.”

A groan pushed past Emmett’s lips. “I’ll end up sore, won’t I?”

“Yes. You’ll feel me for days,” Wilder said, voice a low hum as he brushed his nose against Emmett’s, breath fanning across his lips.

“Good.”

He pushed up on his toes to catch Wilder’s lips in a soft kiss, pouring all the love and appreciation he felt for him into that press of lips.

He pulled back, smiling up at Wilder before turning in his arms. Wilder held onto him, lips brushing across his cheekbefore they stood there looking out over the lake that was now theirs. That would always be theirs. This was exactly how he wanted to spend the rest of his life: Sharing the silence with the man he loved.