Page 23 of The Mountain Man's Hunted Bride

She leans up, her forearms on my chest, and studies my face in the moonlight. “I love you, Gray Thorne. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to say that to a man. When I realized that I can and do trust you completely, it released something that said it was okay to love you.”

Swallowing the knot in my throat, I brush a stray strand of hair from her cheek. “You can always trust me. I’ll never lie to you or cheat on you. You are my forever, Tawny. Only you.”

“Make me your wife.”

“I don’t think we should. I want you to have more time. To feel comfortable with me.”

“I know how I feel. I know I trust you. I know I love you, Gray. I don’t want more time.”

“You are absolutely sure?” She nods. “If you change your mind at any time, You’ll tell me to stop.”

She nods.

“Let me get a condom.”

“No. We should be safe. My cycle just ended. I want my first time to be natural. But... do you want kids someday?”

“With you, I want it all. A home. A family. All the love we can share. You’re my one. My only one.”

“I... I wondered if I’d ever find love,” she tries to explain. “I wondered if I’d recognize love. When you never know something it’s hard to believe it exists. Then I realized the difference between my feelings for Joey and the others. With him caring was reciprocated. He did things to protect me, and I did the same for him. We could laugh and just be together and it felt right. Calm.

“With you it’s like that but more. I want to be near you all the time. I look for you and when you’re near, I feel your presence. Not just in a safe way but in a companionable way. In a—you fit kind of way. Does that make sense?”

“It does, kitten. It’s a bond that grows day by day. I don’t know where you start and I end anymore. That makes me feel complete.”

“Yes.”

“This is love, Tawny. I will always love you.”

“Make love to me, Gray. Show me.”

“Help me take your gown off.”

She sits up straddling my thighs and pulls the gown over her head, tossing it aside. I sit up and send my T-shirt after her gown.

Sliding my palms along her side, I lean in to capture her lips with mine. Warm. Soft. Eager. Enchanting. Everything I could hope for. Our kiss is sweet and tender, until it isn’t. Until it becomes needy, hungry and as necessary as air.

I love how she feels against my body. Warm, slight, strong and willing.

Gently, I shift us till we’re both lying on our sides facing each other. Slowly I skim my hand down her side to her knee and backup to graze the side of her breast. “You feel so soft, so perfect. You are so beautiful.”

“I want to see you, Gray. Touch you. Feel you. Please get undressed, too.”

Standing, I push my sweatpants to the floor. I’ve got a few battle scars but nothing too traumatic. No one lives the life of a warrior without a few scars.

“You’re beautiful.”

“Only you would see this old body as beautiful.” My response catches me off guard. I am old. Too old.

CHAPTER 16

Tawny

“Stop right there,” I whisper. “I feel where your thoughts are going. Please, stop Gray. Trust me to know my own mind. For so long I’ve been told what to do, what to think, how to behave. Please, let me have this. Let me have my own feelings and opinions where we, you, are concerned.”

“Your years of service show me your unwavering commitment. Your scars show me your bravery and willingness to sacrifice for the mission and others. You’ll finish what you start.

“Your age gives you the wisdom to know what’s really important. I know if you choose me, you’re devoted. I trust you. Please trust me to know my feelings.”