Page 16 of Promises on the Mountain

I don't like the way April's shoulders sag or hearing her voice go small when she mentions Birch's visit. Like I said, I've never put much energy into the family bullshit, but messing with my girl is a quick way to change that.

"What'd he say to you?" It takes an effort to keep my voice even and I pull April back close to me, my fingers finding a firm grip in those wide hips that's almost enough to keep me calm.

"Ash and Hyacinth saw me leave with you yesterday," she tells me.

"Good." I like knowing they saw her in my truck. That means they saw the kiss I laid on her after she scrambled in. It means they saw her scoot across the bench seat till she was tucked right up against me. It means they know she's mine.

And if the McAllisters know April's taken-- then so does every other male on this mountain.

My shoulders straighten and I feel my chest swell with the pride of knowing this woman has been claimed and every asshole up here knows it now.

"So, what's wrong, baby girl?"

"They just wanted to warn me not to get too attached. Birch seems to think you're the kind of guy who makes promises he doesn't plan on keeping."

Fury burns through my veins and I've got a strong desire to go kick Birch's ass, but I swallow it down. Because the truth is, I've got no one to blame for that reputation but myself.

Somewhere under the pissed off feelings, there's a flicker of respect for the man that was just looking out for April.

That's the way it's supposed to work in the community. We look out for each other up here, family feuds or not.

Letting my breath leak out of my lungs in a slow, controlled, sigh, I wrap April up in my arms again. Pulling her so tight to my chest while I'm still leaning on her counter, that she has to push against my chest so she can look me in the eye.

"I understand why he might think that," I admit, "but I already told you I wasn't always a good man, didn't I?"

We had some hard conversations between us last night. April knows all my secrets now, and she nods to answer me.

"I just want to know what to expect, Raine. Don't talk to me about weddings and babies just because you think that's what I want to hear. If this is just temporary, I'd rather know that up front."

"Hey, April," I cup the side of her face with my palm. Words aren't my super power and I'd rather make her believe me with kisses and orgasms but I know it's important to set the record straight in plain language. "You are it for me, baby girl. Knew I was about to start a whole new chapter of this life as soon as I saw you back here in your little blue checkered apron. You're my future now, and with any luck, that future's going to include a bunch of muddy kids running around. Hopefully, we got started on that yesterday."

My thumbs slide forward to caress the curve of her belly while I keep my hands wrapped around her hips. Thoughts of my seed already taking root deep in there have my dick thickening and a need to have her coming for me again surges through me so urgently, I really hope we've got this point settled.

Pushing us both away from the counter, I reach down and grab April up by the back of her thighs, giving her little choice but to wrap those shapely legs around my waist while I carry her behind the heavy, swinging door that leads to the nearly empty back room.

Setting her ass on top of one of the stainless-steel prep tables in the darkness back here, I've got my hands up her skirt and my fingers already easily slipping through her slick folds.

"Fuck, baby, you're already so wet." I slide a finger into her while I kiss her senseless.

April's hands are grappling with my jeans, pulling my belt from the buckle and unbuttoning my fly.

"Tell me you believe me, baby." I rasp it against her throat and then again, with my face buried between her tits. "Tell me you still want to be my wife, you're gonna let me fill you up with babies, and we're going to do the happy ever after thing together."

"I believe you." She pants the words, pulling my dick free and stroking it hungrily. "I believe you, Raine. I'll marry you and you can knock me up as many times as you want. Just. Start. Now."

Glad we got that settled.

Pulling her panties aside, I let April take the lead, pulling me close and lining up my dick with her opening.

"Hello? Ape, are you in here somewhere?"

8

APRIL

The problem is that Kay didn't say anything until she'd already pushed the swinging door to the back room halfway open.

Raine sighs heavily and pulls back, quickly tucking himself back into his jeans while I hop off the prep table and do my best to put myself back together.

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