Page 54 of Snowy Secrets

I sink back against him, using the table's edge as leverage, riding those long, hard thrusts with the kind of weight that sinks him deeper into my ass.

Soft moans hiss from my mouth as Marcus whispers sexy little nothings in my ear, designed to send me over the edge, even though I'm sure he's nowhere near done. He simply keepsup the momentum, grunting, and telling me how good I am until I'm free-falling.

Even then, he doesn't stop, and I don't object. I'll take every minute and every inch he's willing to give me. The end, when it finally comes, topples us both over into an abyss of languid nothings, where there is only the softer hum of pleasure dissipating into something sweet and mellow.

A while later, we mutually decide to return. Helping Marcus limp through the thick snow back to the cabin, I can feel the weight of the world pressing on both of us. Each step is a slog, the cold gnawing at our exposed skin, but the cabin's warm glow in the distance keeps us moving. Marcus grumbles with every step, but his complaints are almost comforting—a reminder that he's still got fight left in him.

As we push through the snow, a rustling sound catches my attention. I glance up and freeze. About fifty yards away, a massive grizzly bear stands, her coat a blend of browns and tans that blend seamlessly with the winter landscape. She's not alone. Two cubs playfully tumble in the snow around her, oblivious to the cold.

"Stay still," I whisper, my heart pounding in my chest. Marcus follows my gaze, his grip tightening on my shoulder. For a moment, we're locked in a silent standoff, the bear's eyes meeting ours across the snowy expanse. My heart races, every instinct screaming to run, but I force myself to remain calm. The bear sniffs the air, seemingly uninterested in us, and turns away, leading her cubs deeper into the forest.

We let out a collective breath we didn't know we were holding. "Guess we're not on the menu today," Marcus mutters, a hint of humor in his voice.

I nod, feeling a strange sense of peace wash over me. "Yeah. Just another part of the balance out here."

The cabin finally comes into view. We make it inside, the warmth immediately wrapping around us like a comforting blanket. The smells of roasting vegetables and wine greet us, and I sigh. River and Wyatt are in the living room, deep in conversation about some project they've been tinkering with.

River doesn't notice us enter. He moves purposefully through the living room and heads upstairs, his steps heavy and deliberate. I glance at Marcus, who's already sinking into a chair with a relieved grunt and a curse. Something about River's demeanor worries me, so I decide to follow him. Heart in my mouth, I tread softly on the wooden stairs, each creak feeling like an intrusion on his solitude.

At the top of the stairs, I see River disappear into the children's room. The cabin, primarily a retreat for families, has this charming little space designed just for kids—small beds, colorful drawings on the walls, and a shelf full of toys that promise endless adventures. I peek through the door, the room bathed in the soft glow of a nightlight shaped like a moon.

River sits down heavily on the small toddler's bed, his broad shoulders hunched, hands cradling his head. My heart aches at the sight. I step into the room, the plush carpet muffling my footsteps. "River?" I call softly, my voice barely above a whisper, afraid to startle him.

He doesn't respond immediately, so I move closer and sit down beside him. The bed creaks under our combined weight, but it holds. I reach out, placing a tentative hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" I ask, concerned.

River lifts his head slowly, and I can see the strain in his eyes. They're red-rimmed, like he's been holding back tears or battling some inner turmoil. He takes a deep breath, and for a moment, I think he's going to brush off my question with a joke or a dismissive comment. But he doesn't. Instead, he lets out a long sigh, the kind that carries the weight of unspoken burdens.

"It's just…everything," he finally says, his voice rough. "There are moments I don't know how to hold it together."

Honestly, same. I squeeze his shoulder gently, offering silent support. "You don't have to do it alone, you know," I say softly. "The world is easier and prettier when you've got people to rely on."

River shakes his head, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "Do I deserve said people?"

A pang hits my chest. We sit in silence for a moment, the gentle hum of the heater and the distant crackle of the fireplace downstairs providing a comforting backdrop. I glance around the room. "It's peaceful here," I muse, trying to lighten the mood a bit. "I can see why the kids love this room."

River nods, a hint of a smile returning to his face. "Yeah, it's one of my favorite places too."

I lean back, resting my head against the wall. "You're a good man, River. Don't ever doubt that."

His eyes meet mine, and for a flicker of a second, the tough guy façade melts away, leaving a breathtaking vulnerability in its wake. With a little sigh, I nudge closer, wrapping an arm around his waist. "We've both been through the wringer," I murmur, my voice thick with emotion, "but your past…that was a whole other level of messed up."

He angles his head, a tender smile softening the hard lines of his face. "Hey now," he whispers, his fingers gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "Don't you dare downplay your own struggles, Bella. I know what you've been through, and you're a goddamn warrior."

Both of us fall quiet for a moment. I'm looking down at my feet, and River is staring at my face. There's no escaping this—I have to tell him. It has to be now. But how do I do it without hurting him?

"So," River begins, steering the conversation in another direction, "how's the novel coming along? Marcus tells me you're writing about an warrior heroine who falls for a mysterious stranger?"

Ah, I have some time. Good. I need it to gather my thoughts before delivering my speech.

By the way, you've got a daughter.

You're a dad.

So, I kind of didn't tell you this before, but would you like to meet Ginny? Just so you know, she's your kid.

Goddammit. Is there no way to make this sound good at all?

"Seriously," he continues, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing in my head, "How do you do it all?"

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