Page 34 of Her Silver Fox Mountain Men

There are plenty of hours left until morning.

13

Elise

The regrets don’t come.

The doubts are out of my reach.

As the morning washes over the Rocky Mountains with its golden hues and pink skies, I realize that, for the first time in my life, what is happening is meant to happen. It feels right. Yes, it’s strange. It’s more than I ever bargained for. But I love it.

I want more of it.

“Good morning, sunshine,” Roman comes in, car keys jingling in his hand before he throws them into the large catchall on the counter island. “Any coffee left for me?”

“Just brewed a fresh pot,” I reply with a lazy smile.

It’s my day off and the house is wonderfully quiet.

“I dropped the girls off at school,” he says, pouring himself a cup. He likes his coffee black and sweet. Sweet as sin, he insists, always following up with a mischievous smirk. “They start crafting Halloween decorations today, so brace yourself for sticky hands and clumps of papier mâché in their hair when theyget home tonight.

“Oh, gosh, we’re getting closer to Halloween. I lost track of time.”

“We had a long night,” he says and joins me at the breakfast table. We kiss, sweet and tenderly, and I briefly get lost in the blue depths of his eyes. “How are you feeling?”

I think about it for a moment before answering.

“Deliciously sore,” I say.

Roman’s face lights up with a smile. “It means we got the job done right.”

“And then some,” I giggle. “Where are James and Oliver?”

“They went into town for some supplies. What are your plans for today?”

“I want to stop by my place and see how far Mr. Ronald has gotten with the repairs. Then I was thinking I’d go into town as well. I need a new winter jacket. I want to be prepared before it gets too cold.”

Roman leans in and softly kisses my temple. “Need me to come with?”

“You don’t have to.”

“I don’t mind. Unless you want some time alone.”

“Maybe, if for no reason other than to better process what happened last night.”

“How’s everything sinking in after the fact?”

“Last night was amazing and I loved it,” I say, briefly lowering my gaze.

Roman clasps my chin between his thumb and index finger, beckoning me to look up at him. “You loved it, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“Would you do it again?”

“Absolutely.”

“It’s a date then. Leave your bedroom door unlocked,” he says, then kisses me again before getting up. I watch with wide eyes as he finishes his coffee and heads out of the kitchen. “I’ll be in the home office if you need me. By the way, I’m making lunch today.”

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