Page 28 of The Minx and the Mountain Man

I’m not going to tell her no. I lean over her on the bed, my eyes locked with hers as I slowly sink into her. It feels so good. I swear I’ve never felt anything like this.

She gasps my name, her hands gripping my shoulders, and I bury my face in her neck, pressing kisses there, murmuring how beautiful she is, how right this is.

We move together, slow and deep, because we have all the time in the world.

Because she’s mine, and I’m hers. And for the first time in my life, I know what it means to truly belong.

Epilogue

One Year Later

Sadie

The town hall is glowing with soft, twinkling lights, the wooden beams wrapped in garlands of dried roses and baby’s breath. Pine Hollow has gone all out for this year’s Valentine’s Day dance, and as I sway in Reid’s arms by the crowded dance floor, I can’t help but think about how different life was just a year ago.

Last year, I came to this dance heartbroken, believing I’d lost the man I loved. Now, that same man is holding me close, his warm hand resting protectively over the small swell of my belly, where our baby is growing.

“Still feels a little surreal,” I murmur, tilting my head up to look at him.

Reid’s blue eyes soften, his hand absentmindedly rubbing on my baby bump. “What does?”

I press my hand over his, covering where he’s cradling our baby. “This.Us.”

His grip tightens just enough to make my heart flutter. “I don’t know why. I told you I’d spend the rest of my life making sure you never doubted how much I love you.”

I bite my lip, feeling the sting of happy tears. “You have.”

“Damn right, I have.” His expression turns smug, but the way his eyes hold mine—tender, steady, full of that quiet devotionthat still takes my breath away—tells me just how deeply he means it.

“I love you, you know.” I sigh, my voice barely above a whisper.

He turns me in his arms. His hand slides up my spine, fingers tangling in the hair at my nape. “Yeah, sunshine. I know.” Then he leans down, pressing his forehead against mine. “But I’ll never get tired of hearing it.”

I let out a breathy laugh. “Good, because I plan to remind you every single day.”

His lips brush against mine in a teasing whisper of a kiss before he murmurs, “You better.”

“Ugh, you two make me sick,” Annie groans as she steps up beside us, rolling her eyes. She’s got a drink in one hand and a plate of cookies in the other. She’s looking beautiful in a deep emerald dress that hugs her curves. “I mean, really. Can you not look at each other like you’re about to rip each other’s clothes off in the middle of the dance floor?”

Reid doesn’t even have the decency to look guilty. He just shrugs. “I can’t help it.”

I smirk. “Neither can I.”

Annie groans again, stuffing a cookie in her mouth. “It’s disgusting.”

Dottie chuckles as she joins us, her sharp eyes twinkling with mischief. “She’s just jealous, you know.”

Annie huffs. “I am not jealous.”

“Liar.” Dottie pats her arm. “But don’t worry, dear. I have a feeling your time is coming soon.”

Annie scoffs, crossing her arms. “Not unless there’s a catalog where I can order a grumpy, six-foot-five mountain man who chops wood shirtless.”

Reid snorts, shaking his head. “God help that poor bastard.”

Annie narrows her eyes at him. “Oh, don’t even pretend you don’t love me, Reid. I know you do.”

Reid lets out a long-suffering sigh. “Unfortunately.”

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