Page 71 of The Oath We Take

Ilove this place.

Every corner, every flower, every whisper of the wind and gurgle of the river.

My grandpa first brought me here when I was eleven years old. Paradise, he called it. A reason for working as hard as we did.

We fished and camped and cooked out.

I was twenty-one when I decided I was gonna own it long before the rest of the land passed to me. Twenty-six when I sealed the deal with my grandpa and pissed off my father.

And now…

I take in a deep breath and let the sunshine warm my skin.

I’ve never brought anyone else here. It’s too small for much company, but I guess I bought the extra chairs and sofa bed in case it ever felt right to have guests.

Once I’ve checked in on the horses, I harvest as many salvageable vegetables from the raised beds as I can. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini. I prop the beans back up the trellis and cut back dead stalks. The built-in reservoir beneath the beds keeps the ground moist when I’m not able to get out here for a week at a time.

“Morning,” Ember says as she walks out of the house.

Her face has that softness of sleep. Pink cheeks, fat lips, and drowsy eyelids. She looks so pretty in the midday sun as the light catches her hair.

I stand from my spot and dust my hands off on my jeans. “Morning, sweetheart.”

She moves to hug me, but I raise my hands. “I’m a little sweaty.”

Ember glances at my naked chest. “I’ll take my chances.”

I’m not a particularly religious man. I’m more a man of the seasons and the practicality of science and the fact an ancient book shouldn’t dictate what the contemporary world looks like.

But as we stand here, the sun on our faces and peace in our hearts, I can’t help but think this is my very own garden of paradise.

I kiss the top of her head and her forehead, and Ember melts in my arms. For all she’s a badass businesswoman and hugely capable individual, I think she likes being taken care of. Being treated gently.

It’s been a long time since I treated anyone like that, except maybe our horses. And I’m pretty sure Ember would hate the comparison.

She lifts her lips to mine, and I kiss her slowly and deeply. Her body softens, her shoulders drop. I pick her up, then lower us both to the meadow grass. The early-morning dew has already evaporated under the hot sun.

Ember doesn’t object to being laid out in the dapple-shaded grass. The girl who camps and rides isn’t gonna be concerned with a bit of dirt.

“You tell me to stop if you don’t like something, yeah?” I say to her.

She places her hand to my cheek. “I’ve dreamed about this moment so many times, I’m not sure you could do anything I haven’t already thought about.”

I kiss her palm. She has no idea how kinky I can get. And there are some things I want that you can only do with the right person. Some of them would involve us getting tested first, and Ember coming off any contraception she’s on. “Be careful. I might take that as a challenge.”

The smile she gives me is more beautiful than any of the wild nature that surrounds us.

Some people like to prepare a soundtrack, to have music when they fuck. Catfish always says it sets the mood.

But the gentle ripple of the river and the buzz and hum of insects and the breeze rustling the leaves above us is more than enough for me.

Ember lies with her hands above her head. The little tank top rises a little above the shorts, revealing a sliver of smooth golden skin. Her nipples stand proud against the tight material.

I start with her hand, kissing her palm, her wrist, the crook of her elbow, where the intensity of her natural scent increases.

There are many things I want to do with her, but the only thing I want right now is to enjoy her. Savor this moment when it feels like all my dreams are coming true.

She giggles when I kiss and nibble the side of her neck and the soft space behind her ear. Good to know she’s a little ticklish.

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