Page 30 of S'more Mountain Man

Her kiss was sweet with maple syrup, and I found myself thinking that maybe this—this this warmth and this need and this woman—was what I'd been avoiding all these years. Not because I didn't want it, but because I wanted it too much.

"I’m not demanding forever," I said against her lips. "But perhaps we could give it a chance."

She pulled back slightly, studying my face with those bright, intelligent eyes. "I'd like that."

As we sat there, making plans for the coming weekend—her driving up to the cabin, me showing her the proper trails—I realized that for the first time in years, I was looking forward to the future. Not just enduring it but anticipating it.

The details would sort themselves out. For now, it was enough to know that when she looked at the night sky, she'd be thinking of me. And when I looked up from my mountain, I'd know she was out there.

Skye traced her fingers along my jaw, that smile I couldn't get enough of spreading across her face. "You know what, Mountain Man?"

"What's that?"

"Whatever the future holds, I’d say this is a very bright beginning.”

I laughed and cupped her cheek. “You got that right, Sunshine.”

And then I bent my head and pressed my lips to hers.

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