Page 55 of Mountain Defender

My heart does that funny rolling over thing again. “Okay. Good.”

Just as I’m about to start walking again, she tugs on my hand. “Gage?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think… would you want to stay over tonight?”

“You mean to sleep on the couch? Sure. Do you mind if I bring over Dewey? He knows Elmore and Toby, so I think it would be fine. Unless you’d rather I bring him to Enzo’s?—”

“No.” She ducks her head. Then looks up at me again with a hopeful expression. “Not on the couch. With me.”

Oh.

Though my body is shouting an enthusiastic yes, logic urges caution. It’s only been a few days since our first official date, and we’ve done plenty of kissing since then, but I didn’t think sex would be on the table for weeks, at least. Possibly months. Not considering how self-conscious I know Rory is about her body, even though I don’t think she has any reason to be.

In all honesty, I’m hesitant, too.

Do Iwantto have sex with Rory? Of course. I would love to feel her bare skin against mine, spend my time kissing her all over, find out the exact pink shade of her nipples and how she tastes when she finally gives herself over to me. When I think about sinking into her welcoming heat, feeling her clenching around me, watching her face flush with pleasure as I bring her over the edge…

How could Inotwant that?

But sex—though it already feels like it would be more than that—also means Rory seeing me without my prosthetic. Possibly seeing me as less. Incomplete.

“Gage?” Worried lines make a little V between her eyes. “If you’d rather not…”

“I would.” Despite my insecurity, there’s no way I’m telling her no. “But are you sure you’re ready for that?” A thought occurs to me. “Unless. Do you just want me to sleep next to you? I shouldn’t assume?—”

“But you can.” Rory’s gaze meets mine. Uncertainty flickers across her face. Then she lifts her chin and adds, “I’m ready.” A pause, and then, “Well. I’m nervous. Not about being with you. Just… showing you. You’ve never seen all my scars. But I’m tired of hiding. Holding myself back from what I really want.”

My heart twists. Wrapping my arm around Rory’s waist, I draw her to my side. As I lead her the rest of the way to her cabin, I admit quietly, “I’m a little nervous, too.”

Her head whips towards me. “You’renervous?”

I don’t answer her immediately, instead busying myself by unlocking Rory’s front door and locking it again behind us.

Once we’re safely inside, I turn to her. And on a heavy exhale, I explain, “I’ll have to take off my prosthetic. Eventually. Even if I leave it on during… I’ll have to take it off while I sleep. You would be the first person to see me like that since I left the hospital.”

Rory stares at me, emotion working in her eyes. After a few moments, she says, “Gage. I don’t care if you have it on or not. Whatever makes you feel most comfortable is okay with me. If you’d rather sleep on your own, or?—”

“I want to spend the night with you,” I interject. “I want to hold you after. Fall asleep with you in my arms. Not skulk out in the middle of the night because I’m too damn ashamed for you to see my weakness.”

“Gage.” It’s gently scolding. “You arenotweak. At all. In fact, you’re the strongest man I know.” She threads her small fingers between mine. “I guess… we’re both a little nervous. But if we both want this…” Her voice lilts up in question.

“I do.”

“Then maybe… we could be nervous together?”

The hopeful look in Rory’s eyes makes my heart twist. Throb. Roll over heavily.

“Yes.” In one fluid move, I lift her into my arms. Brushing my mouth across hers, I add, “I think that’s a really good idea, Ror.”

She kisses me back, first slow and tender, then hungry and demanding. Her teeth graze my lip, sending a surge of arousal pulsing through me. Her hand comes to the back of my neck, her nails lightly scratching my skin.

When she breaks away, her cheeks are pink and her lips kiss-swollen and damp. “Okay.” She sucks in a steadying breath. “If you’re sure?”

“Yes,” I repeat, more firmly this time. Then I carry her through the living room and towards the bedroom. “I am absolutely sure. There is nothing I’d rather do than make lo?—”

Shit. Donotuse the love word. It’s far too soon.

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