Page 162 of Wild Tangled Hearts

Over the next few hours, we lose ourselves in each other's moans and whimpers until we're both left breathless and sated. We collapse onto the bed, our bodies spent and lay there, wrapped in the afterglow of our shared ecstasy, our fingers gently tracing patterns on each other's skin.

Alex rises from the bed and begins to dress, his movements deliberate yet graceful. I watch him with a contented smile. Once he's dressed, he turns to me, his eyes sparkling with emotions I can’t decipher. "We’ve spent the whole day in the tent. It’s already getting dark outside."

I prop myself up on my elbows, and tease, “I didn’t hear you complaining earlier.”

Leaning down, he kisses my nose. “Best hours of my life. But I’ve got more things planned for us.”

He stands and retrieves a grey hoodie and jogging pants from a bag, handing them to me, I slip into them with a quizzical look. "More surprises, huh? You're really keeping me on my toes."

Alex takes my hand and leads me out of the yurt. The world outside has transformed as the sun begins to set, painting the sky with a breathtaking mix of purple and orange hues. Fireflies dance on the edges of our camp, their soft, flickering lights adding a touch of magic to the evening.

As he starts a fire, I sink into one of the inviting Muskoka chairs, my gaze fixated on him. The flickering flames cast a warm, mesmerizing glow on his features, enhancing the rugged contours of his face. There's a quiet confidence in his movements that makes my heart flutter.

He catches me watching him and he gives me a dimpled grin. “Ready for a movie? I thought you could watch the new Reese Witherspoon rom-com you were talking about, while I prepare dinner. What do you think?"

"Ithinkyou've just secured a year's worth of boyfriend brownie points."

He chuckles and moves to the projector, switching it on.

I nestle beneath a warm flannel blanket and relax as the movie begins, and the stars start to appear above me.

Alex is a flurry of activity, gracefully transitioning between the yurt kitchen and the outdoor barbecue. The tantalizing scent of food wafts through the air, and my stomach responds with an eager growl.

“Hope you’re hungry," has says on cue.

My fingers eagerly reach for the plate he offers, and as I take in the sight of the beautifully arranged steak, creamy mashed potatoes, and charred, golden grilled corn, an appreciative moan escapes my lips. “This looks delicious.”

He takes a seat beside me, his plate in his hand, and we begin to eat.

“It’s confirmed,” I say, between a bite of perfectly cooked steak. “You officially win the best boyfriend of the year award.”

He chuckles. "You deserve nothing but the best.”

God, I love him.

As the heroine confesses her feelings on the screen, a familiar flutter of emotions surges within me. The movie's plot may be captivating, but it pales in comparison to the real-life love story that Alex and I are weaving together. Our moments, our shared glances, and the unspoken words between us create a narrative that is infinitely more enchanting and beautiful than any film could ever be.

With the last bite of food consumed and the credits rolling on the screen, Alex gathers our empty plates and heads to the yurt's kitchen. I stand up and stretch, wrapping the blanket around my shoulders and inhaling the crisp mountain air.

Returning, Alex stokes the fire, coaxing its flames to dance and cast a warm, flickering glow around us. He wraps his strong arm around my waist, pulling me closer. We stand there in silence, the only sounds around us the crackling fire, the rhythmic chirping of crickets, and the gentle rustling of leaves in the night breeze. It's as if nature itself is serenading our love story.

With a gentle touch, he turns me in his arms until I'm facing him. He brushes a strand of my hair behind my ear and lets out a gentle sigh, those hazel eyes gazing into mine with an intensity that I’ll never get used to. Sometimes I wonder if a heart can burst from loving someone too much.

“Bella—”

“Alex—”

"Go ahead," he encourages, his eyes locked onto mine.

I take a moment to compose my thoughts, wanting to express my feelings with sincerity. "I just wanted to say how thankful I am for everything you did," I begin. "Today has been perfect."

A soft smile plays on his lips, and he replies, "Good. I wanted it to be, because..." He pauses, and for a moment, his usual confidence wavers. His brows furrow slightly, and it's as if he's searching for the right words.

My palm rests on his cheek. “Alex?”

His voice trembles slightly when he starts, "I want you to know how much I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you, making more moments like this. Making you smile."

“I want that too,” I say softly.

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