Page 14 of Mountain Man's Curvy Girl

I’m not going anywhere.

I trail my fingers lightly over his shoulder, tracing the faint lines of a scar that stretches across his tan skin. His breath is hot against my neck, his chest rising and falling with each steady inhale, and I feel safe in a way I never have before.

“You okay?” he murmurs, his deep voice breaking the quiet. It’s rougher than usual, but there’s a softness to it, a careful tenderness that makes my chest ache.

I nod, turning my head to meet his gaze. His blue-gray eyes are dark and stormy, but there’s something else there, too—something raw and unguarded that takes my breath away.

“I’m perfect,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, and he presses a kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering against my skin. “You are,” he says softly. “You’re perfect, Chloe. You know that, right?”

My cheeks heat, and I glance away, but he doesn’t let me. His hand cups my face, his thumb brushing gently along my jaw as he tilts my head back to look at him.

“Hey,” he murmurs, his voice low and steady. “Don’t hide from me. Not now. Not ever.”

I swallow hard, my hands clutching at his shoulders as I nod. “Okay.”

His lips curve into a faint smile, and he leans down, kissing me softly, slowly, like he has all the time in the world. It’s different now—gentler, but just as consuming—and when he pulls back, his gaze searches mine.

“You were amazing,” he says, his voice filled with reverence. “So damn brave. You trusted me, and I won’t ever take that for granted.”

His words hit me hard, and I feel my throat tighten as I blink back tears. “I… I didn’t think it would feel like this,” I admit softly. “I didn’t think I could feel like this.”

“Like what?” he asks, his brow furrowing slightly.

“Safe,” I whisper, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw. “Cherished.”

His expression softens, and he leans into my touch, his eyes closing briefly before meeting mine again. “That’s because you are,” he says firmly. “You’ll always be safe with me, Chloe. Always.”

My chest feels like it might burst, and I can’t stop the tears that spill over, but he’s there to catch them, brushing them away with the pads of his thumbs.

“Don’t cry,” he murmurs, his lips pressing softly against my temple. “You’re going to break me, sweetheart.”

I laugh softly, the sound shaky but real, and I bury my face in his neck, holding him close. His arms tighten around me, his warmth seeping into my skin, and for the first time in years, I feel like I’ve found exactly where I’m supposed to be.

* * *

Ethan

I’ve never felt anything like this before. Holding her in my arms, feeling her soft breaths against my skin, I know there’s no going back. She’s mine now—completely, irrevocably mine—and I’ll spend the rest of my life proving I deserve her.

I tilt my head, brushing my lips against her hair as she sighs softly, her body relaxing against me. “You okay?” I ask again, needing to hear it.

She nods, her voice muffled against my chest. “More than okay.”

“Good,” I murmur, my hand sliding up to cradle the back of her head. “Because I’m not letting you go, Chloe. Not ever.”

Her breath catches, and she looks up at me, her dark eyes wide and searching. “Promise?” she whispers.

“Promise,” I say firmly, leaning down to kiss her again, slow and deep, pouring every ounce of what I’m feeling into that one moment. She’s everything I didn’t know I needed, and I’m not letting her slip through my fingers.

Not now. Not ever.

Chapter 15

Chloe

I wake slowly, the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains and casting a golden glow across the room. For a moment, I don’t move, caught between the warmth of the blankets and the steady, solid heat of Ethan’s body pressed against mine.

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