Page 9 of The Mountain Man's Curvy Bride

She looks down, cheeks flushing attractively. "You're pretty amazing, you know that?"

I chuckle softly, shaking my head. "Hardly."

Daisy reaches out, gently placing her hand on mine. "You are, Wes. You don't see it, but I do."

Her earnestness touches something deep inside me, making me want to know more about her. "Tell me about you, Daisy. Your past, your life before all this."

She hesitates for a brief moment, her gaze turning distant. "My past isn't exactly pretty."

"I want to know," I insist gently. "Everything."

Taking a deep breath, she begins slowly. "I grew up in a small town—not unlike this one, but less welcoming. My mom passed away when I was young, and my dad was distant at best, absent at worst. I spent a lot of time alone, dreaming about getting away."

She pauses, eyes shadowed with memories. "When I got older, I thought I'd found an escape in my ex-boyfriend, Steven. But it turned out he wasn't much better. Controlling, manipulative—he made me feel worthless."

My fists clench involuntarily at the pain in her voice. "I'm sorry, Daisy. You deserved better."

She nods softly, meeting my eyes again. "That's why I jumped at your ad. It felt like my only chance to start fresh, to finally take control of my life. And I'm so glad I did."

Her honesty floors me, leaving me momentarily speechless. Finally, I reach out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You are worth so much, Daisy. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel otherwise."

She leans into my touch, eyes glistening. "Thank you, Wes."

We sit quietly together for a while longer, absorbing the beauty around us, letting the silence speak for everything unsaid between us.

As the sun begins to dip behind the mountains, casting the sky in hues of pink and gold, we gather our things and head back to the truck. Daisy slips her hand into mine as we walk, the simple gesture making my heart beat faster.

Back at the cabin, we settle comfortably by the fire, sharing quiet conversation and gentle touches. I can't help but feel amazed at how easily Daisy has fit into my life, into my heart.

Later, as we get ready for bed, she turns to me, eyes soft and inviting. "Thank you for today, Wes. It was perfect."

"It was," I agree quietly, pulling her into a warm embrace. "And it's just the beginning."

Her smile is radiant, lighting up my world brighter than the mountain stars outside. As we settle into bed together, I know one thing for certain—I’m falling for my wife, and for the first time in a long time, that thought doesn't scare me at all.

Somewhere in themiddle of the night, my eyes open because I can feel Daisy’s body lying right next to me.

She’s close.

Too close.

She lets out a soft, breathy moan in her sleep, the sound curling through me like a live wire. I inch closer, heart hammering, torn between restraint and raw desire. My hands hover awkwardly, unsure where they belong.

Because what Iwantto be doing—sliding my hands over her curves, exploring every inch of her warm, yielding body—is miles away from what Ishouldbe doing.

But hell, my self-control snaps when she shifts, pressing her body into mine. I let out a low, hungry groan and tug her tighter against me, my fingers gripping her waist like I’ve been starving for this exact contact.

Her eyes flutter open, hazy with sleep, pupils dark and unfocused as they meet mine. I see the confusion, the soft vulnerability—and it’s like a fuse is lit inside me.

I lower my mouth to hers, capturing her lips in a kiss that’s anything but careful. It’s messy and desperate, tasting of heat and all the things I’ve been fighting to hold back.

Maybe it isn’t my smoothest move—probably ranks somewhere between reckless and downright foolish—but with her pressed so perfectly to me, her sleepy little sighs vibrating against my mouth, I couldn’t stop if I tried.

Because she’s too damn irresistible. And right now, I don’t want to be anywhere else but tangled up with her.

Her lips are soft and warm beneath mine, tasting faintly of the peppermint tea we shared before bed. I angle my head, deepening the kiss, needing more of her. My hand slides up from her waist to the curve of her ribs, pausing there, feeling the flutter of her breath. She’s trembling, just a little, and I know it’s not from the cold.

God, she’s beautiful. My wife. My Daisy.

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