Page 62 of Mating With My Grumpy Alphas
"Like you see the real me. Not just the guy who's obsessed with wildlife conservation, not just someone who prefers animals to people, but the man I actually am." I reached out and cupped her face gently. "And I see you too, sweetheart. Not the omega you think you're supposed to be, not the artist you used to be, but the incredible woman you're becoming. I know Sterling hurt you.Made you doubt yourself. But I want you to hear me when I say you could never disappoint me, sweetheart. You're everything I didn't know I was looking for."
Tears gathered in her eyes, but she was smiling. "I was terrified to come here today. Not because of the hiking, but because I was afraid I'd disappoint you."
"Impossible," I said firmly, my thumb brushing across her cheek. "You are the most fascinating person I've ever met. Sterling was an idiot who couldn't see what he had."
"I don't want to hide anymore," she whispered.
"Then don't." My voice came out lower, more intense than I'd intended. "Be exactly who you are, Willa. With me, with everyone. The world needs to see this woman I'm falling for."
Her eyes widened at my words, and I could scent the shift in her emotions. Surprise, pleasure, want.
"You're falling for me?" she breathed.
"Hard and fast," I admitted, leaning closer until I could feel her breath on my lips. "And I'm going to kiss you now, because I can't wait another second to show you how I feel."
The soft whimper that escaped her was all the permission I needed. I kissed her slowly, thoroughly, claiming her mouth like I wanted to claim all of her. She melted against me, her hands fisting in my shirt as she kissed me back with a sweetness that made my heart race.
When we broke apart, she looked dazed and beautiful and completely mine in that moment.
"That was..." she breathed.
"Perfect," I finished, resting my forehead against hers. "You're perfect."
We stayed like that for a long moment, breathing the same air, neither of us wanting to break the spell of what had just happened between us. The mountain was quiet around us exceptfor the distant call of a hawk and the whisper of wind through the pines.
"I could stay here forever," she murmured against my lips.
"So could I," I said, meaning it completely. "But we should probably head back before it gets too late."
She nodded reluctantly, and I helped her to her feet, not quite ready to stop touching her. Her hand felt perfect in mine as we began gathering our things.
"I'm really glad you asked me out here," she said as she carefully packed her camera equipment.
"I'm really glad you said yes." I shouldered my pack, watching the way she moved with new awareness, like every gesture was something precious I wanted to memorize.
We packed up slowly, neither of us eager to end the day. The hike back was easier, all downhill and comfortable conversation about photography and conservation and a dozen other topics that flowed naturally between us. But now there was an underlying current of awareness, of new intimacy, that made even casual touches feel electric.
"This was perfect," she said as I drove her home in the late afternoon light. "Thank you for such a wonderful day."
"Thank you for making it wonderful."
As I walked her to her door, I was already thinking about our next adventure together. Maybe the wetlands preserve where the migratory birds were just starting to arrive, or the old growth forest where I'd been documenting the recovery of native species.
"I had the best time," she said, turning to face me on her front porch.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. And Wes?"
"What?"
"Thank you for fighting for what you love. For protecting places like this so people like me can find themselves there."
Before I could respond, she kissed me again, soft and lingering and full of promise.
"See you soon?" she asked.
"Definitely."
