Page 17 of Her Mountain Man Outlaw
We come back to ourselves slowly, catching our breath as the sweat dries on our bodies. Maddox presses a hard kiss on my lips, his beard scratching my chin. Then he pulls away to look at me, his eyes like frozen mountain lakes. They seem to melt as we stare at each other, looking at me with so much affection that I feel butterflies swirling inside my belly.
“That was incredible, Sophia.”
I sigh happily. “It really was.”
Maddox doesn’t move. He stays on top of me, twirling a lock of my hair around his fingers.
“I want you to know that I meant what I said before,” he says, his voice low and intimate. “You’re mine now, beautiful. Itwasn’t just words.” My pulse skitters, warmth flooding through my veins as he continues, “I want you to stay here with me, Sophia. I don’t want you to leave when the snow melts.”
My throat tightens with emotion as I try to process what he’s saying. But Maddox takes my silence for hesitation, his brow furrowing.
“I know I can’t give you much. You deserve so much better than an outlaw like me. Better than this tiny cabin in the woods. But I promise I’ll take care of you. I’ll spend my whole damn life trying to make you happy.” He exhales sharply, closing his eyes for a moment. “I know I’m being selfish, but fuck, I can’t let you go. I just can’t. You’re in my veins, sugar. You’re under my fucking skin.”
His intensity steals my breath away, and I reach up to cup his cheeks, holding his rugged face between my hands. He’s breathing hard, a flicker of panic in his eyes, like he’s scared of what I’m about to say. He thinks I’m going to reject him. I can see it. Even now, it’s like he can’t believe I could truly want him.
“Maddox, listen…” I stare up at him, savoring his handsome features—his strong jaw, the stubborn line of his mouth, the silver streaks in his beard. “I’m not going anywhere,” I tell him firmly. “I want to stay with you.”
He blinks at me in disbelief, like he doesn’t dare to believe what I’m saying. “Really, sugar? You mean that?”
“Of course I mean it.” I smile at him, watching his scowl soften. “Being with you is like a dream. Why would I ever want to leave?”
I’ve never seen Maddox smile. Not a proper smile, anyway. But now, his face splits into a grin that lights up his whole face.
“You have no idea how happy you just made me.”
I beam at him, my heart threatening to burst as he leans in to kiss me. It’s warm and tender, a kiss full of promises.Our mouths meld, hearts beating in time before Maddox gently breaks away.
“I love you, Sophia,” he murmurs against my lips.
His words send a rush through my chest. It feels like I’m bathing in sunshine, warmth and joy flooding my veins as I say, “I love you too, Maddox.”
He lets out a shaky breath, resting his forehead against mine. It feels like we’re the only two people in the world. Like nothing exists beyond the blur of whiteness outside the bedroom window. The snowstorm howls outside, but I barely notice it anymore. All that matters is Maddox—the man who has stolen my heart forever.
10
MADDOX
The forest isdark and quiet. A thick layer of snow crunches beneath my feet as I drag the handcart toward the firewood stand, restocking it with bundles of logs. I empty the cash box, satisfied with the stack of bills inside. I’ve been saving up lately, setting aside as much as possible for an engagement ring.
Making Sophia my wife is all I can think about. It’s been three weeks since she moved into my cabin, and every second with her has been magical. Hell, I still can’t believe I get to call her mine—kiss her, hold her, wake up next to her every day. I can’t believe I get to touch her soft curves, fuck her, taste her sweetness on my tongue. It feels like a dream I never want to wake up from. Now I just need to make it official. I’ll have to use a false identity. Keep it under the radar. But I’ll do whatever it takes to marry my girl.
Thinking about Sophia is enough to make my heart thud, and I’m suddenly desperate to get back to her. I leave the firewood stand, dragging the empty handcart behind me and storing it in the woodshed. Then I head into the cabin.
Sophia is curled up on the armchair by the fire, her nose in a children’s book. After the snowstorm ended, she got a call saying one of her job applications had been successful, and now she’sa librarian at Cherry Hollow Elementary School. She already loves it. Encouraging the kids to read and sharing her favorite childhood books with them brings her so much joy. She often brings books home with her to read, so she knows the best ones to recommend to the kids at her school. Hell, she said she even prefers it to her old bookstore job, and I’m so proud of her for finding something she loves to do.
Sophia looks up from the page as I stride into the living room, her warm brown eyes twinkling at me. She’s so fucking beautiful. I swear I could stare at her all day. She’s wearing dark sweatpants and one of my old t-shirts—tight on me, but baggy as hell on her. Her hair is tied back in a messy bun, eyes still a little puffy from last night. I kept her up late. No sleep until she orgasmed at least five times; that was the deal.
I cross the room and press a kiss on her head, catching the sweet scent of her shampoo.
“How’s the book, sugar?”
“Awesome.” She smiles up at me. “I think the kids will really like this one. Fantasy books are always a hit.”
“Good.” I bend down to stoke the fire, keeping it warm and roaring for her. “They’re lucky to have you, baby. Best damn librarian in the world.”
She glows at the praise. “Thank you.”
“Prettiest, too.”
