Page 14 of Mail Order Bride for the Scrooge

It wasn’t a one-way street either. I’ve shared things with Lake I’ve never told another person. I told her about how I got through the long grueling days and nights while I was deployed. I told her about my parents not giving a shit about me or Slade. I let her in on the guilt I still carry around with me for joining up and leaving Slade behind when he probably needed me the most.

She listened to everything without judgement, her beautiful eyes imploring me to lay it all at her feet so she could see the mess of me. Then her eyes would soften with understanding, and she’d wrap her arms around me while her fingers stroked through my hair. Her touch was healing, and I feel more whole than I have in years.

She’s done something to me. It’s like my eyes are open to the world for the first time in a long fucking time. The colors aren’t muted anymore and the beauty of the forest surrounding us hits me in a new way. I came up the mountain to get away from everyone, but there is also life teeming on the land surrounding our home. I never allowed myself to notice it before beyond sharing space with the life around me. I never let it in.

With Lake at my side, it’s like I can’t help but feel it.

And it isourhome.

I want her to stay. I want to make this cabin I built as a cave of solitude and regret into a real home. I think she’s the only one who can make it feel warm and cozy. Because of her magic. Because of the way she looks at me with charmed affection which isn’t faked or contrived.

The whole mail order bride situation and her staying have been the only things we’ve avoided talking about over the last few days. I know we need to address it, but I’m scared. I don’t want her to go.

I might not have been the one to post the ad, but whoever it was got it right when they chose Lake for me. I don’t know how it’s possible, but it is. If it wasn’t Elaine, then I swear it had to be Santa and I got on his nice list somehow.

Lake is the woman I never knew I should have been dreaming about and wishing for in the darkness of the scariest moments of my life. If I had known she was the light I would find, it would have helped me get through the shit life has thrown my way. I would have kept my head held high instead of giving into the demons twisted in my soul.

I know now.

Lake turns around when I walk into the bathroom to find her leaning over the vanity as she puts on some makeup. I groan because the view in front of me is something I couldn’t even picture in the best fucking dream I’ve ever had.

Her perfect ass is on display and encased in red lace panties which match the bra she has on. I saw the dress and thermal leggings on the bed when I walked into the bedroom, but I didn’t give them much thought. Now I am. Now I can’t think about anything other than how fucking perfect my timing is.

My cock is hard enough to pound fucking nails and I want to bury myself inside of her until I don’t know where I stop, and she begins. I want her to feel me for fucking days. I want my seed dripping out of her until she smells like me, and everyone knows who she belongs to.

It’s depraved. But I don’t fucking care.

Lake raises her eyes in the mirror and meets mine as I stalk closer. I grip her hips and hold her in place, my denim covered dick pressing against her ass to make sure she knows just what she does to me. When she pushes back and lets out a little whimper, I know I’m not going to be able to stop myself from fucking my woman.

Not anymore.

We’ve been so good. We’ve held back while we’ve gotten to know each other. Now, I know.

She’s it for me and I have to claim her. I have to make her mine.

“Gannon,” she moans and tries to circle her hips, but the grip I have on her doesn’t give her much room to move.

I make a humming sound and let go of one of her hips to slide the tips of my fingers up her spine. When I get to the clasp on her bra, I undo it quickly and watch as the straps sag down her arms. Sexy as fuck.

Her eyes sharpen a little as she puts down the makeup she was using and grips the edge of the counter. I slide my hand around her ribcage and underneath the lace cup of her bra to cup her round, full breast.

“You wouldn’t be trying to distract me so we miss the parade, would you?”

I smirk at her in the mirror and her eyes turn molten. “I’m not going to lie to you, little present. I don’t want to go to the parade, but you want to. I’m not going to disappoint my woman and it’s a chance to show you off to everyone in Jasper Ridge while showing them who you belong to.”

I pinch her nipple and her mouth falls open as she moans and jerks in my hold. Her voice is husky, “Who I belong to?”

“Me,” I growl and scoop her up in my arms, hardly paying attention when her bra falls to the floor. With only a few strides I’m standing next to our bed and laying her down on it. My eyes eat up her almost naked body. I reach down and squeeze my length through my jeans, needing some relief before I blow my load in my pants. “Fuck, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Lake,” I growl.

Her hands are shaking a little with anticipation as she moves them to cup her tits. I watch, frozen in place and soaking it all up. She’s way too fucking good for me, but I’m not going to let anything stand in my way.

“I’ve been taking it slow with you. I wanted you to know this wasn’t about getting inside of you.”

I look into her eyes and watch as they soften as she looks at me. “I know, Gannon. I want you.” Her hips rotate like her body is seeking friction and needing it desperately. “I need you. Please,” she’s breathless as she pants the last word.

My control fucking snaps. I tear my clothes from my body and crawl over her without taking my eyes off her. She looks her fill as well and the appreciation in her gaze is all I need to see.

Mine. All fucking mine.

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