Page 53 of Knocked up By the Mountain Man

Wyatt shakes his head, processing the information. “I’m sorry, Clara. I should’ve known something was wrong, but I was so caught up in my own stuff.”

Clara’s eyes soften with understanding. “I know, Wyatt. We were young and life was crazy. It was hard for both of us. But now we need to focus on what’s important. Thomas and making sure he has the best future possible.”

Wyatt nods, determination replacing his earlier confusion. “You’re right. So, what do we do now? How do we make this right, because I did come back here wanting to make this right. I don’t know why I always end up yelling when really I just want my family.”

I can see Wyatt’s sincerity, and despite the tension, feel a glimmer of hope.

“Yeah,” Clara agrees. “I think that’s what we all want.”

“Are you going back to Lewistown? Or staying here? Because I would love to have you stay for longer. Spending time with Thomas has been the best in my life.”

Clara glances at me as a pinkness stains her cheeks. “Maybe. I don’t have what I did waiting for me back in Lewistown now, but I still have to figure things out.”

My heart skips a beat.

I didn’t eventhinkabout the possibility of her leaving, but now I know that I desperately need her to stay.

25

CLARA

Finally, as the conversation winds down and Thomas is back in bed, Wyatt stands, looking at both of us. “I think I should head back to Lindsey’s place tonight. Give you guys some space to figure things out.”

It isn’t everything, I don’t feel like everything is settled, but it’s a start.

I nod, appreciating his gesture. “Thank you, Wyatt. For everything.”

He gives me a small smile, nodding back. “Take care of each other. And Thomas.”

As Wyatt leaves, the air feels lighter, the tension easing. Beau turns to me, his eyes filled with relief and determination. “Clara, I need you to know something.”

I look up at him, my heart pounding. “What is it, Beau?”

He steps closer, taking my hand in his. “I love you. I’ve always loved you. And I want to be there for you and Thomas, no matter what.”

Tears fill my eyes as I squeeze his hand. “I love you too, Beau. I’ve never stopped.”

Beau’s eyes soften as he gazes down at me, his thumb gently brushing away a tear that rolls down my cheek. “I’m sorry for everything,” he murmurs, his voice low and earnest. “For not being there when you needed me the most. For not helping you with Thomas when he was born. But I’m here now, Clara. And I’m not going anywhere.”

His words melt the last of the barriers I’d built around me. “I’ve missed you so much,” I whisper, my voice breaking with emotion.

“Clara,” he breathes, his hand moving to cup my face, his thumb tracing the line of my jaw. “I missed you too. Every single day.”

The world fades around us as he leans in, his lips brushing against mine in a soft, tentative kiss. It’s like igniting a spark, the kiss deepening as years of longing and unspoken words pour out. His arms wrap around me, pulling me close, and I feel his heart beating against mine, strong and steady.

His finger hooks underneath my chin, and everything intensifies. I become so dizzy with lust that I don’t even know if I’m breathing any longer. It’s never felt like this before; the desire has never been quite so powerful.

Then his lips edge towards me. Just a little bit at first, almost as if he’s testing the waters, but the passion soon gets the better of him and he crashes against me. Fireworks explode deep within me. The pit of my stomach is filled with them, and I love it. I hook my hands together around his waist and keep him with me, needing so much more from him. This kiss isn’t enough; it only makes me hungrier to explore more of him.

“Wow.” Beau pulls back to look at me for just a second, the pleasure flooding his face. “Clara, you really are everything…”

He kisses me again, this time it’s a deeper, more passionate kiss. His tongue massages mine, his body presses up against me,and I lose my damn mind. My legs have turned to jelly already, and my pulse is racing, all because of him.

Flames dance all over me, especially when he moves his mouth off mine and down towards my throat. My toes curl in my shoes as the pleasure claims control of me. I tilt my head backwards and let him have more.

“I think you need to get on the bed, Clara,” he growls. “You’re trembling all over.”

I’m not about to argue with him, particularly considering the accuracy of his words. So, I fall back on the bed and scoot my ass back enough to give him plenty of room to join me. Before he does, he takes a moment to run his eyes all over me, drinking in every inch of me as though I’m a goddess. It’s not just an animal lust look, although that’s definitely in there, but he cares about me as well. I can really see it.

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