Page 28 of Mountain Gift

"Boone!" She cries my name against my lips, kissing me frantically as she hits her peak.

"Tell me you want me to come inside you, baby," I groan.

"Please come inside me," Caroline pants.

I drive into her two more times, and then I'm spilling my release inside her.

Her body moves against mine, soft and responsive. I hold her to me, giving her all the pleasure she deserves. Kissing every inch of her wonderful skin. It's heaven.

For the first time since I met her, she looks so free. So complete.

Happy.

And I know that, deep down, this is the happiest I've ever felt, too.

The world ebbs away, leaving only her. In only a week, she's become my whole world. And in some part of my soul, I know my life will never be the same again.

"Are you okay?" I ask softly.

"That was amazing," she breathes.

I grin. "Agreed."

She giggles as if to herself. "Look out the window. It's snowing again."

My eyes follow hers out the uncovered window. She's right.

Large chunks of snow are falling past us. Like enormous, frozen confetti. Like the world itself is celebrating what just happened.

I pull her closer to me, feeling the warmth of her body flowing through mine. She wraps her arms around me tightly. Like she never wants to let me go again.

It's an incredible feeling. One I've never felt before. I want to feel it as long as I can, whatever it is. I want to hold onto it the same way Caroline is holding onto me. I want to keep her.

Love. That's the word for it.

Love.

Chapter Nine

CAROLINE

I wakeup on Christmas Eve with Boone's arms wrapped around me.

My back is pressed against his bare chest, feeling every beat of his heart. Still facing the window, I can see the world outside with renewed wonder.

The rising sun glistens on crystals of fallen snow. Fit Mountain rises above the decorated houses, framed by a halo of silver clouds. Snow cakes the edges of the window like a natural curtain sealing us inside the house. Trapping the two of us together. Like the world wants to give us privacy.

Boone nuzzles the top of my head, and I realize that he's awake, too.

"Good morning," I say, putting my hand on his.

His heart beats harder against me. "Morning, gorgeous."

Rolling over, I push my head into the small cave between his chin and his shoulder. Smothering myself in him.

Boone plants a kiss in my hair.

"How'd you sleep?" he asks in a drowsy voice.

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