Page 60 of Saddle and Bound

Yet, as I watch her sleep, I feel a pang of worry. Is she okay? Was it good for her too? Will she regret it when she wakes up?

Rosie is so... perfect. Intelligent, beautiful, brave. And me? How can I be worthy of a woman like her? While these thoughts torment me, I feel Rosie stirring slightly beside me.

Then I decide to prioritize problems, and the fact that it's almost night frightens me again.

Concern for her well-being takes precedence over everything else.

"Rosie," I whisper softly, "are you awake?"

She mumbles something incomprehensible, then slowly opens her eyes. "Alex?" she says in a sleepy voice.

"Hey," I respond, trying to keep my voice calm despite the growing anxiety inside me. "How do you feel? Are you cold?"

Rosie stretches slightly, then seems to realize the situation. I see her shiver slightly. "A little," she admits.

Without hesitation, I get up and start gathering our scattered clothes. "We need to get you dressed and I need to set up camp," I say, passing her her clothes. "We can't stay like this all night, you could get sick."

While Rosie dresses, I can't help but voice my concerns. "I'm sorry, Rosie. I shouldn't have let us fall asleep here. It was irresponsible of me."

She looks at me, surprised by my sudden seriousness. "Alex, everything's fine. I was happy to fall asleep here with you."

But I can't calm down. "What if you catch a cold? Or worse? I'm the guide, I should have thought about this."

Rosie comes closer to me, taking my hands. Then she bursts out laughing and stares at me as if I'm the strangest person in the world. "Alex, look at me. I'm fine. Yes, it's a bit cold, but it's nothing serious. And what happened between us... it was worth it, don't you think?"

Her words calm me a little, but not entirely. "Of course it was worth it. It was... incredible. But I want to take care of you, Rosie. I don't want you to suffer because of me."

She smiles sweetly. "And you are. But don't panic... I'm not that fragile."

I nod but immediately make a mental list of everything I need to do to keep her warm. I help her dress, wrap her in a blanket, and start setting up the fire. Between tasks, I return to Rosie to hold her close, trying to protect her from the night's cold. I can't help but think about how everything has changed in such a short time, and how scared and excited I am at the same time about what the future might hold.

But for now, my priority is making sure Rosie is okay. The rest... we'll face the rest together, one step at a time. Despite my worry, I can't help but feel a spark of joy having her so close.

"Are you okay?" I ask again, unable to contain my anxiety.

Rosie nods, pressing herself even closer to me. "I'm fine, Alex. Really."

I reluctantly pull away from her again, and my hands move automatically. Soon, flames begin to dance, casting a warm glow over the clearing.

"Here," I say, guiding Rosie toward the fire. "Sit here, you'll warm up in no time."

She sits, extending her hands toward the warmth. I watch her carefully, looking for signs of discomfort or illness. But all I see is the reflection of flames in her eyes and a slight smile on her lips.

I sit beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. We remain quiet, the crackling fire casting a warm glow around us, lost in the simple, perfect pleasure of being together. No words are needed; just the gentle rhythm of our shared presence is enough.

Chapter 33

Rosie

I wake slowly, sunlight spilling through the tent and warming my face. For a moment, I stay still, the soft hum of the morning surrounding me. Memories from last night flood back—Alex, the waterfall, the way his touch felt like a fire under my skin, and the way our bodies fit together so perfectly. A smile tugs at my lips, unbidden.

But it’s more than the passion I remember. It’s Alex himself. How he worried about me afterward, his hands gentle as he helped me into my clothes, his voice low and soothing as he wrapped me in a blanket. He held me so close, as though keeping me safe was all that mattered. My chest tightens with an emotion I’m almost afraid to name.

I open my eyes, turning toward his sleeping bag—but it’s empty. The small space feels colder without him, and unease begins to creep in. Wrapping the blanket tighter around myself, I slip out of the tent.

The crisp morning air brushes my cheeks, the scent of dew and pine filling my lungs. A soft sound pulls my attention—coffee bubbling over the campfire. Relief washes over me as I spot Alex crouched by the fire, his back to me. When he turns, his smile is like the sunrise, warm and bright and just for me.

“Good morning, princess,” he says, his voice teasing yet gentle.

---