Page 51 of Mountain Defender

The path splits, and we take the branch to the left. The ground slopes down as we walk, and Gage’s arm tightens around my waist, holding me steady. Then, like an oasis appearing in the desert, a sparkling pond appears in a break of trees.

“Like this?” Gage asks with a smile. He looks out at the water before turning his attention back to me. “This is my favorite spot. I know it’s not big, but there’s just something about the water…”

It’s not a big pond, maybe twenty feet wide in the middle, but I can immediately see why Gage likes it so much. It’s peaceful, the water a crystalline blue, edged with lush green and pops of yellow and purple. A breeze catches the surface of the sun-kissed water, sending shimmering ripples across it.

“Sometimes I’ll come here at night,” Gage continues. “If I can’t sleep or it’s too late to get online with the guys. If the moon is out, it casts this reflection on the water, and it feels almost…”

“Magical?” I offer. “I can see that. If I had a pond like this in my backyard, I’d want to go out there all the time, too.”

Gage goes quiet as we walk closer to the pond and look out at it. In profile, his features are still and pensive. His thumb rubs softly along my side. “Something you said the other day,” he starts. “About leaving.”

“I was just upset.”

“I know.” He turns his head towards me. “But it got me thinking. When this is over, will you stay? In Bliss? After everything… You might want to start someplace new. Without the bad memories.”

My heart catches. “Are you saying?—”

“No. I meant what I said, Ror. I want to see where this goes between us. No matter where you live. But… Well. It doesn’t matter what I want. All that’s important is you’re happy.”

I gaze back out at the water, collecting my thoughts. “I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it. Going back to my house after everything… It’s scary. But I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to get chased away. If I can, I want to stay.”

“I’ll help you. Whatever you need.” Gage’s expression is earnest. Determined. “Alec’s company should have the security system finished up by the end of the week. I can ask Knox to help with a fence around the property. And?—”

“Gage. A fence around five acres? I have money, but not to spend on something like that.”

“He would donate the time,” he replies quickly. “We could get the materials at cost. It wouldn’t be that much. And I could help. I get money from the Army, you know. Plus my salary from the two jobs I have now, and all my savings… I’m not rich, exactly. But I’m comfortable. I could help.”

“Gage.”My throat goes thick. “I couldn’t ask you?—”

“You wouldn’t be asking, Ror. I’m offering. If it helps you feel safe.” He pauses. “I know it’s soon. But there’s just…”

“What?”

“Maybe I shouldn’t say it.”

“You can tell me anything.”

Gage draws in a deep breath. “I just feel like… this thing between us. It’s special. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. And I… I just want to make you happy. To make sure you feel safe. Protected. Even if you decide you’d rather be friends, that won’t change.”

Oh.

Warmth blossoms in my chest.

My heart melts.

If friends is all I can have of Gage, I’ll take it.

But I definitely want more.

Gathering a courage I didn’t realize I had, I turn to Gage and cup the back of his nape, pulling his head down towards mine.And before he can react, I kiss him, not tender and slow this time, but hard and hungry.

It’s a desperate kiss, almost uncoordinated, our teeth bumping and tongues lashing.

Imitating what Gage did yesterday, I lightly bite his lower lip and he growls, low and deep in the back of his throat.

I feel him hardening, his arousal pressing into my belly.

I clutch at his shoulders, hanging on for balance as I throw myself into the kiss.

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