Page 99 of Mountain Defender

“What?”

“Have I mentioned today how much I love you?”

Gathering her into my arms, I kiss her again. Lingering a bit longer this time, but still aware that we’re in the middle of town surrounded by hundreds of other people. “Yes. You did. But you can always tell me again.”

“I love you, Gage McKay.” Another wisp of hair blows across her forehead. “And I’m so happy to be here with you. Enjoying my first Taste of Bliss Festival with my amazing boyfriend.”

Pushing her hair behind her ear, I let my fingers trail along her jaw and down her neck. “I love you too, Rory Townsend. More than anything.”

It’s true. More true than anything I’ve ever said.

Even so, I can’t help revising the statement in my head.

Not,I love you, Rory Townsend.

But,I love you, Rory McKay.

I won’t ask her yet. Not when we’re still settling back into normal life. Not when living together is still so fresh, and we’re still learning so much about each other.

I love living with Rory, though. And I can’t imagine ever wanting to leave. I love our early mornings together, taking care of the dogs before a leisurely walk through the woods on the property. The property that’s now more secure than a top-secret government facility, thanks to Alec’s company.

After that, we have breakfast together before going about our daily activities. Me working on sim testing or training with the guys, while Rory spends her day coordinating rescues and expanding her new foster family program.

In the evenings, we reach my favorite time. Dinner cooked together with Elmore, Toby, and Dewey hovering nearby, constantly on the lookout for crumbs. Then we settle on the couch to watch some TV or a movie, Rory snuggled against me with her legs draped over mine. And finally, off to bed, where we definitelydon’tgo to sleep right away.

And much to my pleasure, the four-poster bed is a hit. I wasn’t sure how Rory would feel about it when I first brought up the idea, showing her the silk scarves I bought in hopeful anticipation. But she lit up as soon as she saw the scarves, blushing as she admitted, “I thought about it, too. I like takingcontrol sometimes, but being restrained by you, letting you do whatever you want… I’d really like to try it.”

For the record, it’s pretty damn great. Rory giving herself over to me, completely trusting me to take care of her… And seeing her spread across the bed, naked and flushed with excitement, her breasts?—

“Gage?”

I jerk my mind back to the present. “Yes?”

“Um.” Her gaze drifts downward, below the waist of my shorts. To my very obvious arousal straining at the fabric. “I’d ask what you’re thinking about, but I’m pretty sure it’s not the food. Unless you get really turned on by wings and mini-sandwiches.”

Dammit. Pulling Rory close to shield me, I quickly adjust myself so I’m decent again. Then I lean down to murmur in her ear, “I was thinking about those scarves. And seeing you naked.”

She sucks in a sharp breath. Desire flares in her eyes. Beneath the thin fabric of her T-shirt, her nipples pebble into taut peaks. “Gage,” she breathes. “Nothere. There are people around.”

“You’re fine.” I cup her cheek, feeling the heat of it sinking into my skin. “No one would know.”

Her eyebrows arch up, skepticism all over her face. “My nipples are?—”

“Fine, baby.” Hugging her to me, I press my lips to the top of her head. After maybe a minute of thinking about non-sexy things—my testing schedule on the new flight sim, the meeting I have with the team tomorrow morning, schematics for the new drone I bought for GMG to use for surveillance—I finally release her.

A quick glance shows us both looking perfectly decent again. Rory in her denim shorts that show off her toned legs and one of the Barks n’ Bliss T-shirts she recently ordered to useas a fundraiser for the rescue. And me in my cargo shorts and matching shirt—yes, we’ve becomethatcouple, and I’m more than okay with it.

Rory’s scars, though I barely see them anymore, are on full display.

So is my prosthetic, after years of trying to hide it.

I don’t want to hide anything anymore. I don’t need to.

Rory takes a look around the park, which looks like it must have half the population of Bliss in attendance. At least thirty stands are set across the grass; local restaurants selling samples of their food, businesses offering coupons and prizes, and artisans selling hand-crafted items. “How about if we go to The Laughing Goat first?” she suggests. “I saw online that they’re serving their organic chicken salad with seasonal fruits. And then we could hit Blissful Brews to try out their summer wing selection.”

I follow her gaze to the Blissful Brews stand, where there’s a line of at least ten people waiting already. “Sounds good. I’ve heard their summer shandy wings are incredible.” A beat later, I spot Alec at the front of the line, chatting with Hazel, one of the servers there. Though we’re a good thirty feet away, I don’t miss his bright smile or the way they’re leaning towards each other like there might be more than professional interest there.

Rory catches it at the same time, turning to me with a speculative look in her eyes. “Alec and Hazel?”

---