Page 25 of The One With The Secret Crushes

She hummed and nodded.

One of the deer cocked its head at that sound.Yeah, I like it too, friend.

"It's like we're the only two people in the world. I forgot it was like this out here," she whispered just loud enough for me to hear.

We had our deer friends about thirty feet away and of course the birds, squirrels, and insects, but no humans. We hadn't seen any since we left Lost Creek. Not even at the trailhead. My truck was the only one in the tiny parking lot. "It's still early for tourists to venture up this way. Or at all." This was mostly a locals trail. You had to know to even look for it. Every once in a while Travis got someone desperate for a unique adventure and he'd bring them up here, let them experience the complete isolation, but other than the height of summer, this trail was usually a perfect spot for solitude.

The wind raced through the fresh spring leaves creating a shimmering sound. It also made Mackenzie shiver. So I wrapped my arms fully around her. She was soft and warm and I never wanted to let her go. "Better?"

"Much better."

We stayed just like that while the deer ignored us. For all our touching I'd never had the chance to feel the whole of her body against mine before last night and feeling her again was short-circuiting my brain. I couldn't identify anything specific about her softness or the way we fit together that was just so right, only that our bodies belonged together, and when they touched, pleasure gripped me from the inside out.

Unfortunately the deer decided to move off leaving me with no excuse to keep her in my arms in the middle of an empty trail. "It's not too much further."

"Where are you taking me anyway? Why all the secrets?"

I reluctantly let her go. "I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm not the most talkative human being on the planet."

"And yet you say many things to me." She shot me a sassy smile over her shoulder.

"I like talking to you. Just like always." Sometimes we didn't talk at all. We just sat together, and it was the same as when words came from our mouths. Some people needed the constant stream of thoughts to communicate what we did with existing in the same space.

"Well then where are we going?"

"It's one of the reservoir lakes the power company uses to supply the main plant. Excellent fishing and no one usually bothers me."

She paused and turned. "Are you taking me to your secret fishing hole?"

I waved for her to continue. "It's not secret. Just...under appreciated. And yes."

"Yes, it's your secret fishing hole?"

"The best fish I've caught have all come from here. When it warms up we can come back and swim."

Mackenzie missed a step but caught herself and kept going. "My, my. You do enjoy making big plans."

"Only way to live when you know what you want."

She turned to face me, hands on her hips, eyebrow arched. "Out with it. All of it. Confess, Scott."

"I think I've made myself pretty clear."

"Then repeat yourself. I don't recall hearing anything about swimming this summer until just now."

Damn she was adorable when she got all sassy. I stepped into her, our bodies just barely touching, her neck craning to look up at me. "I want many things, Mackenzie. First, I want you to move in with me. Immediately. I don't see a purpose to us taking anything slowly. We already know each other better than most couples. Move in and we can start to deal with your father's house. Together. Second," I didn't give her a chance to interrupt, "wearea couple. Call it whatever you want, but you're mine and I'm yours. Third, we live our lives. That includes secluded hikes and skinny dipping in lakes. We will cuddle and watch movies and read books naked in bed. I will cook for you and you will bake for me and we're going to be so fucking happy, Mackenzie."

"Just like that?" she whispered.

"Just like that. No reason to make it more complicated for no reason." I cupped her face. "I dare you to tell me you don't want it." I knew she did, but I held my breath anyway.

"It would have been nice to be asked instead of told."

I brought my other hand to her face and held her gently. "Mackenzie Howard, would you like to live your life with me? I have a charming home, a driving need to feed the people I love, and a burning desire to worship at your feet. I think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever met. I love your heart and just about everything about you."

"That sounded an awful lot like a proposal."

I hummed. "Maybe it was. Or maybe those were my vows and we're already married."

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