Page 27 of Marked by the Mountain Man

“Me, too, Hot Stuff. Although I have to say it was sexy as fuck when you wouldn’t let me make my stand against the bear alone.”

“Hell, no,” she says, stroking my beard. “You’re mine now. That means I’m the only one who gets to eat you, and I won’t share.”

“Eat me,” I say flirtatiously. “I like the sound of that.”

Her cheeks warm as she licks her bottom lip.

“That said, I’m on guard for the rest of the night,” I say, pointing towards the broken window. “So, no distractions. We’ve really fucked up this cabin, haven’t we? I feel bad for whoever owns it.”

“Do you think someone owns it at all?” Hadleigh asks, eyeing it incredulously. “The cans alone indicate it’s been a while since anyone was up here.”

I shrug. “That’s what the sheriff’s department said. Guess we’ll see when the repair bills start showing up.”

“You want some hot cocoa?” Hadleigh asks, wrapping a blanket around her shoulders and heading for the pantry.

“Sure.” I run my hand through my hair, still trying to wrap my head around this insane day and night. “I’m going to put our clothes in the dryer.”

We spend the rest of the night keeping watch, sipping cocoa, and talking about every possible subject, from our favorite books and writers to our top ten cities, high school memories, beloved bands, and dreams for the future. The level of compatibility makes me want to pinch myself.

It’s fucking insane how right Hadleigh is for me, and I never would’ve met her if it wasn’t for her dumbass brother … though both of us could’ve done without the criminal friends who drove her off the cliff.

Hadleigh dozes, pressed against my chest. But I can’t sleep, even if I wanted to. The bear turned the switch, reverting me to my old service days and keeping watch.

As the first creeping light of dawn sweeps across the forest floor, my ears catch the distant howl of wolves, the sound deep and melodious. Hadleigh stirs in my arms, her fingertips playing with the hair on my chest.

“It’s a beautiful sound from here,” she observes. “Though I wouldn’t want to be out there with them.” Hadleigh shivers in my arms.

I thank our lucky stars for the advent of this cabin, though it’s far from bear-proof, because Hadleigh’s got a point. It would feel awfully eerie outside, beneath a veil of stars, listening to those lonely canine calls.

“We’ve talked about so much tonight, Hadleigh. But apart from bear visits, what are your thoughts on Northern Idaho? I wouldn’t be surprised if you never want to set foot in this state again after all you’ve been through.”

She snuggles closer, kissing my chest. “I could say the same about you, you know.”

“Yeah, but Idaho’s my home now. Despite everything.”

Her face looks conflicted for a moment, brows knitting in thought. But then her expression relaxes, and she smiles. It’s like the sun peeking out from behind dark storm clouds after the rain. “All I know is home no longer feels like a place to me, Hudson. It feels like you.”

I exhale the breath I’ve been holding, relaxing my shoulders. “Thank God, because I’m willing to negotiate locations with you. But I don’t want to do long distance. I crave you to the marrow of my bones. Being apart would feel excruciating.”

“Agreed. I don’t ever want to spend even one night away from you. Does that make me co-dependent or needy?”

He chuckles. “I want you to be needy as fuck when it comes to me. Like I said before, addicted to me.”

“Addicted to you?” she laughs.

“Don’t worry. A healthy addiction that comes with plenty of calories burned, endless pleasure, and a man who’ll do anything to make you scream his name and claw his back.”

She admits contentedly. “I have sore muscles in places I didn’t even know I had muscles, thanks to you.”

“You’re welcome, Hot Stuff,” I say, kissing her neck.

We watch the sunrise, its golden light shrouding the forest. Then, we take a hot, steaming shower together, sinking one last time into each other’s flesh before dressing. The smell of freshly brewed coffee fills the cabin as we prepare for what I know is coming anytime now. The distant buzz of an engine and the arrival of search and rescue.

“Just like clockwork,” I say, greeting a tired-looking volunteer wearing the telltale khaki pants and orange jacket with reflective stripes.

“I’m Roger.”

“Hudson, and this is my girl, Hadleigh.”

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