Page 34 of The Smokejumper's Lady
“I should tie you up,” I whisper against her skin. “You’re a tease.”
Her laugh is breathless, shaky. “So do it.”
“Don’t tempt me, sweetheart.”
My hand finds its way to the back of her neck and I hold her in place, kissing her rougher now, deeper. Her moans vibrate against my mouth, her hips slamming down harder with each pass. She’s in control, but only because I’m allowing it. And she knows it. That’s part of the thrill.
Her nails dig into my shoulders. “You’re not supposed to be moving,” she pants. “You’re recovering…”
“I’ll recover later.”
My hand drifts between us, fingers finding the spot that makes her fall apart. I stroke her in time with her movements, and she whimpers, forehead pressed to mine.
“Ryan—”
“Let go for me,” I murmur. “Come all over me, baby. You’ve earned it.”
She lets out a broken cry, clenching around me, pulsing and gasping as she falls apart in my arms. Watching her unravel, hearing her cry my name like that…I don’t stand a chance. I hold her close, driving into her one last time as heat floods through me and my entire body tightens. I shudder beneath her, arms wrapped tight around her trembling back. We’re both panting, dazed, sweat-slicked and satisfied.
“Best hospital visit ever,” I murmur.
She laughs, breathless and glowing. “I’m telling your nurse you need round-the-clock monitoring.”
“She won’t last a shift.”
Clea kisses me again, sweet and slow this time. I can taste the smile on her lips. I press a hand to her back and hold her there, not letting go just yet.
Because this right here?
This is everything I never knew I needed.
Epilogue
Clea
It’s been three years…
Three years since that fire roared through the mountains and changed everything. Since Ryan Lewis—grumpy smoke jumper, reluctant hero, and the love of my freaking life—led me out of a cave and straight into a whole new chapter.
A lot has happened since then.
Ryan hung up his parachute and axe a few months after that fire. Said he’d had enough of tempting fate. That the only heat he needed now was the kind he could make with me. His words, not mine.
Now we run our own adventure tour company together. He named it “Lewis & Love’s Wildland Treks.” I told him it sounds like a romance novel. He told me that’s exactly the point.
We take visitors through the best hidden gems in Montana—secret waterfalls, wildflower meadows, natural hot springs tucked deep in the woods. It’s rustic, rugged, a little unhinged, just like us. And people love it.
We have a whole team of guides now. Which gives us more time to play. To plan. To sneak off when the mood strikes, and with Ryan…it strikes often.
My parents are surprisingly all in. My dad even says Ryan “isn’t such a dumbass after all,” which, in my family, is a heartfelt blessing. They partner with us sometimes on real estate deals,and we have family dinners every Sunday like it’s normal. Like we’ve always been this tight-knit.
Ryan and Dad go fishing once a month. Mom and I send each other Instagram reels.
I still find my new life unreal sometimes. Not that I’m complaining.
Two years married. One wild, beautiful life.
And today is special.
