Page 28 of Courage of the Mountain
“But it’s real,” she finishes for me. “I still find it hard to believe you really want me, but you keep showing me with your words and actions that you care. I know I can trust you.” She smiles sweetly, then nibbles on her bottom lip, as if debating her next words. “You probably already know this, but I’ve been in love with you for a long time now. I thought I was just in love with the idea of you, the fantasy of the man I idolized growing up. But then you came back, showing me you’re an even better man than I could have ever fantasized about. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Thank me?” I question. “Sweetheart, I’m the lucky one, remember?” Lily melts into my side, and I kiss the top of her head, breathing her in once more. “You love me?” I ask, letting the rest of her words wash over me.
“Duh,” she says with a giggle.
I chuckle at her response, the last of my tension and fear receding at the sweet sound. “Love you so goddamn much. Can’t wait for the rest of our lives.”
We sit for long moments, just wrapped up in each other and basking in the love we’ve found.
“I can’t believe you remembered the treehouse,” Lily says, breaking the silence.
“Of course, I did. I remember finding you after you ran away. Your tears broke my heart back then, too.”
“Maybe we should make some happy memories here, then?” The playful smirk on her lips gives me all kinds of wicked ideas.
“I think confessing our love for each other is definitely a highlight,” I whisper, letting my lips tickle the shell of her ear.
“Mm, so maybe we could make some steamy memories here?”
“Oh? Is that what my girl wants?”
She nods, then leans in for a kiss. I take her lips in a possessive kiss, sliding my hand to the back of her head and angling her just right. My tongue invades her mouth, claiming her and making sure she knows she’s mine. Lily gasps when I pull her into my lap, but I continue lavishing her with kisses down her neck and collarbone.
“Heath,” she breathes out. “I want more.”
She wants more? Good. I’ll give her everything.
13
LILY
I’m ready to rip Heath’s clothes off after his confession of love, but he surprises me by removing me from his lap and scooting us farther into the treehouse. I look over at him in question, but he’s concentrated on slipping my sandals off and placing my feet on his lap, where I was just sitting.
“I thought we were going to create a different kind of memory, but this is nice, too,” I tell him with a flirty smile. He returns it as his thumbs dig into my heel and massage away the soreness I didn’t know I had.
“Let me take care of you, Lily,” he says softly. “I want to show you how good I’ll be to you. Always.”
I look into his deep green eyes that have always been home to me. They shine with promises and love, and I know he sees the same look in my eyes. I relax in his hold once more and sink into his touch, closing my eyes and letting him take care of me like he wants to. Like I want him to.
He moves from one foot to the other and then starts massaging my calves.
“Oh, wow,” I breathe, melting at his touch. “That feels good.” I didn’t realize how tense my muscles were, but Heath wasright. I needed this massage. I sink onto the floor, thankful for the blanket I usually keep up in the treehouse for the rare occasional visit. Never thought it’d be used for this, but I’m not complaining.
Heath has a hand on each of my legs, his calloused hands gently stroking my skin and kneading the sore muscles of my calves. Then he trails his tender touches higher up my legs, his fingertips brushing behind my knees and spreading them apart.
The hem of my dress rides up as Heath bends my knees and spreads them wider. Heath’s beard rubs against my inner thigh, making me gasp and then moan. He presses a sweet kiss there, and then again on the other side, all the while rubbing soft circles on my thighs with his thumbs.
“Heath…”
“What do you need, baby girl?” Heath murmurs, leaning down to graze his nose and lips against my panties. “Jesus, I cansmellwhat you need. Fucking delicious,” he growls before sucking on the drenched fabric.
I bow my back and tilt my hips, my reaction completely involuntary. I can’t help it. I don’t have control of my body anymore; it’s Heath’s now.
He grips the waistband of my panties in his teeth, pulling back and then releasing so it snaps against my skin. I inhale sharply as a shiver breaks out over my entire body. God, he’s barely touching me, but I’m already achy and desperate for him. He knows it, too.
Heath smirks at me from between my spread thighs. Something about that image has me biting back a whimper. He’s so damn sexy, especially when he’s looking at me like he’s running through all the dirty things we’re about to do.
He grips the waistband again, this time tugging up so the fabric stretches and digs into my slit, cradling my throbbing clit.
