"You're intimidating enough for both of us."
"Flatterer."
He grins, and my heart does the thing it always does when he looks at me like that. Like I'm the best thing that ever happened to him. Like he still can't believe I'm real.
We pull up to the cabin just as the sun is setting, painting the mountains in shades of orange and pink. I've seen this view a dozen times now, but it still takes my breath away.
"I have something for you." Deck kills the engine and reaches into the back seat, pulling out a small box. "I was going to wait until we got inside, but I can't."
I take the box with trembling fingers. Inside, nestled in velvet, is a ring.
Not a diamond. Something better. A deep green emerald surrounded by tiny sapphires, set in a band of twisted silver that looks almost like tree branches.
"It was my grandmother's." His voice is rough. "She left it to me when she died. Said I should give it to someone who made me want to be a better man." He takes the ring from the box and slides it onto my finger. "That's you, Vivian. You make me want to be better. To do better. To build something worth having."
The ring fits perfectly. Of course it does.
"I love you." I throw my arms around his neck, careful of his shoulder. "I love you so much it scares me sometimes."
"Good. I like keeping you on your toes."
We make it inside eventually. Deck builds a fire while I open a bottle of wine, and we settle on the couch in comfortable silence, watching the flames dance.
"What happens now?" I ask.
"Whatever we want." He pulls me closer, tucking me against his good side. "We could travel. See the world. Or we could stay here and never leave. I don't care, as long as I'm with you."
"I want to stay." The answer comes easily. "I want to learn this mountain. Want to help you with Guardian Peak. Want to build a life here that's ours."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." I set down my wine and turn to face him. "But first, I want you to take me to bed."
His eyes darken. "Vivian?—"
"We've been careful for three weeks. Gentle. Considerate of your shoulder." I climb into his lap, straddling him the way I've been fantasizing about for days. "I'm done being careful."
"The doctor said?—"
"The doctor said no strenuous activity. I'll do all the work." I roll my hips against him, feeling him harden beneath me. "Unless you don't want me to."
His good hand grips my hip hard enough to bruise. "You know I want you. I always want you."
"Then stop talking and let me have you."
I kiss him before he can argue. He tastes like wine and hunger, his tongue sliding against mine with familiar heat. His hand slides up my back, fingers tangling in my hair, angling my head so he can deepen the kiss.
"Bedroom," he growls against my mouth.
"No." I push him back against the couch cushions. "Here. I want you right here, where you first kissed me."
His pupils blow wide. "Christ, Vivian."
I pull my shirt over my head and toss it aside. His eyes drop to my breasts, still covered by a simple red bra, and his breathing goes ragged.
"Take it off." His voice is pure command, even from beneath me. "I want to see you."
I reach behind and unhook the clasp, letting the bra fall away. The cool air makes my nipples tighten, and I watch his face as he stares at me with naked want.
