Everything is wonderful. The way his body fits against mine, the safety of his embrace, the way he looks at me like I am his whole world. I can picture forever here at Haven 7. Mornings making breakfast together, riding horses across snowy fields, family dinners with all the wonderful people who welcomed me so warmly. Nights like this, wrapped up in my grumpy cowboy who turns into the most caring Daddy when we’re alone.
I hope I can stay here forever. I hope Derek never finds me. I hope this mountain and this man become my always. As sleep starts to tug me under, a soft smile curves my lips. For the first time in my life, I feel truly home.
Harlan's hand strokes my hair one last time. "Sleep, sunshine. Daddy’s got you."
And with those perfect words echoing in my heart, I drift off completely content, dreaming of a future filled with love, laughter, and this incredible man who makes every day feel like the best kind of romcom come true.
TEN
HARLAN
The cabin’s quiet except for the soft crackle of the dying fire in the main room and Sunny's gentle breathing against my chest. Her naked body’s curled into mine under the heavy quilts, all warm curves and silky skin that still carries the scent of our lovemaking. Vanilla and wildflowers mixed with sweat and sex. It fills my lungs every time I breathe in, making my cock twitch even though we’ve already worn each other out twice this afternoon. I keep one arm wrapped tight around her waist, my rough hand splayed across her soft stomach, feeling the steady rise and fall of her breathing. She fits against me like she was carved for this spot. My sunshine. My girl.
I’ve never needed anyone the way I need her. The way she calls me Daddy, soft and sweet and trusting, it unlocks something deep in my chest. I can tell she’s never had that before. A man who keeps her safe. Who takes care of her. Who makes her feel wanted and protected. I’ll be that for her. Every damn day.
Her leg’s draped over mine, smooth thigh pressed to my hip. I can still feel the ghost of how tight she gripped me earlier, how wet and perfect she felt around my cock. The memory makesheat stir low in my gut again. I press a slow kiss to the top of her head, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. The mountain wind whispers outside, rattling the windows gently, but in here it’s just us. Warm. Safe. Mine.
I’m just starting to drift when a sharp knock echoes through the cabin. Three firm raps on the front door. My body tenses instantly, instincts from years in the service kicking in. It’s late. Too late for visitors. I slide out from under Sunny carefully, pulling the quilts higher around her bare shoulders. She stirs but doesn’t wake fully, murmuring something soft and sleepy.
"Stay here," I whisper, even though she can’t hear me. I pull on my jeans and a flannel shirt, not bothering with buttons. I move through the cabin on silent feet, the wooden floorboards creaking faintly under my weight. The air is cooler away from the bed, carrying the faint smell of woodsmoke from the dying fire.
I reach the door and peer through the side window. Silas stands on the porch, his sheriff's hat dusted with fresh snow, his face serious in the glow of the porch light. Relief mixes with tension in my gut. Silas is one of us. Family. But if he’s here this late, it’s not for a social call.
I open the door. Cold air rushes in, sharp and crisp, biting at my exposed skin. "Silas. What’s up?"
He nods, eyes flicking past me briefly before settling on my face. "Sorry to wake you, Harlan. Got some news that couldn’t wait until morning. Mind if I come in for a minute?"
I step aside, letting him enter. The scent of cold night air and leather from his jacket follows him. He stamps snow off his boots on the mat, the sound loud in the quiet cabin. I close the door behind him, locking it. "Talk."
Silas keeps his voice low. "Someone’s been asking around Timber Creek about a woman matching Sunny's description. A man. Blond hair, blue eyes, new in town. Mid thirties. Pushy type. He was at the B&B earlier today asking if anyone had seen her. Then he spent time at the diner grilling Greta. Offered cash for information."
My jaw clenches so tight it aches. Protective rage boils up hot and fast in my chest. I picture Sunny's face when she told me about Derek. The fear in her eyes. The bruises she did not have to show me for me to know they existed. This is him. I know it in my bones. And the thought of him getting anywhere near her makes me want to ride down the mountain right now and end it.
"Description fits her ex," I say, voice low and rough. "Derek. Abusive piece of shit who has been hunting her."
Silas nods, his face grim. "I figured as much. I’m looking into it. Got eyes on the B&B and the diner. He’s staying somewhere in town but I’ll find out where. In the meantime, keep her close. Haven 7 is secure but we need to stay alert."
I grip the back of a chair, knuckles white. The need to protect her surges through me like a storm. She’s mine. No one touches what’s mine. "He comes anywhere near this mountain, he doesn’t leave it breathing."
Silas gives me a knowing look. "Understood. I’ll keep you updated. Call if anything feels off."
He turns to leave just as soft footsteps sound from the bedroom. Sunny appears in the doorway, wrapped in one of my flannel shirts that hangs to her thighs, her golden hair tousled from sleep. Her blue eyes are wide, still hazy but sharpening fast. The sight of her like this, soft and vulnerable in my shirt, hits mesquare in the chest. I want to wrap her up and never let the world touch her.
"Harlan? What’s going on?" she asks, voice small but trying for that quirky brightness she always carries.
Silas tips his hat to her. "Ma'am. Sorry for the late visit. I’ll let Harlan fill you in." He slips out the door, closing it quietly behind him. The latch clicks and the cold air lingers for a moment before the cabin warms again.
Sunny steps closer, arms wrapped around herself. The firelight dances across her bare legs, highlighting the smooth skin I had my mouth on just hours ago. I pull her into my arms immediately. She melts against me, her face pressing into my chest, her breath warm through my open flannel.
"Tell me," she whispers.
I stroke her back, feeling the delicate line of her spine under the soft fabric. "Silas says a man has been asking around town about you. Blond hair. Blue eyes. Been at the B&B and talking to Greta at the diner. Offering money for information."
She stiffens in my arms, her fingers clutching my shirt tighter. "Derek. It sounds like Derek. Oh god, Harlan. He found me. He always finds me. The B&B... the diner... he’s getting closer."
Her voice cracks on the last words and it tears at something deep inside me. I scoop her up, carrying her to the couch by the fire. The leather is cool under us as I settle her in my lap, her legs straddling my thighs. I wrap my arms around her completely, one hand cradling the back of her head, the other rubbing slow circles on her lower back. She’s trembling slightly, her breath shaky against my neck.
"Shh, sunshine. Breathe for me," I murmur, my voice low and steady even though fury is raging through my veins. I can smell her fear mixed with the lingering scent of our earlier sex on her skin. It makes my protective instincts flare hotter. "He won’t get to you. Not here. Not ever again."
