Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
His gaze is locked on me, darker than the twilight settling around us, filled with a tension that sends a shiver down my spine. The air between us is charged, the kind of heat that never fully fades, no matter how many times we’ve touched, kissed, and whispered secrets under the stars.
I turn toward him, catching that serious look in his eyes. My pulse races, my heart quickening as I sense that something is coming. He steps closer, and I can feel the weight of his presence. The same rugged mountain man who had once seemed so distant, so unreachable, now looks at me like I’m the only thing that matters in his world.
He’s quiet for a moment, the kind of silence that hangs in the air, thick with anticipation. Then his rough, steady voice breaks through the stillness. “Do you remember the last time we were here? That night under the stars?”
A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth, the memory of that night flooding my mind—how it felt to be with him, open and raw, both of us fighting the pull and giving in all at once. “How could I forget?” I say, my voice playful, though my heart is pounding so hard I’m surprised he can’t hear it.
Holt reaches for my hand, his touch grounding me, his thumb brushing over my skin with a tenderness that makes my breath hitch. “That night... I knew I wanted more than just a fling. More than just this place, this mountain. I wanted you. And I’m ready to take any risk, make any promise, if it means having you by my side. Always.”
My throat tightens, my breath catching. I search his face, my heart swelling with a love so deep it feels like it might drown me. But before I can respond, I hear footsteps behind us. I turn, confusion flashing through me as I see Zane stepping out from behind a cluster of trees, a grin on his face and a small book in his hands—the kind that officiants carry.
“What...?” My voice trails off as the realization sinks in, and my heart starts to race for a different reason. I look back at Holt, my eyes wide with both excitement and disbelief.
He’s grinning now, that wicked, mischievous grin that always makes my knees weak. He pulls me closer, resting his forehead against mine, his voice thick with emotion. “Surprise, city girl. I don’t want to wait any longer. Let’s make this forever, right here, where it all started.”
I laugh, a soft, breathless sound, as my heart feels like it’s about to burst out of my chest. “You planned this?”
He nods, his thumb brushing against my cheek, his gaze locked on mine with a fierceness that sends a shiver through me. “The brothers knew, but I wanted it to be a surprise. For you. For my folks.” He glances behind me, and I follow his gaze, spotting his parents standing a little way off, their faces lit up with smiles.
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I blink them away, turning back to Holt, my voice trembling. “You’re serious?”
“Dead serious.” He leans in, kissing my forehead gently before pulling back to look into my eyes again. “Marry me, Lila. Right here, right now. Under these stars, where we made our first promise.”
Zane clears his throat, stepping forward with a mock-serious expression as he flips open the book. “Well, if you two lovebirds are ready, I’ve got a sunset to catch, so let’s get this show on the road.”
I laugh again, my heart racing as I nod. I meet Holt’s gaze, my hands trembling in his, but I feel steady in this moment. “Yes. Let’s do it.”
Zane keeps the ceremony short and sweet, his usual cocky attitude softening as he watches Holt and me exchange vows. My heart feels like it’s swelling with each word, each promise.
Holt’s voice is low and steady as he speaks, his eyes never leaving mine. “I promise to love you, even when the mountain gets rough. Even when we’re faced with the kind of climbs that seem impossible. I’ll be by your side, every step of the way. You brought me back to life, Lila. And now, I don’t ever want to live another day without you.”
Tears finally spill over as I speak my own vows, my voice shaking. “You make me braver, Holt. You made me realize that love doesn’t have to be safe—it just has to be real. I want to face every challenge with you, every mountain, every fall. I’m yours. Always.”
As Zane pronounces us husband and wife, Holt pulls me into his arms, his kiss possessive and full of unspoken promises. The world fades away as our lips meet, and all I can feel is the steady thrum of his heart beneath my hand, his arms wrapped tightly around me.