Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
I flip us over, pinning her beneath me, and the way she arches against me, the way her breath hitches—it drives me wild. “You’re mine,” I murmur against her lips, my voice rough with need. “Every damn inch of you.”
“Yours,” she whispers, her voice breathless, her fingers tangling in my hair.
That’s all I need to hear. I kiss her again, harder this time, my hands moving over her body like I’m memorizing every inch of her. The heat between us builds fast, but this time, it’s different. There’s more to it than just physical desire. It’s about everything we’ve been building toward, the life we’re going to create together.
I pull back just enough to look at her, my breath coming hard and fast. “You’re not gonna run again, right?”
She shakes her head, her eyes locking with mine, filled with that same certainty I’ve been waiting to see. “Not this time.”
I grin, my hand sliding to the back of her neck, pulling her closer. “Good. Because I’m not letting you go.”
We move together, the tension between us electric, and I lose myself in her—her taste, her touch, the way she fits against me like she was made for me. There’s no doubt anymore, no fear. Just us.
When it’s over, we’re tangled in the sheets, the firelight casting a soft glow over the room, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I feel completely at peace. She’s here. She’s mine. And I’m not letting her slip away.
She rests her head against my chest, her fingers drawing lazy patterns on my skin. “You really mean it, don’t you? You want me here… for good.”
I press a kiss to the top of her head, my voice steady. “More than anything.”
She’s quiet for a moment, and I can feel the last of her hesitation melting away. When she finally speaks, her voice is soft, but sure. “I think I’m ready for that.”
I tighten my arms around her, my heart swelling with something deep and solid. “Good. Because I’m not letting you go.”
She lifts her head to look at me, and I can see it—the certainty, the trust, the love. It’s all there, written in her eyes, and I know she’s not running anymore. She’s here. With me. For good.
I pull her in for another kiss, slow and deep, and as her lips move against mine, I know this is it. This is everything we’ve been building toward, the start of something real, something lasting.
And I’m ready for it. We both are.
Epilogue
Bella–six weeks later
The mountain air bites at my skin, crisp and cold, but it only sharpens the thrill that runs through me as Archer’s hand tightens around mine. I glance up at him as we hike the last stretch of the trail, the sun slipping lower in the sky, casting a golden light that seems to melt into the trees. He’s been quiet for most of the hike, which is unlike him—usually he’s teasing, playful, but today there’s a charge in the air that I can’t quite name.
“Are you going to keep dragging me up this mountain, or are you going to tell me what’s going on?” I tease, trying to lighten the mood, but my heart is already racing in a way that has nothing to do with the hike.
He glances down at me, his lips curving into a slow smile. “You’ll see.”
My pulse quickens. That look in his eyes, the way his grip tightens just a little—it sends a shiver down my spine. I should be used to the way Archer can make me feel like this by now, but every time, it’s like he strips away every layer of composure I try to cling to.
We crest the top of the trail, and suddenly, the lake comes into view. It’s nestled between the peaks, the water perfectly still, reflecting the deep blues of the sky. It’s breathtaking, but all I can focus on is him. Archer pauses at the edge of the lake, turning to face me, and for a second, the world seems to stop.
There’s something in his expression I haven’t seen before. Something deeper, more raw.
“What’s going on with you today?” I ask, my voice softer now. The playful edge is gone, replaced by a quiet intensity that mirrors his own.
Archer doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he steps closer, his hands sliding up my arms, pulling me against him. His touch is steady, grounding, but the way his eyes lock onto mine makes my heart stutter.
“Bella,” he begins, his voice low, rough with emotion, “you know I’m not one for speeches.”
I laugh, but it’s shaky, my chest tightening as I wait for him to continue. “Oh, is that so?”
He lets out a breath, brushing a strand of hair away from my face, his fingers lingering at the edge of my jaw. “You’ve changed everything for me. Not just Copper Mountain. Not just my life here. You’ve changed me.”