Protecting Her Secrets (Mountain Men of Culver Springs #1)

Chapter 35

One month later. . .

“Do you need anything before I leave?” I ask my cranky husband.

“No.” He sighs. “I’ll just be here, wallowing without you.”

I grin. “Laken and Corbin need me.”

“I should fire them both for their incompetence.”

“You can’t fire them, and they aren’t incompetent. They’re literally keeping your business alive, and that requires them both to guide excursions. Sometimes at the same time, which is what happened today and why I need to go work the shop.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

I bend down to give him a kiss. The second our lips touch, his casted hand wraps around my middle, and he pulls me on top of him. “Walker!”

“Don’t go,” he pleads.

“You can’t do things like that. You could re-injure your shoulder.” I position myself so I’m not even touching his left arm that’s in a specialized brace to keep it immobile. The bullet hit the top of his humerus, shattering it and requiring reconstruction surgery.

“It barely even hurts.”

“That doesn’t mean it isn’t still healing. You have two more weeks at home, and then six more weeks of limited movement after that. You can’t rush it, or you’ll have to start from square one.”

“I hate that you have to pick up the slack.” He kisses my nose.

“I don’t. It’s nice to be busy, especially now that I’m fully in my second trimester and my energy is back.”

“Has my boy been kicking today?”

“Yes. It’s so weird. This whole thing’s just. . . strange. Like, I’m growing a penis inside me. It just doesn’t feel right.”

“It feels right when my penis is inside you.” He lifts his hips, grinding his erection on me.

“None of that, mister!” I climb off the sofa and adjust my clothes, which do nothing to hide my bump.

“Seriously, Skylar. Just shut the shop down. I can’t have my pregnant wife taking care of the animals, running my business, and dealing with my cranky ass. It’s too much.”

“It’s not. And if you shut the shop down, Corbin and Laken will be out of a job. Do you want to be responsible for that? Plus, I like taking care of the animals, and they like me too, maybe even more than they like you.”

“Moodonna would never betray me like that.”

“Not yet, but I’m working on her.” I walk down the hall to the mudroom, passing by an entire wall of framed pictures I recently hung. Most are of Walker and me, both past and present, but there are a couple from the boxes of mementos Amy gave me. I hate what she did, but I’ll be forever grateful for the nearly lost memories. “See you later, husband.”

“Bye, wife.”

“I’m taking your dog,” I call out as I dash out the door, Sprocket hot on my heels.

I’m grinning as I let Sprocket into the back then slip into the driver’s seat of my brand-new, all-wheel drive SUV. I inhale the new car scent mixed with the new leather scent. I’ve never had a new car before, and even though I told Walker a vehicle like this with all the gizmos and gadgets would be wasted on me, he insisted, stating we needed something safe for when the baby comes. It’s his argument for everything because he knows I only want the best for the little guy.

Twenty minutes later, I pull up to the cute little red shop with paddle boards propped against the siding and a couple mountain bikes parked out front next to a sign announcing recreation rentals. Walker’s busy season wasn’t going to wait for him to heal, so I’ve been running things. Every day is different, and I get to meet people from all over the world. I love it and will be sad when Walker’s able to return.

Laken’s prepping for a two-day camping excursion when I walk in. He’s a cute kid who’s always happy and down for a good time. I can see why Walker renews his contract each year.

“’Sup, Walker’s Wife? Hey, Sprocket.” He gives the dog a rub down.

“Please don’t call me that. It’s embarrassing.”

“Sorry. Can’t risk pissing the boss man off.” He grins.

I mutter something about idiotic husbands as I put my stuff away and log into the computer system. Walker forces both his employees to call me Walker’s Wife so they never forget who I am. It’s barbaric and dumb, but it also feels good, like he wants the world to know I’m his, so I don’t fight him too hard on it.

For the next eight hours, I rent out paddle boards and bikes and book excursions. Springtime in NoCal is absolutely stunning, and I can see why it’s a tourist destination. While I haven’t had a chance to get out in the mountains and do some hiking, since Walker refuses to let me go with Corbin or Laken, I’ve seen photos our guests take while they’re out there. Wildflowers are just starting to pop up, and all the little animals, and a few big ones I’d rather avoid, are out and about, giving everyone who ventures out a good show.

Each night, one of Walker’s friends shows up to help me close, since Walker doesn’t like me moving the rental equipment inside the shed. Tonight, it’s Ridge. He makes quick work of it and walks me to my car, making sure I’m driving away before he leaves. He’ll make a good husband when the right woman shows up.

Back home, I notice Walker’s truck isn’t in the same place it was when I left. He’s not supposed to be driving! I don’t even know how he would with a broken left shoulder and right hand. I’m pissed when I walk through the door because how hard is it to follow the doctor’s instructions?

“What the hell?” I ask after kicking off my shoes and hanging my jacket in the mudroom. Feeling the tension in me, Sprocket runs to his bed and lies down.

“What do you mean?” Walker’s lounging on his recliner, remote in hand.

“Did you drive today?”

“No.”

“Don’t lie. The truck was under the carport when I left.”

“I’m not lying. Wilder drove.”

The fire ants dancing in my belly, ready to spew venom, start to settle down. “Oh. He needed to borrow it for something?”

“No, he took me somewhere.”

“Where?” I ask, the fire ants starting to move around again at his pervasiveness.

“Come sit.”

“Why?”

“I need to talk to you, and I don’t want to do it yelling across the room.”

I sit on the edge of the sofa. “Okay, I’m sitting.”

“Wilder and I took a little day trip today.”

The fire ants are back. “What? Why?”

“Since we’re responsible for the death of the Broken Rebel’s MC president, I needed confirmation there’d be no blowback. So, I met the new president in Modesto.”

“You mean I’m responsible for his death.”

“Yeah, but they’d have to get through me to get to you, so I’m just lumping us together.” He tries for humor, but the red ants are still dancing.

“Who took over? What did they say?”

“Blur is the new president. He wasn’t too happy about us coming to their clubhouse without an invitation, but after he got over that, he told us he respected your dad and that you’re family to him. He didn’t like the way Klutch handled things, so as far as the club’s concerned, we’re good.”

“Blur is a nice guy. I’m glad he’s the new president.”

“I don’t know about nice. He threatened to stab me in the dick if I ever knocked on their door again.”

I laugh. “Sounds like him.”

“I also heard from the county prosecutor, and court dates have been set for the bikers and Amy. I put them in the calendar. She’ll be in touch soon to prepare you to testify.”

I don’t know what to say or even how I feel. The last month has been a whirlwind of emotions. One day, I’ll be fine, and the next, I’m a mess, so Walker talked me into seeing a therapist. Since there are none in Culver Springs, I found a virtual counselor who’s helping me deal with the aftermath of. . . my life. It has been good to have someone to talk to who I can be completely honest with, knowing it won’t add to her worry like it does with Walker.

He studies me for a second before he pushes down the footrest of the recliner to rest a casted hand on my knee. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I think I am. But I won’t lie, it’ll be nice when it’s all over.”

“According to the prosecutor, it will be soon—before the baby comes, even.”

“Good. That’ll be our fresh start,” I say.

“Our new adventure.”

I lean forward, and he meets me for a kiss. It starts out chaste, but it has been over a month since we’ve had any sexual contact, and both of us are getting impatient. We barely had a chance to connect in that way before it was taken away from us, and we want it back, but that can’t happen until Walker heals.

One of us needs to be strong, so I pull away. “How are we going to make it through six more weeks?”

He smirks, and I narrow my eyes at him because that’s his evil genius look.

“I came up with a plan.”

I groan “What’s your plan?”

“Come upstairs with me.” He takes my hand, and I notice his grip strength is getting better. The cast on his hand comes off next week, and then he’ll have physical therapy three times a week for probably the next year, between his hand and shoulder. It’s a good thing my man likes to exercise.

I laugh as he drags me to our bedroom. “Get naked.”

“Walker, the doctor said?—”

“My plan doesn’t include me using my arms, I swear.” He walks over to the side of the bed, where a wooden step stool has been placed. “Hear me out. Our height difference poses a challenge, but if you stand on this and bend over the bed, it’ll put you in the perfect position to line up with my cock. I can thrust without using my arms.”

It’s creative, I’ll give him that. Last week, his plan was me on top, but we quickly realized how much that position jostled his shoulder. We both went to bed unsatisfied that night, even though I offered to give him a blow job. He insists we both come, or neither of us do.

“I don’t know. I don’t think I can handle another failed attempt.”

“This’ll work. I promise.” He looks like a little boy on Christmas with hope in his eyes.

“Okay. Let’s give it a shot.” I point at him. “But you have to promise me if this causes you pain, we’ll stop and you’ll let me go down on you. And I won’t even break your rule because it’ll turn me on so much to have my mouth around you that I’ll have to play with myself until I come.”

“Fuck. We can add that to the rotation.” He pulls off his shirt and tugs down his lounge pants, which have become his daily uniform. Since underwear complicates things when he uses the bathroom, he’s not wearing any, and his long, thick cock springs free.

I lick my lips. “You’re so sexy.”

“It’s your turn, Sunny,” he says with hunger in his eyes.

I slowly strip out of my yoga pants and T-shirt. Since I wasn’t planning on this, I’m wearing a plain cotton bra and my ugly, full-bottom maternity underwear. “Shit. I forgot what I was wearing underneath.”

“What are those?” He can’t hold in his chuckle as he circles me. The panties go up and over my expanding belly, making them enormous.

“Don’t laugh,” I say, but I’m laughing too. They really are the least sexy things in the world.

He wraps an arm around me. “I’m sorry. I was just surprised. Then I thought about when you showed up here frozen and I helped you get out of your clothes. You were wearing those tiny black lacy panties. Remember those? Quite the difference.”

“I hope you enjoyed them while they lasted because, for the next four and a half months, you have these to look forward to.”

“As you can see, I find you just as sexy. Even in giant underwear.” He motions to his still-hard cock. “Actually, leave them on. I’ll just pull them to the side.”

“You’re teasing me.”

“I assure you, I’m not.” He bends down to kiss me. “Fuck, I hate not being able to touch you. All I want is to play with your pretty pussy and fondle your tits.”

“Romantic.”

“You need some romance, sweetheart?”

“Absolutely not. I’ve been wet since this morning when you ground your cock against me.”

He grins. “Fuck, yeah. Get up there.”

I stand on the sturdy box-like stool and bend over, holding myself up on my forearms. Walker pulls my panties to the side, and cool air meets my heated parts.

“How’s this?”

“Fucking perfect. But you have to put me inside.”

Reaching between my legs, I barely manage around the pregnant belly that seems to visibly grow each day, but I’m determined. Gripping his shaft, I line him up with my entrance, and he pushes in. We collectively moan at the pleasure as he fills me so completely, brushing against my G-spot with each thrust.

“Damn, baby. You’re gripping me so good. I wish you could see this. Your pussy is molded around me.”

“Faster,” I say, taking things into my own hands and pushing back each time he thrusts forward.

The erotic sound of skin slapping skin and breathy moans becomes our mood music. The fat head of his cock bumps that place inside over and over, and it feels so good, I don’t ever want this to end. My orgasm is waiting on the horizon, but I hold off, just enjoying this connection.

My nipples tighten, and shivers run down my spine as the overwhelming tingles start to spread. This orgasm isn’t like the crashing wave I usually experience. It’s taking over slowly and steadily until I’m lost to the pleasure.

“Christ, I can feel your cunt fluttering around me. You’re going to make me come. Oh, fuck!” Walker roars through his release, pounding into me and filling me with so much cum, it leaks down my legs before he even pulls out. By the time his thrusts slow, I’m sleepy and sated, bummed I’ll have to shower before I can climb into bed.

“That was exactly what I needed,” I say, gasping when he pulls out, dragging against my sensitive flesh.

“Me too.” He straightens my panties.

“I fear they’re ruined after the present you just left me.” I stand and step off the stool.

“You’re probably right.” He pats my ass with his cast-covered hand. “Worth it.”

He sits on the bed, and I step between his legs. “I love you so much. I hate that we lost so much time, but I can’t help but think it was for the best. The versions of ourselves we are right now are so much better than we were back then, and I don’t think we would’ve gotten here without that time apart.”

“I agree. I think subconsciously, we knew it too, and that’s why we never divorced.”

“I would like a redo, though. Only this time, maybe I could be sober?—”

“And not abandon me in the middle of the night.”

“Exactly.”

“I was thinking that too. Actually, I have a present for you. It’s in the top drawer of my nightstand.”

“You do?”

He pulls on his lounge pants while I dig through the drawer, finding a little velvet box. Taking it from me, he lowers to a knee, and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I’m in my granny panties and ugly bra, and he has a casted hand and a splinted shoulder. These conditions are not ideal for a romantic proposal.

“I never got to do this the first time.” He clears his throat. “Skylar Carter?—”

“I don’t have your last name,” I say.

“You should change that. We’re already married.” He clears his throat again. “Skylar Hill, I’ve loved you since the first day I saw you in science class. You had on those dorky safety glasses, but I never saw anyone look more beautiful. I knew that first day, I wanted to marry you, and there hasn’t been a single day since that I haven’t wanted you as my wife, not even when we were hundreds of miles apart. Will you do me the honor of marrying me again?”

I cover my mouth, my eyes glossing over as I watch him struggle to open the ring box. “Need help?”

“I can do it.” He sets it on his knee and tries to pry it open, but it flips up into the air. My brows lift, and he looks up at me and sighs. “Can you help?”

“Yes.” I reach down and open the box, gasping at the solitaire inside. It’s not huge, but it’s not small either. It’s the most perfect princess-cut diamond I’ve ever seen. “Walker, it’s beautiful.”

He beams proudly. “Is that a yes?”

“Of course! Marrying you was the best decision I ever made. I can’t wait to do it again.”

THE END