Chapter 7
A nother night with no nightmares. I could get used to this.
It was the little things that really made me happy. The lack of terrifying nightmares, and the simple pleasure of standing without any pain.
No crutch, no leaning. No nothing. Just me, standing up, hands on hips, ready to take on the world.
"Look at you," Silas said from behind me, his voice low and gravelly. He crossed his thick arms over his chest, watching me like he had all the time in the world. His brown eyes were steady, just shy of proud.
I looked back over my shoulder, the corner of my mouth tugging up. "Pretty good, huh?”
“Pretty good, Little One,” he said. “You’ve been such a good girl, and your patience is paying off.”
His approval hit harder than it should’ve, heat rising to my face.
"Now, let me look at your panties."
I felt a blush spread across my cheeks. "Yes, Daddy."
I hadn't brought anything particularly sexy with me on the trip, but somehow, having Silas pick out the single red lacy pair I'd brought with me made me squirm with delight.
He watched me carefully as I pulled off my pajama bottoms. I felt his eyes on my smooth legs.
"Good girl. Get those new panties on."
"Yes, Daddy," I said again. I kept my eyes on his as I wriggled out my panties and pulled on a fresh pair. I could see the lust in his eyes, and feel it between my legs. He watched me as I changed. I pulled my pajama top off, and saw him eye my breasts with hunger. It felt good—like I had some power over him, over this primal creature I was sharing this space with.
"You're about the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," he said, slowly.
"Thank you, Daddy."
"You're welcome. Now, let's hit the road."
He’d promised me that if I was feeling up to it, we could go for a tiny walk this morning. I was unreasonably excited.
After I was dressed, and the fire between my legs was slightly cooler, we headed out. When I opened the door, the cold rushed in first, biting the tips of my ears and nose. The world outside looked calm, blanketed in untouched snow. I stepped onto the porch, testing my weight on the ankle. Solid.
Silas followed close behind, his boots heavy on the wooden planks. He reached for my hand without asking, his fingers curling strong and sure around mine.
"Careful," he said quietly, his grip firm but not overbearing.
"Yes, Daddy," I shot back, squeezing his hand once for good measure.
We stood there together for a moment, the mountain stretching wide and quiet before us. The air was sharp enough to sting my lungs, but it felt clean, bracing. I breathed deep, letting it fill me up. A week ago, I’d been trapped—by pain, by fear, by the weight of everything I couldn’t change. Now, the weight felt lighter, like I could carry it without breaking.
"Feels different, doesn’t it?" Silas asked, his voice cutting through the silence.
"Yeah," I said, my gaze sweeping over the endless white. "It does."
"That’s what happens when you stop fighting so hard," he said, his thumb brushing over the back of my hand.
"Maybe," I admitted, glancing sideways at him. "Or maybe it’s just the company."
His lips twitched, almost a smile. Almost.
"Smartass," he muttered, but his hand stayed in mine.
My ankle held steady, no sharp twinge or pull anymore, just a dull echo of what used to be. Silas stood beside me, close enough that I could feel his presence even without looking at him. His hand rested on the curve of my lower back—protective, grounding.
"Thanks for everything, Daddy." The word slipped out soft, almost shy. It was easier now, natural even, but it still carried weight when I said it out loud.
"Good girl," he murmured, eyes fixed on mine like he could see right through me. His voice had that low, gravelly warmth that always made something inside me flutter. He squeezed my hand once and let go, stepping back just enough to give me space.
I looked out over the snow-covered valley below us, trying not to linger too long on the heat rising in my cheeks. Everything felt softer out here—the air, the light, the quiet. Like the mountain itself had decided to loosen its grip for a while.
“Ready for a walk?”
“Uh-uh.”
So we walked. We didn’t head far, just ten minutes or so in a little loop around the mountain.
"Feels like progress, huh?" he asked after a moment, his voice cutting through the stillness.
"Yeah," I said, nodding. "It does."
“You’ll, uh, be wanting to head back home soon.”
There it was. Like an unwelcome shadow, the city loomed over me. Deadlines, emails, meetings stacked one after another. My old life waiting for me to pick it back up, whether I wanted to or not.
“I guess.”
"Alana." His tone shifted, pulling me back. I glanced at him, catching the edge of something in his expression—something guarded.
"Yeah?"
"You’re worried."
It wasn’t even a question. He just knew.
I sighed, dragging my fingers through my hair. There wasn’t any point in pretending. "I can’t help it," I said, my voice sharper than I meant it to be. "My job, my apartment, everything piling up—"
"Your deadlines," he cut in, his tone flat.
"Yeah, exactly." I folded my arms across my chest, matching his stance without thinking. "It’s my life, Silas. I have to go back to it. I can’t just leave it dangling forever. But it’s stressful. Being out here, with you, it’s so . . . easy."
“I get it.”
“Sometimes I wish I could just . . . stay here.”
He was silent for a moment. The snow crunched under out feet.
“I can’t though. Obviously. Living in a cabin doing nothing doesn’t exactly pay the rent.”
“Right.”
My heart pounded in my chest. “I just wish it didn’t stress me out so much.”
He stopped, looked at me for a moment. "Come with me," Silas said, his voice low but steady.
I turned, catching the flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.
"Where we goin’?" I asked, my breath puffing out in little clouds.
"Not far. Trust me."
"That’s ominous," I muttered.
We kept walking until we were a in a small clearing. The air bit at my cheeks, sharp and clean, but it felt good. Bracing. Like it could strip away everything weighing me down, at least for a little while.
"Here," he said finally, stopping in a patch of undisturbed snow. He turned to me, his brow furrowing like he was working through some internal calculation.
"Okay . . ." I glanced around. "What’s this about? You planning to bury me out here or somethin’?"
The corner of his mouth twitched—almost a smile, but not quite. "Nope." He crossed his arms over his chest, studying me for a beat. Then: "You been stressin’ too much."
"Gee, thanks. Didn’t notice."
"Watch your tone or I’ll have to tan that hide." His tone was flat, but there was warmth behind it.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time, mister.”
He took a step closer, close enough that I had to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. "I mean it, Ally. You carry too much. Always tryin’ to fix, control, hold it all together."
"Somebody has to," I shot back, folding my arms.
"Not always. Not here." He nodded toward the snow. "We’re gonna try somethin’. A trust exercise."
"Like what? Team-building stuff? 'Cause I gotta tell you, I hated those workshops back in the city."
"Not like that." He crouched, brushing his hand over the snow as if testing it—or maybe just clearing space. When he stood, he dusted his palms off and gestured for me to come closer.
"Alright, Daddy," I said, half-joking, but the word came out softer than I meant it to. His lips pressed together, and the look he gave me sent a small shiver—not from the cold—down my spine.
"Stand here," he instructed, pointing to the spot he’d cleared.
"Why do I feel like I’m about to regret this?"
"Because you like fightin’ me on everything," he replied smoothly. "Now stop stallin’. Turn around."
"Bossy-boots," I muttered, but I did as he said.
"Good girl," he murmured, almost too quiet to catch.
The heat climbed up the back of my neck. I swallowed hard and focused on the trees ahead, their branches weighed heavy with snow.
"Here’s how it works," he said, stepping up behind me. I could feel the weight of him there, solid and unmoving. "You stand still. Close your eyes if you want. And when I say, you let yourself fall. Backward."
"Fall?" My pulse kicked up.
"Yeah. Fall." His voice stayed calm, steady. "And I’ll catch you before you disappear into the snow."
"That’s it? That’s your big plan?" I glanced over my shoulder, arching a brow at him.
"That’s it." He met my gaze, unflinching. "Simple, but not easy."
"Well, sure, if you’re into trust falls."
"Not about the fall, sweetheart. It’s about lettin’ go. It’s about feeling the fear and doing it anyway. It’s about release." His hands rested lightly on my shoulders for a moment before withdrawing. "I won’t let you hit the ground. Promise."
I hesitated, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. The wind picked up, tugging at my hair, and for a second, all I could hear was the steady rhythm of my own breathing.
"Ally," he said again, softer this time. "I’m here."
Something in the way he said it settled under my skin, quieting the part of me that wanted to argue. Still, my muscles tensed, every instinct screaming to keep myself upright.
"Alright," I mumbled, exhaling sharply. "Fine. But if you drop me, I swear to God—"
"Not gonna happen," he cut in.
"Better not."
"Ready?"
"Sure." My voice wavered, betraying the lie.
"Then fall."
I crossed my arms over my chest, my back to him, and stared hard at the snow in front of me. My muscles locked up tight, every nerve screaming to stay upright. Falling wasn’t natural—not for me, not for anyone who’d spent years catching themselves.
"Anytime today, sweetheart," Silas said behind me, his voice low, steady. A challenge, but not unkind.
"Don’t rush me," I shot back, though it came out more breathless than biting.
"Not rushin’." I could hear the shrug in his tone. "But you’re burnin’ daylight."
"Maybe I like daylight," I muttered, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. My boots crunched faintly in the snow, and the sound felt too loud in the quiet space between us.
"Ally." His voice softened just enough to make my throat tighten again. “Stop thinkin’ so much."
"That easy, huh?" I closed my eyes, squeezing them tight. My heart pounded in my ears, drowning out everything else.
“I know that right now, you’re worrying about what could go wrong.”
He was right. I was thinking he might miss me. That he might trick me. That he could let me fall into the snow and get cold. Maybe he might misjudge how far behind me he was. Or he, himself could fall.
“Yeah well that’s what I do.”
How had he known this would be so damn hard for me?
“You don’t need to. Just close your eyes and enjoy it. Enjoy the worry. It means your alive, and that you’re about to do something exciting.”
"Okay," I whispered, barely audible even to myself. Then I exhaled, slow and shaky, and let gravity take over.
For one wild second, the world tilted. My stomach dropped, adrenaline surging fast and sharp. Air rushed past me—or maybe it was just in my head. Then, solid warmth wrapped around my waist, firm and unyielding.
Fuck. I felt the fear. And it wasn’t so bad.
"Gotcha," Silas murmured, his breath brushing against my ear.
I gasped, my chest heaving as he pulled me upright, steadying me like I weighed nothing. My legs wobbled beneath me, but his hands stayed on my hips, grounding me.
"See?" He stepped back just enough to give me space. "Told ya."
"Yeah, yeah," I mumbled, brushing hair out of my face. My pulse still raced, but something loosened in my chest—a knot I hadn’t realized was there.
"Again," he said, already moving into position.
"Seriously?"
"Seriously." He folded his arms, waiting.
"Fine," I huffed, rolling my shoulders. This time, I didn’t hesitate as long. Crossing my arms again, I glanced over my shoulder. "Ready?"
"Always."
I fell faster this time, less thought, more instinct. The spike of fear was there, quick and sharp, but it burned out just as fast. His arms caught me, strong and sure, pulling me back to my feet.
This time, when I felt the fear, I kinda enjoyed it.
"Better," he said simply, his hands lingering just a second longer than necessary.
"Better?" I turned to face him, arching a brow.
"Much." There was something in his eyes—something warm, unguarded.
"Alright, mountain man," I said, unable to keep the grin off my face. "One more."
"Good girl," he said softly, and the words sent a shiver down my spine.
I turned away quickly, hoping he didn’t see the way my breath hitched. For the third time, I crossed my arms, squared my shoulders, and fell.
My breath caught, but instead of the usual spike of fear, something else surged up—light, electric. Halfway down, a laugh bubbled out of me, loud and startling, like I couldn’t keep it in anymore. It echoed off the trees, sharp and bright against the stillness.
His arms closed around me, solid as ever, pulling me upright before my boots could even skim the snow. “You’re laughing now?” Silas asked, his voice low, teasing. His brow ticked up, but there was heat in his eyes, the kind that made my stomach flip.
"Guess so," I said, twisting in his grip to face him. The grin on my face felt unstoppable, reckless. “Didn’t think you’d catch me that fast.”
"Always do," he said simply, his hands firm at my waist. He didn’t let go, not right away, and I didn’t step back either. There was something different about the way he held me now. Not just steady. Close. My heart thumped hard enough I swore he could hear it.
"Alright," I said, trying to sound casual, even though I wasn’t fooling anyone—not him, not myself. "That was fun."
"Fun?" His lips curved slightly, and for once, his face wasn’t all stern lines and shadow. That smile—unguarded, almost boyish—hit me harder than I expected.
"Yeah, fun," I shot back, lifting my chin. But the warmth in his eyes made it hard to hold onto the sass. My breath hitched when his thumb traced along my jawline, rough and deliberate. I froze, caught between leaning into him and stepping away.
"Good girl," he murmured, the words slow, deliberate. They hit me deep, warm and sweet, pooling low in my chest.
"Daddy," I said, quieter now, my voice not quite steady. I didn’t know if it was a warning or a plea. Maybe both.
The air between us thickened. His hand stayed on my jaw, thumb brushing slow and steady, like he could read every thought racing through my head. Maybe he could. I didn’t say a word, didn’t trust myself to, not with the way my chest rose and fell too fast, too shallow.
"Alana," he said, low, nearly a growl. My name sounded different when he said it like that. Rough. Intentional.
I tipped my face up before I could stop myself, instinct pulling me closer. His eyes flicked down to my lips, then back up, catching mine like they’d caught on something they couldn’t shake loose. And then his mouth was on mine.
It wasn’t soft—not at first. He kissed like he was staking a claim, firm and sure, drawing a small gasp from me before I melted into him. My hands found his coat, fingers curling into the worn fabric as if holding on to him would keep the ground steady under my feet.
His beard scratched against my skin, rough but grounding, and his other hand came up to cradle the back of my head. Warmth spilled through me, starting at the press of his lips and spreading until it burned away the last chill in the mountain air. I forgot everything else—the cabin, the snow, even the ache in my ankle. There was only this, only him.
"Silas," I whispered against his mouth, not sure if I meant it as a question or a prayer.
"Shh, sweetheart," he murmured, the words brushing against me as softly as the wind. “Just let me.”
He kissed me again, slower this time. Like he had all the time in the world. Like he wanted to memorize me. His hand slid to my waist, pulling me closer, fitting us together like we were made for it. Every inch of him was solid, warm, steady, and I leaned into it, into him, more than I realized I needed to.
I shifted, and the snow crunched beneath us, reminding me where we were. But he didn’t seem to care. Neither did I. My fingers slipped higher, finding the collar of his jacket, the heat radiating from his neck, the pulse there strong and steady under my touch.
"Cold?" he asked, voice rougher now, his breath mingling with mine.
"I’m fine," I said, breathless. I was more than fine. My hands moved over him, exploring the hard planes of his chest, the unyielding strength in his shoulders. "You worried about me, Daddy?"
That word—"Daddy"—slipped out naturally now, teasing, testing him. His gaze darkened instantly, and I saw the way his jaw ticked, his grip tightening ever so slightly on my hip. It sent goosebumps skittering down my arms.
"Always," he rumbled, his voice rougher now. He shifted again, the movement deliberate as he slid a hand up my thigh, pushing aside the barrier of fabric. He paused, just for a second, giving me a chance to stop him. But I didn’t want to stop. Not now. Not with him.
I wrapped my arms around him and pulling him closer. I wanted to feel every part of him, to drown in this moment before it slipped away.
"Ally," he groaned, his voice hoarse with desire, and I could feel him, hard and thick against my inner thigh. "You sure about this?"
"I’ve never been surer," I breathed, my heart pounding in my ears, drowning out the world around us. In this moment, it was just the two of us, suspended in time and space, untouchable.
Silas's fingers danced over the fabric of my clothes, teasingly slow, savoring each inch of exposed skin as he traced patterns of heat and want. With a deft touch, he began to peel away the layers that separated us, revealing the vulnerable flesh beneath. I shivered in anticipation, my pulse thrumming in time with the mounting desire that coiled in my core.
As he bared my skin to his hungry eyes, I felt a rush of vulnerability unlike anything I had experienced before. Yet it was not fear that gripped me but a heady mix of anticipation and surrender.
"You in those red panties," he growled. "You're really something. I'm the luckiest fucking man in the world."
Then, he shook of his clothes.
His body was sensational.
Every line and curve of Silas's body spoke of rugged strength and untamed wilderness. His chest was broad and solid, etched with the sinewy muscles that spoke of endless hours spent among the mountains. Each breath he took seemed to expand his frame, drawing my eyes to the ripple of his abdomen, a landscape of taut muscle beneath the sun-kissed skin.
His arms, corded with power, held me with a gentle firmness that promised both protection and passion. The veins stood out against his bronzed skin as if eager to trace the path of every touch, every caress. I felt his heartbeat thrumming beneath my fingertips as they trailed down his sculpted torso.
As my gaze traveled lower, I couldn't help but admire the lean hips that hinted at grace beneath the raw masculinity. The defined lines of his thighs spoke of endurance and resilience, each muscle honed by the demands of Snowview's harsh terrain. And between them, a fierce hardness pressed against me, a testament to his desire and the primal need that bound us together in this moment of raw, unbridled passion.
Silas's cock stood proudly against my quivering thighs, a thick and pulsing length that demanded attention. Every inch of him was a promise, a declaration of the primal lust that simmered between us. The head glistened with a sheen of need, a bead of moisture at the tip hinting at the fervor that burned within him.
With one hand, he guided me to my knees, the snow cold and crunchy beneath my bare knees. I didn’t care. All I could think about was him, the way he looked at me, like I was the only thing that mattered.
"You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this," he said, glancing down at me. "You're going to make a perfect little good girl, aren't you?"
He sounded almost agonized, his voice strained with need. I didn't know how to respond, so I did the only thing I could think of. I leaned forward, my lips brushing against the base of his shaft.
"Ally," he breathed, his hands tangling themselves in my hair, guiding me closer. And then, there was nothing but the two of us, the cold air kissing our heated bodies, and the sound of our ragged breaths mingling with the rustling of the pines.
My lips traveled upwards, my tongue flicking out to lick the head of his cock, tasting him for the first time. He was salty and sweet, a heady combination that made my core ache with need. I wanted more, needed to feel all of him inside of me.
"That's it, baby," he groaned, his fingers tightening in my hair. "You like that, don't you?"
I couldn't answer him—the only response was a muffled moan as I took more of him into my mouth, my tongue dancing over every ridge and vein I could find. It felt so good, so right, like this was where I was always meant to be.
His cock twitched in my mouth, and I knew he was close. I didn't want it to end, but at the same time, I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he came.
With a gentle tug, Silas pulled me off him. I looked up, confused, but the intensity in his eyes stole my breath. "My turn," he said, his voice rough with desire. “You ready to feel something brand new?”
I nodded, “I trust you, Daddy.”
He laid me back on the snow, the cold sending pleasure and excitement through me. His fingers found my heat, and I arched into his touch, desperate for more. But he took his time, teasing me until I was writhing beneath him, pleading for release.
And then his mouth was on me, his tongue delving into my folds, lapping at my most sensitive spots. I cried out, my hands fisting in his hair as he devoured me. It was incredible, better than anything I'd ever experienced.
"Daddy, please," I begged, needing to feel him inside me.
He obliged, positioning himself at my entrance. With agonizing slowness, he pushed into me, stretching me, filling me completely. I gasped at the sensation, my nails digging into his back.
He stilled for a moment, allowing me to adjust. Then, he began to move, his thrusts deep and hard, each one hitting that spot within me that made stars explode behind my eyelids. I met him thrust for thrust, our bodies moving in perfect sync.
As he pounded into me, his mouth covered mine, swallowing my moans. His hands were everywhere, sliding over my body, bringing me to the edge of pleasure with every touch.
I was completely lost in the moment, consumed by the heat and intensity between us. I couldn't believe that this was happening, that I was here in the middle of the woods with a man who made me feel more alive than I ever had before.
And then it hit me—the cold air, the snow beneath us, the adrenaline rushing through my veins—it all added to the rawness and primal nature of our coupling. We were two beasts in heat, claiming each other in a desperate frenzy.
In that moment, there was nothing else but us. No society telling us what was right or wrong. No expectations or roles to play. It was just Silas and I, two beings connected on a primal level.
I felt myself getting closer and closer to release as Silas' thrusts became more urgent. And then it happened—my body exploded with pleasure, my back arching off the ground as I cried out his name.
"You're mine," he growled, his hand coming up to cup my cheek. "All mine."
I could only nod, lost in the pleasure, in the feeling of being so utterly cherished and possessed. Together, we chased our release, our moans and gasps echoing through the clearing.
When it hit, it was earth-shattering. I clung to him as wave after wave crashed over me, his name falling from my lips like a prayer. He followed soon after, burying his face in my neck as he pulsed inside me.
Afterward, we lay entwined, our breaths mingling in the cold air. Silas brushed a lock of hair from my face, his eyes soft yet guarded. I could see the pride in his gaze, the satisfaction at how far I'd come, how I'd learned to trust and let go.
The sky was pure blue. My heart was raw.
Was I really going to leave all this?