Chapter 9 Daisy
NINE
DAISY
The morning light filters soft and golden through the cabin curtains and wakes me slowly.
I lie still for a long moment, simply breathing.
My body feels heavy in the best way, limbs loose and warm beneath the quilt.
For the first time in my life I’ve slept straight through the night without waking once in panic, without checking the shadows or listening for footsteps that aren’t there.
No nightmares. No racing heart. Just deep, dreamless rest. I stretch carefully and test my ankle.
It barely twinges. The bruises on my ribs have faded to faint shadows. I feel refreshed. Whole. Safe.
Eli’s arm is still draped over my waist, heavy and possessive even in sleep.
His chest rises and falls steadily against my back.
The scent of him—cedar, clean soap, and something warmer that is purely Eli—wraps around me like a second blanket.
I turn in his arms until we face each other.
His eyes are already open, dark and watchful, the corner of his mouth lifting in that small, private smile he saves only for me.
“Morning,” I whisper.
“Morning, beautiful.” His voice is rough with sleep, low enough to send a shiver down my spine.
He leans in and kisses me, slow and deep, like he has all the time in the world.
His hand slides up my bare back, fingers tracing the line of my spine.
Heat blooms low in my belly instantly. Last night was everything, but I want him again. I need him.
He must feel the same because the kiss deepens.
His tongue brushes mine and I open for him, tasting the faint hint of mint from the toothpaste he must have used before I woke.
I press closer, one leg hooking over his hip.
He groans softly into my mouth and rolls me onto my back, settling between my thighs without breaking the kiss.
“You feel so good,” he murmurs against my lips. “Waking up with you like this… I could get used to it.”
I smile and run my fingers through his hair. “I already am.”
He kisses his way down my neck, slow and deliberate, nipping gently at the spot where my pulse flutters.
His stubble scrapes lightly against my skin and sends sparks everywhere he touches.
When he reaches my breasts he takes one nipple into his mouth and sucks, tongue circling until I arch off the bed with a soft moan.
His hand cups the other, thumb brushing the peak in lazy strokes.
“Eli…” I breathe his name like a plea.
He lifts his head, eyes dark with heat. “I want to taste you again. Let me.”
I nod, unable to form words. He kisses lower, trailing his mouth over my stomach and dipping his tongue into my navel until I squirm. When he reaches the apex of my thighs he spreads my legs wider with his broad shoulders and looks up at me.
“Eyes on me, Daisy. I want to watch you while I make you come.”
He lowers his head and licks a slow, flat stripe up my center.
I gasp, fingers twisting in the sheets. He does it again, then focuses on my clit, circling it with the tip of his tongue before sucking gently.
Two thick fingers slide inside me, curling just right.
The pleasure builds fast and sharp. My hips rock against his mouth on their own.
He groans in approval, the vibration sending another wave of heat through me.
“You taste so sweet,” he murmurs against me. “So wet for me already. That’s my good girl. Let me hear you.”
I moan louder, one hand threading through his hair to hold him closer. He works me with his mouth and fingers until my thighs tremble and my breath comes in short gasps. When I come it crashes over me hard and bright. I cry out his name, back arching, pleasure pulsing through every nerve.
He stays with me through every aftershock, licking gently until I am boneless and panting. Only then does he crawl back up my body and kiss me deeply. I taste myself on his tongue. It should embarrass me. Instead it makes me ache for more.
“I need you,” I whisper against his mouth. “Please.”
He reaches for the nightstand drawer and rolls on a condom with quick, practiced movements. When he settles between my thighs again his cock nudges my entrance, hot and thick.
“Slow at first,” he says, voice strained. “You’re still new to this. I don’t want to hurt you.”
I nod and wrap my legs around his waist. He pushes in inch by inch, watching my face the whole time. The stretch burns sweetly. I breathe through it, hands clutching his shoulders. When he’s fully seated he holds still, forehead pressed to mine.
“Fuck, you feel perfect,” he groans. “So tight around me. Like you were made for my cock.”
He moves, slow deep thrusts that make me gasp with every stroke. The initial discomfort fades quickly, replaced by building pleasure. I rock up to meet him, learning the rhythm. He kisses me again, tongue matching the pace of his hips.
“That’s it,” he murmurs. “Take what you need. Ride my cock like a good girl.”
The words send fresh heat spiraling through me. I moan louder, nails digging into his back. He picks up speed, still careful but deeper now, angling his hips to hit that spot inside me that makes stars burst behind my eyelids.
“Look at you,” he growls. “Taking every inch so well. Such a pretty little thing spread out for Daddy. You love this, don’t you? Love feeling me so deep.”
“Yes,” I gasp. “I love it. Don’t stop.”
He reaches between us and circles my clit with his thumb. The added sensation pushes me higher. My second orgasm builds fast and fierce. I cling to him, legs tightening around his waist.
“Come for me again,” he orders, voice rough. “I want to feel you squeeze me when you fall apart.”
I shatter with a cry, walls pulsing around him. He thrusts through it, groaning my name as he follows me over the edge. His hips jerk once, twice, then still deep inside me. We stay locked together, breathing hard, hearts hammering in sync.
After a long moment he kisses me softly and eases out. He disposes of the condom and pulls me back into his arms, tucking the quilt around us. I rest my head on his chest and listen to the steady thump of his heartbeat.
“I’ve never felt like this before,” I admit quietly. “Safe. Happy. Wanted. It scares me a little how fast it happened.”
He strokes my hair, fingers gentle. “It scares me too. But in the best way. I spent years convincing myself I didn’t need anyone. Then you showed up at my gate and everything changed. I want you here, Daisy. Not just until the threat is gone. I want you here for good.”
I lift my head to look at him. His eyes are serious, full of something deep and real. My heart swells until it feels too big for my chest.
“I want that too,” I whisper. “I can see a life here. With you. With all of them. Mornings like this. Nights on the porch. A future that doesn’t feel like running.”
He kisses me again, slow and full of promise. When we finally pull apart he smiles, that rare, warm smile that makes my stomach flutter.
“Stay,” he says simply.
I nod. “I’m not going anywhere.”
We lie tangled together for a long while, talking quietly about small things. How he likes his coffee. How I used to sneak medical textbooks from the library. The way the mountain looks at sunrise. The conversation flows easy and warm, the kind of talk that builds something lasting.
Eventually hunger drives us out of bed. Eli makes breakfast while I shower.
We eat at the counter, stealing bites from each other’s plates and laughing when syrup drips onto my chin and he licks it off.
Every touch feels electric. Every glance carries weight.
I am falling for him fast and hard, and I no longer want to slow down.
After breakfast we dress and walk to the lodge together. The snow sparkles under the bright winter sun. Eli keeps his arm around me the whole way. When we reach the porch he stops and turns me toward him.
“Whatever happens with Dominic,” he says, “we face it together. You’re not alone anymore.”
I rise on my toes and kiss him. “Together.”
Inside the lodge the usual warmth greets us.
The women pull me into their circle immediately.
The men clap Eli on the back and draw him into their discussion.
I sit with Harper and Hannah, sipping tea while Poppi plays at my feet.
The conversation flows around wedding plans and baby milestones and quiet offers of support. I feel at home. Truly at home.
Later, when the sun dips low and paints the sky in pinks and golds, Eli and I walk back to the cabin hand in hand. The air is crisp and smells of pine. Stars begin to prick the darkening sky. Inside he locks the door and pulls me close again.
The day has been perfect in its simplicity. Healing. Hopeful. And as Eli kisses me once more, slow and deep, I know with absolute certainty that I have finally stopped running.
I’m exactly where I belong.