Chapter 6
Addy
Holy shit.
I sit on the back porch of Danny's cabin bright and early the next morning, feeling small in the hoodie I found in his room.
I want to cry.
Last night was everything I wanted. Danny woke me twice in the night, making me cry out with pleasure before spooning me back to sleep in a post-orgasm haze. I don't know how I'm going to look at him, let alone ride back down the mountain with him and not beg him to be my boyfriend, like a crazy stalker.
I can't. I have to go. Now.
I'm off the porch before I know it, slipping on my shoes and taking off into the surrounding forest. I have my phone. I'll hike a short distance from the cabin and beg Paige to come pick me up so I can get out of here without having to face him.
I have one hand holding up the too-big gym shorts I found in his drawer next to his sweatshirt when I realize I'm in the middle of the forest with no cell reception or appropriate shoes. I stop and take three deep breaths to calm my thoughts.
I can't run out on him after last night. After a few more minutes of deep breathing, I head back to his cabin.
As I enter the clearing, I see him. He's on the bottom step of his back porch, wearing the jeans from last night but no shirt, as he frantically pulls on his hiking boots.
I slowly walk closer, my heart hurting. He suddenly looks up, glaring right at me. He’s furious.
I pause as he stalks toward me. "I don't know how to hike. And... I don't want to leave you," I manage to say before I sob.
He closes the distance between us, and I jump into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. For the first time in my life, I don't worry about how heavy I am or if he can support my weight. He kisses me hard. So hard, I gasp, my core throbbing as I grind against his hard cock.
"Next time, I'll take a compass," I gasp.
Danny growls at me like a wild animal. "There won’t be a next time, Addy." He pulls back, panting as he stares into my eyes, his love pouring into my soul. "You. Are. Mine."
"I’m yours," I repeat without hesitation.
He nods, his relief palpable. His expression is serious as he turns us toward the cabin.
I frown. "Where are we going?"
He cups my ample ass as I try to slide down and growls, "No."
I should yell or at least protest, but I grip him tighter as he enters the cabin and drops me onto his bed.
Danny looks at my cell phone, which is still clutched in my hand. "Unlock it."
I do and he grabs it, typing out a text. I stare at him, afraid to move in case he changes his mind and kicks me out. Once he’s done, he tosses the phone on the bed. Crawling up my body, he buries his face between my breasts and takes a deep breath.
"I'm sorry," I whisper into the top of his head, hugging him to my chest.
"Addy, I don't care if you want to leave, but you’re taking me with you."
"I don't want to leave. I want to stay here with you," I say with conviction.
"Good. Because I just texted your sister to meet us at the courthouse in one hour. She'll be our witness. Then I’m going to lock you in this cabin for the next week."
This kind of talk would have had me running for the hills yesterday, but now all I feel is hope.
"I want babies," I blurt.
Danny lifts his head off my chest, tipping his head to the side, "Me too." He cups my face. "I want whatever you want, Addy. I want whatever makes you happy. Just tell me, and I'm in. I love you."
"I love you, too," I whisper.
Danny's smile lights up the room. A sense of peace and rightness settles over me as he kisses me deeply.
"As sexy as you look in my clothes, we have about thirty minutes before your sister shows up and tries to have me arrested. So how about we get started on those babies right now?"
I giggle as I strip, ready to make my new fiancé’s fantasies come true.
Epilogue – Danny
Six Months Later...
"Did you pick this trail because you were worried about me doing something harder, or were you being romantic?" Addy eyes me suspiciously as she secures her long, dark hair into a messy knot on top of her head.
I sling my backpack over my shoulder as I close the gate on the truck bed and smile. "Being romantic, of course." I move to the passenger side and swat her perfect ass, pulling her close.
"Uh-huh." Addy gives me the side eye, cupping her growing belly. "You're lucky I'm feeling extra maternal today, or I'd fight you about this."
I smirk as I lean in to kiss her neck. "Baby, we can go home and hole up in the cabin today if that's what you need."
She lets out a breathy whine as I slip my hand into the front of her shorts, finding that perfect spot that instinctively makes her open her legs a little wider.
Then her eyes snap open, and she pushes me away. "No, sir! I need some fresh air, and you promised me a present." She claps with glee and straightens her clothes while I groan good-naturedly.
Paige didn't have me arrested the morning after our first date, but she did show up at my cabin yelling about hottie hikers brainwashing tourists in Duhring Park. Once Addy eventually calmed her down, Paige agreed to serve as a witness for us on the condition that Addy waited twenty-four hours so they could shop for a dress, pick out flowers, and "let the night of passion settle for one freakin' minute." Paige’s exact words.
We were married the next day. My friend Levi served as our second witness, and Paige cried throughout the ceremony, insisting they were happy tears. I begrudgingly admitted that waiting twenty-four hours wasn't so bad when I saw Addy in her white lace dress. She looked stunning, and she was all mine.
I extended our staycation honeymoon a week to make up for the lost day without her, though. When we finally came up for air, Addy took over the management of my hiking business. We hired four new staff members to start in the spring to keep up with demand when the tourist season begins in earnest. She’s a marketing genius and working together suits us perfectly. We hike regularly, and she’s getting better at the forest trails.
"Ah, it's beautiful up here," Addy sighs as we make it to the overlook.
"Anywhere with you in the most beautiful place in the world," I murmur, wrapping my arms around her from behind. She leans her head against my chest, and I breathe in her cherry scent.
"Are you ready to have another hiker in the family soon?"
I snuggle in closer, placing my hand on her belly. "Yes. Then I plan to get you pregnant again and again and again…"
Addy laughs. "You know we can practice making babies without actually making one each time, right?"
"Deal." I grin as I step back and reach into my pocket.
Addy turns to find me on one knee, holding out a small black box. "Danny!"
"Addison Rae Foster. Thank you for marrying me. For staying with me. For choosing me. You’ve made me happier than I ever thought possible." I open the box to show her my grandmother's antique ring—a sparkling round cut diamond looped by smaller stones in an art déco swirl pattern. "I had it resized. My grandma always said it reminded her of home, and you, Addy, are the home I never knew I needed."
Addy cries as I slip it onto her finger. I pull her close to me, tucking her head against my heart.
"I love you, Danny."
"I love you, Addy. And our little plus one."
Addy grins and looks around. "Since the tourist season is over, it's awfully quiet." She chews her lower lip, looking at me through her long, dark lashes.
"What did you have in mind?"
She pushes onto her tiptoes and whispers, "Bend me over in your truck."
Addy’s laughter rings through the air as I sweep her into my arms and carry her back down the trail to the truck.
If this isn't heaven, I don't know what is.
***
THE END