8. Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight
Gage
I wake before dawn, my body instantly registering Eden's warm weight draped across my chest. Her golden hair spills over my shoulder, tickling my skin with each soft breath she takes.
My muscles should ache from fixing the roof, from our activities after, but I feel more rested than I have in years. No nightmares jolted me awake last night. No memories of explosions or Daniel's final moments haunting my dreams.
Just peace. And her.
Eden shifts in her sleep, pressing closer, one leg sliding between mine. The sheet has slipped down to her waist, leaving the creamy expanse of her back exposed.
I trace my fingertips along her spine, memorizing every dip and curve.
My gaze drifts to the photo on the nightstand—Daniel and me in our fatigues, arms slung around each other's shoulders after a successful mission. His eyes crinkle at the corners, that same warmth I see in Eden's smile.
What would you think of this, brother? Of me taking your daughter to my bed? Making her mine in every way possible?
But as I look down at Eden's sleeping face, so trusting against my chest, I know I'll spend the rest of my life protecting her. Cherishing her. Maybe that's what Daniel wanted all along—for me to take care of his little girl, to love her completely.
Eden mumbles something unintelligible, nuzzling into my neck. I tighten my arms around her, breathing in the scent of her hair.
For the first time in eight years, I feel whole. Like the broken pieces of me are knitting back together under her touch.
I could lie here forever, watching the sunrise paint golden streaks across her bare shoulders. Feeling her heartbeat sync with mine.
I groan softly, my fingers digging into her hip as she stirs awake.
Her honey-brown eyes flutter open, and she looks up at me with a sleepy smile. "Morning," she murmurs, her voice still thick with sleep.
Her naked body shifts, her thigh brushing against my hardening cock, and just like that— fuck —I'm done for.
"Morning, sunshine," I reply, my voice rough. My hand moves to cup her cheek, my thumb tracing the curve of her lips.
She stretches languidly, her body pressing against mine in all the right ways.
"You're already hard," she says, a teasing glint in her eyes.
"I haven't had a woman in my bed for over eight years," I growl, rolling us over so she's straddling me. "Of course I'm fucking hard."
Eden giggles, the sound like music to my ears.
She leans down to kiss me, slow and sweet, her hair cascading around us like a beautiful curtain. I grip her hips, guiding her as she move her hips until her heat closes around me, sinking down onto my aching hard on.
We both gasp at the sensation—her warmth enveloping me, our bodies fitting together perfectly. She starts to move, slow and indulgent, rocking her hips in a rhythm that has my head spinning.
I watch her through half-lidded eyes as she rides me, the early morning light making her soft skin even more gorgeous. Her hands rest on my chest for balance, and I cover them with mine, squeezing gently.
"God, Eden," I breathe out. "You feel so damn good."
She moans in response, picking up the pace slightly but still keeping it slow and sensual. My hands slide to her ass, gripping tightly as I thrust up to meet her movements.
We lose ourselves in each other, the world outside the cabin forgotten.
When Eden finally shatters around me with a cry of my name, I follow right after her, burying myself deep as pleasure crashes over me like a tidal wave.
She collapses onto my chest, both of us panting and spent. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close as we come down from our high.
We lie there for a while, just enjoying the quiet intimacy of the moment. The wind outside has calmed down considerably; no more howling storm to contend with.
"What do you want to do today?" Eden asks softly after a few minutes.
I brush a strand of hair from her face and smile. "Anything you want, sunshine. We've got all the time in the world."
After our shared shower, which took far longer than necessary and left us both dirtier than when we jumped into the steaming water, we make our way to the kitchen.
I lean against the doorframe, watching Eden move around my space like she belongs here.
She's wearing my flannel again, the hem barely covering the curves I just lathered with soap and spent all night exploring. The sight of her, barefoot and beautiful while making coffee, does something to my chest I can't explain.
She catches me staring and throws me a playful smile over her shoulder.
"If you keep looking at me like that, I might start thinking you're obsessed with me."
I push off the doorframe and stalk toward her, unable to resist.
My fingers catch her chin, tilting her face up as I claim her mouth in a slow, deep kiss that has her melting against me.
"And I'm starting to think you like it," I murmur against her lips.
We settle at the table with sourdough toast and coffee, and I can't stop myself from feeding her bites, watching her lips wrap around each morsel as she laughs.
"Stop smirking," she protests, shifting in her chair. "I'm sore enough as it is."
"Didn't hear you complaining last night. Or this morning."
Sunlight streams through the window, the storm finally breaking. Eden's gaze drifts to the brightening sky, and I catch something in her expression—uncertainty, maybe even fear.
"Look," she says softly. "The clouds are finally clearing."
I'm about to ask what's wrong when the emergency radio on my counter crackles to life. We both freeze as the announcer's voice fills the kitchen:
"Road crews are making significant progress clearing mountain passes. Main routes should be accessible by tomorrow morning..."
Eden's fingers tighten around her coffee mug, and just like that, the peaceful bubble we've been living in starts to crack.
I can't stand the shadow crossing Eden's face at the radio announcement. Before she can spiral into whatever thoughts are darkening her expression, I grab her hand.
"Come with me."
"Gage, I'm not even dressed—"
I snatch my coat from the hook and wrap it around her shoulders, practically dragging her onto the front porch.
The storm has cleared, leaving behind a pristine wonderland of untouched snow. Sunlight sparkles off every surface, turning the world into diamonds.
Eden gasps beside me, her earlier worry forgotten as she steps into the fresh powder. Her bare feet should be freezing, but she doesn't seem to care as she spins with her arms outstretched, face tilted to the sky.
"Wait here," I tell her, ducking inside to grab my old military-grade camera, thick socks and an old pair of boots for my girl.
When I return, she's already spotted the deer emerging from the tree line, drawn out by the calm after the storm.
Silently shushing me, she takes the camera from my hands, immediately starting to shoot. Her natural eye for composition shows in every frame, and the pure joy radiating from her as she captures the morning light makes my heart jolt in my chest.
This is it. The moment I know I'm completely fucked.
Because watching her here, in my world, bringing light and life to every dark corner I've hidden myself in…
I know I can't let her leave.
Not tomorrow, not ever.
"Did you ever think it would be this beautiful up here?" she asks, breathless and flushed from the cold, snowflakes caught in her hair.
I don't spare a glance for the mountains I've stared at for eight years. My eyes are locked on her face, memorizing every detail of this moment.
"Yeah… I see it now."
But even as the words leave my mouth, doubt claws at my chest. This isolated life might be enough for me, but Eden? She deserves more than a broken man and a cabin in the woods.
Can I really expect her to live her life here with me? Alone up in the mountains, hiding away from the world?
***
The sun's starting to set when I finally coax Eden back inside. Her cheeks are flushed from the cold, hair wild from the wind, and she's wearing the biggest smile I've seen yet.
We spent hours out there - her taking photos, me watching her discover every inch of my world like it was made of magic instead of isolation.
I build up the fire while she sheds my coat, still wearing nothing but my flannel underneath.
"Come here," I growl, settling onto the couch and pulling her onto my lap. She comes willingly, straddling my thighs like she belongs there.
Her fingers trace my jaw, feather-light touches that make my chest ache.
"I could get used to this. Today was…" she whispers and releases a long, heavy sigh. "Magical. Thank you, Gage."
I kiss her, slow and deep, memorizing the taste of her.
God, I want to believe her.
Want to believe she could stay here, make a life with me in these mountains. That she wouldn't wake up one day realizing she'd wasted her youth on a broken man who can't give her the world she deserves.
But hope is a dangerous thing. It can tear you apart worse than any bullet, and I've got the scars to prove it.
Still, when she sighs into my mouth and presses closer, I let myself pretend.
Just for a moment. Just for now.