I smile against his lips. “Always.”
Later, the clearing is filled with music and laughter as we celebrate under the stars. King keeps me close, his arm draped around my shoulders, his lips finding excuses to brush against my temple, my hair, my cheek. Every touch is a promise, every glance a reminder that I’m his.
“Dance with me,” he says suddenly, his voice low in my ear.
I turn to him, raising a brow. “You dance?”
“For you, I’ll try.”
He leads me to the center of the clearing, pulling me into his arms as a slow song drifts through the air. His hand rests low on my back, his movements sure and steady as he guides me.
“You’re good at this,” I murmur, my fingers brushing the back of his neck.
“Don’t spread that around,” he says, his lips twitching in a smirk. “I’ve got a reputation to protect.”
I laugh softly, leaning into him, letting the world fall away until it’s just us, swaying under the stars.
When the song ends, he takes my hand and leads me toward the edge of the clearing, away from the crowd. The air is colder here, the silence deeper, but his presence is a fire that keeps me warm. He stops and turns to me, his gaze heavy with meaning.
“I meant what I said, Indie,” he says, his voice rough. “You’ve changed everything for me.”
I step closer, sliding my hands up his chest. “And I’d do it all over again just to get here with you.”
His eyes darken, his hands finding my waist and pulling me flush against him. “You’re all I’ll ever need, Mrs. Steele.”
His kiss is slow and deliberate, a claiming that leaves no doubt of his intentions. When he finally pulls back, his forehead rests against mine, his breath mingling with mine in the cool night air.
“Let’s get out of here,” he says, his voice a low rumble, “I’m sick of sharing you with everyone. Need you all to myself, baby.”
I laugh softly, letting him lead me back toward Devil’s Peak Lodge, my heart full and my future brighter than the stars above.
Second Epilogue
King–two months later
The campfire crackles, sending flickers of golden light dancing across the clearing. The lake glimmers under the moonlight, and the towering pines of Copper Mountain stand sentinel around us. It’s quiet except for the distant hoot of an owl and the occasional pop of the fire. Indie is sitting on a log near the flames, bundled in one of my flannels that’s way too big for her, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, her legs crossed under her. She looks so damn perfect, it hurts.
She laughs softly, pulling her knees closer to her chest. “I don’t know how you talked me into camping for our honeymoon.”
“Talked you into it?” I smirk, tossing another log on the fire and brushing my hands on my jeans. “You practically begged me.”
Her mouth drops open in mock outrage. “Begged? That’s rich coming from the guy who said, and I quote, ‘I don’t need a fancy resort when I’ve got you.’”
“Still true.” I lean back against a tree trunk, stretching my legs out and watching her. She has this way of making thesimplest moments feel monumental. “And besides, this is better. Just us. No distractions.”
Her eyes soften, and she rests her chin on her knees, the firelight painting her features in warm hues. “You’re not wrong,” she admits. “It’s beautiful out here. Peaceful.”
“Mm.” I study her, my gaze tracing the curve of her cheek, the way her lips twitch like she’s holding back a smile. “But you’re thinking about something. Spill it.”
She quirks a brow at me. “Spill what?”
“Whatever it is you’re not saying.” I tilt my head, my voice low, teasing. “I can see it all over your face, Indie. You’re terrible at hiding things.”
She bites her lip, her eyes darting to the fire. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I push to my feet and saunter toward her, crouching beside the log. Her cheeks flush, and she shifts under my stare. “Liar,” I murmur, my hand sliding to the back of her neck. “You’re keeping something from me.”
“King—” Her breath catches as I tilt her head up to meet my eyes. There it is—the flicker of nervous excitement she can never hide. “It’s nothing. Really.”
