Page 29 of Claimed By The Mountain Man

“It’s not. I know you’ve felt this connection between us too. You wouldn’t have agreed to stay with me that first night if you didn’t know that we were meant to be.”

“I—”

“Don’t lie to me, Scout. Or yourself.”

She looks away, and I see her take a deep breath.

“It’s too soon,” she protests softly.

I shake my head. “It’s not. It’s right. It’s fucking destiny. Think about it, Scout. How do you feel about me? Really?”

I hold my breath, waiting for her to admit what’s between us.

“I love you,” she admits, finally meeting my eyes.

“Thank fuck,” I growl, slamming my lips down on hers.

Her fingers grip the front of my shirt, and she clings to me as I kiss her, my tongue licking into her mouth and tangling with hers.

I pull away, sucking in a breath, wiping away the last of her tears. “I love you too, Scout. More than anything. More than I even thought was possible.”

“I still don’t think I can stay here.” She sighs. “My dad and Leonard are still looking for me, and we’re so close to them. I don’t want to constantly be looking over my shoulder or waiting for them to pop up.”

“Yeah, I have a solution for that too.”

She raises an eyebrow at me. “What’s that?”

“Marry me.”

She stares at me in shock.

I lean forward, kissing her lips quickly. “We love each other. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And if we’re married, you can’t marry Leonard or anyone else. You’ll be off the table to them. You’ll be mine.”

“I—You’re crazy!”

I grin, shaking my head. “Crazy for you, maybe, but I’m also right, and you know it. So, what do you say, Scout? Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

She laughs, shaking her head like I’m nuts, but I see the way her eyes glow. She’s happy. She’s in love. With me.

“Yes!” she says finally.

I holler in excitement, pinning her back to the couch and settling between her thighs.

“My wife,” I sigh happily.

She giggles. “Technically, your fiancée,” she corrects.

“Not for long.”

My lips claim hers again, and we sink into the kiss, our bodies molding together. Scout’s hands sink into my hair, and she moans as I nip at her bottom lip, silently asking her to open for me.

Her tongue slides against mine, and I groan, tugging on the soft strands of her hair as we deepen the kiss. Scout’s hips rock against mine, and I break the kiss reluctantly.

“What now?” she pants.

I smile, kissing her nose. “Now, we head into town. It’s time for us to get the ball rolling on this wedding. First stop, the courthouse for our marriage license. Then, the jewelry store.”

There’s so much to do. We need to book an officiant, get rings, tell Hudson and Hazel, and pick a date. I make a mental list as I stand, and Scout beams up at me as I offer her my hand. As she slides her palm against mine, I think about how lucky I am that her car broke down outside my place.