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Her body went limp as he held her close. Somehow, he managed to reach the blanket and wrap it around them as they both fell to the ground, panting. He held her back tight to his chest, smoothing her hair and pressing kisses to her head. His knot was still there, holding them together.

“You did so good,” he murmured in her ear. “Are you okay?”

All she could manage was a sated sigh and a slight nod. He continued to stroke her hair as the world came back into focus.

“You are perfect,” he said as his hands caressed her with reverence.

It was a sharp contrast to what they’d just done, but she loved it just as much.

“I’ve waited so long for that. So long,” he said as he nuzzled into her and held her tight until his knot slipped out.

Finally, she rolled over to face him. His expression and the man he was almost brought tears to her eyes. He lowered and kissed her.

This was a gentle, loving kiss. She wanted his tenderness as a man and his wildness as a wolf. What on earth had she ever done to be lucky enough to get both sides in one man?

He was back to being the human man she was in love with. She brought her hand up to brush a dark curly lock from his face. The moonlight caught its curls, and she was almost breathless again just looking at the man Asher had become.

When she’d left, they were barely twenty-one. Four years later, he still looked the same, but there was something deeper in his eyes.

“I love you,” she said before kissing him again, hoping he could feel just how much she meant those words.

How could a series of words ever convey the depth of emotions she felt for him?

He slid a hand into her hair and let his thumb graze over her cheek. “I love you, too, Sunshine. More than I could ever say.”

She laid her head back on his chest, letting the beat of his heart and the sound of the crickets relax her. All she would ever need was right here. With this man by her side on this mountain, there was nothing else she could ever want.

“You really went all out with the white nightgown with the little red ties. Leaning into the little red riding hood.”

She chuckled. “If I’m going to be caught by a big bad wolf traipsing through the forest, I wanted to do it right.”

“How are you feeling? Did I hurt you?” he asked, tracing his fingers up and down her back.

“No. It was intense, but I’m not hurt. I think I might have some scratches from running and getting caught in some branches, but that’s about it.”

He moved the blanket from her legs and inspected them. “Yeah, it does look like you have some scratches, but it’s hard to get a good look out here. Should we head back so I can clean those up for you?”

Sunny sat up and realized she was sore. “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. Can you help me find my sandals? I know they made it to the meadow, but besides that, I’m not sure where they got to.”

He dropped one more kiss on her head before moving to stand, making sure the blanket was covering her. He followed the path he had chased her down and picked up her sandals.

After he brought them to her, she couldn’t take her eyes off the way the moonlight illuminated his naked body as he walked over to the edge of the woods. He came back with some pants and a T-shirt.

“You plan ahead,” she said as she stood and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders.

“Well, I figured I’d stay at your house. I really should keep some clothes there—especially since Abe is coming over early in the morning so we can get your roof fixed before the cookout.”

After slipping into his clothes, he came over, put his arm around her shoulder, and guided her to the trail. “It’s getting late, and you might need a shower.” He pulled a leaf out of her hair.

“I think you might be right,” she said, looking down at the smear of mud across her chest. “It was worth it, though. That was fun.”

“It was more than fun. It’s never been like that before.”

He held her hand as they made their way back to the house, enjoying the soothing sounds of the woods. After he helped her across the stream, the welcoming light from her front porch came into view.

The warm glow from that light and the lamp in her living room was a stark comparison to the dark, run-down house she’d come home to weeks ago. It looked like a lovely little house. Sure, it could still use a coat of paint on the outside, but it was a home.

Running away from all of this had been cowardly. While there were still things to figure out, with Asher by her side, she felt like she could do just about anything.