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It’s striking how, here in Alaska, you can have a brand-new expensive framed house right next to an original log cabin that looks like it’s been standing since pioneer days.

He takes the corners, and I lean with him as we move deeper into the Alaskan wild.

The trees shade us from the sun as we get farther along.

As we pass Seldon Road, which has a gas station and corner store that weren’t there when I was a kid, I spot cars and trucks. Some are hauling machines or four-wheelers on trailers, others with hikers, all enjoying the beautiful, warm June day.

“You know, if you head that way on Seldon, go to Church, then out to Pittman, you can get to my house.” He points to our left.

“No. I didn’t know that.”

I love that he’s pointing out facts like that to me.

“There’s a gated community back there.” He points to our right a little while later.

“I remember when I was little, Daddy used to take us on day trips, just exploring back here or even heading up the Glenn for fun.”

“Yeah, I occasionally like to get away and do that too. We should take a trip to Seward or Kenai one of these weekends.”

“I’d love that.”

His hand returns to my thigh and gives it a squeeze. A little bit later he points, and I look over to see a moose lying in the shade. I smile behind my helmet, loving that the moose doesn’t care that we are right here. We are invading his space, not the other way around.

Finally, we reach the end of Wasilla Fishhook, and he hangs a left onto Willow Fishhook Road, heading toward Hatcher’s Pass.

This area has really grown. Small roadside café, gas stations, and even more expensive houses line the route as we get closer.

We ride alongside the rushing river, and I can’t stop myself.

I hold open my arms, wishing I could feel the wind and chill of the air against my face.

Crue chuckles and rubs a hand along my knee.

I wrap my arms around him again, resting my helmet against his back as I watch the white water next to us.

Traffic has picked up as people head down the valley and tourists pull out of the pull-offs.

We pass the old boarded-up boarding house and take a sharp left into the pass.

The gate, which is sometimes closed in winter due to avalanches, is, of course, open.

I feel a change in the air that energizes me.

There are several tight turns and corners.

Hikers are parked along the roadside, but Crue has only one thought and keeps heading up to the large parking lot.

He pulls into a spot among the other weekend visitors, kicks down the stand, and shuts off the bike.

Crue holds out his hand, and I take it as I climb off. My legs are shaky, and he makes sure I’m steady before he dismounts and takes me in his arms. He pulls off his helmet, then works on getting mine off. As soon as the wind and chill in the air hits my face, I tremble.

“Here, babe.” He slips his heavy leather jacket off and puts it around my shoulders. My body is still acclimated to the Texas heat and not the chill in the high mountains of Alaska.

I turn to look back at the road we climbed, taking in the view. I spot the Knik Arm in the distance. It’s absolutely breathtaking.

Taking a deep breath, I recall every memory and moment I spent here with my dad and mom. Tears spring to my eyes, and Crue pulls me into his arms.

“I knew bringing you here would bring up memories. But I thought it would be okay.”

Aftershock

I look into her tear-filled eyes, and my heart clenches. I want to tell her the words I shouldn’t. They’re so true, but I hold them back. Instead, I slide my hand along her cool cheek and lean down to kiss her softly.

“I remember us coming up here so many times when we were kids,” she says.

“You were a kid. I was a teenager. A teenager who shouldn’t have watched you so closely.”

“You never crossed that line.”

“I know.”

I grab my backpack from the back of the bike and open it. Inside, there’s a small cooler with a couple bottles of water and some sandwiches.

“There isn’t really a good place to eat up here,” I say. “But I thought we could take a little break, stretch, and get your legs back before we head out.”

I watch her as she looks around us, clocking the moment she notices my brothers and the prospects.

Some had followed behind, others were in the lead.

I wasn’t going to risk her safety again.

But I needed this time with her. Tonight, I have something else in mind.

After what happened at the brewery, I had to change what I originally had planned.

I pull out two bottles of water and hand her one.

She takes a long drink after I open it for her.

She walks a small circle around our area, taking it all in.

I give her space because I know she needs it.

Her father and mother loved bringing her up here.

I remember the hikes and berry picking at the end of summer.

When I pull out the sandwiches, she turns to look at me. The moment she realizes the bread is from the bakery, a smile brightens her face. The weight of old memories fades away. I plan to give her new ones—ones for us and the family we will have.

I hand her a sandwich, and she opens it.

“Oh my God! How did you remember?” She takes a big bite and moans. “I haven’t had one of these in so long. I think Daddy made me one for my high school graduation. But once I was in college, I was so busy I didn’t even think about taking the time to have one.”

The orange marmalade sandwich with butter on fresh bread was her favorite growing up, because she loved Paddington Bear. She used to have a stuffed version of him, but it got left behind when they had to leave. I know she will be surprised when she sees him again.

I move closer to her. “I remember everything about you, Harlowe.”

She looks up at me with tears shining in her eyes. I lean down and kiss her softly again. I want to consume her, but not here, not with all these people around. Her taste of sweet cherries bursts across my senses, mingling with the lingering marmalade, and I groan, wanting more of her.

“Thank you,” she says softly, leaning into me, her hands full of water and food.

“Always, Starlight.” I kiss her forehead and step back. “Want a bite?” I offer her my roast beef sandwich, packed with protein.

Her lips pinch, and her eyes dance as she shakes her head and takes another bite of her own meal.

We stand there, chatting quietly, as we finish our small picnic.

I take the trash to one of the bear-proof cans and turn back to see her standing by my bike.

She’s calm and centered, taking in her surroundings.

“Ready to head out?” I ask her when I approach.

“Yes.”

We get back on the bike, and I signal the guys to break up again.

I head back the way we came. At one point, I pull over so we can get a picture by the river.

Instead of going through Wasilla, I turn down Seldon and make my way back to my house that way.

I love the feel of her behind me, wrapped around me.

Her legs cradle my hips, and I can’t stop the thoughts of finally making her mine.

I promised to give her hearts and roses, and that’s my intent.

When we pull up to my house, the guys break off, and I click the remote to open the garage.

My dad went his own way this evening, leaving me the house to myself with my girl for a while before the next part of our date.

I help her off the bike and remove her helmet.

She stretches and flexes her back. I can’t stop myself, I pull her into my body and take her lips in a deep kiss.

I want to put everything I’m feeling and what I want to do to her into this kiss.

When we finally part, she’s breathless and I’m hard as a rock.

“Come on, let me show you around before I change my mind about giving you time.”

Taking her hand in mine, I lead her around the house, showing her everything except the master suite. That will happen soon enough, just not right now.

“Why do you have so many bedrooms?” she asks after I show her the other three.

“Well, one is for Dad until we get his place done out back. Then I plan to fill the rest up with our kids, Starlight.”

She shivers, and I push her against the wall of the hall. “Do you want kids still, beautiful?”

“I do.”

“I can’t wait until you say that statement and it means more than the question you just answered,” I confess to her.

After grilling steak and baked potatoes in the outdoor kitchen on my back deck, I just want to keep her here and cuddle.

But I made a couple of promises. I’d give her time, and the guys want a second chance.

I glance at her outfit, glad she’s not dressed as sexy as she might like for our next stop, but I want to give her the chance to change anyway.

“I have another place I’d like to take you, but I don’t know if I need to take you home first and allow you to change. What do you think?”

“Where to?” She smirks and cocks a hip.

I want to pull her down into my lap and ravish her when she looks at me with those flirty eyes.

“The bar and clubhouse. The guys wanted another chance to have drinks with you.”

She looks down at her jeans and long-sleeved T-shirt. She took off her sweatshirt earlier. “I could wear this…unless you want me in that outfit again?”

“Nope, I’m good with what you’re wearing.” I shake my head.

We clean up together like we’ve done this a hundred times before. Then we head out to the bar. I decide to take my truck, knowing she’ll be having a few drinks.