Page 7 of Ferocious Mountain Man (Seduction Summit Trails #6)

SAHARA

T here was no way Rafe was going to fit inside me. He had to know that. He was more experienced than I was, after all.

He’d done this before, but had he ever been with a virgin? My guess was no. Not since he was a virgin himself, probably.

His gaze remained on my face as he moved between my legs, holding himself above me. His hand was around his erection, and the sight of that warmed me for some reason. I felt so secure, so safe. He’d make this as easy as possible. We’d get through this together.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

I nodded. But I realized I was squeezing his forearm so tight, he probably didn’t believe it. I made a conscious effort to loosen my grip and relax. It was like when I went to the doctor to get birth control. Being tense during the exam only made it worse, the doctor said.

I took a deep breath, held it, and thrust my hips upward, pushing him in deeper than he would have dared to go. It was like an adhesive bandage. Rip it off. Otherwise, you just prolong the agony.

But “rip” was the right word. It felt like something inside me was tearing. I clenched my jaw and pressed my tongue hard against my teeth to keep from crying out. I didn’t want Rafe to know just how tough this was for me.

His eyes went wide as he stared down at me. He definitely hadn’t expected that. This probably would have felt good for him if he wasn’t so concerned about my well-being.

“Fine,” I finally said. “I just want to get the painful part over with.”

I thought about giving him my bandage-ripping analogy but decided against it. That would definitely kill the mood.

“I know something that might help with that,” he said.

I frowned. “What?”

“You know what I was doing earlier with my tongue?”

I nodded, still not taking my eyes off him. But I didn’t really need to hear his next words to know what he was getting at. In fact, I didn’t wait for him to say them. I moved my right hand between us, my left still gently gripping his forearm.

I’d never touched myself before, but there was a familiarity to it now, thanks to the experience Rafe had just given me. Still, it felt a little weird, considering the pain that was shooting through my body.

He slowly pulled out, not daring to go nearly as deep as I’d plunged him.

As he inched gently inside me again, I closed my eyes and tried to focus on the good sensations my touch brought.

It was tough at first, but soon I convinced myself that the warmth had overwhelmed the sharp pain his every movement brought.

Maybe it was mind over matter, but for whatever reason, it worked. Gradually, pleasure overtook pain, and I saw that I might very well be able to have a second orgasm. He’d promised multiple orgasms a day for the rest of my life, hadn’t he?

That thought filled me with warmth—more warmth than my own touch.

It also helped me relax. I opened my eyes to find him staring down at me, the intensity in his eyes just as sharp as it had been before we’d started.

But the intensity faded a little once he noticed I was looking up at him. Intensity was replaced by warmth.

“I’ve got you,” he said, his voice just above a whisper. “I’m right here. I’ll always be here.”

I nodded, but I was trembling all over. My grip on his forearm had tightened, but it was looser than when I’d first become aware of it.

I kept my eyes on him as long as I could, but soon enough, the warmth was spreading through me. Since I’d gotten used to the pain, the pleasure was free to take over.

At some point, I became aware in the back of my mind that I was biting my lip, but I didn’t bother to stop. Instead, I let myself get carried away.

Soon came something I didn’t think was possible.

Heat began in the area where our bodies met, quickly rising until it reached my neck and my cheeks.

And then I was gripping his forearm for a completely different reason as my body transported me to that place.

A place I wanted to stay forever. A place he’d promised to take me often.

I didn’t realize I was crying out until his voice joined mine, his roar matching my high-pitched “ahh.” Even though I was nearing the end of my orgasm, having him reach his at the same time was even more fulfilling. We were coming together…in every way possible.

When I finally opened my eyes and looked up at him, I knew I had a big, goofy grin on my face. It seemed to be contagious. Slowly, his mouth spread into a smile too.

Was he thinking the same thing I was? I sure hoped so because I wanted to spend forever with him. But suddenly, my smile faded and I gasped as the reality of the situation hit me all at once.

His smile collapsed like a balloon deflating after someone stuck a pin in it. “What’s wrong?”

“I can’t be a mom right away,” I said.

I watched his reaction closely, hoping he was on the same page I was. He remained completely neutral, though.

“You don’t want kids?” he asked.

I shook my head. “No. I mean, yes, I do. At least one. Probably two, because all kids need a sibling, right?”

That was silly. I knew plenty of only children, and they were just fine. But I wanted at least two. And I wanted Rafe to be the dad.

We’d do it together. As partners.

“I want kids,” I continued. “But my mom started way too early. I always said I’d get my career going first.”

“Your career? As a designer?”

Oh, shit. That was something else I needed to get out. I closed my eyes and tilted my chin, staring up at the roof. How did I explain this to him? It might scare him away.

“I’m not an artist,” I said. “I’m not a social media influencer, either. I’m a writer. That’s what I’m being paid to do anyway.”

He tensed above me, and that made me aware that he was still inside me. He’d never gone very deep, but now he withdrew, pulling completely out of me and sitting up, hand on each of his thighs, as he stared down at me.

“You lied?” he finally asked.

I shook my head. “I went to school to be an artist, but I did some writing while I was in school. I loved it. When I got out, I couldn’t find work. I started writing essays. I lucked out and sold one, and from there, it just got easier.”

He frowned. “Oh.”

He wasn’t sure what to make of this confession. But that wasn’t the part that worried me.

“I didn’t come here to get more social media followers,” I said.

“You came here to track me down and write an article about me.”

I nodded. It was a good guess. But I knew better than to breathe a sigh of relief. The worst was no doubt yet to come once it sunk in.

“You’re going to write about me?” he asked. “About this?”

I shook my head. “Never. My goal was just to get some video of you. Maybe interview the people who’d come here hoping to get a glimpse of you.

I was going to write about it as more of a commentary on the silliness of virality.

This week, it’s a hot lumberjack in North Carolina.

Next week, it’s a panda at the zoo giving birth. ”

“You didn’t sleep with me for the story?”

Now I was feeling a little offended, but I shouldn’t. He was the one being caught off guard here.

“I never, in a million years, would have imagined that would happen,” I said.

“I was a virgin, remember? I would have bet every dime in my bank account that this wouldn’t happen.

But I felt this connection. I would have told you the truth earlier, but I kind of forgot why I came here in the first place.

I got so caught up in you, it’s like the rest of my life doesn’t exist. Nothing matters but what’s happening here. ”

And that was the God’s-honest truth. I just hoped he’d believe me. He had to believe me.

He looked around the tent, and I braced myself. He could very easily get up and walk out—after getting dressed, of course. Then I’d never see him again. I’d spend the rest of my life kicking myself for blowing the best thing that had ever happened to me.

“Please believe me,” I said in a desperate effort to keep him in my life.

“I believe you,” Rafe said.

Now I breathed a sigh of relief. “I was sure you’d freak out. I mean, it’s not like I’m going to write the article or anything.”

“Why not?” Now he was smiling. It was a slow smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth, and it was the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen. “It might make for an interesting story. You came here, tracked down Bigfoot, and fell in love with him.”

I tucked my chin and looked at him under raised eyebrows. “Bigfoot?”

He laughed. “I’m not saying I’m some freakish beast. I just feel like a monument.”

“Or one of the seven wonders of the world.”

He made a face, looking upward slightly and pursing his lips. Then, finally, after several long seconds, he spoke.

“More like an oddity on display in a case in a museum. Everyone gathers around and stares. Even takes pictures. Then leaves comments underneath.”

I gasped. “You didn’t read the comments. Tell me you didn’t read the comments.”

There was something odd about picturing some burly lumberjack hanging out on social media, scrolling through moronic comments from keyboard warriors. I couldn’t imagine Rafe doing that no matter how hard I tried.

“When I first saw the video, yeah.” He sighed.

“Someone sent me a link. I don’t even have an account.

I never looked again.” Suddenly, he shifted his attention to me, his gaze sharp.

“You know what? I want you to write that story. Maybe interview a few of the other loggers who’ve been put on display like that. ”

I nodded. “If you’re sure.”

“I’m one hundred percent sure. Besides, if you’re going to be my wife, I want you to do work that makes you happy. That fulfills you. And yes, when you’re ready, we’ll discuss starting a family. But not until you’re sure.”

I had a feeling it wouldn’t take as long as I’d originally planned. Rafe wasn’t like my dad. He’d encourage me to pursue my passion in life, whether that was raising kids, writing, painting, or a combination of all three.

But for now, I was going to enjoy spending time with the man of my dreams. Maybe doing a little traveling too. But mostly just getting to know him one-on-one.

Soon enough, I’d move up here, and we’d probably get engaged and married within the next year. We’d build a life together, and eventually, that life would include growing our family.

I, for one, couldn’t wait.

He put on his underwear and settled into bed next to me, pulling me close to him. As I drifted off to sleep, my cheek nestled against his chest, I couldn’t help but review the past twenty-four hours.

I’d come here and set up this tent, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man everyone was talking about. I’d had no idea that by the time the sun rose the next day, I’d be well on my way to falling in love with him. But now that it had happened, I couldn’t imagine any other outcome.

The video may have drawn me here, but I’d stay. As it turned out, I was meant to be here all along.