Page 97 of Jealous Lumberjack

Knox. My Bear.

He emerges from the treeline, massive, sweat-darkened shirt clinging to his chest, eyes already on me like he hasn’t looked away once all day.

“Done for the month?” he rumbles, voice carrying across the clearing like thunder.

“Yes,” I call back, smiling, heart already sprinting.

He stalks closer, big strides eating up the ground until he’s right there, scooping me up like I weigh nothing, burying his face in my neck with a groan.

“Good. Hate when you’re down here smiling at other people.” His teeth scrape my jaw. “Glad you’re done.”

I laugh breathlessly, tugging at his hair. “Jealous bear. They’re buying flowers, not me.”

“Don’t care.” His lips crush mine in a kiss that still makes me weak, still makes me forget the world every single time.

When he finally lets me breathe, I murmur against his mouth, “You know, I love this life, but I think there’s something missing.”

He stiffens. “You think?” he growls.

“I know,” I correct quickly, my chest swelling with the truth of it.

And maybe, it’s time for more.

The thought slips in, bold and thrilling.

I wriggle until he puts me down, until his arms loosen just enough I take a step back. Then I bolt, giggling as I dart a few feet across the clearing.

“Lily!”

Starting a family. That’s what I want. A little wild thing of ours running barefoot in these woods. I see it so clearly I almost say it out loud.

“You can put a baby in me if you catch me!” I shout, spinning once so my skirt flares, daring him.

His eyes go molten, his jaw locking.

Then he roars… a sound that promises he’ll run me down, fuck me senseless, and give me everything I just asked for.

God help me, I want it all.

And as Bear barrels toward me, eyes wild with promise, I laugh as his shadow swallows me whole, and just before he takes me down, I realize…

I didn’t lose myself on this mountain.

I found the girl wild enough to run with a bear.

And I’ll run again. And again.

Because being caught tastes exactly like love and forever.