Page 57 of Mountain Defender

I take off the protective sleeve.

Set them on the floor.

In the moment before I sit back up, I utter a silent prayer.

Please, let this be okay.

When I look at Rory again, I’m not sure what I’m expecting.

But all I see is open appreciation.

Her gaze moves from my legs, to my briefs, and finally, my shirt. A smile curves her lips.

“I think,” she starts, “you’re still wearing too many clothes.”

Moving closer to me, she puts her hands on my thighs. My muscles bunch beneath her fingers. She brushes a kiss across my jaw. “Your legs are really sexy,” she whispers. “I knew they were muscly. But without your pants…” Another kiss. “Now I’m really wondering how you look with your shirt off.”

One of the weights pressing on my chest disappears.

I palm Rory’s breast, flicking my thumb across her taut nipple. “I think I could do that.” Lowering my head to her neck, I kiss the little spot by her jaw that I’ve learned drives her crazy. “Do you think you’d be okay with showing me all of you, too?”

Rory doesn’t answer right away. She just looks at me. I can see the uncertainty still lingering in her expression.

I don’t want to push her. But.

She needs to know just how perfect I think she is.

“Whatever you want is okay,” I add gently. “Lights on or off. Under the blankets or on top. Or if you’d rather just kiss tonight, that’s fine, too.”

Her eyes close. She draws in a deep breath.

Then she looks at me again. “I want everything, Gage. All of you. And I want to give you the same.”

She rises on her knees. Wriggles out of her pants, leaving herself in only that sexy white bra and matching panties.

She’s absolutely stunning.

Perfect, really.

“Baby,” I breathe, pulling her into my arms. “I’ll give you anything you want.”

CHAPTER 11

RORY

As soon asGage embraces me, the last of my fears slip away.

In their place, a certainty sweeps through me.

This isright.

I don’t feel ugly when Gage looks at me. I feel beautiful, just like he says.

He sees my scars and doesn’t care.

Or—

Oh.