Page 135 of My Broken Mate

Chapter forty-two

The Mountain

*KAT*

“Wow!” I stretch out my arms, my head raised to look at the sky. We are right at the summit of the mountain, after a seven-hour hike. Now it makes sense why the kind lady at the rehab center told us that we should prepare to stay the night up here.

It was quite a struggle to get up here, but wow, was it worth it?!

“I agree,” Remus says. “Wow.”

I turn to look at him, my cheeks flushing when I notice he is looking at me instead of the majestic view around us. Mountains stretch around us, but we are above them all. “Come here,” I tell him, waving at him excitedly.

Remus closes the door of the small hut and walks towards me, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “You know,although I was the one who planned this, I had my doubts about this hike. I mean, it’s not like I was scared something would go wrong, but more like, I was wondering if it would truly do something for me.”

“Right?” I chuckle. “I was wondering, also, about how a hike can be in any way therapeutic.”

“I think it might be the mix of the beautiful nature, the landscape, the fresh air and the physical activity,” he says. “It’s different than going to the gym or going for a run.”

I nod. “It’s my first time hiking. Really seeing the appeal, now.”

As exhausting as it was, and as much as Remus and I complained along the way, I can see it now. Walking for so many hours somehow sets the mind free. As though it lifts the exhaustion a little and puts the mind into an almost meditative state.

“I did some research during the last few days when I prepared for this trip,” Remus tells me. “Apparently, this is a place that used to be frequented by witches. Something about the flow of energy being particularly strong. This, plus the mind-boggling landscape, must be the reason why it’s so popular.” He pauses. “When you are so high up the mountains, you feel so small.”

“Yes, but not in a bad way. That’s what makes it so intense. You are a small part, a small piece in a huge picture. It’s liberating to be here on top of this mountain and somehow realize that no matter how big your problems are, you are not alone. The world is so big. Right at this time, someone else might be looking up at the sky and facing their own demons. We are not alone.”

“We are not alone,” Remus repeats, tightening his embrace. I lean into his arms immediately. “Thank you for doing this with me. I am delighted you managed to look right through me andintercepted me on this trip. Now I feel stupid that I wanted to do this alone.”

“Exactly.” I grin when I turn in his embrace and wrap my arms around his neck. “No solo missions anymore.”

“No solo missions,” he repeats before pulling me into a kiss.

“I know I am gross and sweaty, but Ireallywant you,” I admit.

He laughs. “Same.” He takes my hand, leading me through the small cabin. “Come.” The place is tiny. There are some utensils to make a fire outside, and also a small oven to keep the cabin warm. There is one small, single bed and some cupboards with canned food. The kind old lady told us that the cabin is looked after well. Someone checks on it and maintains it weekly. There is a list she handed us for what we are to do before we leave. Like strip the sheets off the bed, and put them together with the used towels into one of the laundry bags. The dirty laundry will be picked up at the end of each week and replaced with fresh laundry again. We are also supposed to write down what food we consumed so that it can be replaced.

To my surprise, the system seems to work. People are surprisingly diligent with following the rules. I guess it’s because this is a hike for people who are trying to heal, and not for selfish tourists.

Remus sits down at the edge of the bed, and I straddle his hips. I bend my head down, claiming his lips again while I feel his hand slip under my sweater. Tingles erupt wherever he touches me. “Tell me what you want,” I whisper.

“I want you naked and I want to touch you,” he says.

“And then?” I take his face between my hands and kiss him softly.

“What doyouwant?”

“I want to feel you inside me. You can fuck me in whatever way you want. Take me from behind or have me beneath you. Or Ican ride you if you want to. We can both sit, and you wouldn’t be beneath me that way.”

His eyes darken. “I would love that.” He kisses my neck, sucking at it until I can’t help but moan.

“Which part of it did you love?”

“All of it.”

I giggle. “Okay.”

He helps me slip off my sweater, shirt and bra. I should feel gross, but Remus immediately leans forward, darting his tongue around one of my nipples and sucking on it. He takes his time, showering them with attention, until I completely forget to be insecure about my small chest. When his teeth graze over my sensitive nipples, I arch my back. Remus slips a hand into my pants, squeezing one of my ass cheeks. My core tightens, making me rub against him.