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  She stumbled against me, knocking me over. “Get out of my way, you fools.” She headed for the side of her house. Dane followed.

  “Dane, come back!” I crawled over to Gary. He was dazed and breathing hard.

  “Leave her. We need to save Gary.”

  Dane pivoted, surging off in the opposite direction. His head swung back to check on me.

  “Gary, hang on.”

  Rika’s gun lay discarded in the snow. She was getting away. If she escaped, she’d still be out there—and be a threat.

  “I’ll be right back.” I picked up the gun and headed for the side of the house where Rika had disappeared. The forest was thick, and the lights from the house didn’t extend into the trees.

  She was in there. Watching. Waiting. I had to go after her. I had to make sure we were safe from her.

  “Hey! What do you think you’re doing?” Dane called.

  I turned around. Dane was standing knee-deep snow with a barely conscious Max still dressed in BDSM gear. “Leave her. Gary needs your help.”

  “Trudy,” Dane called again. “Come here.”

  I turned around, trotting back to join Dane, Gary, and Max. Rika watched me from the shadows. I knew it.

  8

  Dane

  Trudy was going to be the mother of my unborn child. I’d be damned if I’d watch her take on the Rika alone.

  Luckily Gary’s wound distracted her. She had yet to discover I’d outfitted us both with bulletproof vests. Taking a shot at close range still hurt like hell, but it wasn’t going to kill.

  I came across Max collapsed in the garage near the snow mobile. He was still suffering from hypothermia. But he was going to make it.

  Watching Trudy help Gary, I marveled at her. I’d wasted so much time focusing on myself that I’d missed years with this amazing woman. No more. I wasn’t going to miss anything if she could forgive my past actions.

  She was going to have my baby. I was not going to lose her.

  Before, I’d been young, stupid, and self-centered, but her generous heart would have forgiven that. If I’d only come clean to her myself. I wasn’t going to lose a second chance.

  “He’s feeling better,” I said, Gary’s color was pinker.

  Trudy turned to me. “We have to smoke her out.”

  “What?”

  “It’s the only way to get her out.”

  “Trudy, we’re all getting the hell out of here with those snow machines as fast as we can. I have you that’s all that matters. Battling Rika can wait for another day. You’re really pregnant?”

  She turned to face me. Her cheeks colored, and her eyes darted away from mine. “Yes.”

  “I think Snow Ridge has been a lot better to me than I deserve. I came back here to end my silent partnership in the inn and to pay back Rika. The second is no longer possible.”

  “And the first?” Trudy asked.

  “It’ll be impossible for me to be a silent partner while I’m living here. You might decide you’re sick of having me around. I probably deserve that, after all I’ve put you through. You’ll never get rid of me, though. I love you, Trudy. I always have. It just took me a bit to admit it.

  “I love you too, Dane. Having a baby is the best gift I can think of.”

  “No,” I said, taking her hands in mine. “Trudy, you are the best gift. Will you be my wife? Whatever you want, big or small, I’m all in.”

  “I’m yours now and forever.”

  Epilogue #1: Three Months Later

  I couldn’t believe I’d succeeded in whisking Trudy off to Hawaii for our wedding. She was planning a big reception for all her family to come back to Snow Ridge in summer. Still, I wasn’t prepared to wait that long to make our life together official.

  “Virgin mimosa, for the lady. And a Bloody Mary for you, Sir.” The waiter handed us our drinks as we lounged in our private beachside cabana. Ocean waves crashed on the beach nearby. I was thrilled to share this with Trudy. The trip to Hawaii was her first trip on a plane. She joked that a girl could get used to traveling by private jet. That was all part of my plan to take care of her forever.

  “Thanks,” I said, slipping him a hundred dollar bill. “My wife was planning on napping now. Would you see that we aren’t disturbed?”

  “Of course, Sir. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to make your stay with us more pleasant.” The waiter palmed the folded bill smoothly and disappeared. He was a smart guy who didn’t ogle my wife. I liked him.

  “You ordered me a virgin drink?” Trudy wrinkled her nose adorably. “I think it’s a bit late for that.” She glanced down at her rounded belly in her bikini. She was wearing a black string bikini that we purchased in the resort shops. She was uncertain about it when we bought it, but I insisted. She looked amazing with her fair skin and the black fabric. I also was a big fan of the ties.

  We clinked our glasses in cheers, admiring the ocean view before us. I got up and pulled the fabric curtain closed. The cabana’s other three sides of fabric curtains were already closed.

  Trudy rolled on her side. “So, I need a nap?”

  I loved the sparkle in her eyes. I joined her on the queen-sized lounger, lying down behind her. The ocean breeze warm and salt scented drifted surrounded us. I skimmed my hand lightly over her curves, letting it rest on her hip. I kissed her freckled shoulder. “I always have your best interest at heart.”

  Trudy leaned back against me. She smelled like coconut sunscreen. I’d insisted on the cabana to protect her fair skin. The privacy it provided was a delicious bonus.

  My fingers tugged at the bikini ties.

  “I’m not really tired.” She whispered.

  “Are you sure?” I slipped my fingers down to cup her pussy. I loved the swell of her belly and knowing our child was growing there. My cock throbbed against her ass.

  “I’m more thirsty than anything.” Trudy glanced at me over her shoulder. Her expression was so heated I slide a finger inside her. She was already wet for me, and my finger glided inside easily.

  She closed her eyes. “Let’s go to our room.” Her voice was still in a whisper.

  I slid another finger inside her. “Let’s not.”

  “But what if someone—” She didn’t finish her sentence because I silenced her with a kiss.

  I rolled Trudy on her back. She raised her knees, putting her feet flat. Her legs fell open for me.

  She was uncertain, but she trusted me. I pulled her bikini bottom free by the ties. Glancing down, her beautiful round belly fascinated me. I moved to the foot of our bed.

  “Dane, you can’t! Not here.”

  I kept my hands on either side of her waist. She flushed with arousal.

  “My lady protests too much.” I pushed down my swim suit. My cock sprang free. I stroked myself a few times, allowing Trudy to get a good look. Her eyes were bright. “You want me to fuck you, right here, don’t you?”

  Her eyes still on my cock. Drops of pre-cum wet the tip, and I stroked faster. She let out a soft moan before licking her lips.

  “I’m gonna give you what you need, but you need to be quiet, OK?”

  Trudy nodded slowly.

  Outside the tent, the cries of the seagulls filled the air.

  Holding my cock, I rubbed my head along her seam.

  Trudy bit back a moan. I did that a few more times, loving how she shifted her hips restlessly. She started pushing at my cock, trying to grab it when I stroked her.

  I was going to cum so hard that I saw stars. But not before Trudy was well and sated.

  Leaning forward, I gently scooted her down closer to the end of the bed. When the head of my cock penetrated her, her legs wrapped around my waist, anchoring me to her.

  I slowly pulled back until only my head was inside her, then I thrust in. Her heels had hooked behind my ass. My girl liked it when I was buried balls deep inside her. I braced my hands on her hips.

  “Let me see those pretty tits while I fuck you,” I growled low enou
gh for Trudy to hear me.

  She untied the strap behind her neck, and sitting up on her elbows, the bikini top tumbled forward. Her deep pink nipples were free of the fabric. They hardened under my gaze.

  Trudy tugged at her nipples, biting her lower lip. She was turned on as much as I was by the thought of us being discovered. It was heaven being inside her, she completed me. My desire for her intensified by her pregnancy, it was like the caveman inside me wanted to always have ‘mine’ patently obvious. It was a good thing we’d planned for a large family because I was going to enjoy pleasuring my wife at every opportunity.

  “Dane, please.” She whispered. Her fingernails squeezed my ass.

  “Please what, love?” I bent over, teasing her with a light kiss.

  “I want to come.”

  I stroked her harder and faster. Her pussy was grabbing me, and it took all my concentration not to come right there.

  But there was no way I was doing that until Trudy orgasmed hard.

  Her pupils were dilated, and her tits jiggled with our movement. I knew she was close. “Now, baby,” I commanded,

  Then three things happened at once. Somewhere down the beach, a lifeguard blew his shrill whistle while Trudy bucked hard, giving in to her orgasm. I kissed her open-mouthed, swallowing her moans of ecstasy as she rode out her pleasure.

  I emptied ream after ream of my cum into her pussy, I wished I could knock her up again. Afterward, I held her enjoying the little tremors that still rippled through her body. I helped her retie her bikini strings, kissing her soft skin as I worked. I opened the curtain when we were both dressed so that we could enjoy the setting sunset on the water.

  Joining her again on the bed, Trudy leaned against me sated with pleasure. “I really love the beach.”

  Me too.

  Epilogue #2:

  Four years later, our house was cluttered, but that was the usual state of affairs for a computer programmer and businessman. In addition to the books and half gutted computers, toys were scattered about. I picked up a barbie missing an arm. Our daughter Rachel had started doing surgery on her small army of dolls. It was typical for a three-year-old, so I was glad I packed up a few dolls that were still intact in her overnight bag.

  Ash had stopped by earlier to pick Rachel up for a sleepover at their house. Rachel loved spending time with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. I was grateful to have some time with my husband alone, who would be back home tonight. Dane had flown to California for a few days of meetings. I was eager to see him not just because he’d been away but because I’d had an enlightening visit with Meg at her office in town.

  I was still worried about him piloting himself. But I had to admit it made all his travel much easier when he could just fly back home after his work was finished. Life was good in Snow Ridge. We’d built a new house on my property. There was no way a cottage was going to hold our growing family. Our new house had plenty of light-filled windows, a ridiculous number of outlets and lots of space. I loved it, especially with the clutter. It reminded me I had a family of my own. I was lucky and loved.

  A plane buzz by overhead, and I knew that was Dane on his way to the landing strip in town. It was his way of saying he was on his way home. Sure enough, an hour later, his truck tires crunched the gravel up the drive.

  I’d made Dane’s favorite dinner: fresh salmon, mashed potatoes, a green salad, and apple pie for dessert. A bottle of champagne chilled in the refrigerator.

  Being May, the sunlight hours were long, so I planned dinner for us on the deck. I’d changed into a dress for our date night.

  Dane swept in the door, grabbing me off my feet into a hug that left me breathless. He set me down on and loosened his hold. I was still in arm’s length but no longer crushed to him.

  “How’s my girl?” He tucked one of my loose curls behind my ear. “Did you miss me?”

  “Always.” I drank in the sight of him. He’d loosened his shirt collar and rid himself of his tie, but he still radiated power. A whiff of his aftershave hit my nostrils, and the scent made my knees weak. I would never stop loving this man.

  “Where’s the princess?” He glanced around, surprised to not find her barreling down to join our group hug.

  “Ash and Meg invited her over for the night.”

  Dane raised an eyebrow. His eyes burned into me. Oh fuck. I was already wet. I had like zero as in no, self-control around this man. I wanted to enjoy our date night at home since we had so few of them. I was not going to throw myself at my husband the minute he walked in the door. His gaze traveled down my body taking in my dress. I wore a black sleeveless dress that showed off my slight frame to its advantage. It was a favorite dress of Dane’s, partially because he’d picked it out for me, I suspected.

  “Come, have a drink before dinner.” I stepped away to pull him behind me toward the kitchen. I chattered away, updating him on all the family news he’d missed in his few days’ absences. I felt nervous.

  Dane was quiet. This wasn’t unusual, but I could feel him puzzling out what was going on.

  I was about to put the salmon in the oven when Dane spoke. “Why don’t we wait a bit first.” It wasn’t really a suggestion. I could tell by his tone.

  I wanted us to have a romantic dinner like a civilized couple, not the harried working parents of a busy small child. I left the salmon waiting and picked up my glass of wine. I set it back down untouched.

  Dane came around our granite kitchen island to meet me. He’d still held his glass of scotch and regarded me as he took a sip. Even the way he swallowed was sexy.

  He set his drink down, then backed me up gently against the kitchen counter. One hand was on my waist. The other tilted my chin up so that he could look into my eyes. I’d forgotten to put my shoes on, so Dane towered over me.

  “I like this dress.” His finger had left my chin, traveling down to the dress neckline. He traced the swell of my breasts lightly there. “What’s going on wife?”

  Oh fuck. Every time he called me that I wanted to melt into a puddle of lust.

  “Nothing much. I just didn’t want dinner to get cold.”

  Dane let his other hand drift down below my hip. His fingers gathered the fabric, bunching the hem up. “What I’m hungry for is right in front of me.”

  He pressed me against the counter. I could feel his rock hard erection against my stomach. My throat went dry.

  We spoke at the same time.

  “No panties?” He murmured, kissing my temple.

  “I’m pregnant.” I blurted.

  Dane froze.

  “What?”

  “I saw Meg today because I was late.”

  “You’re pregnant,” Dane said softly. He stared down into my eyes. His hand dropped to my stomach.

  I didn’t hold his gaze.

  “What’s the matter?” He asked sharply. “Is it something with you? Or the baby?”

  I looked back up at him. His lips were tight with worry.

  “Babies. As in two. Meg said, we all look fine, though.” I released a breath it felt like I was holding forever. “It’s just I didn’t know how you’d feel about that. Being a twin yourself. Sometimes you and Ash—” I let my sentence hang.

  “My brother and I lock horns about petty shit because we are alpha assholes. But I’d do anything for him, I know he’d do the same for me.” He flattened his hand against my slightly rounded belly. “You’re really pregnant with twins?”

  I nodded, my vision blurring slightly with unshed tears.

  “Poor girl,” he brushed the few tears that now rolled down my cheeks away with his thumb. “You thought that I wouldn’t be thrilled to come home and find my beautiful wife pregnant? You are my heart. Everything I do is for you and Rachel. I love you.” He kissed me deeply on the lips.

  I sighed, falling into his kiss. When I pulled back, I spoke, “I love you too.”

  Dane pulled me solidly against him. He murmured into my hair. “Besides, not only are you pregnant with twins, you�
�re barefoot and in our kitchen.”

  A hiccup that turned into a laugh escaped me. “You really are a beast.”

  “I know.” Dane set me on the counter, pulling my skirt up to my waist. I was ready, reaching for the button to his pants. My fingers brushed the outline of his hard cock. I let out a moan.

  “Just once, though, maybe we should try to have dinner first before the fucking?” I pushed his pants and briefs down, freeing his thick cock. I stroked his balls and rubbed my pussy against him.

  “It’s good to have goals,” Dane whispered.

  And then I surrendered to my husband’s touch, realizing I was one lucky woman.

  Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion to my Mister Mountain Men Series with Tristian’s story in Mister Regret, Book 3.

  About the Author

  Lark Avery prides herself on her abilities to procrastinate, find excuses to drink wine before noon, and go days without wearing real pants. She entertains herself by writing outrageous, filthy romances full of cocky heroes, wild women and over-the-top escapades. When she’s not writing, she enjoys binge watching angsty teen dramas and finding new places to hide the good snack cakes from her family.

  Sign up for her newsletter to get all the deets on latest releases and Lark gossip: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/w6t2m3

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