“What did you have in mind?”
O’Malley scooped her up in his arms and she nestled against his chest as he carried her the sleeping bag she’d laid out on the ground for them to sit on. Carefully, he lowered her down to the ground before grabbing the second sleeping bag from his own backpack. “I don’t want you to get cold.”
“So thoughtful.” Hannah wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down next to her. “And you certainly are hot.”
He chuckled as he stroked her damp hair back from her face. “Hot for you.”
“And only me.” Hannah still had difficulty getting her head around them being fated mates. But she’d learned enough about O’Malley over the last few days to know he was telling the truth. Then, seeing O’Brian and Elvie together, and her brother and Wiroo, had reinforced that truth and made it real. She’d seen the same look of love and devotion in each of the other couples.
“And only you forever.” He lowered his head and kissed her mouth, sending thrills through her body and chasing away the cold.
Hannah pressed forward, wanting every inch of her to be in contact with every inch of him. To feel the life flowing through him and know that he was here with her and would never leave.
A stray tear trickled down her cheek and O’Malley lifted his head to look into her eyes. Hannah quickly dashed the tear away and sniffed loudly before lifting her head, wanting to kiss him again.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as another tear trickled down her cheek.
“Nothing. Everything is just right.” She gave him a crooked smile.
“Then why the tears?” He brushed the treacherous tear away with his thumb.
“It’s stupid.”
“Tell me.” His forehead creased. “Nothing you tell me is ever stupid.”
“I was thinking about how my mom left me and now Karl has left me...” She swallowed down the tears that threatened to choke her. “And I got scared.”
“That I might leave you, too?” he asked.
She nodded mutely.
“I wish I could promise you that I won’t, but that isn’t something I can know for sure.” He brushed his lips across hers. “All I know is that I will always do everything in my power to come back to you.”
“Make love to me, O’Malley. I want to make babies with you. I want to raise a family with you. I want to celebrate our love.” She slid her hand under his clothing and slid it over his abs and higher until her palm rested over his heart.
“That is one thing I can promise you.” He grinned and pulled away from her. Kneeling up, he dragged his clothes off and placed them on a rock near the fire. Then he undressed her. Slowly easing her out of each layer of clothing, his lips pressed against her skin as it was revealed. Hannah forgot about her fears, they were unfounded, and she would not let them haunt her.
Naked beneath her mate, she eased her thighs apart and he shifted his weight, easing himself between her legs before guiding himself into her. She sighed as his hardness filled her. The friction of his skin against hers was exciting as the fire flickered and cast its glow over the uneven surface of rock above their heads.
There was something exciting, thrilling about being here with O’Malley. They were in their own secret world as the continuous cascade of water fell, as eternal as the bond they shared.
O’Malley thrust deeper, his hips moving in a steady rhythm as he pushed her arousal higher. Hannah wrapped her legs around his thighs and tilted her pelvis up. With each thrust, he brushed her mound, and she nipped his shoulder as she fought to control her body. Her mate pushed her to her limits both emotionally and physically. He made her feel more than she’d ever felt before and made her believe she could do more, go further than she’d ever gone before.
She brushed her fingers against his cheek and their eyes locked. His love for her was there in the way he looked at her, the way he touched her, the way he needed her. A need that went deep enough to touch his soul. Hannah acknowledged that need and made a silent promise that she would always be there for him. Just as he had said he would always be there for her.
When they got back to Cougar Ridge, she would go and see her dad but then she would make her life with O’Malley. Because he was her life.
A small smile spread across O’Malley’s face and he kissed her mouth, tender and gentle as he moved inside her. Hannah stroked the nape of his neck and he shivered as a lull settled over them. She wanted their lovemaking to last, just as their relationship would last. Everything in that moment was simple.
His mouth on hers, his fingers caressing her skin, the scent of him, all combined in a rich heady mix. It was as if they were flying over the mountain together with no need for a dragon.
Then she slammed back into the Earth as he broke their kiss. Her lips longed for his but then he lowered his head and licked her nipple and her stomach contracted in longing.
O’Malley closed his mouth around the taut bud, and she tensed, her inner muscles gripping him tightly as the sensations intensified. It was as if her skin was on fire, each touch, each stroke almost too much for her over-sensitized body.
O’Malley groaned and his fingers curled around the fabric of the sleeping bag as he jerked forward. In an unstoppable chain reaction, she came, gasping against his ear as her orgasm hit her. Her mate could not hold on, he arched his
