Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
"It won't take long, I don't have much."
"Not much, huh?"
"Everything I own fits in a suitcase. You never know when you might need to make a quick escape–I’m always prepared."
"Oh, baby," he tilts my chin up and presses a soft kiss to my lips. "I love you for saying that, but trust me, you'll never have to worry about escaping me.”
I hum with satisfaction, feeling incredibly loved for the first time in my life. "You really are crazy.”
He shakes his head, laughing. "Just wait and see, baby. I have big plans for us."
This man has taken me to places I never believed existed and every moment was filled with love and adventure.
As long as I am in his arms, I feel invincible and so loved.
For a moment, everything is still, our bodies pressed together, our hearts racing in sync. Barron is gentle as he pulls me into his arms, our bodies still tangled together. He presses his forehead to mine, his hands cupping my face as his breath steadies. “I’ve fallen so hard for you,” he whispers, his voice rough with emotion. “I’m not letting you go. Not ever.”
I smile, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw. “I’m not going anywhere,” I whisper back, my voice soft but sure. “I’m here. With you. For as long as you’ll have me.”
And in that moment, I know I’ve finally found my home. Not in the land, not in the trees, but in him—here, on Copper Mountain, with Barron Steele.
Chapter Fifteen
Barron
The scent of grilled meat and fresh coffee fills the Copper County Café, mixing with the steady hum of conversation and clinking dishes. It’s a warm, comforting chaos, a familiar one. I’ve sat in this café a hundred times, but tonight feels different. I sit across from Tamlyn, watching her laugh at something Betty just said, her eyes sparkling in the dim light. There’s a flutter of nerves in my chest, something I’m not used to.
My fingers toy with the edge of the napkin in front of me, rolling and unrolling the fabric, trying to steady the thrum in my veins. I’m a man who’s spent his life being solid, steady, like the mountain I was raised on. But now, with Tamlyn sitting across from me, looking so damn beautiful and so right, I feel like the ground’s about to shift beneath my feet.
Betty hovers nearby, grinning like she knows something’s coming. And hell, she probably does. This is Copper Mountain, and nothing stays secret here for long. My brothers—Creed, Judge, Archer, Arrow, Pope, Knox, King, and Cruz—are all sitting at a table across the room, their eyes occasionally flicking our way, full of mischief and silent questions. I can feel Creed’s eyes on me now, like he’s daring me to follow through with what he suspects I’m about to do. I shoot him a look, trying to hide the grin tugging at the corner of my mouth.
This is it, I think, my heart pounding harder now. She’s it. I don’t need more time. I don’t need to wait for a better moment. I’ve known since we met that Tamlyn is the one I want beside me. She’s already my home.
Betty sidles over, hands on her hips, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Well, well,” she teases, her voice just a little too loud, “look at you two. You better start thinking about babies soon. I’ve been waiting for this day for longer than I can remember.” She winks at Tamlyn, whose cheeks flush the sweetest shade of pink.
I chuckle, but it’s tight, the knot in my stomach pulling tighter with every passing second. I’ve always liked Betty’s banter, but tonight, it’s hitting too close to home. Clearing my throat, I glance at the dessert she’s setting down in front of us—a fancy chocolate thing I couldn’t care less about right now. I need to get this over with before I lose my nerve.
“Betty,” I say, my voice coming out a little rough, “maybe give us a minute here?”
She raises an eyebrow, clearly sensing that something’s brewing. “I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone, but don’t think I won’t be back to check on you. And when I do, I better hear all the details, Barron.” She winks again before bustling off, leaving us in a bubble of tense silence.
Tamlyn, blissfully unaware of what’s coming, picks up her fork and takes a bite of the dessert, her eyes closing as she savors it. I take a deep breath, glancing around the café. It’s now or never. My brothers are still watching, their curiosity piqued, and Betty’s hovering near the counter like she’s ready to pounce on the news.
I look back at Tamlyn. Her smile is soft, content, and suddenly I feel the weight of this moment. I reach into my pocket, fingers brushing the small velvet box that’s been burning a hole in my jeans all day.