Her Mountain Hero

by Jaymes, Holly

  “We have forever, Mitch. I’m yours forever.”

  He leaned down and kissed me, his tongue moving in my mouth, his dick sliding into my body, and our hearts and souls joined as one.

  Slowly, nature took over, and he levered up on his hands, picking up the pace and force of his thrusts. The feel of his bare dick sliding inside me was beyond what I could have imagined.

  “I’m about to come, baby,” he groaned. “Come with me. Take me over.”

  I arched, tilting my hips, so he hit that one exquisite spot when he thrust in. My entire body went taut as pleasure spiked.

  “Yes!” he cried out. “Ah fuck, come on my dick, Hope.”

  He thrust in again, and I was soaring as delicious sensation flooded my body, filling every cell in my body. We moved together, drawing out our pleasure until finally, he collapsed on me.

  He lifted his head, his fingers brushing along my temple. “This is what I wanted at the waterfall. I wanted to make love to you and to show you when I couldn’t tell you how much I loved you.”

  “You did. Our love made a baby.”

  He smiled. “At the time, it seemed to go all wrong.”

  I nodded. “That’s because we were too dense to tell each other how we were feeling. Not anymore, Mitch. I promise to always let you know how I’m feeling.”

  “Me too, Hope. My beautiful, sweet, smart Hope.”

  We lay lost in each other’s eyes, our bodies together until his stomach growled.

  I laughed. “Maybe it’s time to eat.”

  “Maybe.” He kissed me and then he slipped on his boxers. “I left the food in my car. I'll be right back.”

  “You’re going out like that? In a townhome community?” My place wasn’t like mountains. I had neighbors.

  He grinned. “If I’m arrested, will you come for conjugal visits?”

  “How about I just bail you out?” I laughed.

  He gave me a quick kiss as he helped me stand and made sure I was steady on my feet. “How about I put on my jeans. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

  “That sounds better.”

  “Hope?” He grabbed his jeans, slipping them on but not doing the zipper or button.

  “Hmm?” I said as I pulled my hair, a complete mess from Mitch’s good lovin’, into a hair tie.

  “Keep my shirt on. You look hot. Maybe when we’re done eating, I can have you on the dining room table.” He waggled his eyebrows.

  “Dessert?”

  “In fact, maybe we can have dessert first.” He pulled me to him again, running his hand up my leg and squeezing my bare ass.

  “I’ll see you downstairs.” I leaned in and sucked his nipple.

  “Fuck, baby, look what you did.” He glanced down to where his dick was poking up out of his boxers. “I won’t be able to button my pants.”

  “I hope they don’t fall down.” I smacked his fine ass. “I’ll see you downstairs.”

  A few minutes later, the basket was on the table, and he pulled out a feast of French fries and root beer.

  “You might need to reheat the fries. I also brought healthier fare, such as meat, cheese and crackers, fruit, and water,” he said.

  “You think of everything,” I said, leaning over to kiss him.

  He brushed his fingers through my hair, his expression turning more thoughtful. “You were right about me, hiding in the woods.”

  “It was good for you.” I popped a fry into my mouth, he was right, they could use reheating, but I ate it anyway.

  “I like it there still. I’d like us to continue to spend time there. But I don’t need to protect my heart by isolating myself, not anymore. You were right about that. I still don’t like the traffic and crowdedness down here. But here, with you, I don’t need anything more. Well, the baby, I need that. And being on the river will be nice.”

  I grinned, feeling so amazingly happy. “Do you want a boy or a girl?”

  “I want whatever is growing in there.” He pressed his hand to my belly. “You’re sure there’s only one?”

  “Pretty sure.”

  “If there are two or three, or whatever there is, we’ll be okay, Hope. I promise.”

  “I believe you.” And I did. I had no doubt that Mitch and I would build a beautiful home and fill it with love.

  Mitch—Complete Circle

  Mitch

  I wasn’t kidding about not liking the traffic and crowdedness of Northern Virginia. The only thing that made it bearable was Hope. Living with Hope in her townhome, with frequent trips to the mountain home helped overcome the negative aspects of city living. We were close to family which we divided our time between during Thanksgiving and Christmas. The challenges of living in civilization were also made more bearable by watching our home on the river come together.

  An advantage to having a brother who was famous in construction was that the design and building of Hope’s and my river home came together quickly. Wanting the opportunity to work with Gabe Sloane had architects, builders, and designers clamoring for the job.

  As Hope continued to build her business, I pushed hard on Gabe and the building crew to get our home done. My eagerness increased the first time I noticed Hope’s belly getting bigger. Then I was in a full out sprint on New Year's Day when she pressed my hand over her belly and I felt the baby move.

  “Oh wow,” I gasped as I lifted my gaze to hers. “He’s kicking.”

  She smiled tears in her eyes. “Yes. He or she.” I kissed hard and then made love to her. In retrospect, it seemed odd to have sex after that. But it wasn’t that the baby made me horny because that would be weird. The baby filled me with such love for Hope, which led me to kiss her, which then led me to be horny.

  As her first clothing designs, including some maternity items, entered a few stores, I helped her get an online presence. Then I set up the shipping operation for online and wholesale sales and developed marketing in such a way that she could rest when needed and take it easy when the baby came. I also started selling the design software I’d created for her, which would bring in more money to hire more help as well as expand her business.

  Just four months from the time I’d taken her out to see the property, I loaded Hope and Duke in my SUV again, now with a baby car seat in the back set up for the baby, and I drove us out to the river.

  “My parents get back from Italy this week,” Hope said as we drove. I didn’t give her family money to help them out of their financial challenges, although I offered to. Instead, I worked with Parker to get her dad’s business on track. Last month he sold it for a nice sum, and he and Hope’s mother were taking a trip through Europe.

  “Are they enjoying it?” I asked.

  “Yes, but mom is worried the baby will come while they’re gone.”

  I reached over and rubbed her belly. “There are eight weeks left, right?”

  “Yes. I’ll need them all, so you stay in there,” she said to her belly.

  As I turned up the street, Hope said, “Oh, we see the house. Will it be done before the baby?”

  I pulled up and into the driveway of the completed home. I’d even had them make an area for a garden out back as Hope talked about wanting to start one. I hoped Duke wouldn’t dig it up.

  “Oh God, Mitch, is it done already?” She looked at me with excitement.

  “Yes, baby. Gabe pulled through.”

  She pulled the latch to get out of the car, and she was quickly walking up the stone walkway.

  “It’s so beautiful,” she said, walking up the steps of the porch. “Look at the porch swing.” She turned to me. “I can’t wait to sit out here with you.”

  Duke barked.

  “And you too, Duke,” she laughed. “Can we go in?”

  “Absolutely.” I pulled out the key to let her in. The door opened to a large foyer filled with sun.

  “Mitch, this is incredible.” She gasped as she saw the pretty entryway table with the large vase of fresh flowers.

  It was, I agreed. Gabe h
ad outdone himself on the two-story home with the wrap around porch, a finished attic studio, and a boathouse out back near the water.

  As we headed to see the living area, Hope stopped me and flung herself in my arms. These spontaneous hugs and displays of her affection for me were one of the many things I loved about her. I was so ridiculously happy with her and couldn’t wait to start our lives in this home.

  Eight months ago, when I found her stranded on the road, I thought I’d saved her. But the truth was, she’d saved me. She’d shown me I was worthy and capable of love. She taught me patience. Most of all, she’d brought me back from my self-imposed exile. I was back to my old self. In fact, I think I was a better man with her by my side. My goal was to be the best partner and father for her and our child. In this house, we’d live, and love, and laugh.

  “Thank you, Mitch. I can’t believe it.”

  “Believe it, baby.” I guided her to the open living area with the view of the river.

  She stopped short before she was entirely in the room. “The furniture is in too?”

  “Yes. The designer finished setting it up yesterday,” I said, rubbing her back. I followed her, as she oohed, ahhed and gaped at the home. It was the same expression I’d had as I toured it the other day with Gabe and Samantha, who’d helped with the decor.

  Hope went upstairs stopping in the room we’d identified for the baby.

  “Oh, Mitch.” She covered her mouth with her hands as she looked at the pretty light blue room decorated with elephants. We still didn’t know if we were having a boy or a girl, as we decided we wanted to be surprised. But Hope insisted the light blue with the elephant décor was okay for girls too. Me? I didn’t care how the room was decorated. As long as Hope was happy, I was happy.

  I stepped up behind her, wrapping my arm around her and pressing my hand over her belly. “What does Junior think?” I felt a kick, sending a wave of emotion and awe through me at the miracle of life. Every time we heard the heartbeat at the doctor’s office, or I felt him or her kick, I was reminded of just how amazing life and Hope were.

  “Junior loves it,” Hope said. She turned and hugged me. “I never knew I could be so happy, Mitch. Thank you.”

  I held her close, feeling so fucking grateful to have her in my life. “We’re going to be happy here, Hope.”

  I took her hand and led her to our master bedroom, where someday we’d make more children fill the five-bedroom home. Then I led her up to the attic, where I’d built her a studio home office.

  “Just like at your mountain home.” She looked through the room with wide eyes and an even broader smile.

  “Our mountain home,” I corrected.

  “It’s perfect. You’re perfect.” She turned to me and beamed. It was my reward for a job well done.

  I considered making love to her in our new bed, but there was so much to see. My dick would have to wait.

  I guided her back down to the main level and out onto the screened-in porch and back patio. “We have a grassy area for junior to run and play ball, and there’s a pen there for Duke when we’re gone for a day.” I pointed to the right of the property. “There’s the boathouse where we can keep canoes, floatation devises, and all of the other fun stuff for the river. Something tells me we’ll be very popular and be hosting Junior’s cousins for playdates a lot.”

  “It’s amazing, Mitch. Gabe did a great job,” she said as her gaze scanned the yard. While we had a neighbor in her parents’ former second home to one side, enough space and woods were left during construction to give us privacy. I took an idea from Hope’s father and bought the property on the other side, so we wouldn’t have a home going up right next to us.

  “He did,” I agreed. But I wasn’t done. “Come on.” I took her hand and led her to the edge of the newly grassed yard and toward the river. “We’ll build a fence later,” I said. I didn’t want our kids wandering out here alone and ending up in the river.

  I brought her to the sandy beach were nine years ago I’d first touched her and discovered she was the one for me, even if I hadn’t realized it at the time.

  “The river is pretty today,” she said as she looked out on the water.

  “It is. And not as cold as the last time I brought you here.” I slipped my arm around her.

  “Not quite.”

  It was spring, which in Virginia meant it could be forty one day and seventy the next. Today it was in the sixties.

  I turned her to me. “Are you happy, Hope?”

  “I’m ecstatic. My life is perfect, and it’s all because of you.” I saw the truth of her words in her eyes.

  I grinned, so pleased that I’d done well. My woman was happy. If I never accomplished anything else but making her happy, my life would be full.

  “Are you happy?” she asked me.

  “I am.” Life was nearly perfect.

  “Are you sure?” her brows knitted together. “You didn’t say that with enough gusto.”

  “Well...there’s one thing that might improve how I feel.”

  “Really? You’ve got a beautiful home on a beautiful river with a beautiful woman who will soon have your beautiful baby. What more could you possibly want?”

  I stared into her beautiful blue eyes for a moment. Then I dropped to my knee and pulled out the ring I’d been carrying for months as I worked out the best way to do this.

  She gasped, as she looked down on me.

  “I want to marry you,” I said, answering her question. “I want to spend my life with you, loving you and our child, and all the children we will have. I want—”

  “Yes.” She blurted. “Yes. I want all that too, with you.”

  I stood, wrapping her in my arms and kissing her, then slipping the ring on her finger. “I love you, Hope, so fucking much.”

  “Oh, Mitch.” She held me. “All my dreams have come true.” She pressed her palms to my cheeks. “Nine years ago, I loved you and wanted you, and now, at the same spot, I have you.”

  “I’m all yours, Hope. I always have been. I'm so sorry that I ever doubted you. I should have known better. I knew who you were. My heart just wouldn't let me see it. Now, I want to protect my heart and your heart. I won't ever let anything bad happen to you or our baby.”

  I kissed her, wanting her to know for sure how deep my feelings were for her.

  “Can we have our re-do now, Mitch? Because I’ve wanted to jump you ever since I saw the porch swing.”

  I laughed. “Is it any wonder I adore you? Let me get a blanket, and then I’m going to make love to you right here, and when we're done, I’m going to make sure you know how much I love you. I won’t fuck up again, ever, Hope.”

  “We have come full circle, Mitch.”

  I couldn’t have said it better.

  Epilogue

  Hope

  Mitch wasted no time arranging a wedding after proposing me on the banks of the river where we’d grown up, first made love, and now built our home. Within two weeks of getting engaged, our new home was filled with family and friends celebrating our love.

  Considering how organized and generous he was, I shouldn’t have been surprised that he’d been planning our wedding before he’d proposed. Some might have thought it was presumptuous that he’d know I’d say yes to his proposal, except that anyone who knew me or even saw me with him would have known that I was going to spend my life loving him with or without a ring and a marriage certificate.

  At seven months pregnant, I wasn’t the skinny bride I might have dreamed about being as a kid, but I was still feeling so happy and beautiful. I imagined Hallie was feeling worse as she was due any day.

  Chairs and an arbor were set up in the backyard covered by a tent to protect people from whatever elements that late spring day might bring. Luckily the sun was shining, and the humidity was low.

  “I think you’re the most beautiful bride ever,” my mother said as she decorated my loose updo with flowers. I wore a pretty ivory dress I’d adapted from my spring m
aternity dress line I designed. It was a simple flowy dress with just enough lace to be fancy and feminine. It was going to be available for purchase in maternity stores and a few wedding shops on the east coast next month.

  “You’re biased.” But I had to admit, I felt very pretty.

  “I’m still right. Your father is going to blubber like a baby when he sees you.”

  There was a knock on the door, and Sam poked her head in. “You about ready? Mitch is getting antsy. He might come up here and carry you down.”

  I smiled feeling so happy I couldn’t contain it. “I’m on my way.”

  “You look so lovely. He’s going to swoon,” Sam said and then rushed off.

  My father appeared. “Ready?” He stopped short when he saw me. His breath hitched, and tears filled his eyes.

  “I told you,” my mom murmured.

  “Let’s go pumpkin,” my dad said, holding his arm out. He looked at my mom. “When did these kids grow up?”

  “It happened overnight, it seems.”

  I walked down the stairs of the beautiful home Mitch had built for me. The house was made even more special knowing that his brother Gabe and his sister-in-law Sam had a part in creating it. I especially liked the smart features that let me call for Mitch over an intercom and ask him to bring me root beer was I feeling too pooped to get up from my spot on the covered back porch.

  A quartet played Pachelbel’s Canon in C as I stepped out onto the porch. Then it switched to the wedding march, and my father opened the screened porch door and helped me down the steps.

  I looked to the arbor where Mitch stood. My heart just about came out of my chest. He looked so handsome in his suit. His gaze caught mine, and his expression echoed everything I was feeling. Awe. Love. Happiness.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he mouthed.

  “I love you,” I mouthed back. I didn’t understand the slow march up the aisle when all I wanted was to reach my man and say, “I do.” But I did what was customary, trying to smile at our guests, but always having to turn my attention back to Mitch.

  Next to him, my brother stood as best man. His smile to Mitch and me seemed genuine, although I think it took them both some time to mend their relationship. Mitch said he had to let Parker win at golf a lot.