Love at First Wild Bonus Scene
Ridge
Three Months Later
“And now,” I whisper in a stealthy voice. “We approach the deadliest, most dangerous animal in the Sierra Nevada backwoods. If this creature is carelessly disturbed, it’ll lash out and has been known to tear grown men limb from limb. But I have a secret weapon. I know the creature’s kryptonite.” I lower my voice dramatically at the end.
I enter the zipped up navy blue tent quietly, my phone in one hand filming and my other hand holding a mug of steaming black coffee, freshly brewed in my French press.
“Oh, Ducky, are you ready for coffee yet?” I ask, looking towards the form buried beneath our couple’s sleeping bag.
“Go away,” Paige moans. “It’s way too early for this.”
“No, Pretty Lady. It’s almost noon.”
She lowers the covers, peering at me with one grumpy mahogany-colored eye. “It could be evening, and I’d still be tired.”
“And why’s that?” I grin. I already know the answer to my question, but I want to hear her say it.
She inches the sleeping bag down to her chin, revealing her cherry-stained lips turned down at the ends. She clears her throat and says, “Because you didn’t let me get any sleep last night.”
I chuckle remembering I’m still filming and turn off the video recording feature. This footage does not need to make our reality TV show, Honeymooners in the Wilds. Technically, we’re not married yet. Hell, I have yet to make good on my official proposal, the one she tried to negotiate two days into meeting me. But the reality show twist is entertaining as hell and fits both of our tastes better than a survivalist, prepper, and hunting show.
Honeymooning in the Wilds takes us to some of the most remote destinations on the West Coast as we chronicle our often interesting, sometimes hilarious, always heartfelt travels. It’s also a benign cover for the work we do with Wolfe’s organization. Paige has branched out from the House of the Seven Prophets, researching the evil network of officials involved in human trafficking at every level. It’s not work for the faint of heart. But it’s absolutely necessary to making a difference.
As for me, I have yet to receive a call for another clandestine mission, but I’ve started drilling with the team. The work is dangerous, and Paige isn’t thrilled about some of the risks I may need to take in the future. But I do it for her. I do it for humanity, and I do it for the children we’re currently in the process of being cleared to rear as foster parents.
That’s another reason we need to take advantage of our time alone and live it up as newlyweds even though we’re not quite there yet. Soon, our cabin will be filled with the pitter-patter of little feet. Only these children require every resource imaginable, survivors of unimaginable trauma and horrors.
“No sleep last night? You make me sound like a bad guy.”
“I’m not sure I’d go that far,” she grumbles, scrubbing her hands over her face and stretching like a cat in the sun. She lets out a languid sound somewhere between a sigh and a squeal of pleasure that makes me smile even more.
“No? Good. In my defense, I did eventually allow you to go to sleep.”
She shakes her head, snuggling deeper into the sleeping bag. “After the fourth time you made me come. Four times in one night!”
I chuckle, happily reliving every second of those memories. “Pleasing you, worshiping your body, and undoing you with pure ecstasy will never get old.”
“But last night was like a marathon,” she says seductively, arching her eyebrow as if to invite me back under the covers.
“Oh no, Ms. Laurier. Who’s the insatiable one now? We’ll never make the hike to Bridal Veil Falls if we keep this up.”
“Alright,” she grumbles. With a dramatic groan, she sits up, rubbing her eyes some more.
I have to sit back on my knees for a second and revel in the sight of her. She’s sexy as fuck but definitely no morning person. A part of me would love to say fuck it, jump back into bed with her, whether it’s for steamy time, snuggling, or more sleep. But I’ve got big plans, plans I’ve been thinking about all month. And there’s one perfect place where I envision them happening … if I can get grumpy cat out of bed.
Paige’s normally sleek black hair is a wild mane, and her face glows from sleep. I hand her the mug, and she blows on it. Steam rises to meet her face, heightening the pink of her cheeks. She takes a deep breath. “This smells so good.”
“That’s a mighty big sentence before your first caffeine hit,” I tease.
Her eyes shoot daggers at me. “Are you done?”
I chuckle, nodding towards the mug and encouraging her to drink.
About halfway through the dark, rich brew, her frown turns upside down, and her eyes become clear and sharp. She starts talking more, and I savor the transformation, watching my girl come to life. I can’t believe I’ve had the honor of getting to watch her do this every morning for three months now. A lifetime of it still wouldn’t be enough. But I’ll take everything I can get when it comes to her.
“This hike is supposed to be so beautiful. I read up on it and checked out some travel blogger websites. We have to be sure to get footage at each of the lookout points because they’re supposed to be amazing, and if we get to the lower view of the falls before noon—”
“From zero to one hundred in one cup of coffee,” I marvel.
“What?” Paige says as if she doesn’t have a clue what I’m referring to.
“Get dressed, Ducky, we’ve got a long hike ahead of us, and I want to get to the falls before sunset.”
“Oh, you read about that, too? The way the falls look pink and orange at the right time of day?”
I nod. She doesn’t know it. But that’s exactly why I planned for this day and this time. If she doesn’t get her pretty, little ass on the move, though, she could waylay my plans. Early evening through twilight is among the best time to see the phenomenon. Moreover, we’re backpacking in, so I’d prefer not to have to make camp in the dark.
Normally, we’d have Henry, our new outdoors cameraman with us. But I wanted today to be intimate and special. We’ll refilm later for our audience if need be or use the film I shoot with my tripod. The trick is setting everything up so that I don’t tip her off. Despite having a reality TV show together, I refuse to share Paige with anyone else when it comes to our biggest and most important moments as a couple. I may be willing to teach and entertain people at times, but I won’t let our lives become a circus. Especially with all Paige has been through.
She still startles awake some nights. Eyes glazed over with terror, her pulse and breath racing as she begs me to hold and reassure her. It breaks my heart to see what the kidnapping did to her and the thought of what Cady had planned puts a sick knot in my stomach. He got his, however. I ensured it by doing the deed myself. And while it was far too easy for him, considering what he deserved, I refuse to stoop to the same inhumane level.
Four hours later, Paige and I stand in front of Bridal Veil Falls admiring the towering waterfall in its late afternoon majesty. I have just enough time to make camp before the spectacle of sunset will kick off, and I work quickly. Thankfully, we’re the only ones up here, but I’m not terribly surprised as this is one of the more secluded spots in the Sierra Nevada backcountry.
I backpacked in little bottles of champagne that I discreetly chill in the icy water at the bottom of the falls when Paige isn’t looking. Then, I set up the tripod and start filming with my phone’s camera, making a fire to avoid raising her suspicions. As the sun dips slowly behind the mountain, and dusk sets in, we head up to the perfect vantage point to watch the water make its transformation. It goes from white to pale rose and then an incredible shade of peach and flamingo pink that almost burns in the sun’s remaining rays.
Paige can’t get enough, pulling out her camera to film alongside me. “Oh, my God, Axel, this is incredible. Stunning!”
My throat constricts and my heart races, preparing for a moment I’ve long dreamed about but once thought I might never get to enjoy. Stepping towards her, I wrap my arms, around her, showering her neck with feathery kisses. “Not as incredible or stunning as you.” I pull her tightly against me, relishing the feel of her round ass pressed against my firming rod. Despite last nights’ marathon, my thirst for her is insatiable. I can never get enough. “Which is why I want to ask—not negotiate, hash out contracts, make stipulations—no, simply ask with every part of my heart and soul… Paige Annalise Laurier, will you walk through the rest of this life with me? By my side as my better half, my soulmate, my confidante, best friend, and the mother of my children?”
I hold up a diamond solitaire ring, featuring varying shades of Black Hills gold that look like intricate leaves and flowers. “Inside the band, there’s an inscription.”
“Oh,” she covers hand with her mouth. “What does it say?”
I swallow loudly, my voice raw with emotion. “Forever After All. You know quoting the Luke Combs song Hawk played on the jukebox when we first met.”
Tears pour down her face, and she fights hard not to sob.
My stomach drops, uncertain of her response. “Did I do okay?”
“Better than okay.” Paige flips around in my arms, face shiny with emotion as she palms my cheeks. “Yes, Ridge Ansel Dawson. You’re the only man I want for the rest of my life. My partner in crime, savior in trouble, protector against life’s chaos, and comforter when I need strength and reassurance. You’re my everything.”
I slip the ring on her finger, elation gripping my core. I never thought this day would come, or my bride would be so lovely … and so attuned to my emotions, needs, wants, and interests. She truly is perfect for me. I lean towards her, kissing the salt from her cheeks before wantonly claiming her mouth. Her hands thread into my hair, her breath coming in pants as I claim her mouth ferociously. The percussive sound of my heart against my ribs feels deafening as my fingers stray to her jeans shorts deftly unbuttoning and unzipping them.
“Ridge, what are you doing?” she pants between frantic kisses.
“Taking what’s mine,” I growl.
“But what if other hikers show up? Or somebody sees us?”
I chuckle. “It’s just you, me, and nature up here tonight.”
“B-b-but…”
I shimmy her shorts and silky panties over her hips, and they fall in a tantalizing heap around her ankles.
“But nothing. I’m a hungry mountain man who needs a taste of his soon-to-be wife.”
“Yes, but we haven’t even talked dates yet or wedding planners or…”
My khaki cargo pants hit the ground followed by my blue and gray striped boxer briefs. Her eyes devour my cock, and she licks her lips in a move so damn sexy my skin steams in the cool of twilight. “Axel’s kind of dating a wedding planner named Aspen. She’s supposed to be really good, so we could start by interviewing her.” As I speak, I reach between her legs, stroking her pussy lips and covering my fingertips in her slick arousal. The way Paige’s body responds to me gets me every time. Always ready for more.
Her eyes roll back in her head as her last resistance and protest melt away. “But what about the video still shooting?”
“This one’s not for YouTube or anybody but us. I want to watch it with you later. Show you how fucking hot you look when I make you come. We can erase it after that, but I need you to see me getting you off.”
“Oh, Ridge,” she moans. I penetrate her with my finger, gravitating towards her G-spot. I know her body so well now that I could find her pleasure center in my sleep if I had to. She arches back, her moans sounding more like screams as a grin lights my face. Impatiently, I seize her by the waist, picking her up and urging her to wrap her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist.
Her body stiffens slightly as we settle into position for me to blow her damn mind. I can feel her brain working, and I know exactly what she’s worried about—being too heavy for me. But she doesn’t say the words this time, which tells me I’m making some headway in helping her love and appreciate her body the way that I do.
Paige tightens her grip around my neck, lifting herself up slightly. I take the cue, sliding into her hot, wet pussy, and nearly losing myself from the immediate sensory overload. The way she grips me, how drenched she, the way her pussy walls are swollen from last night and already starting to tremble tells me everything I need to know.
“You’re on camera,” I remind with a laugh, making the buttoned-up grump round her eyes. I whisper against the shell of her ear, “So, ride the hell out of me. Show me what you’re made of, Ducky.”
“Oh,” she says with a wanton grin, biting her bottom lip. “You know how I like a challenge.”
“And to be in control,” I grumble.
She nods, her smile growing larger.
I flex my calves up and down, bouncing her on my cock as her whispers go to whines and then cries and outright screams. I press her lower back tightly against me so that with each thrust her clit gets stimulated by the top of my cock and lower abs.
“Alright, Mrs. Dawson, I want to hear you scream it.”
“Scream what?” she pants, out of her mind with desire. Her pussy pulses and trembles around me, letting me know every drive of my cock is bringing her closer to her orgasm.
I pause, emotion capturing my voice. “Call me husband,” I pant.
Paige’s face reflects the rawness of my voice. “Yes,” she whispers next to my ear. “You’re all I want, husband.” She says the last word tentatively, a joyous smile capturing her lips.
I intensify my efforts, determined to make this epic for her. I drag her clit over the front of me until she comes, drenching my balls and screaming, “Yes, husband!”
My heart pounds and my breath catches in my throat. That nickname will never get old. I follow Paige into bliss, pounding her until my balls pull up, and I flood her with my cum. Panting against her décolletage, I savor the moment, whispering, “You’re my friend, my soulmate, my wife…” I pause, leaning in to kiss her lips.
“Forever after all.”
We say the last three words at the same moment, as if The Universe has someone preordained this. Our eyes meet along with our souls, and I thank God for Stonie’s old jukebox, my matchmaking brothers, and the case of mistaken identities that first brought Paige and me together.
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