Page 18 of Crave

Pushingevery single thought about that picture out of my head, I drove toward Mt. Tam. Mia had brought me here once when we first started dating. I remembered hiking to the summit, finding a secluded place, and telling her for the first time that I loved her. That night, we’d made love under the stars. For the first time in my life, I’d allowed myself to truly become lost in her.

She figured out where I was headed the second I exited in Mill Valley. “Ah, you remembered.” She squeezed my thigh.

“Of course. Do you know how many times I thought about that night while I was deployed? I remembered every second of our time together. Wanting to come back here again with you was the reason I survived after the roadside bomb.” That was true. Every night I pushed through my pain, willing myself not to give up so I could see her again, kiss her again, make love to her again.

We drove up the mountain in silence, and I took in the view. After we reached our destination, I grabbed a few things from my seabag, took Mia’s hand, and led her to the top of the mountain.

We passed some hikers on the path but eventually veered off the trail. The scent of oak trees and sage intoxicated me. This spot was as breathtaking as I had remembered it. Shrouded by the towering redwoods, I took a deep breath, determined in the decision I was about to make.

I threw down two blankets and then knelt to the ground. Mia was about to crouch down beside me, but I stopped her, grabbed the small box out of my jacket, and took her hand.

“Angelita Mia Cruz. You’re the craziest woman I’ve ever met. But no matter how hard I try to deny it, I love you. After all these years, I still love you. I’ll never love another woman. Will you marry me?”

I expected her jaw to drop or maybe for her to let out a scream, but instead, her eyes welled with tears. “Are you sure? I thought you would never forgive me.”

“I’m sure. We have a son together, and we need to try to make our relationship work for him. But this isn’t just about him. I love you, and I’ll love you until the day I die. I think about you every minute of every day, no matter how many times I try to stop myself. Marry me, Mia.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck. “Yes, yes!”

I placed the ring on her finger, and she showered me with kisses.

I returned her kisses, and this time, I didn’t hold myself back. My hands cupped her face as I claimed her for mine. For forever. My mouth took hers, and I could feel her come alive, her hands exploring my body, finally letting down her own guard.

I threw her on the blanket and pressed my chest on top of her, pulling the other blanket over us. We were isolated, but I wasn’t stupid enough to think we were completely alone on the mountain. No one would ever see what was mine ever again. No one other than me.

I pushed her jeans off her hips and kicked them to the ground, the soft earth melting under her body. I pulled my own pants off. I kissed her neck, rubbed her nipples until she moaned. She was writhing underneath me as I pulled down her panties, my fingers lingering on her slit for only a second before she was pulling me to her. I didn’t hesitate. I sank into her heat, feeling at home inside her.

I couldn’t control myself—not just my cock but my emotions as well. I pounded into her over and over as I kissed her. She met me move for move, rocking against each of my thrusts until her breath started to come in puffs and her whole body tightened around me.

“I love you, Mia. I fucking love you so much.”

She dug her fingers into my back. “I love you, too.”

The pressure built in my balls, and I exploded inside her as she gasped with her own release.

Afterward, we lay in silence. She cuddled on my chest, and I stroked her hair.

I did love her.

I would do anything to protect her.