Bonus scene (1)

Two years later

Snow fell softly outside the Aspen Suite windows, blanketing the world in silence. The resort was quiet tonight after a busy holiday season. Only a few guests remained, tucked away in their rooms. Elara stood in front of the large mirror in their bedroom, brushing out her long hair, wearing one of Rowan’s old flannel shirts that reached mid-thigh.

Strong arms wrapped around her from behind. Rowan’s bare chest pressed warmly against her back as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

“You look beautiful,” he murmured, his deep voice sending a pleasant shiver through her.

Elara smiled and leaned back into him. “I’m wearing your old shirt and my hair is a mess from the wind earlier.”

“Exactly,” he said, pressing a slow kiss to the side of her neck. “That is when you look most beautiful to me.”

His hands slid down her sides, then slipped under the hem of the flannel shirt to caress the bare skin of her thighs. Elara sighed softly and tilted her head to give him better access. His mouth moved along her neck with teasing kisses while his fingers traced gentle patterns on her skin.

They had been married for over a year now, but the spark between them had only grown stronger. The man who once greeted her with crossed arms and clipped words now touched her like she was something precious and irresistible.

Rowan turned her in his arms and kissed her properly. The kiss started slow and deep, full of quiet love and building heat. Elara wrapped her arms around his neck, fingers threading through his hair as she melted against him. His hands roamed her back, then lower, gripping her hips and pulling her flush against him so she could feel exactly how much he wanted her.

He walked her backward until her legs hit the edge of their large bed. With gentle care he lifted her onto it, following her down so he hovered above her. The fire in the fireplace cast a golden glow across his skin as he looked down at her with dark, hungry eyes.

“I still cannot believe you are mine,” he whispered, voice rough with emotion.

“I am,” she replied softly, reaching up to touch his face. “Completely.”

Rowan kissed her again, deeper this time. His hands worked the buttons of the flannel shirt open one by one, revealing her skin to his gaze and mouth. He took his time, kissing every new inch he uncovered — her collarbone, the valley between her breasts, her stomach. Elara arched beneath him, soft sounds of pleasure escaping her lips.

When the shirt finally fell open completely, he worshipped her with slow, reverent touches. His mouth followed the path of his hands, drawing gasps and quiet moans from her. Elara tugged at his sweatpants until he helped her remove them, leaving nothing between them.

They came together with familiar passion and tenderness. Rowan moved over her, inside her, with deep, rolling thrusts that made her cling to his shoulders. Their bodies moved in perfect rhythm, breaths mingling, whispers of love and desire filling the space between them.

“Rowan…” she gasped as pleasure built higher.

“I have you,” he murmured against her lips. “Always.”

They reached their peak together, bodies trembling and hearts racing. Rowan held her close through the waves of pleasure, murmuring sweet words against her skin until they both came down slowly.

Afterward, they lay tangled together under the thick comforter. Elara rested her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat while his fingers stroked lazy patterns up and down her bare back. The fire crackled softly in the background.

“I have something to tell you,” she said quietly, a small smile playing on her lips.

Rowan lifted his head to look at her, curiosity and love clear in his eyes. “What is it?”

Elara took his hand and guided it to rest gently on her lower stomach. “We are going to need to start thinking about turning one of the guest rooms into a nursery.”

Rowan froze for a moment, then his face lit up with pure joy. “You are pregnant?”

She nodded, tears of happiness in her eyes. “I took the test this morning. We are going to be parents.”

He pulled her into a fierce but gentle kiss, laughing softly against her mouth. When he pulled back, his eyes were shining. “You keep giving me gifts I never thought I would have. A thriving resort. Your love. Now a family.”

Elara cupped his face. “We built all of it together.”

Rowan rolled them so she lay on top of him, his hands resting protectively over her stomach. “I love you,” he said simply, but the words carried the weight of everything they had been through.

“I love you too,” she whispered back.

Outside, the snow continued to fall peacefully. Inside the Aspen Suite, the fire burned warm and steady, just like the love that had started with a fake relationship and grown into something beautifully real.