Big Man’s Claim by Wylder, Penny (new ebook reader TXT) 📕

The reception is amazing. We dance and eat. I toss the bouquet and Bran decides to pull my garter off my thigh with his teeth. Everyone seems to be having an amazing time.

But I can't stop noticing that Bran keeps checking the time. Every few minutes he's checking his watch.

“You got some place else to be?” I ask with a grin.

Bran wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me in and kissing the top of my head. “Maybe,” he says.

“Maybe?”

“I have something I want to show you.”

“Oh really. . .” Drawing out my words, I move my hand up his thigh toward his dick. “Is it what I think it is?”

“You'll have to wait and see.”

After another hour, we say goodbye to all our friends. My brother and Jenna head home with a very cranky baby. Bran helps me into his truck and hands me a blindfold.

“Here, you need this.”

“For now or later?” Licking my lips, I wiggle my brows.

“I was just thinking for now, but by all means let’s save it for later, too. I could have some fun with that.” Closing my door, he climbs in the driver's seat. “Is it tight?” he asks.

“Yeah, I can't see a thing.”

“Good.”

The truck lurches forward, driving me to some secret location. Bran won't tell me anything no matter how many questions I ask. Normally I can bug him enough with my questions to get a little hint, but not today.

I'm actually impressed with his reserve. “You better not always be this good at keeping a secret.”

“This one is different.”

The truck starts to bounce and buck, hitting deep ruts in the road.

Throwing out my arm, I clutch the dashboard. “Where the hell are you taking me? The road sucks.”

“You're going to love this.”

The truck rolls to a stop. Bran gets out, and I sit in silence, waiting for him to come get me. Opening my door, he takes my hands and helps me out. Sweeping me off my feet suddenly, he has me in his arms.

Walking forward, he carries me a few feet and then stops. “Okay, you can look now.” Bran unties the bow in the blindfold, peeling it away.

Blinking my eyes open, I'm met with a sight that takes my breath away. My hands fly to my mouth as I start to cry.

There's a huge tent set up with strings of fairy lights wrapping all the posts and across the seams of the canvas. It looks like a million fireflies flicking in the darkness of the valley.

“When did you do this?” I ask. “How did we get here in your truck?”

“This is my wedding present to you. I spent the last few months clearing a wide enough trail through the east side of the forest so we can drive here. Now, it won't take us half a day to get here. We can come any time we want.”

“This is amazing, I'm speechless.” Wiping my eyes, I sniffle.

Bran turns me to face him, running the pads of his thumbs under my eyes. “I'll do anything for you, you're my angel.” Holding my face, he kisses me softly.

Lifting me back up, he carries me over the threshold of our forest home and sets me down gently on a thick down comforter. He strikes a match and lights a fire in the small pit he made from rocks in the center of the tent.

Looking up, the top of the tent is partially open so I can see the sky. It's so clear tonight. The stars sparkle like gems, and the vast darkness look endless.

Bran slowly climbs up next to me and traces the faint swirls that decorate the fabric of my dress. He moves his finger across the heart-shaped corset, then slips his finger between my breasts.

“So,” he says. “Do I need to know a special trick to get this dress off you? Because I don't even know where to start.”

Giggling, I sit up and point at the back. “Just pull the string.”

Bran unties my dress, helping me out of it. His eyes are so amazing. I love the way he's looking at me right now. It's as if this is the first time he's ever laid eyes on me.

“Wow.” Bran runs his fingers down the outside of my arm. “You're so damn beautiful.”

“You act like this is the first time you're seeing me.”

“It is,” he answers, planting a delicate kiss on my shoulder. “You're not my girlfriend anymore. Today you're my wife.”

My eyes flick between his as his words settle in my chest, smoldering like hot ash. My heart is so full because of him.

And as we make love under the stars by the fire, I realize this is my heaven.

He's everything to me. I don't care where I end up in this world, as long as I have Branson by my side, I'll be happy.

Epilogue Melody

Nine months later

The birds are loud today, chirping and chattering as I walk the path. My back and ankles are killing me, but I won't give this up for anything. Not for the cold snowy day it is in December or the fact I'm pregnant.

My boots crunch over the thin layer of snow that fell last night, creating a winter wonderland. The trees are glazed in white, and the ground looks untouched. There's a single trail of deer tracks that cross over the path, but that's it.

Rubbing my belly, I stop for a second, trying to stretch my muscles. I'm taking it easy, though. Only going for light hikes near the house, and I always let Bran know exactly which trail I'm taking.

Just in case. This baby is coming any day now. A week ago would have been preferred.

I'm five days overdue. I read in a book about pregnancy that walking can help bring on labor. Unfortunately, it's not working.

“Come on, little lady, I know it's cozy in there, but Mommy and Daddy would really like to hold you.” Talking to the baby girl in my