Briar Valley: The Complete Duet

33. Micah

CHAPTER 33

MICAH

SOMEONE TO brEAK YOUR HEART - EMMA JENSEN

Zipping up my bulging backpack, I strap the two-person tent to the outside and tighten the cords that hold the whole thing together. It weighs a tonne, but I want tonight to be perfect. We’ve got a lot of gear to haul with us.

I’ll drag the damn thing up the mountain without complaint to keep the promise I made to Willow. Not only is this my first date with her, but it’s also my first ever date. I’ve never been with a woman, let alone one that I love.

“I don’t know about this,” Zach frets.

Ignoring his shadow looming over me, I test the backpack’s weight. “You need to ease up. She had a wobble. Time to move on.”

“A wobble? Seriously?”

“Making a big deal of it won’t help her. You’re gonna drive her away if you keep suffocating her. Getting Willow away from town for a night will be good.”

Killian stares at me from inside the kitchen where he’s brewing his lunchtime cafetière of extra strong coffee. He’s barely slept in the last few days, too busy watching Willow like a hawk, even when she’s asleep. The incident really shook him up.

“You’ll keep her safe?” he deadpans.

“Jesus, Kill. I can take care of Willow and I think I’ve proven that.”

“You got stranded on a mountain in February.”

“And we had to rescue you,” Zach piles on.

I glower at them both. “That was different. We’re heading for St David’s Pointe. It’s a safe route and we’ll be there before dark. Back off.”

“You know the route off by heart?”

“Yes, Kill. I’ve done it a thousand times.”

“Got your GPS tracker?”

I tap the keyring attached to the backpack’s strap. “Right here.”

“Veer even an inch off course and I’ll be marching up that mountain to drag you back myself,” he threatens. “I mean it, Mi.”

“Fuck, Kill. Chill the hell out.”

Our bickering is cut off by Willow’s arrival. She lets herself into our cabin without knocking like usual, then freezes as her gaze darts between all three of us before ducking.

“Um, hey. Everything okay?”

Killian unfolds his arms like he wants to go to her but decides against it. She’s been struggling since the party and holding us at arm’s length while everything settles. Katie’s daily calls demanding more of her time have become a huge problem.

“Fine,” Killian grinds out. “Just going over some ground rules.”

“Ground rules?” she repeats. “What are we, kids?”

“The mountain is a dangerous place. You both need to be careful.”

“Alright, Kill.” Zach lands a hand on his shoulder. “Enough.”

Killian huffs and storms outside, pausing to plant a kiss on Willow’s lips as he whispers goodbye. Shrugging, Zach pulls her into a hug and pecks the top of her head.

“Have fun, babe. Keep my idiot twin out of trouble and bring him home in one piece, preferably. I’m not quite ready for Killian to be my last remaining relative.”

I narrow my eyes. “I’m an adult, you know.”

Zach sticks his tongue out. “News to me.”

“I’ll try my best.” Willow snickers. “Look after Arianna for me.”

“We have a night of Disney princess movies planned. She’ll be just fine.”

With another lingering kiss, Zach follows Killian outside, and the pair climb into his truck to resume their daily work. We watch them go and Willow sighs in relief.

“I thought Killian might actually lock me in here.”

“I’m sure it crossed his mind,” I half-joke.

“No doubt about that. Shall we go?”

Wrestling on the backpack, I take her hand in mine. She’s dressed in a long-sleeved white top and loose jeans, the cuffs rolled up to fit her worn brown walking boots. Her hair is pulled off her shoulders in a slick, high ponytail.

“I’m ready,” she announces.

“Let’s move.”

Together, we hike into the sunlit woodland behind the cabins that leads out of Briar Valley. There’s a secret route concealed by trees that avoids the town square. Neither of us wants to speak to another human being.

“Watch your step. It’s uphill from here.”

We stop at the base of St David’s Pointe after an hour of climbing over smooth rock and huge, jungle-like tree roots. Briar Valley sprawls across the land between us, dotted with tiny ant people going about their business.

Willow’s stamina is good. She doesn’t complain as she begins to climb, the terrain becoming steeper. Pausing to tighten the red laces on her walking boots, she bends over, displaying her round ass to me.

She catches me staring at her. “What?”

“I’m glad you agreed to come.”

Her smile is grateful. “This was a good idea, Mi.”

I tug her towards me, bringing her close enough for a kiss. “We can stay for as long as you need. Forever if necessary. In fact, we could become feral and live out our days in peace.”

Willow snorts. “That sounds too good to be true.”

“I’m just saying. It could be fun.”

“If I didn’t have Arianna, I’d actually be tempted.”

I peck her cheek and boost her over the next rock. “You’re just Willow today. Not Mummy or anything else. We’re two people, camping out and hiding from the world.”

“Damn, Micah. You know me far too well.”

“I know that it’s what I would need.”

“Thank you. I really did need this.”

“I’ve got your back, angel.”

We take a quick break during our ascent. The incline is pretty steep, but I’m familiar with the route that takes us towards my favourite camping spot. There’s a guideline already in place that I set up last summer.

I’ve hiked this route a bunch of times over the years when even the remoteness of Briar Valley got too much for me to handle. It’s a relatively easy hike compared to the military-style marches my dad used to take us on.

“How many times have you been here?” Willow asks.

“In the summer, I come every month or so.”

“And you camp alone? All the way up here?”

I shrug, hoisting the backpack into a more comfortable position. “Being alone up here really doesn’t bother me. I love the silence. It feels like the world doesn’t exist.”

“Sometimes I wish the world really didn’t exist.”

“Well for the next twenty-four hours, it doesn’t for us.”

After five sweaty hours with intermittent water breaks, we’ve arrived in the misty wilderness of St David’s Pointe. It’s a treasure trove of spindly pine trees, thick shrubs and thriving mountain flowers nestled in the outcroppings of rock.

“Here we are.”

“This place is insane,” Willow breathes.

“It’s beautiful, right?”

Climbing over a boulder, I hoist myself into the spot I’ve camped at before. There’s a flat shelf of rock that hugs the side of the mountain, big enough to fit the tent and a couple of people. I’ve dreamed about bringing Willow here.

It has an undisturbed, panoramic view of the stunning valley beneath us, lit by the sun sinking on the horizon in the distance. The afternoon has slipped away, succumbing to the clinging embrace of shadows and darkness.

“Want to help me get set up so we can catch the sunset?”

Willow nods. “Sure.”

She takes my outstretched hand and I help pull her over the boulder to plant her feet on the rock shelf. Smoothing sticky hair back from her reddened face, she studies the vast, breathtaking expanse of the horizon.

Briar Valley has vanished into the coverage of trees and low-hanging clouds. We’re in a whole different slice of reality up here, superimposed over the rest of the mortal world.

“How did you find this place?”

“I hike a lot and came across it by accident.” I lower the backpack to the ground and stretch. “I haven’t brought anyone else here though. It’s kinda my secret spot.”

“But you brought me?”

“You can keep a secret, right?” I wink at her.

Her grin blossoms. “Hell yeah, I can.”

Spreading out the thick plastic sheeting and metal poles from my backpack, we manage to put the mountaineering tent up in less than half an hour. It’s positioned a few strides back from the edge of the cliff, giving an undisturbed viewpoint of the sunset.

“I’ll start a fire,” I decide. “Want to set up inside?”

Willow nods and rummages inside the backpack for the rest of our gear. I set about getting a campfire lit with odd twigs and leaves we gathered during our ascent.

Rolling out sleeping bags inside the tent and adding the finishing touches, Willow emerges with a contented sigh. I open the hip flask of whiskey I snuck into my coat pocket and pour two measures into our foldable cups.

“Drink?”

“Thanks. This view is so incredible.”

I look straight at her. “Yeah, it sure is.”

Willow blushes hard, her freckled cheeks dusted pink. “You’re not so bad yourself. As first dates go, this is impressive. I have nothing to compare it to though.”

“Me neither,” I admit.

“Really? Never?”

Taking a sip, I wince when the liquor burns my throat. “I’ve never had a girlfriend. You’re the first person I’ve ever wanted to… you know, get close to.”

“Damn, Micah.”

“People aren’t exactly my strong suit. Even Killian’s more sociable than me.”

“You’re better at this than you think.” Willow gestures to the blazing, multi-coloured sunset. “I’d class this as very romantic. Are you trying to woo me or something?”

“Woo you? What century is this?”

Her blush darkens. “You know what I mean.”

Abandoning my drink, I snag her shirt sleeve and pull her closer. Willow climbs into my lap, her jean-clad legs spread either side of my waist so we’re flush against each other.

“Should I be wooing you?”

Her lips brush over mine. “Too late.”

Straddling my waist, her pert breasts are pressed up against my chest, straining to escape her top. I feel my dick stand to attention. We’ve fooled around, kissing and exploring, but I haven’t taken things further.

Part of me is terrified to in case I mess things up. But as the world falls into insignificance beneath us, I decide to be brave. Willow is pretty much the only good thing in my life right now. She’s the welcome relief of rainfall after years of scorching drought.

“What are you thinking?” she questions.

“Since you arrived here… fuck, Willow. Everything has changed for me. You make me so happy, and I’d forgotten what that feels like. Until you.”

Her mouth grazes along my jawline. “I’m so thankful to have you in my life, Mi. More than you know. Your family saved my life.”

“Kiss me, angel.”

I don’t have the raw sexual confidence of the other two. This is all so new. Her mouth secures itself to mine and her teeth lightly nip my bottom lip.

Going with what feels natural, my hands travel to her hips. She’s grinding against me, each shift causing my dick to push harder into her core.When our lips break apart, her breathing is shallow and laboured.

“I don’t want to assume anything,” she blurts anxiously. “Maybe you don’t want to lose your virginity with me, or even at all, or you?—”

“Willow,” I cut her off. “There is no one I want to share this with more than you. I’m just… hell, I’m a bit nervous. I don’t want to disappoint you.”

“Disappoint me? You could never.”

“I’m not exactly Zach or Killian.”

Her lips crush against mine. “That’s a good thing, Mi. I want you for who you are, and I love everything about you.”

Chest burning with emotion, I lift her from my lap and set her back on her feet. Willow kicks off her walking boots as I grab one of the sleeping bags from inside the tent and spread it across the smooth rock surface.

Holding eye contact, she begins to peel off her long-sleeved t-shirt. The fading sunlight unveils her golden skin and plain bra that she quickly tosses aside, freeing the generous swell of her breasts.

“You are so fucking beautiful.”

She smirks, pushing her jeans down. “Hardly.”

“Don’t you dare. Every inch of you is gorgeous.”

Jeans discarded, she’s left exposed in bra and panties, her skin lit by the glittering beams of sunshine disappearing from sight. I grab her hand and pull her closer, dropping a kiss on the slope of her stomach.

She inclines her head, lips parted on a breathy moan as I explore her body. There are faint, silvery stretch marks across her curvy hips, evidencing the birth of her little girl. I take time kissing each of them.

“Fucking beautiful,” I repeat.

Willow lets me pull her back into my lap. I find the elastic tie holding her long hair up and ease it out. Inky waves spill over her shoulders, and she moans as I smooth out the waves while massaging her scalp.

“Where should I touch you?”

Her lips part on a gasp. “I don’t know.”

“Tell me. I want to know.”

She groans when I sink my teeth into her earlobe and softly bite down. “I want you to kiss me down there. You made me feel so good last time.”

Pushing her backwards across the rock shelf, Willow splays out on the sleeping bag. I wrap a hand around her ankle, slowly kissing my way up her leg until I reach her panties. She wiggles her hips, helping me slide them off.

“Fuck, angel. Look at that wet pussy.”

Her back arches as my mouth meets the furnace between her thighs. She’s wet, her legs trembling with each flick of my tongue. I circle my fingertip over her bundle of nerves, loving the way she squirms.

“Talk to me, Willow.”

“Mi,” she groans. “I want your finger inside me.”

“Good. Keep going.”

Gathering moisture on my index finger, I drag my tongue through her folds, feasting on the sweet wetness of her arousal. I’ve barely touched her, and she’s tensing up already.

When I push my finger into her slit, she arches off the sleeping bag, leaning into my touch. I love how receptive she is. Her body writhes with each thrust of my digit entering her warmth.

“Mi,” she whimpers.

“Yeah, beautiful?”

“I need you inside of me so bad.”

“Tell me how much.”

Adding a second finger, I stretch her wider, grinding the heel of my palm against her clit. I’ve been watching very carefully. I know what she likes. The build-up is just as important as the moment I’ll push inside her cunt.

“So fucking much,” she mewls.

Easing my fingers out, I make sure she’s watching as I suck them into my mouth. Juices burst across my tongue, sweet and hot. I love the way her pupils blow wide at the sight.

“Finger yourself now, angel. I want to watch.”

Quickly undoing my belt, I strip my jeans and boxers off to palm my erection. Willow reaches for her own tight entrance. She sighs, tweaking her clit before her fingers slide through her folds and disappear.

Watching her pleasuring herself is an exhilarating sight. She works her pussy in time with my hand stroking up and down my length. The distance between us feels like miles but seeing her toying with herself adds to the delicious tension.

“Does that feel good, beautiful?”

“Not as good as your cock would feel. Please, Mi.”

“Make yourself come first. Show me.”

Pumping my erection, I watch every last detail of her finger-fucking herself. She slides the two digits deep into her core, panting and moaning as she puts on a show for me. When she grabs her tit and pinches her nipple, she finally bursts.

“I’m coming,” she cries out.

Riding her own hand, Willow falls apart on the sleeping bag. She massages her breast and continues to strum her clit until her orgasm has peaked, leaving her gasping for air.

Feeling a little more confident, I retrieve the condom that I suffered the embarrassment of asking Zach for last night. She watches me roll it over my length, still fighting for breath after bringing herself to a peak.

“Get over here, Mi.”

She spreads her legs wide open, giving me the best view as she pulls her fingers from her pussy. I kneel between them, squeezing my covered length. Now the moment has arrived, my nerves roar back to life.

Teasing my lips along her inner thigh, I rest a palm on her sternum to lay her back down. Her entire body is flushed with desire. She’s all supple curves and fuzz-covered skin. I’ve never seen anything more perfect.

When the head of my cock presses up against her entrance, I falter and lose my nerve. I’m going with what feels right, but if I somehow trigger her, I’ll never forgive myself.

“What is it?” Willow asks.

“I’m just… ah, I don’t know. Nervous.”

Willow reaches out her hands to grab mine. Using my weight to pull herself back up, she wraps her arms around my neck and clambers on top of me instead.

“I’ve got you this time,” she explains.

Her hand circles the base of my length, guiding it to the welcoming prison of her heat. Hands splayed across her lower back, I grunt in pure, mind-blowing ecstasy when she finally sinks down on my cock.

Everything grinds to a halt at that moment. Years of wondering if my social isolation was the right decision fall aside. Those long, lonely nights no longer matter. I’m right where I’m supposed to be—here with this beautiful creature.

“Bloody hell,” I hiss out.

Her hips rotate, taking me even further into her cunt. She chases the deeper angle until I’m buried in her all the way, and it feels fucking amazing. Her walls are tight, squeezing every inch of my length.

“I’m going to move now,” she warns.

Lifting herself up, Willow pushes back down on me. Each stroke feels like fire is being injected into my blood. I can feel the slickness of her pussy even through the condom.

“Yes, angel. That feels amazing.”

Her bouncing breasts smash into my face, and I wrap my lips around her stiff nipple, sucking hard. She loves it when we play with her tits. Her rosy buds have hardened into peaks, demanding more attention.

No longer afraid, I start to lift my hips in response, meeting her stroke for stroke. She clenches even tighter around me, moaning as I lightly bite down on her nipples.

“Mi. Oh, God.”

Watching her work up and down on my dick is better than any fantasy I’ve had about my first time. It’s empowering to see the pleasure she’s taking from me, but with gentleness and consideration. I rut up into her, my balls already tightening.

“Okay?” Willow checks in.

“Yeah. I can’t last long.”

“That’s f-fine,” she moans.

Breathing hard, I grip her around the waist and lift her off my lap, laying her down on the sleeping bag to shove her legs back open. I want to make her fall apart one more time before I finish.

“Lost patience?”

I pin her unbandaged arm above her head. “I’m not afraid anymore.”

Gliding back inside of her in one fast thrust, her pussy is so tight around me, it’s like we were made for each other. She’s hugging my cock with an exquisite amount of pressure. Our slow, tentative collision heats up.

Pushing into Willow’s core, I find a rhythm that feels natural. My strokes speed up, gaining power and confidence. Her nails are raking into my back with each thrust, adding a bite of pain that sizzles through me.

With the cool mountain air kissing our skin, and nothing but cliffs and trees around us, we can both throw our inhibitions aside. This is a place of truth. No pointless fa?ades. I need to batter my love into her soul and leave an impenetrable brand.

“Are you close?” I grit out.

“Yes,” she groans.

“I want to watch you come all over my dick.”

“Jesus, Mi. Keep going.”

Chasing the coil of tension deep inside of me, we fuck like animals in heat, our gasps lost in the endless mountains. Just as the sun winks out of existence, Willow’s walls clench tight.

She screams my name loud enough to disturb a flock of birds that take off into the night sky. Managing a final pump, I bellow loudly as I finish a second later. She’s limp and boneless beneath me, her chest heaving with each breath.

Exhaustion washes over me and I slump on her chest, burying my face in the soft slope of her neck. We don’t speak, enjoying the residual waves of bliss. A breeze caresses our flushed skin, and I can feel our sweat mingling.

“Sure you were a virgin?”

I burst out laughing. “Zach gave me some pointers.”

“Wow, how helpful of him.”

“When he was done laughing at me, sure.” I trace my lips along her collarbone. “Not sure I’ll be planning any more brotherly bonding anytime soon.”

“He’ll be so disappointed.”

I lift my head to peer down at her. The crystallised shards that carve out her irises are awash with lazy satisfaction. Rising moonlight reveals the curl of her lips in a smile.

“Micah.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m in love with you,” she murmurs. “I fucking love the bones of you.”

My heart convulses in my chest. “Me?”

“Yes. I’ve wanted to say that for a long time.”

Seized by hope, I kiss her, overcome by a desperate need to seal this moment and ensure she can’t take her love back. I need to feel that it’s real, and this isn’t some foolish dream I’ll wake up from.

“Willow.” My nose brushes against her cheek. “I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. When we’re together, I feel… well, happy. Whole. Alive.”

“You deserve to be happy, Mi.”

“And that’s down to you. I love you, Willow. That scares the shit out of me to admit, but it’s the truth. I’m in love with every single part of you.”

Pulling out of her, I remove the used condom and bundle Willow’s naked body into my arms. She snuggles against my chest as we crawl into the tent together to warm up. I slide us into the same sleeping bag, our bare limbs entangled.

“Comfortable?”

She hums in response.

I stroke the curls from her face. “I love you.”

“How many times are you going to say it?”

“I love you. I love you. I love you. Want to hear it again?”

Willow giggles. “I got the message.”

Through the open flap of the tent, we have a view of the darkened sky, peppered with emerging stars and the gleam of pearly-white moonlight. This far into the barren countryside, nature is undisturbed by pollution.

“I’m so glad I met you all. I can’t imagine my life without you guys in it.”

“You don’t have to,” I whisper back. “We will never let you go.”