Destined (The Rangers of Ridge County #1)

Extended Epilogue

MILLIE

Six Months Later

“I could have sworn you promised not to work while we were on vacation,” Emmett called from across the bar.

It was late afternoon, and I was the only one here—considering Slopes Saloon wasn’t scheduled to open for a couple more hours. I’d snuck down while Emmett took a nap, hoping to finish the holiday special Wells insisted on promoting.

“I’m sorry.” I sighed sheepishly, knowing he was right. Before we left home yesterday, I had made him that promise. Though, in my defense, we did choose to vacation at Spruce Heights Resort.

Reservations might have been at an all time high for the luxury resort, but it still had availability during peak season. Which meant there was room for improvement—at least from Wells’s perspective.

As Emmett’s steps ate up the distance between us, I took him in. He was in jeans and a long sleeve black henley. We showered after our run on the slopes this morning, but his hair was a little more wild than I would have expected after a nap—as if he’d been running his hands through it.

Though, it could have been from me tugging on it.

I managed to surprise him earlier when I climbed into the shower only to drop to my knees—eyeing him as I wrapped my lips around his massive dick. The strangled groan he released as I took him deep into my throat still had me clenching my thighs hours later.

My hand gripped the pen in my grasp as I remembered how I pumped the base of his erection in sync with my enthusiastic sucking—his hand fisting into my hair and hips thrusting forward. Once he came, I swallowed it all down with pride and was licking my lips when he pulled me up and pushed me against the shower wall. Before I knew what was happening, he sank to his knees in front of me and threw one of my legs over his shoulder. And that’s how my hands ended up in his hair.

Emmett brought me back to the present as he swiveled the barstool I was sitting on around so I was facing him. The knowing smirk he wore told me that he knew exactly what I was thinking which made me even needier for him.

I definitely should have stayed in the room. Though, this room was empty.

“Millie,” Emmett growled.

“What?” I asked innocently, well aware of the fact this man could read me like a book.

“I’d love nothing more than to bend you over this bar,” Emmett answered gruffly. “But I don’t want to deal with public indecency paperwork.”

The blush working its way up my neck and into my cheeks evaporated.

“Killjoy,” I muttered jokingly.

He bent at the waist so his face was level with mine—our mouths mere centimeters apart. I licked my lips, and he glanced down.

I loved torturing him.

When his eyes met mine again, they scorched my skin—that blush rising once more.

“Plus,” he whispered, leaning in to give me a searing kiss. “We have somewhere to be.” He stood to his full height before looking at his watch. “In half an hour,” he added.

“Where are we going?” I questioned, quickly gathering my things and cursing him for not mentioning these plans sooner. When I stood, peanut shells dropped from my lap to the floor. Oops . I got hungry earlier, and in my search, found the bag tucked behind the bar. They crunched as I stepped on them, and the sound drew my attention down to what I was currently wearing. I had on black leggings and an oversized Sips sweatshirt—both of which were covered in peanut dust.

Shit .

I needed to change. My hand instinctively went to my hair. I’d thrown my wet locks into a loose bun before coming here which meant I’d have to settle for an up-do.

My expression must have been telling because Emmett laughed. “What you’re wearing is fine, honey.”

“Both restaurants have a dress code,” I murmured as I shoved my laptop in its case then threw the strap over my shoulder. Quickly making my way across the room and into the lobby, I impatiently tapped my foot as we waited for an elevator to arrive.

A ding rang through the space right as the doors of the crowded elevator opened. Most of the guests wore ski attire, meaning they got on one floor below. We squeezed in which wasn’t easy given my boyfriend’s size. He tucked into a corner and pulled me against him as the car began to rise. It slowly thinned out, but I was losing patience and time. Every second counted given my current appearance.

Twenty minutes later, I was dressed in dark wash jeans that hugged my curves like a second skin as well as a fitted emerald green wrap sweater. After pulling on my heeled boots, I stood to survey myself.

A slicked back bun and lipstick completed the look.

Emmett watched from the couch with the same hungry look he’d been giving me since before I changed out of my lounge clothes.

“Ready!” I exclaimed, picking up my small clutch. Emmett stood, grabbing our coats. I assumed we would head to Bluebird Bistro or the more upscale restaurant, The Summit. But when Emmett hit the button for the ground floor, I furrowed my brow. The only thing down there was the ski lift, and I wasn’t wearing the appropriate attire for it.

“Uh,” I stammered, skeptically eyeing the illuminated button.

“Trust me,” Emmett murmured into my ear. His scruff tickled my neck as he leaned in to press his lips to my pulse point. His nearness had my concerns drifting away on the wind as it blew through the opening doors of the elevator. He held up my coat so I could slip into it. Once he made sure it was zipped, he laced his fingers through mine and tugged me in the direction of the lift.

It was nearing sunset, which was when it shut down for the night. There was a small group returning their rented equipment and a handful of employees. Otherwise, the space was empty.

The wind continued to whip around us bringing snowflakes along with it, and the dusting covering the loading area made me pause. Emmett took my hesitation as an opportunity to pivot, positioning himself behind me and grabbing my hips.

“I’ve got you,” he said as we stepped forward. An employee appeared to open the gondola, and I smiled.

“Thank you,” I called back to the man before he shut and latched the door.

The snow-capped mountains took center stage as we rose to the peak in the enclosed lift. Some days it was still hard to believe this was my life. I’d never been happier, and as I peered over my shoulder and up at Emmett, I knew it couldn’t get any better.

We made it to the top, and Emmett captured my hand again. After exchanging a few words with another employee, Emmett started in the direction of an idling snowmobile.

When we reached the end of the metal platform, I shrieked as Emmett bent down to scoop me into his arms. Linking my hands around his neck and nuzzling into his chest, I laughed lightheartedly. Moments later, he sat me on the machine and went to stand, but I caught him by his shirt. Cupping his jaw with my cool hands, I pulled his lips to mine.

It was too cold for more than just a quick peck, but I resolved to share something a little more intimate when we got to wherever we were going.

“This is already quite the adventure!” I shouted over the rumbling engine once Emmett took his position in front of me.

“You haven’t seen anything yet!” he called back, and I didn’t need to see his face to know there was a smile plastered across it. Grabbing the handlebars, he steered us toward a patch of trees.

The fading light cast vibrant hues across the snow, and I squealed as Emmett rounded the trees and slowed. A mirrored igloo sat before us.

I excitedly tapped Emmett’s shoulder. This must be one of the scenic domes Wells hadn’t shut up about. He anticipated a few of them being ready to rent in the coming spring for “glampers,” but I didn’t realize one was already installed.

I could see why he was so fascinated with them.

Emmett aimed the snowmobile for the dome’s door, and I squeezed him tight as we jerked forward, coming to a stop.

The sun dipped behind the dome, and I scrambled onto the wooden deck—leaving him in my wake. Now that we were here, I really wanted to catch an unencumbered view of the sunset.

I felt Emmett reach around me, and I glanced down in time to watch him wave a key card in front of the high-tech lock. A green light flashed, and the door popped open. Heat spilled from the small space, wrapping me in a warm embrace. Though, the view instantly stole my attention as I slowly made my way inside.

Staring at the sinking sun on the horizon, I watched as orange faded to red. Awestruck, I glanced over my shoulder to see Emmett’s reaction. But he wasn’t standing like I’d expected him to be.

Instead, he was down on one knee—holding a box with a stunning diamond ring.

“Millie Rushing,” he started. “I don’t remember who I was before we met, but I know he was a shell of the man before you today. You brought me back to life, honey. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Tears welled in my eyes and spilled down my cheeks as I eagerly nodded my head.

“Yes, of course I will!” I exclaimed, laughing as he picked me up and spun me around the dome.

Earlier, when I thought this life could not possibly get any better—I was wrong.