It was before dawn the next morning when they set off along the south fork river, past the Scout Falls and up into the Timpanogos Basin.

The campsite manager had been right, it was drizzling, but once they reached the saddle, the rain let up. It was cold and windy, but an absolutely beautiful day.

They were alone on the trail, working together as if they'd hiked and climbed as a team for years. Not a lot of words were exchanged, they both enjoyed being together and being in nature.

She felt sore from last night and happy. His hand would find hers, ever so often, he'd stop and steal a kiss. There was a light in his eyes, a way he'd look at her, smile at her that made her heart flutter.

After a long hike with some climbing sections, they reached the summit of Mount Timpanogos.

Nina felt tears prick at her eyes as she looked over the mountains, down at Provo Canyon, Emerald and Utah Lake. A feeling of absolute peace and freedom filled her.

It had been a long time since she'd felt whole. She was grateful for being here, out in nature, on this mountain, grateful to be alive and to be standing next to a man she had deeply fallen in love with.

He stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her.

"Are you alright, babe?" he gently asked.

Her hands came up to rest on his.

"I am. Just very humbled. And so very happy. Thank you."

"Whatever for?"

She turned in his arms. "For finding me. Taking me here."

He kissed her forehead. "I'm not gonna let you go again."

It sounded sincere and genuine.

They sat huddled together, eating the sandwiches they had brought, enjoying the majestic mountains surrounding them.

He pulled out his phone and took pictures of the mountains and - after much protest from her and a lot of convincing (kissing really) from him - them together.

"We better start on our way back," he said.

"How late is it?" she asked.

"Just before noon. We made good time," he replied, kissing her temple. "But I need to get you down and out of these clothes."

She clenched her thighs at the look he gave her.

His fingers wrapped around her neck, pulling her in for a deep kiss.

"Come on, let's go."

On their way down they met a lot of hikers and climbers, who had waited out the weather at the bottom. She was glad they had, so she had this wonderful moment with Jared all to herself.

After several hours they made it back to the campsite. When last night theirs had been the only tent, dozens had now popped up.

Jared looked at her. "How about we pack up and find us a nice hotel for some privacy?"

She bit her lip and nodded.

His hand came up to her face, this thumb pulling her lip from between her teeth. "Stop doing that, baby, or the whole campsite is going to hear you scream my name," he breathed.

She blushed and quickly turned to pack up.

He laughed.

An hour later they stumbled through the door of their hotel, backpacks dumped on the floor, tugging and pulling on their clothes. He kicked the door shut and pushed her up against the wall as he devoured her mouth, before leaving a hot trail of kisses down to her neck, where he licked and sucked on her sweet spot, sure to leave a mark.

He had her out of her clothes before they reached the bedroom. He pushed her body against the cold wall, his hand held her head at the back of her neck, so he could kiss her deeply, whilst his other hand roamed down her back, over the curve of her ass, to reach between her legs and find her soaking wet for him.

He moaned into her mouth as he pushed two fingers inside her, his thumb rubbing her clit. She clung onto him for dear life, his hard member hot on her stomach between them. He started a merciless rhythm that had her falling apart within minutes, leaving her a panting, moaning mess.

Jared lifted her up and dropped her on the bed, laying between her legs. He lined his weeping member up with her entrance.

"I can't wait, not tonight, baby," he apologised and then moaned with her as he filled her in one swift thrust.

She didn't care, she felt the same urgency. The feeling of him moving inside her, his skin on hers, his hands and lips caressing her body was too exquisite.

"You feel so good inside me," she moaned.

"You're so fucking tight, babe. I don't know if I can last any longer, I've been holding back all day," he faltered, picking up speed.

And she was right there with him. Her legs squeezed his waist, pulling him in closer, as his thrusts became sloppy. Their ragged breaths and moans echoed through the hotel room.

Suddenly, he stilled his movements.

"Nina, look at me," he breathed.

The back of his fingers caressed her cheek, fingertips tracing her lips.

She looked up at him. His eyes shone with passion, warmth and emotion. Something passed between them. A deep connection.

"I...Nina, I..." He looked at her in awe, love shining in his eyes.

Her heart fluttered. Somehow, she knew exactly what he tried to say. She placed her hand on his chest, feeling his heart beating rapidly.

"Me too, Jared," she whispered.

He bent his head, capturing her lips in a tender kiss, resuming his thrusts. Slowly this time.

His forehead was damp with sweat as he rested it on hers. His hips rotated at just the right angle and she fell over the edge. Moaning his name she came hard around his cock. He was right there with her, groaning out his release.

They lay on the bed, still breathing raggedly, legs intertwined. His fingers were playing with her hair, hers drew lazy patterns on his chest.

"I've been thinking about this for the past six weeks," he said.

"About?"

"This. Being with you, holding you in my arms."

She rested up on her elbows, searching his face. "You have?"

He hummed, his fingers gliding through her hair.

"I have been imagining what I would do and say when I finally find you. I had plans."

"And how did they work out?"

He pulled her onto his chest.

"They went right out the window the moment I saw you again," he breathed against her lips.

"Is that a good thing?" she asked.

"Mhm. It's new for me. I never deviate from plans. It stresses me out. But I like the way we... improvise. I like how you make me feel relaxed." His lips brushed over hers in a featherlight touch.

"I'm very good at making people relax," she flirted.

"Tell me you don't give this treatment to every client." His hand ran down her spine to come to rest on her ass.

"You're not my client," she pointed out, "so you get something no one else gets."

"And that is?" he whispered.

She lowered her gaze. "You're going to think it's soppy."

"Try me."

She looked back up at him with determination. "My heart. You get my heart."

His eyes were soft. "That's not soppy. That's beautiful. But only on one condition."

"Yeah? What's that?"

"You accept mine in return."

She didn't realise she was crying until she felt him wipe away her tears tenderly, before he kissed her deeply.