Damien: A Forced Proximity Insta Love

Romance (Heart River Valley: Rugged

Mountain Men Book 2) Cindy Smoke
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 D AM IE N
A Forced Proximity Insta Love Romance

Cindy Smoke
 Copyright © 2024 Cindy Smoke

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
 CONTENTS

Title Page
Copyright
Description
Become a VIP!
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Epilogue
About the Author
Except from Colton
 DESCRIPTION
When a rugged mountain man who doesn’t believe in love meets the sassy and beautiful interior designer who is immune
to his usual charms, sparks fly. And not just from the fire crackling in the hotel suite they were both assigned to by
mistake.

Charleigh:

I’m so excited to visit Montana for the first time! I can’t wait to take in the scenic views: breathtaking mountains, crystal clear
rivers, a hot guy who keeps taking his shirt off…wait. What?
Hold on. I didn’t come here to meet a guy. The opposite, actually. But the way he keeps looking at me when he thinks I don’t
notice makes my heart race and my knees weak.
Why am I fighting this so hard? He’s the opposite of what I thought I wanted. But he might be everything that I need.

Damien:

No woman has ever held my interest for long. I never thought I’d find one that could. But from the moment I walked into my
hotel suite and saw her standing there, I knew my life would never be the same.
She’s fighting whatever this is between us, even though I can see in her eyes she wants it too. I won’t stop until she
understands what I already know for certain: She’s the only one for me.

In the ruggedly beautiful Heart River Valley of Montana, which contains a staggeringly high number of single hot alpha
males, romance happens fast and hard. And when you least expect it. These possessive mountain men will do anything for
the beautiful curvy girls they fall for. Each book in this series features no cheating, plenty of heat, and a happily-ever-
after!
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Thanks for reading!
Cindy Smoke - xoxo
 CHAPTER 1
Charleigh

The chilly Montana breeze kisses my cheeks before whipping my hair into my face as I step out of the taxi, but the sight
before me is enough to chase away any lingering travel fatigue. My breath hitches, momentarily stolen by the view before me.
The mountains beyond the Valley View Resort rise in the distance, their snow-capped peaks like the jagged edges of an ancient
crown, and the river snaking through the valley sparkles with the sunlight on its surface. It is a canvas begging for an artist's
touch, which makes me think of my friend Jess who does such fantastic sketches for our firm.
"Would you look at that," I murmured to myself, unable to contain the wonder in my voice. Home in Georgia is the city of
Atlanta, nothing like the rugged beauty of Montana. I can't help but let a girlish giggle escape my lips; I am standing in the heart
of Big Sky Country, surrounded by nature.
I slide my sunglasses up the bridge of my nose, shielding my eyes from the bright afternoon sun that spotlights the valley. A
chill runs down my spine and I tug my faux fur coat—a stylish yet practical choice, I had congratulated myself on earlier—
tighter around my curvy frame.
I can’t wait to see Maddie! She said the rest of the wedding party will be meeting for the rehearsal later, which gives me
just enough time to shower and change before it all begins. The wedding is tomorrow, and then I have the entire rest of the
week to explore this place.
The lobby of the Resort is all rustic elegance, beams of polished wood soar above me as my heels punctuate my entrance
with a loud click-clack that seems to echo off the grand stone fireplace and over the plush leather sofas. I make a beeline for
the front desk, the scent of cedar and pine wafting over me.
"Hi there," I greet the receptionist, a young woman with a smile as bright as the Montana sky. "I'm Charleigh White, checking
in."
"Welcome to Heart River Valley, Miss White," she chirps, her fingers dancing across the keyboard.
"Thank you," I reply, unable to keep the excitement from bubbling up in my voice. "I've heard y'all have some of the best
mountain views around."
"Absolutely," she confirms, handing me a keycard with a flourish. "You're going to love your room—you’ve been upgraded
to a suite. It's got a view that'll knock your boots, I mean, heels off. It even has a real wood-burning fireplace that staff lights
nightly if you’d like. Just head down that corridor there, and take the elevator to the fifth floor."
"Oh wow. That sounds perfect! Yes to the fireplace, please.” My heart flutters in anticipation of gazing out at those rugged
peaks from my room, curled up by the fire with my Kindle.
"Enjoy your stay, and let us know if there's anything we can do for you," she adds with a wink.
"Thanks again," I reply before turning to head to the elevators. One opens as I approach and I step inside, tapping the button
for the fifth floor. The brushed metal doors slide shut, and I grin to myself, eager to explore the resort and the nearby town. The
elevator hums upwards, and I lean back against the railing, closing my eyes for a moment.
It’s been a hard year for me. Work is endless, and although I’m grateful to have landed a job at the top interior design firm in
Atlanta right out of school, I feel like a doctor on call 24/7. I can’t believe I was able to get an entire week off for Maddie’s
wedding. And now I can finally cross a visit to Montana off my bucket list.
Mark never wanted to visit Montana. Mark never wanted to travel at all. We started dating in college after a mixer between
my sorority and his fraternity. Everyone said we were the perfect match - a real-life Ken and Barbie, which was just a
reference to the fact that we both have blond hair. When I finally realized that he wasn’t ever going to put me first, but always
expected me to drop everything for him, I knew it was time to part ways. Much to my mother’s dismay. Mom only seems to
want one thing for me: to get married. No matter what I say she doesn’t understand how I am perfectly content as I am.
The ding of the elevator pulls me back from my thoughts, its doors sliding open with a soft whoosh. I step out and glance at
the gold-plated room numbers lining the hallway.
"Five-oh-nine," I mutter under my breath, counting the doors until I reach mine. I slide the keycard into the slot. A green light
blinks its approval, and I push the door open, stepping into my home for the next week.
My eyes widen at the sight. The living area boasts a stone fireplace big enough to heat a house, flanked by two oversized
leather armchairs that invite you to sink right in. On the walls are pictures of Montana's wild beauty, framed in rustic wood. It’s
a tasteful and elegant style I’d describe as mountain chic, and I’m here for it. I grab my toiletries out of my carry-on before
placing it and the rest of my things in the closet.
Closing the closet door, I step back, admiring the warm tone of the wood. "Whoever designed this place sure knew what
they were doing," I remark, a little nod to my own trade. "And I'm going to enjoy every second of luxury while I'm here.
Starting with the view.”
Walking over to the floor-to-ceiling window wall, I gaze out. The view I enjoyed earlier is even better up here. I sigh,
feeling my shoulders relax and the tension leave my body. All I need now is a hot shower. Ooh! I haven’t checked out the
bathroom yet!
I hurry to open the double doors that must lead to the bathroom, and I’m not disappointed. A large tub big enough to swim in
is off to the side, while the other side boasts a walk-in shower with two rainfall shower heads. The white marble gleams from
the sparkling crystal chandelier and a smile spreads across my face just as I hear my phone ding.

Maddie:

Hey C, you here?

Me:

Yes! OMG my room is so awesome!

Maddie:

I’m so glad! Nash may have made a few phone calls about some upgrades.

Me:

He’s the best! I’m so happy for you!

Maddie:

Thank you. Means so much that you are here. Like we talked about the other day, we’ll meet everyone in the lobby for
drinks before the rehearsal. See you at 5:00!

Me:

Can’t wait! I’m gonna hop in the shower and get ready. See you soon!

I’m about to put my phone on the bathroom counter when it dings again. I take one look and moan.

Mom:

Have you made it to the hotel yet dear?

Me:
 Hi mom. Yes, all checked in. No worries.

Mom:

Great! I know you’ll have such a good time. Weddings are always a great place to meet people. Maybe you’ll find Mr. Right
in Montana!

Me:

Mom, I’m not looking to meet anyone. I just want to relax and have a good time.

Mom:

Well excuse me for wanting my daughter to be happy.

Me:

I am happy. Really.

Mom:

Just be sure not to overindulge. You don’t want to have to worry about your weight. And men like a woman who eats like a
bird.

Me:

Eye roll emoji

Mom:

Charleigh Laurel White! Did you just roll your eyes at me?

Me:

My thumb must have slipped, meant to send a heart. Gotta go take a shower. Bye!

Steam spirals toward the ceiling as I step out of the shower. I stood under the hot stream for forever, letting Mom’s words
roll off my back and down the drain. Stretching my neck as I move my head from side to side, I resolve not to let her words get
in the way of me enjoying myself this week.
After drying off, I bend over and wrap my hair up in the fluffy towel before flipping it back as I stand. Relaxed, I release a
deep sigh and open the door to the bedroom, intent on finding the perfect dress for tonight. My gaze snags on a sight that has me
freezing mid-step.
There, looking out the window of MY hotel room, is a figure that makes my heart stop. He’s tall, muscles rippling as he
pulls a white T-shirt over his head, exposing a chiseled chest and back that makes heat rush to my core. He tosses it onto the
bed next to a dark button-down shirt. His head is bobbing slightly, and I realize he has air pods in. I wonder what he’s
listening to.
Yep, that’s the thought that crosses my mind. Forget wondering if he’s here to rob me, or if he’s an assassin sent from our
rival interior design firm or worse. Nope. My sense of self-preservation does not kick in. I stand there mesmerized as I take in
his profile.
His features are chiseled with the kind of rugged handsomeness that screams Montana born and bred. He runs a hand through
his dark hair and starts to turn my way, which is exactly the moment when the fact that I’m standing here completely NUDE
finally registers with me. With a screech I turn and rush into the bathroom, slamming the door behind me.
 CHAPTER 2
Damien

I can see why people like this resort so much. I’d never pay to stay here normally, but since the wedding is here I figured it
would be easier than driving back to my place. I am so ready to get settled in my cabin. I was lucky that it got dried in before
winter hit. I’ve been spending all of my time finishing the interior, but it’s wearing on me. A few nights at a hotel is probably
just the break I need.
Although it sucks that I have to attend a wedding of all things. I mean, Nash seems like a cool enough guy. His brother Rhett
has been the best thing that ever happened to my sister, I’ll be the first to admit that. But fuck if I hate weddings and all this love
bullshit.
That’s what it is. Bullshit. I mean sure, my brother Colton seems pretty happy. But I’ve never met a woman that I wanted to
“settle down” with. “Settle down.” Ha. My idea of hell on Earth.
I’m building this cabin to have a place to call home since these mountains are where I grew up and truly are my home. But I
fully intend to get out and see the world. No interest in a woman tying me down. No interest in any woman I’ve met in a long
time, unfortunately. I’m at the point where I need more than a pretty face. I need to be able to have a conversation with a
woman, be able to discuss books or art or history.
Sure, no one would guess that’s what I want. Most women take one look at me and assume all I want is a one-night stand.
And plenty have been down for that over the years. But what I’m looking for now, that woman doesn’t exist. At least, I haven’t
met her yet.
Tossing my shirt on the bed, I turn to make my way into the bathroom just in time to see the most gorgeous round ass bounce
away from me before the door slams shut. What the hell? I grin and raise one eyebrow as I toss my air pods on the bed. Oh, I
get it. My brothers know I haven’t dated anyone in forever and thought it would be hilarious to hire a stripper to surprise me.
I shake my head as I bang on the door. “Hey hot stuff. While I appreciate the fact that this suite comes with that kind of room
service, I think I’ll pass.”
I hear a loud gasp.
“How dare you!”
“Don’t be offended, honey. If I was into that kinda thing, you’d be perfect for the job. I must say, Brodie and Crawford have
outdone themselves this time. I know it wasn’t Wilkes. It wasn’t Wilkes, right?” Then something dawns on me. “But aren’t
strippers supposed to start the job with their clothes on?
“I. Am. Not. A. Stripper!”
“Oh really? Then what are you doing in my room, not that I mind one bit.”
“Hang on. Did you say, “Brodie and Crawford and Wilkes?”
“I did. They’re my brothers. So they did hire you?”
“NO dammit. Hang on. One sec.” She swings the door open, towel loosely covering her front. I take a moment to look her up
and down, admiring the view. Ample chest, curves that the towel can’t hide, full pouty lips, the kind you want to nibble on, and
icy blue eyes that are glaring daggers at me.
Glancing over her shoulder, I can see the reflection of her perfect ass in the mirror on the far wall. Round and juicy. Fuck.
My eyes weren’t deceiving me. That is the most perfect ass I have ever seen.
“You must be Damien. I’m Charleigh. I’m a friend of Maggie’s from Atlanta, I’m here for the wedding.”
My eyes go wide. “Oh shit. I’m sorry, I just, I thought-”
She puts a hand on her hip. “Out of all the possibilities you thought I was a stripper? Seriously?”
 “Well, I mean…shit. I don’t know.” My gaze travels to her reflection again. My cock starts to stiffen at the sight.
“Can you please just get out of my room and go back down to the front desk?”
Pulling my eyes from her reflection, I meet hers again. “Your room? I don’t think so. This is my room, Peaches.”
“Ugh! Seriously? You are the biggest ass on the planet!” She huffs. “Okay fine, let’s go down together and sort this out.”
“Let’s go.” I motion for her to lead the way.
She rolls her eyes at me. “I’m not going in a towel, dumbass. Can you step out in the hall and give me a sec to get dressed?”
“Oh, right. Uhm, yeah, can do.” I can feel her eyes on me as I grab my shirts off the bed and toss them on before heading out
the door.
I only have to wait a few minutes before she steps out, wearing tight yoga pants and a pink hoodie.
“Come on, let’s get this over with.” I follow her to the elevator, my mouth salivating at the view of her rear end as her hips
sway with each step. We ride the elevator down in silence, she’s standing as far away from me as she can with her arms
crossed over her chest and a look of angry determination on her face.
The receptionist looks up and smiles as we approach the front desk. “May I help you?”
“YES! Please.” Charleigh waves her hand at me. “This…person and I were both given the key to the same room. I’m in 509.
I was there first.”
“Oh, I’m terribly sorry. One moment.” Her fingernails clack on the keyboard as Charleigh taps her plastic key card
impatiently on the counter.
“Hmm.” The receptionist frowns, and Charleigh’s back stiffens.
“It appears we are fully booked. We had a pipe burst this morning and that took several of our rooms out of service for the
week. I don’t have another room to move you to, Mr….?”
“My name’s Davis. Damien Davis.” I give the receptionist my best panty-melting grin, and she bats her eyelashes at me in
return.
“Well Mr. Davis, I’m terribly sorry to have inconvenienced you.”
“Inconvenienced HIM, did you say?” The receptionist ignores Charleigh and looks at me again.
“Here. Let me give you my personal cell number. Text me yours and then I can reach you whenever a room becomes
available. I’m Danika, by the way.”
“Danika, what a lovely name. Thank you.” I take the card she just wrote her number on and slide it into my pocket.
Then Danika looks past us to a line of guests waiting to check in. “I can help the next guest, please.”
“Hey!” Charleigh raises her hand, pointing at the receptionist, but I take her by the arm and pull her to the side before she
can make a scene. “What?! Can you believe her flirting with you like that? And not caring that I’m the one who had a strange
man walk into my room?!”
“Listen. I know none of my brothers are staying here, but maybe there’s room at my sister and Rhett’s place. Let me just give
them a call.” I reach for my phone but Charleigh stops me.
“No, don’t bother them. I’m sure they have enough on their plate with all the wedding stuff.” She looks up at me like she’s
making a decision. “I can be an adult about this if you can. There are two beds. And it’s not like we’re really strangers, since
our families know each other. Let’s just share the room for tonight and we can figure things out tomorrow.”
“Fine by me.”
 CHAPTER 3
Charleigh

“Charleigh!” I turn in the direction of that familiar voice and smile. Maddies rushes up to me, throwing her arms around my
neck. Nash follows hers, grinning as he extends his large hand for me to shake.
“Hey Charleigh, great to meet you in person. Maddie has told me so much about you.” I smile at him over his fiancè’s
shoulder. “Same!”
Maddie releases me and steps back, her hands on my arms. “We’re so glad you could make it. And you look amazing!”
I smile at her warmly. “Aw, thanks girl. And I wouldn’t miss my childhood best friend’s wedding for anything.”
“You’re the best! I can’t wait to catch up. We have to go speak to everyone but I’ll see you soon.” They smile at me as they
walk away.
“Charleigh, is that you?” I hear Maddie’s little sister’s voice and start to smile as I’m wrapped up in another hug.
“Hey, Marley. So you moved out here too, huh?”
She beams at me. “Yes. I’m telling you, when Maddie said this place was full of hot guys, she wasn’t kidding. Speaking of, I
want you to meet Colton. His brothers should all be here for the wedding. In fact, there’s one in particular I was thinking you
should meet. His name is…oh hey Damien!”
I cut my eyes over to my new roommate. We managed to get ready in the same room by taking turns using the bathroom. Not
at all the start I had envisioned for my relaxing week, but after I calmed down I realized he didn’t actually cause any of this, so
I decided to call a truce.
I finished getting ready before he did, and when he stepped out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel around his
waist, his sculpted abs still dripping, I high-tailed it out of there. So when I turn to see him in a tailored suit that perfectly hugs
his muscular frame my jaw nearly drops. He cleans up very well.
“Damien, this is our friend from home, Charleigh. Charleigh, meet one of Colton’s brothers, Damien.”
“Damien,” I say his name flatly.
“Charleigh.” He returns mine the same, making Marley’s brow furrow.
I wave my hand dismissively. “We’ve met. A mix-up with hotel keys. Everything’s fine.”
“Colton, mind if I steal her away for a minute?” I give him my brightest smile, and then without waiting for a reply, I take her
by the arm and purposely turn her away from Damien. “So tell me all about this place!”
We head toward the lobby bar and each order a glass of chardonnay. Marley leans in with a conspiratorial look. “Girl, I
can’t wait for you to meet the rest of Colton’s brothers. And Nash’s friends who will be here tomorrow. I’m telling you, this
town is the best-kept secret this side of the Mississippi.”
I can’t help but laugh as the bartender hands us our drinks. “Is that so?”
“Yep. I mean, someone could make a fortune starting a dating service here. There are ten hot guys for every girl. I’m not
exaggerating.” She shakes her head to emphasize her point.
“Well, that’s great to know. But I’m not here for that.” I turn to face her. “So tell me about the town. What should I do for fun
after the wedding? I took the entire week off.”
“Oh, you’ll have the best time. There’s really good hiking right from the resort property. And you have to come and visit me
at Nash and his brother’s ranch. You’ll love all the horses. And Colton’s sister owns a coffee shop and bakery, she makes the
BEST pastries. You’ll have to stop by. There’s a lot to do. Just text me after the wedding and I’ll be happy to be your tour
guide.”
“Oh that’s so generous, thank you.” I smile at her, thinking back on fond childhood memories.
 “So how’s your mom? What did she think of you breaking up with Mark?” Marley grins at me, probably already guessing the
answer.
“You can imagine I’m sure.” I sigh, and Marley nudges my arm. “Sorry, didn’t mean to bring up anything unpleasant.”
“No worries.” I grin at her. “So tell me all about your Montana mountain man.”
“Girl. He swept me off my feet from day one. And his brothers are awesome. You wouldn’t know it to look at them, but take
Damien for instance. Women always flock to him, but he just brushes them off. Colton says he was the smartest kid in school,
and then he got a scholarship to UM and finished his dual degree in 3 years. Then he got his masters in Computer Science and
worked for a tech start-up out of San Francisco that was bought by a private equity firm in New York for a ton of money.”
“You don’t say. Not what I was expecting at all.”
“It’s true. He never said how much money he got, but after they were bought out he moved back here and started building his
own place on some of their family land. They own quite a bit, apparently their family has been in the area for ages.”
“Fascinating.” I glance over at Damien. Just as I do, he laughs, throwing his head back, and the deep, right sound makes my
stomach flutter. Then as if he senses my gaze, he turns and meets my eyes. And winks at me. Heat blooms on my cheeks as I
quickly look away.
But then our attention is drawn to the front of the room as an announcement is made that the rehearsal is about to begin.
Marley and I smile at each other, take a last sip of our drinks, and head toward the rest of the wedding party.
 CHAPTER 4
Damien

My eyes follow Charleigh as she walks up to the front of the room. And I’m not the only one. I see more than one cowboy
check her out as she moves confidently through the room.
She looks amazing in a long, shimmering pink gown that hugs her curves. Colton must notice me watching because he
elbows me in the ribs with a chuckle.
“See something you like, brother?”
“I might,” I reply without taking my eyes off Charleigh.
“You could do worse.”
“Is that right?” I finally pull my gaze from her to glance at my eldest brother.
“Yep. And I don’t mean just because she’s hot. Maddy says she’s the youngest hire the design firm she works for has ever
made. And that they’re the most prestigious firm in Atlanta. She’s already won some ‘new designer of the year something-or-
other awards’ I think Maddy said.”
“Hmm.” I am only half-listening to my brother, but the words sink in. So, not just a pretty face. “Interesting.” I glance down
at my drink, swirling the amber liquid around in the ice before taking another sip.
“So am I reading this right? Is my brother, the one who hasn’t dated in God knows how long, taking an interest in someone?”
“Fuck, I don’t know, man.” He starts to chuckle again.
“Well, let me know if I can help. I’m sure you are rusty at this, D.”
“Fuck off, Colton.”
“Love you too, bro.”
The rest of the rehearsal and subsequent dinner go by quickly. I find it irritating that there are assigned seats at dinner, which
means I can’t sit by Charleigh. And then get irritated at the fact that I am irritated about it. Fuck.
And then during dinner I have a clear view of the cowboy who keeps flirting with her. And I get irritated at how much she
laughs at his jokes and smiles at the fucker. And then get irritated that THAT irritates me. So by the time we all say goodnight
and head to our rooms, I’m pissed.
Charleigh and I ride the same elevator up to our floor and happen to be the only two that get out. As I follow her down the
hall, she turns and smiles at me. “Wasn’t that fun? I had a great night, what about you?”
“Fine.”
She frowns. “What’s wrong? You didn’t enjoy the dinner?” she asks as she opens the door to our room. Before I can answer
she exclaims, “Damien! Look! They made a fire in our fireplace. Oh, isn’t it fantastic?!”
She beams at me, and some of the tension I’ve been feeling starts to ease. Charleigh sits down on the sofa in front of the fire
and sighs as she kicks her high heels off.
“Oh, my feet were killing me tonight.”
I sit down on the other end of the sofa after tossing my jacket on the bed nearest the door. She leans back and puts her feet up
on the sofa. “Ugh, I hope my feet don’t swell up tonight. What will I do if they are so sore I can’t wear my heels for the
wedding tomorrow?”
“Jeez, just give ‘em to me already.” I reach for her left foot and start to massage it.
“What are you doing?” she says, pulling her foot back.
“I’m trying to get you to stop complaining so I can sit here in peace and quiet. Now give me your foot so I don’t have to
listen to you whine any more.” I can tell she’s torn between wanting to let me have it, and wanting me to massage her feet.
 “Fine,” she says as she thrusts her feet into my lap. I pick one up and rub my thumbs along the sole of her foot before
working on her toes. We sit there in silence, the fire crackling and popping.
Charleigh moans as I apply a little more pressure to her foot, and the sound goes straight to my cock. Her eyes flutter and
close, and her breathing slows. I take a moment to stare at her. Her long blond hair is splayed out over the sofa pillow, the
golden strands reflecting the light from the fire. Her full pouty lips part slightly, and I find myself wanting to run my tongue
along her lower one.
Shaking my head, I put her left foot down and start to massage the right, making her stir. I think she’s fallen asleep when she
whispers, “I take it back.”
“What?”
“You aren’t the biggest ass on the planet.”
I grin to myself. “Oh no?”
“No,” she says, then continues. “Maybe top 3, but not the biggest.”
I glance at the fire, reminded of a line from one of my favorite plays by Shakespeare. “And when two raging fires meet
together, they do consume the thing that feeds their fury.”
She’s silent for a moment, and I assume she’s fallen asleep. But then I hear her soft voice once again. “I’m not a shrew,
Damien,” she says, eyes still closed, but the corners of her mouth curl up adorably. I’m more than a little impressed she got my
reference, even if I’ll never admit it.
 CHAPTER 5
Charleigh

My sweet friend Maddie was the most beautiful bride. The wedding ceremony and everything about it, from her dress to the
decor to the cake to the champagne to the cute little party favors that are ornaments of the resort, it was all perfect. Maddie and
Nash are smiling at each other as they finish their first dance, and I’m swaying to the music when I feel a presence behind me.
I don’t know why I expect it to be Damien, but I’m surprised and slightly disappointed when I turn and see the cowboy I was
seated next to at dinner last night. What was his name? Oh right. Rob. He’s tall and handsome, in that smug way that you know
he knows. But I don’t mind the attention. “Care to dance?” he asks, holding his hand out.
“I’d love to” I smile at him, taking his hand. Something about the way he puffs his chest out as he leads me to the dance floor
gives me the ick, but I brush it off. It’s just a dance. The music is fast, and Rob’s dancing isn’t half bad. I enjoy showing off my
moves while he stays close, trying to put his hands on my hips. I manage to slip out of his grasp each time like it’s all part of
my dancing.
Marley and Colton end up beside us, and I smile at them as Rob takes my hand and twirls me around before pulling me
against him. The music changes to a slow song, and he slides his hands a little too low on my backside as he leans down
against my ear. “You are so hot, Charleigh. I can’t keep my eyes off you.”
I step away from him, fanning myself. “Thanks Rob. I uh, think I’m getting a little overheated. I’ll be right back.” I turn
around before he can stop me and make my way through the crowd straight to the bar. “Just a water, please,” I say to the
smiling bartender who tosses some ice in a glass before pouring the water in and handing it to me with a flourish. “Thanks.”
He nods and turns to the next guest as I step to the side. Scanning the crowd I see Rob making a beeline straight for me.
Great. I’m about to head to the ladies’ room when my eyes land on Damien. He winks at me before cutting Rob’s path off. They
are too far away for me to hear what they are saying, but Rob’s smile fades to a frown and he looks at me with disgust before
turning away. What the hell?
Damien saunters over to where I’m standing, a triumphant grin on his face.
“What the hell was that?” I demand.
“Hi Charleigh. Nice to see you too. Yes, I thought the service was lovely.”
I wave my palm in front of his face. “What did you say to Rob?”
“Who?” he asks with an innocent expression that I want to slap off his face.
“You know who.”
“Oh, the cowboy you couldn’t stop flirting with last night? Not much. I just let him know that the woman he’s been dancing
with was moaning in my hotel room last night.”
Before I know what I’m doing, I’ve thrown my water in Damien’s face. “You had no right to do that? What if I liked him?!”
The son of a bitch smiles at me. “Ha! I knew you didn’t. I knew it! You’re welcome, by the way. I got rid of him for you. You
should be thanking me.”
“You are the worst!” I say before turning and stomping off. I don’t know where I’m headed, and I don’t know why this man
keeps getting under my skin. I mean, he’s right. He did do me a favor, in his own ridiculous way. But it wasn’t his place. And
what the hell does he care who I dance with? Or flirt with?
I open the first door I find and step out into the cold night. Taking a deep breath of the clean, cool air, I let it out slowly and
walk over to the terrace railing. The sky is clear, and I gasp when I look up. I’ve never seen so many stars before.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Damien’s voice is right behind me, startling me. I don’t turn around, just nod. “That’s one of the things I
missed most when I was away at school. How clear the night sky is here.”
 “I can see why.”
We stand there in silence, looking out over the mountains. Something shifts between us in that silence. I don’t know what it
is, but I can feel it. A breeze picks up, sending a shiver across my exposed shoulders.
“Here.” Damien’s deep, smooth voice warms me from the inside out. He slips his jacket over my shoulders, and I inhale his
fresh, masculine scent. He smells woodsy with a hint of spice. “And I’m sorry for interfering with what’s his name.”
“No you aren’t.” I know he’s smiling even though he’s behind me. “But I am sorry for throwing my water in your face.”
He chuckles softly before wrapping his arms around me, and I instinctively lean back into his firm chest. He nuzzles against
my hair and I arch my back, a thrill shooting down my spine that has nothing to do with the cold.
“You keep surprising me, Peaches. I’m not used to it. Women never hold my interest. But you, I can’t stop thinking about you.
You’re driving me crazy.”
I turn around and wrap my arms around his shoulders. Even in the darkness I can see his eyes, see the fire in them.
“Damien…”
He leans down and brings his lips to mine, and butterflies explode in my stomach. His kiss is firm, demanding, and I give
into it without questions. He slides one hand around my waist, the other into my hair, and pulls me against him.
There’s no mistaking the bulge against my belly, which makes my insides flip knowing this incredibly hot man is turned on
by me. I part my lips, and his tongue sweeps into my mouth. He tastes like whiskey and sin. His hand slides down over my ass,
squeezing as our kiss deepens.
My panties are soaked with need as he breaks the kiss, only to continue kissing my neck, sucking and licking so that the cold
air hitting my wet skin sends another round of shivers across my skin. I moan as he lifts my leg, pressing the hard length of him
against my hot center as I’m pinned between him and the railing.
He pulls back, then lowers his forehead to mine. We stand there, breathing the same air, our breath visible in the cold
Montana night. “Let’s go to our room, Peaches.”
I nod. Then he takes my hand and leads me along the balcony to a far door back inside. No one notices us slip out of the
ballroom and into the nearest elevator.
 CHAPTER 6
Damien

We step into our room and as soon as the door closes behind me, I pull her to me. What is it about this woman that makes her
so unlike any other? Why can’t I help myself, why am I so drawn to her? Right now, I don’t know and I don’t care. All I know
is I need more of her.
The lights are off, but the fire is already going in the fireplace. It provides more than enough light for me to see Charleigh.
To see the look of desire on her face, to see her confidence as she steps back and reaches behind her to unzip her dress. It falls
to the ground, revealing a matching white lace bra and thong set. She’s exquisite. She lifts her chin as she removes her bra, her
large breasts full and round. Her nipples are hard, and I can’t wait to get my mouth on them.
She raises an eyebrow at me, and I realize she’s waiting for me to do the same. I grin as she watches me unbutton my shirt
and toss it on the floor. Watches me unzip my pants and kick them off, along with my shoes and socks. Her eyes widen when she
gets a better look at the way my cock is tenting my boxer briefs. But I’m not taking those off right now. Tonight all I want to do
is explore her curves, to make her moan and cry out as she comes.
“Come here, Peaches.” I reach out and cup her left breast, my thumb sliding over her nipple. She bites her lip and her head
falls back when I lean down and take her other tit in my mouth. I swirl my tongue over it as I slide my hand over her ass,
hooking a finger under her thong and shoving it down.
I push her until her legs hit the bed, then she falls back onto it. I climb onto the bed, parting her legs with my knees before
bracing myself with one hand on each side of her head. I look down at her, this beautiful girl who consumes my thoughts, and
lower my face to hers.
My kiss is more urgent this time, more demanding. I want all of her. I want all of her moans, all of her sighs, all of her
whimpers. And I want them now. I slowly slide down her body, my lips trailing kisses along her neck, then her chest, then her
stomach.
I position myself between her thighs, lifting them over my shoulders. I slip a finger into her wet heat, surprised at how tight
she is. Pumping it into her, I lick her pussy while watching her face. She bites her lower lip as my tongue swirls around her
clit, my finger pumping faster and faster. I slip another finger in, and she starts to moan.
Sucking on her clit before taking it gently between my teeth, I wrap my free hand around her thigh and pull her against my
face. Her hips start to rock in tandem with my thrusts.
“Oh Damien, oh it feels so good.” Fuck, those words nearly make me come in my briefs. I pump harder, managing to get a
third finger in, stretching her tight pussy. She arches when I do, hissing, but I don’t stop. It may be a little uncomfortable, but it’s
nothing compared to my cock. And she will be taking that soon enough. I just have to get her ready.
I swirl my tongue over her clit again, and she cries out as she comes, her thighs trembling against my face. She tastes like
vanilla and honey, like the sweetest nectar from the most delicious fruit. I lap her up greedily as she squirms away from me,
giggling.
“Damien, stop. Oh my God, I’m too sensitive.”
“Peaches, we are gonna do that all night long. No such thing as too sensitive.”
But I do give her a reprieve, and lie beside her as the firelight dances off of her curves. I stroke my fingers over her curves,
my cock painfully hard as I do. She flips over onto her side, facing me.
“Why do you call me ‘Peaches’? Is it because I’m from Atlanta?”
I laugh, then reach over and slap her on her ass.
“Hey! What the hell?” She swats at my chest, but I didn’t miss how her eyes lit up when I spanked her.
 “Yes, partly. But mostly because when I saw you run into the bathroom that first moment we met, I thought your ass looked
like a ripe, delicious, juicy peach. And I wanted to take a bite out of it.”
Then she squeals when I shoot up and flip her onto her stomach, taking a pretend bite of her ass. “Damien!”
I spank her again, pinning her like this by straddling her thighs. “What? I can’t bite your ass?”
“No!”
I spank her again. “You can’t tell me what to do. I’ll put my mouth on every inch of you woman, just you wait.”
Then I spend the rest of the night making good on my promise.
 CHAPTER 7
Charleigh

Late the next morning, I wake to a solid, warm wall of muscle against my back. Grinning to myself I wiggle my ass against
his cock, which instantly becomes hard.
“Peaches, if you are trying to get me to wake up, you’ve succeeded. But wiggle that ass one more time against my cock and I
won’t be held responsible for what happens next.”
A thrill shoots down my spine at his words, making my core clench. But I want to do the same for him that he did for me last
night. So I toss the covers off of us and crawl between his legs.
His eyes are hooded as I take his velvety soft but hard as granite cock in my hand and gently stroke it. My fingers don’t even
touch, making me more than a little nervous for if and when we do have sex. He’s so much bigger than I realized, and I wonder
if I can even get my lips around it like I planned to. But I’ll give it my best shot.
I lean down and lick the tip, tasting the salty, masculine drop of liquid on it. He groans when I lick my lips and slide them
along his shaft, my tongue flicking against the underside of his cock. Then I inhale a deep breath and take him into my mouth.
“Oh fuck, Peaches, yes. That feels so fucking good.” I wrap a hand around the base of his cock and start to pump as I feel the
tip of his cock against the back of my throat. I try to remember to breathe through my nose as suck and swirl my tongue over the
head before taking him into my throat again.
It doesn’t take long at all before his abs start to flex and his breathing becomes ragged. I know he’s close, so I continue to do
exactly what I’ve been doing, even though my eyes start to water and it’s a strain to keep my mouth open this wide. But
knowing how good this is making him feel has me working even harder to get him to finish.
He wraps my hair around his fist but doesn’t force my head against him, just holds on as he lets me do exactly what I want.
His legs shudder and he cries out my name as his release shoots down my throat. I swallow it down, licking his cock before
smiling up at him. The look of awe on his face is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“Sit on my face.” I’m taken aback by his words.
“What?”
“You heard me. Sit on my face, right now.”
“I, I don’t know. I don’t want to suffocate you.” He grabs my arm and pulls me forward, then scoots down the bed. He
manhandles me until he’s under my thighs, his face right below my pussy. I’m on all fours as he grabs my ass and pulls me
down until I’m on top of his face.
I lift up slightly, afraid he can’t breathe, but he growls and pulls me back down. His tongue thrust up into my pussy, spearing
me from below. I cry out at the sensation, then rock my hips against his face as his hands knead my ass. I was so turned on by
sucking his cock that I come in mere minutes, my orgasm exploding through my body as he holds me against his face.
I fall over to the side when he releases me, and start to giggle. He slaps my ass before kissing my stomach, then smiles at
me. “‘What?”
“I just, I never imagined anything like this would ever happen to me.”
“What do you mean? You mean you never sat on a guy’s face before?”
My face turns bright red and I bring my hands up to cover it. “No, oh my god, no! Never!”
He pulls my hands away from my face. “Peaches, you are the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted. Any guy who had the
privilege to be with you and didn’t do that is a complete fool.”
He kisses my forehead, then hops up and heads to the bathroom. I hear the shower water turn on as well as the sound of him
whistling. My phone beside the bed dings, and I grab it, but the smile on my face falls when I see it’s my mom.

Mom:

So how was the wedding?

Me:

It was great! Maddie looked gorgeous, the cake was amazing, everything was beautiful. Hang on, I’ll send you some
pics.

Mom:

No silly, I mean did you meet any guys? Or were you too busy enjoying that delicious cake? Of course that’s the thing
you would mention. Honey, I love you, so what I’m about to say comes from love. Your curves aren’t doing you any favors.
You’ve got to watch it.

I take a deep breath and exhale slowly.

Me:

Mom. If you really do love me, you’ll never mention my weight again. I love how I look, curves and all.

Mom:

Well I’m just the worst mom ever, huh? I can’t do anything right.

Me:

Mom, I didn’t say that.

Mom:

Might as well have.

Me:

Listen, I had a good time last night. And I was happy until I got this text from you. So please, if you want me in your life,
listen when I tell you I am happy the way I am.

Mom:

I’m just trying to help.

Me:

But it doesn't help, mom. So stop.

Mom:

I’ll speak to you when you get home. Have a good week.

Ugh. I toss my phone across the room and pound my fist into the bed. Why does she have to be like that?

“Hey Peaches, get that juicy ass in here, now. Let’s take a shower.” Damien’s voice calls from the bathroom, but instead of
being excited, I’m angered.
 “Stop calling me that! My ass isn’t juicy. Take your own damn shower!” I shouldn’t take it out on him, but with what mom
just said, I don’t want to hear it.
He steps out of the bathroom, his hands in the air. “Whoaaa. Hold on. What just happened? One minute you’re screaming my
name, the next you're screaming for me to shut up. What gives?”
“Nothing. Just, stop calling me that.” I turn away from him, a single tear falling down my cheek.
“Hang on.” He walks over to the bed and is about to sit down when he notices my phone on the floor. He raises an eyebrow
at me before going over to it and picking it up.
“Don’t read that, Damien. It’s nothing. Give it back.”
He holds a finger up at me. “One sec. It is something. Someone hurt my girl, and I need to know exactly what happened.”
The fact that he called me his girl cools the flames a bit, so I sit back and watch his face. By the time he’s finished reading
the texts from my mom, he looks angrier than I feel.
“This is your mom talking to you like this? Who the hell does she think she is?”
“She’s always been like that. She just says it how it is.” I shrug my shoulders, repeating the same phrase she always used to
explain why she said what she did.
“No.” He walks over to me and sits down, taking my chin with his finger. “You look me in the eyes so I know you hear me.”
I blink, then look up at him.
“You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. Not to mention obviously smart and talented, too. I’ve known you for a
few short days and I already can’t imagine letting you go at the end of the week. You are amazing. You are perfection. Your
curves are what drew my attention in the first place. Not to mention the attention of several fuckers at that wedding, and I
wanted to punch each one of them in the face for just looking at you. Do you hear me?”
I process his words as I look at him. His face is so serious. He really means it. I nod, a small smile spreading across my
lips.
“That’s better. Now, no more texting with Mom. We are going to have a fun day today. First we are taking a shower if there
is any more hot water left, and then I’m showing you around Heart River. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“Good. Now get your perfect ass in that shower.”
 CHAPTER 8
Damien

Charleigh and I spend the rest of the day together. I show her around Heart River and enjoy watching her experience it for
the first time. We laugh over lunch at the Saloon, where my brother Wilkes shows up and shares embarrassing stories from our
childhood. But he leaves in a hurry when his ex from high school walks in, looking stunning as ever.
Then we walk over to Hearts and Grinds, where Elise nearly has a heart attack when she realizes Charleigh is with me. My
sister proceeds to bag up one of every single thing in her display case for me and Charleigh to take with us. All this, and she
manages to give Charleigh a big hug before we leave, telling her how she’s NEVER seen me with a girl much less had me
bring one by. I glare at my sister as we leave, who only shows her maturity by poking her tongue out at me before giving me a
ridiculous wave goodbye across the room.
The week flies by, and before I know it, it’s Charleigh’s last night in Heart River. We are sitting in our suite in front of the
fire as the snow falls gently out the window. I’ve been dreading this day, but it got here so much faster than I thought it would.
My emotions are all over the place, and I think Charleigh can tell by how distant I am tonight. I’m not as into our usual nightly
game of naming places we want to travel to and the top sights we’d visit when we get there. Turns out we have a lot of the
same in common.
“Damien, I have had the best week ever. But there’s something that I’m disappointed about.”
“What’s that, Peaches?” I’m stroking her hair absentmindedly as we both watch the fire.
She swallows, then turns her beautiful face up to mine. “I know you’ve been holding back because I’m only here for a short
time, but I don’t want you to hold back tonight. I want to be with you, Damien.”
I turn my head toward her, grinning. “What do you mean, be with me?”
She swats my leg. “You know exactly what I mean?”
“Peaches, are you saying you want me to fuck that tight, sweet pussy of yours with my huge cock?”
She giggles, and even in the firelight I can tell her cheeks are bright red, but she nods.
I tap my thighs. “Come here.”
She gets up and swings a leg over my lap, straddling me. I grab her sweater and pull it over her head, then unhook her bra
and let it fall away. I take her by the hips, and pull her against my already rigid cock, straining in my jeans. “Can you feel what
you do to me, baby? What just the sight of your perfect body does to me?”
She bites her lip and nods. I need a bite of that lip, too. Reaching up, I wrap my hand around the back of her neck and pull
her to me. Our lips meet in a kiss that knocks my socks off. I never knew kissing could feel like this. So much emotion, such a
connection.
When we finally break for air, I slap her on the ass. “Get up, baby. Take the rest of those clothes off.” She does what I say,
and watches silently as I stand and take mine off as well. My cock bounces against my abs when I free it from my briefs, and I
catch the cautious look in her eyes when she notices it too.
“Don’t worry baby, you can take it. You were made just for me.” Her eyes meet mine.
“Now go stand over by the window.” Her brow furrows, but she does what I say, and a shiver runs down her back when I
stand behind her.
“Put your hands on the window and spread your legs.”
She hesitates. “Damien, what if someone can see me?”
I slap her ass, making her cry out. “It’s dark in here, baby. No one can see you. I will never let anyone see what belongs to
me and only me. Do you understand?”
 She nods her head and puts her palms on the glass before spreading her legs. I take a moment to step back and let my eyes
adjust. I want to remember this moment forever. I want this image seared in my mind. My beautiful girl, the girl who owns me
body and soul, the most amazing person I’ve ever met, is standing before me ready for me. Wanting me. I’m the luckiest son of
a bitch on the planet.
I step forward and rub my hands over her ass, squeezing her soft, perfect flesh. Running my hands up her hips, around to her
stomach, and then taking each breast in my hands, I lean down and nibble on her ear. She pushes her ass against me, against the
steel rod of my cock, and it’s all I can do not to take her right then. But I want to do this right, and I need to get her warmed up
so I can have my girl all night long.
My lips trail slowly down her back, and she moans when I get down on my knees and kiss the back of her thighs, my fingers
slipping between her legs.
She arches her back again and sucks in a breath when I slide my tongue along her pussy before thrusting it into her tight, wet
heat. “Oh God, Damien.”
Her head falls back when my finger finds her clit, and I rub it back and forth while fucking her with my tongue. She tastes so
fucking good. I want to do this every day for the rest of my life. I want to hear her moan, make her squirm, make her scream out
my name.
It dawns on me at that moment. I can only see my life with her in it from now on. I don’t want a future without her by my
side. I’ve never felt like this before. I want to worship this woman, and I’ll happily get on my knees before her to taste her
sweet honey, to make her come, to prove that she’s my everything every day from this moment forward.
My finger swirls around her clit, my tongue thrusting faster and faster, and I know she’s close when she whimpers my name
over and over before crying out, her pussy pulsing against my tongue until her whole body shudders as I lap up her juices.
I stand and turn her around, tilting her chin up with my finger. “I love you, Charleigh. I think I’ve loved you from the first
moment I saw your ass.” She playfully swats my arm, then squeals as I bend down and throw her over my shoulder before
marching to the bed and tossing her onto it.
She laughs, but when she sees the predatory gleam in my eyes, her laughter falls away. She scoots back on the bed, but I grab
her ankles and pull them toward me while spreading them at the same time.
I glance down at her perfect pink flesh, glistening in the moonlight streaming in the window, and lick my lips. She reaches
down to cover herself but I take her hands and pin them beside her head as I climb on top of her. “You are perfection, Charleigh
White. Every inch of you is perfection. Never try to hide from me, do you understand?”
She nods the slightest of nods, but her eyes are full of emotion. And I give it right back to her. “I see you, Charleigh White.
You are beautiful. I see the beauty inside you, too.” She nods again, and I know she’s ready.
Taking my cock in my hand, I line it up with her entrance. I thrust my hips, and slide into her amazing tight, wet heat. “Fuck,
baby. You feel amazing.” I pull out, then thrust in again. Then I settle between her legs, bringing my right knee up for more
leverage, and push in again.
Her nails dig into my shoulders. “Damien, it’s so big. Oh God. I feel like you’re gonna split me in two.”
I halt, then lean down and bring my lips to hers. As we kiss, I can feel her slowly relaxing, and slide into her until I’m fully
seated. Fuck. I’ve never felt anything close to this. Of course this woman was made just for me. Perfectly for me.
Her hands relax, and I start to pump in and out. Slowly at first, then I pick up speed when I can tell she’s ready. She starts to
moan and that’s my signal. I thrust into her over and over, and this exquisite feeling is torture and bliss at the same time. I never
want it to end, but I can feel pressure building at the base of my spine.
I sit on my heels and pull her ankles up onto my shoulders before pounding into her again. Her perfect tits bounce with each
thrust, and I commit the sight to memory. The way her lips are parted, the way her eyes hold mine, the way I know she’s the
one, the only one for me.
I angle down slightly and thrust harder, knowing it won’t be long. “Come for me baby. Let me see that beautiful face when I
make that perfect pussy come.” Her eyes fly open and she cries out my name as her walls clench against my cock. I roar so loud
I know the hotel will get complaints but nothing has ever felt like this.
I thrust again once more, filling her with my release. Marking her. Claiming her. I can’t get enough. I’ll never get enough of
this amazing woman. I lean down and take her lips again, kissing her with all the emotion I’m unable to put into words. And she
kisses me back in answer to my silent proclamation. She’s the answer to my prayers, she’s my everything. Now and forever.
 EPILOGUE
Charleigh

I open the door to my apartment in Atlanta and sigh. I trudge inside, then kick the door closed behind me. Tossing my carry-
on onto my bed, I slowly unpack, going through the motions but not really paying attention. I can’t believe how much my life
has changed in only one week.

My phone dings, and I check the screen.

Mom:

Hey honey, are you back safe and sound?

Me:

Yes, mom. Safe and sound.

I take a deep breath and ready myself for what comes next.

Mom:

Listen honey. I need to apologize to you.

Me:

What?

Mom:

After our last text the other day, I realized how hurtful my words have been, and did some reading. Or rather, some video
watching on the TikTok.

Me:

Oh really?

Mom:

Yes, turns out there’s a lot of interesting psychological stuff on there. Anyway, I think I was projecting my own fears onto
you. It probably came from some emotional trauma I experienced as a young person. So, I’ve made an appointment with a
therapist and I’m gonna work on it. I just want you to know that I love you and I’m so proud of you and I think you are
beautiful exactly the way you are.

Me:

Wow mom. Thank you.

Me:

I suppose this is a good time to tell you.

Mom:
 Tell me what?

Me:

I’ll be leaving soon. I met someone in Montana. And he and I are about to go travel the world.

Mom:

What?! What about your career?

Me:

I have the rest of my life to do that. I want to travel while I’m young, and Damien does too.

Mom:

Well that sounds…exciting. I’m happy for you.

Me:

Thanks mom.

Mom:

Send me your itinerary, please.

Me:

Will do. I’ll even call you when we land in Paris the day after tomorrow. Love you.

Mom:

What?! OMG so fun! Love you too!

As I put the phone down, Damien’s voice calls out from my kitchen. “Hey Peaches. Get that sweet ass in here. I’ve got
dinner!”
I walk into the kitchen and squeal when he holds up a box from my favorite pizza place. I must have mentioned it in passing
one day. That’s Damien. He always listens, always remembers.
As we sit at my kitchen table and eat, he notices a sketch on the wall that I have framed. “Hey, that looks familiar. What’s
that?”
“Oh, it’s one my friend Jess did. She’s my friend from work who is such an amazing artist. Why?”
“I don’t know, it reminds me of something. My brother Crawford is into art, he’d probably think it was cool.”
I snort. “Crawford? Into art? You Davis boys are full of surprises, huh?”
“Speaking of surprises…”
I watch as Damien stands, pulls something out of his pocket, and gets down on one knee.
“Damien! What are you doing?!”
“What does it look like, baby? You think I’m gonna take you to Europe and let all those European men think they have a shot
at you? No way. You’re mine baby. And I want the world to know it. Say you’ll marry me, Charleigh. I can’t imagine spending
my life with anyone else. Plus, I need an interior designer to work on my cabin when we get back.” He winks at me. “You are
the only thing that matters to me. I love you Charleigh White, will you marry me?”
I nod, then hold out my hand as Damien slides the sparkling solitaire ring onto my finger. “I love it. And I love you, Damien.
Yes, I’ll marry you.”
 He scoops me into his arm, the pizza on the table long forgotten, and carries me into my bedroom where he shows me
exactly how much I mean to him. All. Night. Long.

Curious about Wilkes and his ex? Read their story here:

Wilkes: A Curvy Girl Second Chance Romance (Heart River Valley: Rugged Mountain Men Book 3)

When a big rugged mountain man runs into the one girl that broke his heart all those years ago, his first instinct is to
ignore her. But when he finally learns what really happened, will he be willing to take another chance on love?

Wilkes

There was something about the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed, that sweet, melodic laugh that did weird things to my
chest.

We were friends in high school, until one day I realized I wanted more. I thought my life was made that day: I took a chance and
she kissed me back. But the next day she was gone, and I never heard from her again.

Now she’s back in town, and she wants to talk. Even though her beauty takes my breath away, I have nothing to say.

Wren

I loved him from the moment we met, and though all we did was kiss that one night, I’ve never felt the same about anyone else.
Not even close. I’m finally back in Heart River, and I’m shocked to learn he’s still single. I want to make amends, if I can just
get him to listen to what I have to say.

My best friend from high school is now a big rugged mountain man. He thinks he can scare me off, but his growls only make my
heart beat faster.
If only he’ll hear me out, then I’ll leave again and never come back. Even though my heart will always be here in Montana.

In the ruggedly beautiful Heart River Valley of Montana, which contains a staggeringly
high number of single hot alpha males, romance happens fast and hard. And when you
least expect it. These possessive mountain men will do anything for the beautiful curvy
girls they fall for. Each book in this series features no cheating, plenty of heat, and a
happily-ever-after!
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cindy Smoke is a southern girl who loves to write STEAMY romance stories, but no one tell her mother-in-law that!

She spends her time between Atlanta and the mountains, with trips to the beach made as often as possible. She lives with her
own tall, dark, and handsome alpha, two sweet kiddos, and a floof.

All books are guaranteed to have lots of HEAT, no cheating, over-the-top alphas, and happily-ever-afters!

For access to exclusive content and release notifications, join her VIP READERS CLUB.

Find all of her books here.

What readers have said about Cindy’s books:

“Cindy is such a fun author; able to write a quick read that actually has a plot with just the right amount of sass, spice and a
touch of drama to keep it interesting.” - Amazon review

“Of course, Cindy Smoke delivers another great short story with plenty of fun banter and steam!” - Amazon review

“As usual, Cindy delivers on the OTT instalove romance. Her heroes are always buff, often grumpy, but always soft when it
comes to the women of their heart and her heroines are always sweet and sassy.” - Goodreads review

“This is a short and passionate insta-love, it is hot, fast, funny and simply gorgeous. The perfect beach read, the perfect
anytime read to be honest. It's simply awwww....” - Goodreads review

“This was my first Cindy Smoke novel, but not my last. This was such a fun and spicy short read.” - Amazon review
 EXCEPT FROM COLTON
Chapter 1
Marley

“Eek! OMG Marley you’re here!” My older sister squeals and throws her arms around my neck as soon as I see her standing
by the baggage claim door. “I’m so glad you could make it! Welcome to Montana!”
Giving my sister a tight hug, I can’t help but smile from ear to ear at how happy she looks. I flew in for a quick visit since
the school where I teach Kindergarten has a long weekend break.
I had to come visit her and her famous bull-riding boyfriend. I couldn’t believe it when she told me she was moving here to
be with him after knowing Nash for such a short time, but they say when you know, you know. And judging from how happy she
seems, I’d say it was the right decision.
“I’m so glad I could make it.” Maddie links her arm with mine as we walk out of the Bozeman airport and head toward the
parking lot. I immediately start shivering from the cold, even though I’m wearing my new long wool coat.
My mouth gapes open when we stop in front of a huge white truck. My sister drives a truck?!
“Maddie, is this yours? Since when do you even know how to drive something like this?” I chuckle as I put my bag in the
back seat and climb up into the passenger’s seat.
“Oh, it belongs to the ranch. You’d be surprised how quickly you can adapt to life out here. I love driving this thing!”
I shake my head at my sister’s wide smile. I love seeing her like this.
“Nash is sorry he couldn’t come with me to pick you up, he and Rhett had to work on some ranch business today that
couldn’t wait. But you’ll see him later.”
“No worries,” I reply as she starts up the truck and pulls out of the parking spot. “So tell me all about…well, everything.”
Maddie winks at me as she turns on the heat. It doesn’t take long before we get on the main road and I see a sign signaling
the way to Heart River. “I’ve already told you everything over the phone I’m sure.”
“Don’t care. It’s different in person. Start talking.”
I’m admiring the view of the snow-covered mountains in the distance as Maddie tells me all about how she and her friends
came for a visit right before Christmas and immediately met amazing guys that they each fell for instantly. And how Nash
literally knocked her off her feet the first time they met.
And my favorite part is how she didn’t know he was kind of a celebrity, and he didn’t say anything. I can tell from what she
says about him that Nash and his brother are good people. And that Nash is great for her.
“So, I hope you don’t mind, but today is actually our one-month anniversary.” My sister grins at me as we turn off the
interstate.
“Why would I mind?”
“Well, we kinda have a date planned tonight. I’m sorry, I know you just got here, but is that okay with you?”
I wave my hand at her dismissively. “Please. Of COURSE it’s fine. I’m just happy to be here. You have four whole days to
get sick of me being here. And to show me around this town that you claim has more hot guys than a girl could shake a stick at.”
“Well it does! You’ll see. And I could never get sick of you!” She feigns a gasp before we both start to cackle. I’m really
lucky to have a sister like her. We always got along so well, and I’ve really missed her lately.
“I’m surprised you came at such short notice. My sweet little sister, the one who never gets into trouble and is always home
and in bed by 8:00. I can’t believe you hopped on a plane without planning it six months in advance!”
“Hey! I’m in bed by 8:00 because I have to be at school before seven in the morning! I’m not boring, I’m just tired!”
Maddie laughs at me again. “I’m just kidding, sis. I mean, I’m not, I do think you need to get out more. The odds of some hot
guy sweeping you off your feet at elementary school are pretty low I’m guessing.” She winks at me.
“I know. I just don’t have time, that’s all.” I’ve told her this so many times before.
“Well, if there’s one thing I’ve learned about Heart River, it’s not short on hot rugged men to meet. We’ll see what we can do
while you’re here.”
“I won’t hold my breath.” I shake my head at her. As if.

*****

“Marley, will you get the door? I think Nash said something about a delivery today,” I hear my sister Maddie call out from
her bedroom after a loud knock at the door. I can tell she’s almost finished getting ready for her date from the scent of freshly
sprayed perfume wafting into the hallway as I pass her bedroom.
“No problem!” I make my way to the front door and open it. When I look out, my eyes land on the hottest man I’ve ever seen
just standing there holding a bakery box. His profile is in view since he’s looking toward Nash’s barn.
He’s tall with dark hair that falls behind his ears. His square jaw and high cheekbones could be chiseled from marble. He
turns toward me and when our eyes connect electricity sparks in the air between us. Is this town truly so full of hot men that
even the bakery delivery guy is stunning?!
We stand there staring at each other. I hear my sister clear her throat. “Looks like my sister forgot her manners. Colton, this
is my sister Marley. Marley, this is Elise’s oldest brother, Colton.”
Elise is Nash’s sister-in-law. So this is her brother, huh? There must be something in the water in Montana. How are all
the men in this town so good-looking?
Colton answers Maddie without breaking eye contact with me. “Uhm, so, Elise said Nash ordered those,” he says in a
smooth, deep voice as he hands her the bakery box.
Maddie turns to me. “Marley, Colton lives nearby up in the mountains. Did I mention Elise has five older brothers?”
“Five you say?” I can’t take my eyes off of him. Maddie nudges me with her elbow and I blink, giving myself a mental head
shake. “Oh! I mean, wow, that’s a lot of siblings.”
Colton nods, then swallows. I watch his Adam's apple bob when he does.
“So, how long are you in town for, Marley?”
I smile at him. “Just for the long weekend. But I’ll be back for spring break in March, too.”
He looks over at my sister. “Oh. Hey Madison. You look nice, what are you up to tonight?”
She smiles at him, then cuts her eyes at me with a wicked gleam that I know means trouble. “Nash and I are going out to
dinner. We’re leaving our poor guest here all alone. Isn’t that rude?”
“Uh…”
I know what she’s doing. My sister is the best!
She continues, “If only there was someone in town who could maybe take her out to dinner? Show her around. It would be a
big favor to me, really.” She raises her eyebrows at him, and his eyes go wide when he finally gets it.
“Oh, well I’m free tonight.” He turns to me. “I’d be happy to show you around, and we can grab dinner at the Saloon.
There’s live music and dancing tonight.”
I smile up at him again. “I’d love to. Be right back!” I turn and hurry to my room to get freshened up. I can hear them talking
while I check my teeth, switch from jeans to a tight skirt, and throw my tall boots on. One last check in the mirror before a
spritz of perfume and I’m heading back down the hallway.
“Okay, I’m ready for my tour!”
Colton opens the door and waits for me to walk out first.
“Thanks Colton, I appreciate it,” my sister says with a quick glance at me that no one else would catch but I know means
she’s so proud of herself for setting this up.
“My pleasure,” he replies before following me to his truck.

Continue reading Colton and Marley’s story now.

Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
detailed many things regarding the wild flight of himself and
Aguinaldo's party up the coast. The last words written in it
were pathetic and indicated something of the noble character
of the man. The passage, which was written only a few minutes
previously, while the fight was on and while death even then
was before him, said: 'I am holding a difficult position
against desperate odds, but I will gladly die for my beloved
country.'

"Pilar alive and in command, shooting down good Americans, was

one thing, but Pilar lying in that silent mountain trail, his
body half denuded of its clothes, and his young, handsome,
boyish face discolored with the blood which saturated his
blouse and stained the earth, was another thing. We could not
help but feel admiration for his gallant fight, and sorrow for
the sweetheart whom he left behind. The diary was dedicated to
the girl, and I have since learned that he was to have married
her in Dagupan about two weeks before. But the Americans came
too soon. Instead of wedding bells there sounded the bugle
calls of the foe and he was hurriedly ordered to accompany his
chief, Aguinaldo, on that hasty retreat to the mountains. The
marriage was postponed, and he carried out his orders by
leaving for the north. Pilar was one of the best types of the
Filipino soldier. He was only 23 years old, but he had been
through the whole campaign in his capacity as
brigadier-general. It was he who commanded the forces at
Quingua the day that Colonel Stotsenberg was killed, and it
may be remembered that the engagement that day was one of the
most bloody and desperate that has occurred on the island. He
was a handsome boy, and was known as one of the Filipinos who
were actuated by honestly patriotic motives, and who fought
because they believed they were fighting in the right and not
for personal gain or ambition."

Chicago Record's Stories of Filipino Warfare,

page 14.
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: A. D. 1899 (March-July).
The establishment of a provisional government
in the island of Negros.

Negros "was the first island to accept American sovereignty.

Its people unreservedly proclaimed allegiance to the United
States and adopted a constitution looking to the establishment
of a popular government. It was impossible to guarantee to the
people of Negros that the constitution so adopted should be
the ultimate form of government. Such a question, under the
treaty with Spain and in accordance with our own Constitution
and laws, came exclusively within the jurisdiction of the
Congress. The government actually set up by the inhabitants of
Negros eventually proved unsatisfactory to the natives
themselves. A new system was put into force by order of the
Major-General Commanding the Department [July 22, 1899], of
which the following are the most important elements:

"It was ordered that the government of the island of Negros

should consist of a military governor appointed by the United
States military governor of the Philippines, and a civil
governor and an advisory council elected by the people. The
military governor was authorized to appoint secretaries of the
treasury, interior, agriculture, public instruction, an
attorney-general, and an auditor. The seat of government was
fixed at Bacolod. The military governor exercises the supreme
executive power. He is to see that the laws are executed,
appoint to office, and fill all vacancies in office not
otherwise provided for, and may with the approval of the
military governor of the Philippines, remove any officer from
office. The civil governor advises the military governor on
all public civil questions and presides over the advisory
council. He, in general, performs the duties which are
performed by secretaries of state in our own system of
government. The advisory council consists of eight members
elected by the people within territorial limits which are
defined in the order of the commanding general. The times and
 places of holding elections are to be fixed by the military
governor of the island of Negros. The qualifications of voters
are as follows:

(1) A voter must be a male citizen of the island of Negros.

(2) Of the age of 21 years.

(3) He shall be able to speak, read, and write the English,

Spanish, or Visayan language, or he must own real property
worth $500, or pay a rental on real property of the value of
$1,000.

(4) He must have resided in the island not less than one year
preceding, and in the district in which he offers to register
as a voter not less than three months immediately preceding
the time he offers to register.

(5) He must register at a time fixed by law before voting.

(6) Prior to such registration he shall have paid all taxes

due by him to the Government.

{384}

Provided, that no insane person shall bc allowed to register

or vote. The military governor has the right to veto all bills
or resolutions adopted by the advisory council, and his veto
is final if not disapproved by the military governor of the
Philippines. The advisory council discharges all the ordinary
duties of a legislature. The usual duties pertaining to said
offices are to be performed by the secretaries of the
treasury, interior, agriculture, public instruction, the
attorney-general, and the auditor. The judicial power is
vested in three judges, who are to be appointed by the
military governor of the island. Inferior courts are to be
established. Free public schools are to be established
 throughout the populous districts of the island, in which the
English language shall be taught, and this subject will
receive the careful consideration of the advisory council. The
burden of government must be distributed equally and equitably
among the people. The military authorities will collect and
receive the customs revenue, and will control postal matters
and Philippine inter-island trade and commerce. The military
governor, subject to the approval of the military governor of
the Philippines, determines all questions not specifically
provided for and which do not come under the jurisdiction of
the advisory council."

Message of the President, December 5, 1899

(Message and Documents: Abridgment, 1899-1900,
volume 2, page 47).

Also in:
Report of General Otis (Message and Documents,
volume 2, page 1131-1137).

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: A. D. 1899 (May-August).

Agreement of terms with the Sultan of Jolo concerning
the Sulu Archipelago.

On the 19th of May, a detachment of U. 8. troops took the

place of the Spanish garrison at Jolo, the military station in
the Sulu Archipelago. On the 3d of July, General Otis, Military
Governor of the Philippines, issued orders as follows to
General J. C. Bates, U. S. V.: "You will proceed as soon as
practicable to the United States military station of Jolo, on
the island of that name, and there place yourself in
communication with the Sultan of Jolo, who is believed to be
at Siassi, where he was sojourning when the last information
concerning him was received. You are hereby appointed and
constituted an agent on the part of the United States military
authorities in the Philippines to discuss, enter into
negotiations, and perfect, if possible, a written agreement of
character and scope as hereinafter explained, with the Sultan,
which upon approval at these headquarters and confirmation by
the supreme executive authority of the United States, will
prescribe and control the future relations, social and
political, between the United States Government and the
inhabitants of the archipelago. … In your discussions with the
Sultan and his datos the question of sovereignty will be
forced to the front, and they will undoubtedly request an
expression of opinion thereon, as they seem to be impressed
apparently with the belief that the recent Spanish authorities
with whom they were in relationship have transferred full
sovereignty of the islands to them. The question is one which
admits of easy solution, legally considered, since by the
terms of treaties or protocols between Spain and European
powers Spanish sovereignty over the archipelago is conceded.
Under the agreement between Spain and the Sultan and datos of
July, 1878, the latter acknowledged Spanish sovereignty in the
entire archipelago of Jolo and agreed to become loyal Spanish
subjects, receiving in consideration certain specific payments
in money. The sovereignty of Spain, thus established and
acknowledged by all parties in interest, was transferred to
the United States by the Paris treaty. The United States has
succeeded to all the rights which Spain held in the
archipelago, and its sovereignty over the same is an
established fact. But the inquiry arises as to the extent to
which that sovereignty can be applied under the agreement of
1878 with the Moros. Sovereignty, of course, implies full
power of political control, but it is not incompatible with
concessionary grants between sovereign and subject. The Moros
acknowledged through their accepted chiefs Spanish sovereignty
and their subjection thereto, and that nation in turn conferred
upon their chiefs certain powers of supervision over them and
their affairs. The kingly prerogatives of Spain, thus abridged
by solemn concession, have descended to the United States, and
conditions existing at the time of transfer should remain. The
Moros are entitled to enjoy the identical privileges which
they possessed at the time of transfer, and to continue to
 enjoy them until abridged or modified by future mutual
agreement between them and the United States, to which they
owe loyalty, unless it becomes necessary to invoke the
exercise of the supreme powers of sovereignty to meet
emergencies. You will therefore acquaint yourself thoroughly
with the terms of the agreement of 1878, and take them as a
basis for your directed negotiations. …

"It is greatly desired by the United States for the sake of

the individual improvement and social advancement of the
Moros, and for the development of the trade and agriculture of
the islands in their interests, also for the welfare of both the
United States and Moros, that mutual friendly and well-defined
relations be established. If the Sultan can be made to give
credit to and fully understand the intentions of the United
States, the desired result can be accomplished. The United
States will accept the obligations of Spain under the
agreement of 1878 in the matter of money annuities, and in
proof of sincerity you will offer as a present to the Sultan
and datos $10,000, Mexican, with which you will be supplied
before leaving for Jolo—the same to be handed over to them,
respectively, in amounts agreeing with the ratio of payments
made to them by the Spanish Government for their declared
services. From the 1st of September next, and thereafter, the
United States will pay to them regularly the sums promised by
Spain in its agreement of 1878, and in any subsequent promises
of which proof can be furnished. The United States will
promise, in return for the concessions to be hereinafter
mentioned, not to interfere with, but to protect the Moros in
the free exercise of their religion and customs, social and
domestic, and will respect the rights and dignities of the
Sultan and his advisers."

{385}

Of the results of the mission of General Bates, General Otis

reported subsequently as follows:

"General Bates had a difficult task to perform and executed it

with tact and ability. While a number of the principal datos were
favorably inclined, the Sultan, not responding to invitations,
kept aloof and was represented by his secretary, until
finally, the general appearing at Maibung, the Moro capital, a
personal interview was secured. He being also Sultan of North
Borneo and receiving large annual payments from the North
Borneo Trading Company, expected like returns from the United
States, and seemed more anxious to obtain personal revenue
than benefits for his people. Securing the port of Siassi from
the Spaniards, establishing there his guards and police, he
had received customs revenues from the Sandaken trade which he
was loath to surrender. Negotiations continued well into
August, and finally, after long conferences, an agreement was
reached by which the United States secured much more liberal
terms than the Spaniards were ever able to obtain."

Report of General Otis, August 31, 1899

(Message and Documents: Abridgment, 1899-1900,
volume 2, pages 1162-1164).

"By Article I the sovereignty of the United States over the

whole archipelago of Jolo and its dependencies is declared and
acknowledged. The United States flag will be used in the
archipelago and its dependencies, on land and sea. Piracy is
to be suppressed, and the Sultan agrees to co-operate heartily
with the United States authorities to that end and to make
every possible effort to arrest and bring to justice all
persons engaged in piracy. All trade in domestic products of
the archipelago of Jolo when carried on with any part of the
Philippine Islands and under the American flag shall be free,
unlimited, and undutiable. The United States will give full
protection to the Sultan in case any foreign nation should
attempt to impose upon him. The United States will not sell
the island of Jolo or any other island of the Jolo archipelago
to any foreign nation without the consent of the Sultan.
Salaries for the Sultan find his associates in the
administration of the islands have been agreed upon to the
amount of $760 monthly. Article X provides that any slave in
the archipelago of Jolo shall have the right to purchase
freedom by paying to the master the usual market value. The
agreement by General Bates was made subject to confirmation by
the President and to future modifications by the consent of
the parties in interest. I have confirmed said agreement,
subject to the action of the Congress, and with the
reservation, which I have directed shall be communicated to
the Sultan of Jolo, that this agreement is not to be deemed in
any way to authorize or give the consent of the United States
to the existence of slavery in the Sulu archipelago."

Message of the President, December 5, 1899

(Message and Documents: Abridgment, 1899-1900,
volume 2, pages 47-48).

"The population of the Sulu Archipelago is reckoned at

120,000, mostly domiciled in the island of Jolo, and numbers
20,000 fighting men. Hostilities would be unfortunate for all
parties concerned, would be very expensive to the United
States in men and money, and destructive of any advancement of
the Moros for years to come. Spain's long struggle with these
people and their dislike for the former dominant race in the
Philippines, inherited, it would seem, by each rising
generation during three centuries, furnishes an instructive
lesson. Under the pending agreement General Bates, assisted by
the officers of the Navy, quietly placed garrisons of one
company each at Siassi and at Bongao, on the Tawai Tawai group
of islands, where they were well received by the friendly
natives. With the approval of the agreement, the only
difficulty to a satisfactory settlement of the Sulu affairs
will arise from discontent on the part of the Sultan
personally because of a supposed decrease in anticipated
revenues or the machinations of the insurgents of Mindanao,
 who are endeavoring to create a feeling of distrust and
hostility among the natives against the United States troops.

"The Sultan's government is one of perfect despotism, in form

at least, as all political power is supposed to center in his
person; but this does not prevent frequent outbreaks on the
part of the datos, who frequently revolt, and are now, in two
or three instances, in declared enmity. All Moros, however,
profess the Mohammedan religion, introduced in the fourteenth
century, and the sacredness of the person of the Sultan is
therefore a tenet of faith. This fact would prevent any marked
success by a dato in attempting to secure supreme power. Spain
endeavored to supplant the Sultan with one of his most
enterprising chiefs and signally failed. Peonage or a species
of serfdom enters largely into the social and domestic
arrangements and a dato's following or clan submits itself
without protest to his arbitrary will. The Moro political
fabric bears resemblance to the state of feudal times—the
Sultan exercising supreme power by divine right, and his
datos, like the feudal lords, supporting or opposing him at
will, and by force of arms occasionally, but not to the extent
of dethronement, as that would be too great a sacrilege for a
Mohammedan people to seek to consummate. The United States
must accept these people as they are, and endeavor to
ameliorate their condition by degrees, and the best means to
insure success appears to be through the cultivation of
friendly sentiments and the introduction of trade and commerce
upon approved business methods. To undertake forcible radical
action for the amelioration of conditions or to so interfere
with their domestic relations as to arouse their suspicions
and distrust would be attended with unfortunate consequences."

Report of General Otis, August 31, 1899

(Message and Documents: Abridgment, 1899-1900,
volume 2, page 1165).

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: A. D. 1899-1900.

 Military operations against the Insurgents.
Death of General Lawton.

"The enlargement of the field of operations and government in

the Philippine Islands made it impracticable to conduct the
business under the charge of the army in those islands through
the machinery of a single department, and by order made April
7, 1900, the Philippine Islands were made a military division,
consisting of four departments: The Department of Northern Luzon,
the Department of Southern Luzon, the Department of the
Visayas, and the Department of Mindanao and Jolo. The
Department of Northern Luzon is subdivided into six, the
Department of Southern Luzon into four, the Department of the
Visayas into four, and the Department of Mindanao and Jolo
into four military districts. …

"At the date of the last report (November 29, 1899 [see
above]) the government established by the Philippine
insurgents in central Luzon and the organized armed forces by
which it was maintained had been destroyed, and the principal
civil and military leaders of the insurrection, accompanied by
small and scattered bands of troops, were the objects of
pursuit in the western and the northern parts of the island.
{386}
That pursuit was prosecuted with vigor and success, under
conditions of extraordinary difficulty and hardship, and
resulted in the further and practically complete
disintegration of the insurrectionary bands in those regions,
in the rescue of nearly all the American prisoners and the
greater part of the Spanish prisoners held by the insurgents,
in the capture of many of the leading insurgents, and in the
capture and destruction of large quantities of arms,
ammunition, and supplies. There still remained a large force
of insurgents in Cavite and the adjacent provinces south of
Manila, and a considerable force to the east of the Rio Grande
de Pampanga, chiefly in the province of Bulacan, while in the
extreme southeastern portions of Luzon, and in the various
Visayan islands, except the island of Negros, armed bodies of
Tagalogs had taken possession of the principal seacoast towns,
and were exercising military control over the peaceful
inhabitants. Between the insurgent troops in Bulacan and the
mountains to the north, and the insurgents in the south,
communication was maintained by road and trail, running along
and near the eastern bank of the Mariquina River, and through
the towns of Mariquina, San Mateo, and Montalban and the
province of Morong. This line of communication, passing
through rough and easily defended country, was strongly
fortified and held by numerous bodies of insurgents.

"On the 18th of December, 1899, a column, under the command of

Major General Henry W. Lawton, proceeded from Manila, and
between that date and the 29th of December captured all the
fortified posts of the insurgents, took possession of the line
of communication, which has ever since been maintained, and
destroyed, captured, or dispersed the insurgent force in that
part of the island. In the course of this movement was
sustained the irremediable loss of General Lawton, who was
shot and instantly killed while too fearlessly exposing his
person in supervising the passing of his troops over the river
Mariquina at San Mateo.

"On the 4th of January, 1900, General J. C. Bates, U. S. V.,

was assigned to the command of the First Division of the
Eighth Army Corps, and an active campaign under his direction
was commenced in Southern Luzon. The plan adopted was to
confront and hold the strong force of the enemy near Imus and
to the west of Bacoor by a body of troops under General
Wheaton, while a column, under General Schwan, should move
rapidly down the west shore of the Laguna de Bay to Biñang,
thence turn southwesterly and seize the Silang, Indang, and
Naic road, capture the enemy's supplies supposed to be at the
towns of Silang and Indang, and arrest the retreat of the
enemy, when he should be driven from northern Cavite by our
troops designated to attack him there, and thus prevent his
reassembling in the mountains of southern Cavite and northern
Batangas. This plan was successfully executed. General
Schwan's column moved over the lines indicated with great
rapidity, marching a distance of over 600 miles, striking and
defeating numerous bodies of insurgents and capturing many
intrenched positions, taking possession of and garrisoning
towns along the line, and scattering and demoralizing all the
organized forces of the enemy within that section of country.
From these operations and the simultaneous attacks by our
troops under General Wheaton in the north the rebel forces in
the Cavite region practically disappeared, the members either
being killed or captured or returning to their homes as
unarmed citizens, and a few scattered parties escaping through
General Schwan's line to the south. By the 8th of February the
organized forces of the insurgents in the region mentioned had
ceased to exist. In large portions of the country the
inhabitants were returning to their homes and resuming their
industries, and active trade with Manila was resumed. In the
course of these operations about 600 Spanish prisoners were
released from the insurgents, leaving about 600 more still in
their hands in the extreme southeastern provinces of Camarines
and Albay, nearly all of whom were afterwards liberated by our
troops. In the meantime an expedition was organized under the
command of Brigadier General William A. Kobbé, U. S. V., to
expel the Tagalogs who had taken possession of the principal
hemp ports of the islands situated in Albay, the extreme
southeastern province of Luzon, and in the islands of Leyte,
Samar, and Catanduanes. This expedition sailed from Manila on
the 18th of January and accomplished its object. All of the
principal hemp ports were relieved from control of the
insurgents, garrisoned by American troops, and opened to
commerce by order of the military governor of the islands on
the 30th of January and the 10th and 14th of February. The
expedition met with strong resistance at Legaspi by an
intrenched force under the Chinese general, Paua. He was
speedily overcome and went into the interior. After a few days
he reassembled his forces and threatened the garrisons which
 had been left in Albay and Legaspi, whereupon he was attacked,
and defeated, and surrendered. Thirty pieces of artillery, a
large quantity of ammunition, a good many rifles, and a
considerable amount of money were captured by this expedition.

"On the 15th of February an expedition, under the supervision

of Major-General Bates and under the immediate command of
Brigadier General James M. Bell, U. S. V., sailed from Manila
to take possession of the North and South Camarines provinces
and Western Albay, in which the insurgent forces had been
swelled by the individuals and scattered bands escaping from
our operations in various sections of the north. The insurgent
force was defeated after a sharp engagement near the mouth of
the Bicol River, pursued, and scattered. Large amounts of
artillery and war material were captured. The normal
conditions of industry and trade relations with Manila were
resumed by the inhabitants. On the 20th of March the region
covered by the last-described operations was created a
district of southeastern Luzon, under the command of General
James M. Bell, who was instructed to proceed to the
establishment of the necessary customs and internal-revenue
service in the district. In the meantime similar expeditions
were successfully made through the mountains of the various
islands of the Visayan Group, striking and scattering and
severely punishing the bands of bandits and insurgents who
infested those islands. In the latter part of March General
Bates proceeded with the Fortieth infantry to establish
garrisons in Mindanao. The only resistance was of a trifling
character at Cagayan, the insurgent general in northeastern
Mindanao surrendering and turning over the ordnance in his
possession.
{387}
With [the execution of these movements] all formal and open
resistance to American authority in the Philippines
terminated, leaving only an exceedingly vexatious and annoying
guerilla warfare of a character closely approaching
brigandage, which will require time, patience, and good
 judgment to finally suppress. As rapidly as we have occupied
territory, the policy of inviting inhabitants to return to
their peaceful vocations, and aiding them in the
reestablishment of their local governments, has been followed,
and the protection of the United States has been promised to
them. The giving of this protection has led to the
distribution of troops in the Philippine Islands to over 400
different posts, with the consequent labor of administration
and supply. The maintenance of these posts involves the
continued employment of a large force, but as the Tagalogs who
are in rebellion have deliberately adopted the policy of
murdering, so far as they are able, all of their countrymen
who are friendly to the United States, the maintenance of
garrisons is at present necessary to the protection of the
peaceful and unarmed Filipinos who have submitted to our
authority; and if we are to discharge our obligations in that
regard their reduction must necessarily be gradual."

United States, Secretary of War,

Annual Report, November 30, 1900, pages 5-10.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: A. D. 1900 (January).

Report of the First Philippine Commission.

The First Commission to the Philippines returned to the United

States in the autumn of 1899, and then submitted to the President
a brief preliminary statement of its proceedings in the
Islands and the opinions its members had formed, concerning
the spirit and extent of the Tagalo revolt, the general
disposition of the people at large, their capacity for
independent self-government, etc. On the 31st of January
following the commissioners presented a report which deals
extensively with many subjects of investigation and
deliberation. In Part I., it sets forth the efforts made by
the commission "toward conciliation and the establishment of
peace," through interviews with various emissaries of
Aguinaldo, and others, and by means of a proclamation to the
people. In Part II., it gives an extended account of the races
and tribes of which the native population of the Islands is
composed. In Part III., it details the provision that has
heretofore been made for education, and states the conclusions
of the commission as to the capacity of the people and their
fitness for a popular government. In Part IV., a very full
account of the Spanish organization of government in the
Philippines, general, provincial and municipal, is given, and
the reforms that were desired by the Filipino people are
ascertained. From this the commission proceeds to consider the
question of a plan of government for the Islands under the
sovereignty of the United States, and concludes that the
Territorial system of the United States offers all that can be
desired. "What Jefferson and the nation did for Louisiana,"
says the report, "we are … free to-day to do for the
Philippines. The fact that Bonaparte had provided in the
treaty that Louisiana should in due time be admitted as a
State in the Union, and that in the meantime its inhabitants
should have protection in the free enjoyment of their liberty,
property, and religion, made no difference in the relation of
Louisiana to the Constitution of the United States so long as
Louisiana remained a Territory; and, if it had made a
difference, it should have constituted something of a claim to
the immediate enjoyment of some or all of the benefits of the
Constitution. Unmoved by that consideration, however, the
Jeffersonian policy established once for all the subjection of
national domain outside the States to the absolute and
unrestricted power of Congress. The commission recommends that
in dealing with the Philippines this vast power be exercised
along the lines laid down by Jefferson and Madison in
establishing a government for Louisiana, but with … deviations
in the direction of larger liberty to the Filipinos. … The
result would be substantially the transformation of their
second-class Territorial government of Louisiana into a
Territorial government of the first-class for the Philippine
Islands." To this recommendation of the Territorial system of
government the commission adds a strenuous plea for a closely
 guarded civil service. "It is a safe and desirable rule," says
the report, "that no American should be appointed to any office
in the Philippines for which a reasonably qualified Filipino
can, by any possibility, be secured. Of course the merit or
business system must be adopted and lived up to; the patronage
or spoils system would prove absolutely fatal to good
government in this new Oriental territory." Further parts of
the report are devoted to the Philippine judicial system, as
it had been and as it should be; to "the condition and needs
of the United States in the Philippines from a naval and
maritime standpoint"; to the secular clergy and religious
orders; to registration laws; to the currency; to the Chinese
in the Philippines; and to public health. Among the exhibits
appended in volume 1 of the published Report are the
constitution of Aguinaldo's Philippine Republic (called the
Malolos constitution), and several other constitutional drafts
and proposals from Filipino sources, indicating the political
ideas that prevail.

Report of the Philippine Commission,

January 31, 1900, volume 1.

See, also (in this volume),

EDUCATION: A. D. 1898 (PHILIPPINE ISLANDS).

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: A. D. 1900 (March).

Institution of municipal governments.

By General Orders, on the 29th of March, 1900, the Military

Governor of the Islands promulgated a law providing for the
election and institution of municipal governments, the
provisions of which law had been framed by a board appointed
in the previous January, under the presidency of Don Cayetano
Arellano, chief justice of the Philippines. The first chapter
of the law reads as follows:

"ARTICLE 1.
 The towns of the Philippine Islands shall be recognized as
municipal corporations with the same limits as heretofore
established, upon reorganizing under the provisions of this
order. All property vested in any town under its former
organization shall be vested in the same town upon becoming
incorporated hereunder.

"ARTICLE 2.
Towns so incorporated shall be designated as 'municipios,' and
shall be known respectively by the names heretofore adopted.
Under such names they may, without further authorization, sue
and be sued, contract and be contracted with, acquire and hold
real and personal property for the general interests of the
town, and exercise all the powers hereinafter conferred. The
city of Manila is exempt from the provisions of this order.

{388}

"ARTICLE 3.
The municipal government of each town is hereby vested in an
alcalde and a municipal council. The alcalde and councilors,
together with the municipal lieutenant, shall be chosen at
large by the qualified electors of the town, and their term of
office shall be for two years from and after the first Monday
in January next after their election and until their
successors are duly chosen and qualified: Provided, That the
alcalde and municipal lieutenant elected in 1900 shall hold
office until the first Monday in January, 1902, only; and that
the councilors elected in 1900 shall divide themselves, by
lot, into two classes; the scats of those of the first class
shall be vacated on the first Monday of January, 1901, and
those of the second class one year thereafter, so that
one-half of the municipal council shall be chosen annually.

"ARTICLE 4.
Incorporated towns shall be of four classes, according to the
number of inhabitants. Towns of the first class shall be those
which contain not less than 25,000 inhabitants and shall have
18 councilors; of the second class, those containing 18,000
and less than 25,000 inhabitants and shall have 14 councilors;
of the third class, those containing 10,000 and less than
18,000 inhabitants and shall have 10 councilors; of the fourth
class, those containing less than 10,000 inhabitants and shall
have 8 councilors. Towns of less than 2,000 inhabitants may
incorporate under the provisions of this order, or may, upon
petition to the provincial governor, signed by a majority of
the qualified electors thereof, be attached as a barrio to an
adjacent and incorporated town, if the council of the latter
consents.

The qualifications of voters are defined in the second chapter

as follows:

"ARTICLE 5.
The electors charged with the duty of choosing elective
municipal officers must be male persons, 23 years of age or
over, who have had a legal residence in the town in which they
exercise the suffrage for a period of six months immediately
preceding the election, and who are not citizens or subjects
of any foreign power, and who are comprised within one of the
following three classes:

1. Those who, prior to the 13th of August, 1898, held the

office of municipal captain, gobernadorcillo, lieutenant or
cabeza de barangay.

2. Those who annually pay 30 pesos or more of the established

taxes.

3. Those who speak, read, and write English or Spanish."

Succeeding articles in this chapter prescribe the oath to be

taken and subscribed by each elector before his ballot is
cast, recognizing and accepting "the supreme authority of the
United States of America"; appoint the times and places for
holding elections, and set forth the forms to be observed in
them. In the third chapter, the qualifications of officers are
thus defined:

"ARTICLE 13.
An alcalde, municipal lieutenant, or councilor must have the
following qualifications:

1. He must be a duly qualified elector of the municipality in

which he is a candidate, of 26 years of age or over, and have
had a legal residence therein for at least one year prior to
the date of election.

2. He must correctly speak, read, and write either the English

language or the local dialect.

"ARTICLE 14.
In no case can there be elected or appointed to municipal
office ecclesiastics, soldiers in active service, persons
receiving salary from municipal, provincial or government
funds; debtors to said funds, whatever the class of said
funds; contractors of public works and their bondsmen; clerks
and functionaries of the administration or government while in
said capacity; bankrupts until discharged, or insane or
feeble-minded persons.

"ARTICLE 15.
Each and every person elected or appointed to a municipal
office under the provisions of this order shall, before
entering upon the duties thereof, take and subscribe before
the alcalde or town secretary"—an oath analogous to that
required from the electors.

Further articles in this chapter and the next define the

duties of the alcalde, the municipal lieutenant, municipal
attorney, municipal secretary, municipal treasurer, and the
municipal councilors. The fifth chapter relates to taxation
and finances; the sixth and seventh contain provisions as
follows:

"ARTICLE 53.
The governor of the province shall be ex officio president of
all municipal councils within the province and shall have
general supervisory charge of the municipal affairs of the
several towns and cities therein organized under the
provisions of this order, and in his said supervisory capacity
may inspect or cause to be inspected, at such times as he may
determine, the administration of municipal affairs and each
and every department thereof, and may hear and determine all
appeals against the acts of municipal corporations or their
officers. He, or those whom he may designate in writing for
that duty, shall at all times have free access to all records,
books, papers, moneys, and property of the several towns and
cities of the province, and may call upon the officers thereof
for an accounting of the receipts and expenditures, or for a
general or special report of the official acts of the several
municipal councils or of any and every of them, or of any and
every of the officers thereof, at any time, and as often as he
may consider necessary to inform himself of the state of the
finances or of the administration of municipal affairs, and
such requests when made must be complied with without excuse,
pretext, or delay. He may suspend or remove municipal
officers, either individually or collectively, for cause, and
appoint substitutes therefor permanently, for the time being
or pending the next general election, or may call a special
election to fill the vacancy or vacancies caused by such
suspension or removal, reporting the cause thereof with a full
statement of his action in the premises to the governor of the
islands without delay. He shall forward all questions or
disputes that may arise over the boundaries or jurisdictional
limits of the city, towns, or municipalities to the governor
of the islands for final determination, together with full
report and recommendations relative to the same. He may, with