Page 6 of Strength of the Mountain
“Anyway, where were we? Oh, right, the personal shopper. I let her know about yourproportions, so she’s prepared to find appropriate clothing to cover up your problem areas.”
Shame floods my face, making me blush and stare at my hands. It’s no secret I’m a plus-sized woman, but it still stings to hear my mom basically calling me fat. I twist my napkin betweenmy fingers, praying for the floor to open up and swallow me whole. Instead, I hear a familiar voice.
“Cami is perfect the way she is,” Hayden says, his voice booming and on the brink of rage.
I gasp and look up at him, his eyes blazing and his strong, chiseled features tense as he stares down my mom. I’m mortified that he heard my mother’s comments. It takes a second for his words to filter through my haze of embarrassment.Did he just say I’m… perfect?
“Excuse me, who do you think you are?” my mother snaps. She looks him up and down with disdain. “I will speak to my daughter however I see fit.”
Hayden’s eyes flick over to mine, his gaze going soft with concern. I’m too shocked to have any reaction at all. No one has ever stood up for me before, and certainly not like this.
“Not if you’re going to tear her down. I don’t know how she managed to turn into the brilliant woman she is today with parents like you trying to stifle her every step of the way.”
My mouth hangs open, mirroring my mother. For once, she has nothing to say.
“What the hell?” my dad interrupts, finally putting down his phone. “Who–”
“And you,” Hayden says, addressing my father. His voice is lower, quieter, and that makes him sound even more deadly. The brooding ex-soldier narrows his eyes, pinning my father in place as he delivers his next line. “If I were lucky enough to be sitting across from Cami, I wouldn’t waste time working or talking to anyone on the phone. I’d enjoy every moment of being in her presence, and if you can’t see that, then you’re not worthy of her time.”
Hayden turns his attention to me once more, his blue eyes pleading with me to take his outstretched hand. I’m stunned atthe emotion I see in his gaze, a mix of longing, pain, and hope. How can I resist this man for even a second longer?
I slip my hand in his, and he pulls me from my chair, wrapping an arm around my waist and leading me outside. He looks down at me with pride and a hint of a smile. My entire body heats under his attention. I love that I made him proud. It’s certainly something I never experienced with my parents.
Hayden guides me through the parking lot, presumably to his vehicle. I pause, causing him to stop and turn toward me. “Thank you. I… I don’t know what to say.”
“Sorry, I caused a bit of a scene back there.” Hayden rubs the back of his neck, but I take his other hand in mine, showing him he doesn’t have to be nervous around me.
“Are you kidding? It was awesome,” I tell him with a grin. “You actually rendered them speechless! And did you see my mom’s face? I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”
Hayden breathes out a sigh of relief. “You’re not mad? I don’t know what came over me. I saw you having dinner, but I was going to keep my distance. Then your parents started spewing those vile things, and…” He shakes his head. “I couldn’t let them speak to you like that.”
“No one has ever done anything like that for me,” I confess. “Besides, people needed something new to gossip about in this town.” I wink at him, and he graces me with a small smirk. It’s the most playful I’ve seen him, and I can’t wait to draw more of that side out..
“Did I make things complicated between you and your parents?”
“No more than they already were.” A question pops into my mind, but I’m not sure I want the answer. “Um, were you having dinner with someone?” I ask. “A date, maybe?”
I have no right to be jealous, and even less right to be hurt. Hayden and I have really only shared a few conversations overthe last several weeks, though it feels like I’ve known him for much longer. I’ve never felt as safe and seen as when Hayden is looking at me. But I need to reel in those thoughts.
“You have nothing to worry about, Cami.” I try not to blush, but I’m pretty sure he sees it anyway. “I was with my sister,” he clarifies.
“Oh. Good. I mean, that’s cool,” I say, trying to pretend that’s not the best news I’ve ever heard. “Will she be upset that you just left her there? Should you go back?”
Hayden shakes his head no. “Absolutely not. In fact, Lily is thrilled.”
“Why?”
“Because she knew I was finally going after my woman.”
My eyebrows float to the top of my forehead, and my eyes widen at his words. “Wh-what do you mean?” I whisper, swaying closer and closer to Hayden.
He wraps one hand around my hip, anchoring me in place as he presses his chest against mine. Hayden tucks a few wisps of my hair behind my ear, his breath tickling my nose and lips.
“Am I crazy, or are you feeling this, too?” he asks softly. I nod, never breaking eye contact. He smiles, his blue eyes sparkling with something I’ve never seen before. “Is that a yes to me being crazy, or yes, you feel the same way?”
“Both,” I answer honestly. He chuckles, the sound rumbling up from deep in his chest. We’re so close, I can feel the vibrations, causing my lower stomach to tighten with almost uncontrollable desire.
“God, you’re perfect,” he murmurs before pressing his lips to mine. My first kiss is soft and sweet and over far too soon. I stand on my tiptoes, leaning toward Hayden, silently asking for more. He just grins and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Patience, baby. It’ll be worth the wait.” How is that even hotter than if he kissed the air from my lungs?
