Page 21 of Mistletoed with the Mountain Man
Her leg hooks around my hip, and I grind my raging cock against her, both of us panting. I want to strip her bare right here, learn every wild sound she makes, and mark every inch of her skin.
That thought—the sheer intensity of what I want to do to her—brings me crashing back to reality.
I break away, breathing hard. "You need to go. Right now."
"Kade—"
"Now, Nia." My voice comes out harsher than I intend. "Before I do something we'll both regret."
She stares at me, lips swollen, cheeks flushed, looking thoroughly kissed. "What if I don't want to go?"
I step back, putting the necessary distance between us. Every instinct is pleading with me to pull her back, but I force my hands to stay at my sides. "This was a mistake."
Something flashes in her eyes—hurt, maybe, or anger. "A mistake?"
“This can't happen,” I say. “It’s not right.”
"I'm an adult who can make my own choices."
"I know that." God, does she think I don't know that? "But I'm not the right choice, Nia."
She grabs her coat, her movements sharp. "Youdon't get to decide what's right for me."
"Someone has to." It slips out, and I immediately regret it.
"Fuck you, Deputy Giles." She throws on her coat, then stalks over to the front door and yanks it open, cold air rushing in. "I'm going to finish this job for your family and for the money. But that’s it.”
The door slams behind her, and I'm left standing there like an idiot, the taste of her still on my lips.
I wait until I see her taillights disappear down the mountain road. Then I turn and punch the wall.
Not hard enough to damage anything—just enough to feel it.
"Real good, Giles," I mutter.
She still sends a text when she makes it home. But it’s barely two words.
I stare at the message, then at the cabin around me. Garland everywhere. Lights twinkling. Two beautiful trees that Nia's brought to life with her magic and mayhem…and warmth.
The place looks like a Christmas volcano erupted.
And all I can think about is how empty it feels without her.
CHAPTER 5
NIA
The next morning, I show up at the cabin dressed like I'm applying for a job at a law firm.
Okay, well, a casual law firm, maybe.
I’m wearing a button-down shirt tucked into my least flattering jeans and my hair is scraped back in a bun.
And zero makeup.
If Kade Giles wants to keep things professional, I'll give him professional.
But dammit, I wish he hadn’t kissed me first.
