Page 38 of Mistletoed with the Mountain Man
I blink rapidly, trying not to cry.
His thumb brushes my cheek. "I'm so damn proud of you, Christmas angel."
Now I'm definitely crying. "Stop being Mr. Wonderful. You're going to make my mascara run." But I'm laughing through the tears, and he's smiling down at me with so much love it makes my chest ache.
I pull back, wiping my eyes. "Okay. Let's go look at the rest of this place before I turn into a complete puddle."
We explore the other bedrooms—one that would be a great game room, one for guests, and one that we both carefully avoid discussing the purpose of. The bathroom has a huge soaking tub that I can imagine filling with bubbles and Christmas-scented candles.
"You're decorating again," Kade observes. "I can see it on your face."
"Can't help it. It's literally my job now." I head back downstairs. "Besides, you love it when I bring my chaos into your organized life."
"I really do." He follows me down. "Though I maintain that organized chaos is the superior lifestyle."
"Whatever you say, my love.” I wink at him, and he chuckles.
I reach the bottom of the stairs and turn, finding myself in the doorway between the kitchen and living room. Something about the positioning, the way the light falls, makes me pause.
"This," I announce, "is exactly where I’d put the mistletoe.”
Kade's eyebrows rise. "Is it now?"
"Absolutely." I point up at the empty space. "I’d hang it right there. And then every time?—"
I don't get to finish because suddenly Kade's there, maneuvering me directly under that imaginary mistletoe.
"Tradition," he says, his voice rough.
Then he kisses me.
A deep, slow kiss—a promise and a celebration wrapped into one. His hands slide into my hair, tilting my head back, and I melt into him the way I always do.
I'm breathless when we finally pull back. "You know there's not actually mistletoe there yet, right?"
"Details." He traces my bottom lip with his thumb.
I grin, remembering how he used to give each sprig a wide berth, like it might explode. "I seem to recall a certain deputy walking sideways to avoid this holiday tradition."
"Because I knew once I kissed you, I’d never want to stop." He kisses me again, softer this time.
"Such the romantic," I murmur against his lips.
We stay like that for a moment, wrapped up in each other.
"I'm planning something," he says. "Once we're settled. Something big. Just so you know."
My heart stutters.Does he mean…proposing?
I kiss him, hard and deep, pouring all of my love into it.
"I can’t wait, Officer," I say, deliberately emphasizing the title.
His hands flex on my waist. "Don't call me that unless you want me to carry you upstairs right now."
"We don't own the house yet."
"I'll buy it today. Right now. Cash offer."
