Page 31 of Mistletoed with the Mountain Man
Bear reaches us first, sniffing enthusiastically at Nia before sitting and wagging his tail…well, his whole back end actually.
"Well hello there," Nia says breathlessly, patting Bear’s head while trying to smooth her hair with her other hand. "Aren't you handsome?"
"Just a second!" I call out, my voice too loud. I glance at Nia. "You okay?"
She's biting her lip, eyes wide, but she nods. Her hair is thoroughly messed up and her lips are swollen and there's absolutely no way anyone looking at us won't know exactly what we were doing.
"Kade?" Sadie appears in the great room doorway, and stops dead. Her eyes go wide as she takes in the scene—me disheveledon the couch, Nia standing nearby looking flushed and petting Bear like her life depends on it, the general air of interrupted intimacy.
"Sadie." I stand up quickly. "You're early."
"Clearly." Her lips twitch. "I thought I’d take a look at the cabin to see what I could do. I swear I didn’t know you’d be here already…or that you’d have company.”
Ledger appears behind her, taking one look at the situation and immediately finding something fascinating about the ceiling.
The dog trots over to me and I give him ear scratches, silently thanking him for the distraction.
"This is Nia Wallace," I say, trying for normal and probably failing spectacularly. "She helped me decorate the cabin. Nia, this is my sister, Sadie, and her husband, Ledger."
"I know Sadie and Ledger, Kade," Nia gives a small wave, and I notice her hand is shaking slightly. "But lovely to meet this gentleman, Bear.”
At his name, the dog's tail wags harder.
“Oh, right. I completely forgot.” Probably because seconds ago I was getting my cock sucked by a Christmas angel.
Sadie's expression shifts from surprise to absolute delight. "Nia! From Mountain Memories? I love that shop! Aunt Meredith is the sweetest." She rushes forward, pulling Nia into a hug. "You did this all of this?! When we drove up, I thought we had the wrong address! It’s incredible. Like something from a magazine!"
"Thank you," Nia says, relaxing slightly. “But I can’t take all the credit. Your brother was very specific about what he wanted."
"He usually is." Sadie shoots me a look that clearly sayswe're talking about this later.
“Surprise!” I say, spreading my arms wide.
Sadie hugs me. “Thanks for doing all this for us, big bro.”
“He told me it had to be special.”
She pats me on the back. “It really is.”
Ledger shakes my hand. “Good to see you again, Kade. This is great. Awesome surprise.”
“Good to see you, too, man,” I reply. “Thanks. Glad you like it.”
"Hey Nia," Ledger steps forward, offering his hand to shake.
"Hi Ledger." Nia takes his hand, then glances at me. "I should probably go. Let you guys catch up."
"Don't be silly," Sadie says immediately. "The roads are terrible. Stay! We want to hear all about the decorating process." She's pulling off her coat, hanging it up. "Besides, we brought supplies for cocktails, and I make a mean spiked cider."
"I don’t want to impose,” Nia says. “I’ve probably already overstayed my welcome.” I catch the hint of mischief in her eyes.
Sadie looks between us, and I can practically see the gears turning in her head. "Please. If I know my brother, he’d want you to stay."
I nod. “Stay, Nia.”
“Fine then.” She grins. “But just because that cider sounds to die for.”
We all chuckle.
