Page 10 of Christmas With The Broken Mountain Man
The word feels less strange this time, settling into place with surprising ease.
"Nice to meet you." Destiny offers her hand, which Jax takes with a warm smile.
"Likewise. Mason's a lucky man."
"Oh, I'm the lucky one," she replies smoothly, moving to stand beside me. Without hesitation, she slips her arm around my waist, leaning into my side like she belongs there. "He's been my rock through all this."
Her performance is flawless, but there's a vulnerability beneath it that only I can see. I wrap my arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer in silent reassurance.
"Well," Jax says, watching us with interest. "I just dropped by to invite you to dinner tomorrow night. Riley's cooking. But I can see you're... busy."
"We'd love to come," Destiny says before I can respond. "Wouldn't we, honey?"
The endearment sends a jolt through me. "Of course," I manage, sounding only slightly strangled. "We'll be there."
After Jax leaves with a knowing smirk, Destiny steps out of my embrace, her absence leaving a cold spot against my side.
"Sorry if I overstepped," she says, fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. "With the whole 'honey' thing. I thought it would sound more authentic."
"It was fine." More than fine, actually, but I'm not ready to examine why. "You were convincing."
We fall into an awkward silence, the almost-kiss hanging in the air like an unfinished melody.
"Well," she finally says. "I should probably get some sleep. Big day tomorrow with the tree lighting and dinner with your friends."
"Right." I nod stiffly. "Good night, then."
"Good night, Mason."
She heads upstairs, leaving me alone with the glowing tree and the lingering scent of her perfume. I sink onto the couch, running a hand over my face.
What the hell is happening to me? Three years of carefully maintained emotional walls, and this woman waltzes in with her sunshine smile and sad eyes, making me feel things I've locked away since Sarah.
It's the proximity, I tell myself. The forced intimacy of our situation. Nothing more.
But as I stare at the Christmas tree we decorated together, the crooked fir she chose because it was "a little broken, but still beautiful", I know I'm lying to myself.
And for a man who's built his career on helping others face their truths, that's a dangerous place to be.
CHAPTER FOUR
DESTINY
Ican't sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I feel Mason's breath on my lips, the almost-kiss replaying in my mind like a movie scene. It's been less than forty-eight hours since I showed up on his doorstep, yet here I am, lying awake thinking about a man I barely know.
This wasn't part of the plan. I came to Whisper Vale for safety, not romance. The last thing I need is another relationship, especially one built on lies and desperation.
But Mason isn't Greg. The differences are stark and numerous. Where Greg controlled, Mason protects. Where Greg demanded, Mason offers. Where Greg took, Mason gives.
I roll onto my side, punching my pillow into submission. This attraction is just gratitude mixed with proximity. Nothing more. It can't be more.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand. Tasha checking in.
Tasha: How's life with Mountain Man Therapist?she texts.
I type back:Complicated. He's nothing like I expected.
Tasha: Good complicated or bad complicated?
