Page 18 of Christmas With The Broken Mountain Man
"Mason." Destiny's voice is small. "I'm scared."
"I know, baby." The endearment slips out naturally. "But I've got you."
Just as the Escalade closes the gap, sirens wail in the distance. The effect is immediate, the SUV's does a sudden stop, before making a sharp U-turn, disappearing back the way we came.
Destiny sags in relief. "Thank God."
I pull over, waiting for Tom's patrol car to catch up. When it does, he steps out into the snow, approaching my window.
"You okay?" he asks, looking from me to Destiny.
"We're fine," I answer, though my knuckles are white on the steering wheel. "Did you get a plate number?"
Tom shakes his head. "Mud-covered. Intentionally obscured." He leans down to address Destiny directly. "Ma'am, if you want to file a report?—”
"No," she interrupts, voice firm despite her obvious fear. "No reports. It would just confirm I'm here."
Tom nods, respecting her decision. "I'll escort you back to Mason's place, then send patrols through the area. This guy makes another appearance, we'll be ready."
"Thank you," she says.
The rest of the drive passes in tense silence, Tom's patrol car a reassuring presence behind us. When we reach the cabin, he insists on checking the perimeter before giving us the all-clear.
"I'll have cars drive by regularly tonight," he promises. "Call if anything seems off."
Once inside, Destiny's composure crumbles. She sinks onto the couch, trembling so violently that her teeth chatter. I wrap a blanket around her shoulders and kneel before her.
"You're safe," I say, taking her cold hands in mine. "He's gone."
"For now." Her eyes, wide with fear, find mine. "But he found me, Mason. He won't stop."
"Then we'll be ready." I move to sit beside her, pulling her against my chest. "I meant what I said. He won't touch you."
She burrows closer. "You can't be with me every minute."
"Watch me." I tilt her chin up, forcing her to meet my gaze. "I'm not leaving your side until this is resolved."
"What about your clients? Your work?"
"I'll reschedule. Work from home." I brush a tear from her cheek. "Your safety matters more."
The look she gives me is raw, disbelieving. "Why? Why are you doing all this for me? We barely know each other."
It's the question I've been asking myself since she arrived on my doorstep. The answer comes with surprising clarity.
"Because you matter, Destiny. To me. More than I expected. More than makes sense." I cup her face in my hands. "And I'm tired of fighting it."
I kiss her then, not the gentle exploration from the tree lighting but something deeper, more urgent. She responds instantly, her arms winding around my neck, body pressing closer.
Her mouth is warm and welcoming, opening under mine. I trace the seam of her lips with my tongue, and she grants me access with a soft whimper that ignites something primal in my blood.
What begins as comfort quickly transforms into hunger. My hands slide from her face to her waist, pulling her onto my lap. She straddles me willingly, her fingers threading through my hair as the kiss deepens.
"Mason," she breathes against my lips. "Take me to bed?—”
I pull back slightly, searching her face for any hint of doubt or hesitation. Finding none, I stand, lifting her with me. Her legs wrap around my waist as I carry her toward the stairs.
"You're sure?" I ask, giving her one last chance to reconsider.
