Chapter 10
“I think we should go to the bar to celebrate,” I told him, finally lifting my head off his chest. How I had the energy to even stay upright after all of that intense love making, I wasn’t sure. But I had a second wind, and I needed to release it.
Or maybe it was just to show him off as mine.
“You want to go to the bar?” he asked, lifting his brow.
“Why not? We just got married; I don’t see a problem in wanting to have a drink and dance.”
“Not a problem. Just…you know you wore me out?”
“Oh, is my husband so old that just a few rounds tires him out? Poor baby. Maybe we should look into something for you.”
His growl caught me off guard, but it wasn’t unwanted. In fact, it had me smiling. Then he had me squealing as his hands found my side and started tickling me.
“Old, woman, old? I’ll show you old. Just remember that it will always be me taking care of you now. And have no fear, I’ll keep up with you just fine.”
I had no doubt that he would too. Because for being forty-five, this mean was in the prime of his life. Forget young and fun being twenties, this right here was the best time ever. Okay, so yes, maybe a few things snapped, popped, and cracked, but it sure didn’t slow either one of us down.
“Get dressed, I’m taking you out,” he told me, slapping my naked ass. I gave him a mock glare as I slid off his lap, gathered my clothes, and walked back into the cabin, laughing to myself at the groan that followed. “She’s going to be the death of me.”
“I heard that,” I called back, feeling like such a giddy schoolgirl with this man.
An hour later, we pulled up to the bar, and he helped me out of the truck. With his hand on my lower back, he escorted me into the bar. I scanned the room, seeing more than a fair share of rugged mountain men, but also quite a bit of ladies.
And given that Christian was one of the best-looking men around, I can see why the ladies would gravitate towards him. Hell, I probably would have too.
It was also evident they wanted him by the way they all kept sizing him up.
I didn’t get to play the bitchy role very often because I had nothing to lay claim too, so tonight, it would be fun because for everyone one of these ladies that wanted to saddle up next to him and try to take him, I get to be downright nasty and say no way and move along.
“Stop smirking,” he told me and I glanced at him.
“Why?”
“Because when you do that, I know the exact reason you wanted to come here.”
“Can’t blame a wife for letting everyone know that her husband is now off limits. Trust me, you’re going to enjoy this just as much as I am, so back off.”
“You know, you’re kind of hot when you get all controlling and demanding.” I opened my mouth to say something, but his fingers pinching my butt stopped me. “Just don’t let it go to your head because this attitude stays here. I’m the boss in the bedroom, remember that.”
“Fair. Your bossy side there is pretty hot.” He laughed as he led me to the bar, ordering his beer and my rum before walking over to Mason, who was beaming from ear to ear.
“He let you out,” he teased, giving me a quick hug.
“More like I let him out. I’ve had him tied to my bed the whole time. It’s nice having him at my mercy.” Mason spat his drink out and I fought the laugh but lost.
“She’s feisty, I really like her,” Mason said, clapping Christian on the shoulder. “I guess it’s official?”
“Yes,” I said, wrapping my arm around Christian’s waist.
“Congrats. Your next round is on me because we’re celebrating,” Mason offered, and we accepted.
“Celebrating what?” one of the ladies said, sliding up on the other side of Christian, her hands latching onto his arm. I looked around him and gave her a saucy grin.
“His marriage. To me. Now run along and have find another man to ride because this one is off the market.”
The look I sent her was scalding and she quickly backed off, making Mason laugh all over.
“Shit, I’m scared of my wife,” Christian said, watching me.
I couldn’t help but give him the softest, wickedest smile, because he was right. I was out to let everyone know the truth tonight.
I shrugged at Mason as he just threw her a look before taking a swig of my beer, thinking that having her on my arm was sure going to be a lot more fun.
“Want to dance?” she asked.
“Why not take Mason out on the floor? He needs a dance partner and when the ladies see his moves, they might go after him.”
He shot me a glare as she turned to him, but he was too much of a gentleman to deny her. I gave her a quick kiss and then watched as he escorted her on the dance floor. The music changed to a quick two-step, and he spun her around the floor like a pro.
I clapped as they came by me and the smile on her face was priceless.
“Care to dance?” someone asked over my shoulder. I glanced behind me, seeing a pretty little blonde and shook my head.
“Thanks, but I’m just waiting for my wife to come back.”
“You’re married to her?” she asked, the look of disbelief on her face.
“Yes, he is, and happily. Now, run along. All you little skanks are the same,” Janelle said, sliding her arms around me from behind.
“He wants nothing to do with you all anymore. In fact, you can tell every lady here that he’s officially claimed and off the market.
By me. Now, shoo,” she said, waving her hand at the lady, who couldn’t look more offended.
“Damn, I am keeping you,” I told her, turning around in her arms.
“Because I keep the leeches at bay?”
“Hell yes. Me telling them no just doesn’t seem to work as well as my wife doing it.”
She leaned forward and gave me a kiss, making Mason groan.
“God, you two are sickening. I’m going to the bar and getting more drinks. Maybe get a room.”
I broke the kiss to let out a chuckle, pulling Janelle on my lap.
“Did it feel good to tell the ladies off, wife?”
“It sure did. However, I don’t want to keep doing it so I’m hoping that all will get the memo.”
I pulled her close, giving her a deep kiss again. She was so damn great for me, and I just couldn’t help but keep showing her just how much she meant.
“Let’s go dance now,” I told her, lifting her and taking her to the floor. I wrapped my arms around her as we swayed to the music.
“Do you think we’ll have tons of rough times?” she finally asked.
I thought over her question and shook my head.
“Not tons, but our fair share. I can be a grump when the snow hits. My joints tend to hurt and I complain.”
“That sounds fair. I’m not big on being bored. I can get antsy, so that will be fun.”
“I think, wife, I’m going to have to find ways to distract you.”
“Funny that you say that husband, because I’m sure those ways are pretty much the same as how I can make your joints a lot better.”
We both grinned, sharing the secret between us.
No, it wouldn’t always be roses, but I also fully believed that life with this woman wouldn’t be dull. She already spiced it up in plenty of ways and with her art, she’d always find new ways to tease me.
“I need to use the restroom,” I told her, kissing her nose real quick. “Don’t get into any trouble, please.”
She rolled her eyes, then slapped my butt as I walked away. I glanced behind me, watching her walk over to the bar to bug Mason and couldn’t help the swell in my chest.
Janelle was everything I ever dreamed of and never knew I needed. She was just the right type of woman for me and one that I could say I loved.
A few minutes later, I strolled back out, stopping behind the man that was currently trying to hit on my wife.
“Ahem,” I said, clearing my throat. Both Janelle and Mason looked back, a shared smile on their face and then the man turned as well.
“Can I help you, pal?” he asked.
“Sure, you can stop hitting on my wife.”
He glanced between me and her then backed away, his hands up.
“Sorry,” he mumbled.
“Geez, your height can be intimidating,” she joked, standing up to hug me. “Thank you for being mine.”
“Thank you for responding to the ad,” I whispered, kissing along her neck. “You make me beyond happy, do you know that? I love you, Janelle, like I never thought I’d love someone.”
“Maybe we should thank my friends, since they’re the ones who signed me up.” She looked up at me, her fingers playing with the hair on my neck. “Even if I was leery about it, because it brought me to you. And I will spend forever Loving The Mountain Man.”