Chapter 18 #2
Her eyes are glassy, unfocused, mouth hanging open as she moans. Tyler crouches behind her, one hand on her throat, the other between her legs, finally circling her clit properly.
This is it. This is the moment.
She breaks.
Mia comes hard, body locking up, a sharp cry tearing out of her as she clenches around Marcus.
I watch her face as she falls apart, watch her eyes flutter and then snap back to mine, like she needs something to hold on to while she comes undone.
Tyler keeps touching her through it, relentless, murmuring filthy encouragements in her ear.
The way she squeezes makes Marcus swear and spill inside her with a groan, his head dropping forward against her back. Tyler follows seconds later, choking on a curse as he comes, hand slick, breath ragged.
And I’m last, barely holding it together.
I pull her back against my chest, slide in deep one final time, and the overstimulation makes her cry out again.
I thrust hard, chasing it, eyes on her reflection in the dark window—her ruined expression, my own behind her—and when I come, it’s violent, a low groan ripped from my chest as I bury myself to the hilt.
When I wake, it’s still dark, just the faint glow of embers in the hearth and the hush of the wind outside.
We’re a tangle of bodies on the rug. Mia is curled against me with her back to my chest, Tyler’s head nestled between her breasts, her leg thrown over his hip.
Marcus is sprawled half across both of them, his arm slung over Tyler’s waist. The air is thick with heat, sweat, and the aftertaste of sex.
I can’t remember the last time I felt this content.
Or this exposed.
I press my lips to Mia’s hair, just breathing her in.
She stirs, shifting so her back fits tighter against me, and I realize my hand is resting low on her stomach, possessive and gentle all at once.
For a minute, I just listen—her slow breathing, the occasional sigh from Marcus, the creak of the cabin timbers.
The storm is still raging, but inside, we’re in our own little world.
Tyler is the first to speak, his voice muffled, thick with sleep. “Someone’s gotta build a fire. My ass is freezing.”
Marcus grumbles without opening his eyes. “Build it yourself. And keep it down, while you’re at it. I could sleep for another hundred fucking years.”
Mia laughs, the sound warm and low, vibrating through me. She turns in my arms, facing me, eyes half-lidded and soft, a lazy smile tugging at her lips. “You mean you’re not too sore to move?” she teases, poking Tyler’s side with her toe.
Tyler grins. “For you, Mia? I’d crawl through the snow.”
Marcus groans. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, man. Nobody’s crawling anywhere. Not after last night.”
Mia bites her lip, stifling a giggle, and glances up at me. There’s something quieter in her expression now, a rawness I’m not sure anyone else sees. I brush her hair out of her eyes, just needing to touch her, and she leans into it.
“You okay?” I ask softly, thumb brushing her cheek.
She nods, her gaze lingering on mine. “Better than okay.” She pauses, voice a little more serious. “Didn’t know it could feel like that.”
There’s a stretch of silence as we all take that in. Tyler shifts, propping himself up on an elbow. “So, round two?” He wiggles his eyebrows, and the tension breaks as we all laugh.
Marcus finally drags himself up, reaching for the nearest blanket and pulling it over the pile of us. “If I’m moving, it’s only to make coffee. You want some, Mia?”
She nods, cuddling closer to me. “If you bring it to me here.”
He salutes. “As you wish, princess.” He hauls himself up, naked and unashamed, padding over to the stove.
Tyler rolls closer on Mia’s other side, nuzzling her shoulder. “Cabin weekends should always end like this.”
I hold her tighter, burying my face in her neck for a second, breathing her in, not quite ready to let her go.
Mia’s phone starts vibrating somewhere under the pile of our discarded clothes, buzzing and lighting up the dim room with a sharp, persistent glow.
For a while she ignores it, her head tucked beneath my chin, but after the fourth, fifth time, she groans and stretches to reach for the pile of clothes.
She roots around for her phone and the second she unlocks it, her face goes pale in the flickering light.
Over her shoulder, the screen is a cascade of messages—the wedding planner, panicking in all caps: WHERE ARE YOU?
The bride is FREAKING OUT. Why weren’t you at the rehearsal party last night?
Please, Mia, pick up. CALL ME BACK ASAP!
“Oh my god,” Mia mutters, scrolling, her fingers trembling a little. “Shit, shit, shit. I have to go.”
She moves like she’s going to jump up, already halfway disentangling herself from me and Tyler, but I catch her wrist, gentle and firm.
“Wait,” I say, propping myself up and meeting her eyes in the firelight. “Mia. You’re not the maid of honor anymore. Remember? It’s not your job.”
She blinks, like she’s just remembered where she is, who she’s with. “But—Sarah—she’s probably losing her mind. And Olivia’s going to hate me, and—”
I shake my head, stroking her arm. “Let them handle it. It isn’t on you to rescue everyone every time things go sideways.”
Marcus pipes up, hair wild, voice sleep-heavy, “He’s right. You chose yourself for once. Maybe you should stick with it.”
Tyler sits up, running a hand through his messy hair. “Honestly, you’re not gonna fix anything by showing up tired and apologizing for living your own damn life.”
Mia hesitates, chewing her lip, still looking at the phone like it’s a snake. “But I promised I’d be there if she needed me…”
I pull her in again, wrapping my arms around her waist, grounding her. “And you’ve been there for her a thousand times. You don’t owe anyone more than you can give. You deserve a morning to yourself. With us.”
She stares at me for a second, torn, the glow of her phone reflecting in her eyes. Slowly, she sets it face down on the nearest pillow.
“I just…I needed last night. I needed this,” she whispers.
“We all did,” Tyler says, and Marcus nods in silent agreement, rejoining us in the nest of blankets.
After we’ve soaked in the quiet morning for as long as we can, we get up and get dressed. The snow has stopped for now, and we know we have to face reality again.
I press my hands to the window frame, staring out into the early morning darkness.
The snow still reflects a thin slice of moonlight.
My jaw is tight, my mind running circles.
“We only want to protect Sarah,” I say, the words heavy.
“But if she can’t be reasoned with…” I trail off, the rest unspoken.
Mia sits hunched on the couch, her robe slipping from one shoulder. She shakes her head, defiant. “I can’t believe you’re giving up so quickly. And besides, Sarah had every right to get mad at me.”
She glances at Tyler, her voice softer but rough with guilt. “Tyler and I did something incredibly stupid. Why did I ever think it would work? It was just…impulsive.”
Tyler looks away, his shoulders tense. “I was carried away,” he admits solemnly. “It was wrong.”
I nod, meeting his eyes. “Yes, but that didn’t mean she had to demote you from maid of honor. That was harsh.”
Mia sighs, tucking her knees under her chin. “Jason has probably been saying stuff about me to her. I know how he works. He poisons people against each other—he probably made it sound like I’m sabotaging everything, not just the dinner.”
I step closer, resting a hand on the back of the couch, feeling the weight of it all. “You’re not the one to blame here, Mia. None of us are. But Jason? He’s good at this. He finds every crack and makes it wider.”
Mia looks up, eyes wet but determined. “Then we have to find a way to reach her, before he does any more damage.” Her resolve is written all over her face. No matter what we say, she’s set on going back to the lodge.
I hate it. But I’d rather be the one to bring her than risk her going alone.
“I’ll drive you,” I say quietly. “At least let me make sure you get inside safely.”
She hesitates, but nods. We bundle up, climb onto the snowmobile, and I steer us back through the pines, the world hushed under a blanket of fresh snow. The wind stings, but neither of us says much. I keep one arm around her waist, holding her close the whole ride.
She turns, her breath clouding the air. “Thank you. For coming with me. For not treating me like I’m breakable.”
I brush a strand of hair from her cheek. “You’re tougher than you think, Mia. But I’ll worry anyway.”
She smiles, a little shy, and for a moment, I forget about everything else. I pull her into a hug, holding her tight. She leans in, letting out a shaky sigh, and for a heartbeat I let myself believe things might turn out alright.
That’s when I hear footsteps crunching through the snow behind us.
Jason steps into view, face all false concern. “Everything okay out here?”
The spell breaks instantly. Mia stiffens in my arms, pulling away. I slide in front of her, jaw tight, meeting Jason’s gaze head-on.
“Well, isn’t this cozy,” he says, all smugness and dark amusement.
Mia stiffens. I pull her a little closer, stepping between her and Jason. He’s standing just outside the pool of light, watching us with that cold, knowing smile.
“I was just coming out for some air,” he says, tone innocent, “but it looks like you two already have it covered.” He steps closer, boots crunching in the snow, and I automatically move in front of Mia, blocking his path. My jaw is tight. I’m ready for anything.
He raises his hands in mock surrender, smirking. “Relax, tiger. I couldn’t care less about her right now. I need to talk to you.”
I glance at Mia. “Go inside,” I tell her, soft but firm.
She hesitates, shooting me a worried look, but finally slips around us and heads toward the lodge. I don’t miss the way Jason watches her walk away—hungry, almost gloating. It takes everything I have not to wipe that look off his face.
He turns back to me, dropping the fake charm. “This isn’t about her. It’s about business.”
I cross my arms. “What do you want, Jason?”
He smiles, slow and oily. “Simple. You let me into a management position at the company. Something with real influence, not just a figurehead title. You make it happen, and I stay out of your way.”
I grit my teeth, struggling to keep my temper. “You think you can blackmail your way into my family’s business?”
He shrugs, stepping closer. “I think you’re smart enough to realize this is your best option.”
I narrow my eyes. “That’s not what we decided. There’s a process, and you haven’t earned anything.”
Jason’s smirk only grows. “Who are you to decide? Sarah’s mom had an equal share in the company. That passes to Sarah. I’m family now, Alex. You can’t shut me out forever.”
My hands ball into fists. “You little piece of shit. Is that why you’re marrying her? For a seat at the table?”
Jason laughs, cold and dismissive. “Your bait isn’t going to work on me. Play your games if you want, but do what I ask—or else.” He steps in closer, dropping his voice so only I can hear. “You let me in, you keep your happy little world. If not…things start falling apart for you. Fast.”
I glare at him, barely able to keep my anger in check. He’s not just a threat—he’s a cancer. And I won’t let him take anything else from us.
I stare Jason down, refusing to give him an inch. “You’re not getting anything. Do whatever the fuck you want.”
I turn on my heel, leaving him standing in the cold with that smug little smirk. He thinks he’s won something. He thinks he’s still got cards to play. I can see it in his eyes. Whatever he’s up to, I’ll be ready—and I’ll talk to my lawyers tonight.
I head back toward the lodge, pulse racing, mind already spinning through contingency plans. Mia is waiting just inside the doors, arms folded, worry etched across her face.
She steps closer, searching my eyes. “What did he want?”
I try to focus, but I’m still wound tight. “Just…business threats. Nothing you need to worry about.” My mind is miles away, caught between anger and calculation, but I try to smile for her sake.
She frowns, not convinced, but lets it go. I realize I’m gripping her hand a little too hard and force myself to loosen up. She watches me, eyes searching.
For a second, I almost wish I could tell her everything.
But right now, all I can do is keep her close—and prepare for whatever comes next.