Chapter 14 #2
The fireplace pops and crackles, and Stella starts to twitch in her sleep, making adorable little high-pitched barking noises as she dreams of adventures. Maybe that’s what all this is, the most incredible adventure, a dream come true, that I still have another day left in before I wake up.
Reid chuckles and takes the opportunity to drag me onto his lap. I unashamedly snuggle into him. The dreamland version of Mia doesn’t want to wake up and regret missing a single second of his warmth and open affection.
After a few moments, I pluck up more courage—not to poke around in their lives, but to genuinely know more about them. “How did the two of you meet?”
Henri hums, drags a hand through his hair, making it all disheveled and even more gorgeous.
“When I first retired, I wanted to go somewhere quiet. I was sick of the media and being a face easily recognized. I looked for somewhere to set up my workshop, and this is a village where tourists turn up all year. Also, the locals and businesses like to regularly commission pieces. It felt like the perfect place to put down roots.”
“I can see why you found it easy to stay.” My eyes drift to the gorgeous mountains and snowdrifts outside the floor-to-ceiling window.
“This guy was still competing in rodeo. When he came back to Mistwood from the tour stops, he kept turning up on my doorstep when it was mealtimes.”
“Did not.” Reid’s chest rumbles at my back.
“Oh, baby. You know you did. My cooking was just too good to resist.”
I do my best to hide a grin, peeking up at the sight of Reid scowling in an effort to disguise his cheeks turning pink.
Henri has no remorse for making his man blush. “I don’t think it was my cooking that had him coming back for more,” he whispers exaggeratedly from behind his hand. “I’m pretty sure it was how well I handle my forge.”
A laugh mixed with a snort escapes me. Clapping both hands over my mouth, I can’t contain the undignified sound.
“He kept begging me to give him another demonstration.”
Reid groans and lets out a heavy exhale.
“This big sexy cowboy was so helpful. Always happy to bend over and show me how eager he was to assist with my projects.”
“God, you’re nothing but a headache.”
Henri’s eyes dance with unbridled mischief.
“Anyway, next thing I knew, his socks were in the drawer with my socks, his toothbrush was in the holder with mine, and we were living together…” He waves in a gesture at the room we’re in.
The life they share. “We aren’t the kind to put labels on things, but it just felt right, and now here we are. ”
“Here we are,” Reid murmurs, lips pressing against my temple.
My entire body sings with the foolish notion he’s perhaps including me in that sentiment.
“Rodeo?” I murmur, allowing my fingertips to play over the front of his shirt.
Above me, I feel his chin dip. “Team Penning.” Tilting my eyes to his, with brows furrowed, he gives me a crooked smile in return and presses a thumb to my forehead as if to erase that crease there. “Three riders, three horses, a herd of cattle. I’ll have to show you a video sometime.”
“And your youngest brother still competes? But in bull riding?”
“The great and mighty Heath Landon.” His exhale flares his nostrils, a weary look about him—hinting at the fact this particular sibling might have been the source of more than a few of those gray hairs of his.
“Who knows if his body will hold up for another season. But the bastard is stubborn as fuck and could charm the devil himself, so he’s still out there winning buckles. ”
Henri scoffs. “Still trying to fuck away his demons, more like it.”
“And now you work for the ranch… while, Henri, you have a metal work studio?”
The guys exchange the sort of rapid, silent conversation I can’t interpret.
“I’ll have to find time to show you the workshop.” Henri gives me a wink. “If you’d like a tour?”
“I’d love that.” Here I am hoping that leads to a demonstration. Something about that glimpse I saw of him working yesterday has left me impatient for a closer look at this man’s skills.
He clicks his tongue in Stella’s direction. “C’mon, ma cocotte. You can have your Christmas dinner early.” She almost sideswipes an entire bookshelf with how hard her tail wags as she skitters ahead, racing toward the kitchen.
“What does that mean? When he calls her that.” I giggle and lean my head into Reid.
“That’s his big softy side showing. My sweetie or darling.”
“Cute.” I grin.
Well, mark me down as impossibly horny for a tattooed former rugby player who blows kisses and showers his dog with affection while calling her sweetie.
“Do either of you want another drink? I know Mia’s is empty.” Henri calls over his shoulder. “Since you two are getting cozy over there, I’m apparently going to spend my Christmas Eve running around, waiting on hand and foot, spoiling everyone in this house.”
“Ignore him. He loves doing this kind of thing,” Reid mumbles. “Bring the bottle back with you.” He lifts his voice to call out.
“Could you grab my phone for me, please? I left it charging in the spare bedroom.” I add. The place where my bag has resided, but I certainly have spent zero time.
Henri’s reply is entirely a mix of cooing at the dog in French and something that I can only assume is a yes to both our requests.
The two of us stay cuddled together in a comfortable silence. I like that about Reid; he’s easy to be around in a quiet way. There’s no pressure to do anything more than drink in the view beyond the windows and listen to the crackle of the fireplace.
All while doing my best to ignore the sound of my heart whispering with each subtle thump of my pulse… this could be your future.
Henri’s words ring in my ears from last night. Logic taking a back seat. Instinct taking over.
They would know all about that, I’m assuming.
These men both had professional sporting lives…
years when they’ve been at the top of their game, faced with those moments where everything happened in perfect timing.
Scenarios that would be impossible to recreate again, no matter how hard they might try.
Maybe that’s why this Christmas feels as unique as the intricate patterns of an ice crystal—an entirely unique set of circumstances we’d never be able to recreate again.
I don’t want to think like that, but it’s the truth.
Why would they want more than these few days of no-strings-attached fun?
A voice in my head tells me I have to let it go. I have to enjoy this for what it is. They’re showing me a new future, a new possibility for finding someone who will appreciate me in a way I’ve never experienced before. Not before them.
I’ve struggled to find anyone, let alone someone who I could explore with—late-night texts and feeling like I was surviving on scant crumbs of affection, just to feel appreciated.
Guys I’ve met haven’t exactly wanted more than just a casual hook-up.
Maybe I’m stupid for saying yes to the ones who seemed tolerable.
It was easy to shove it all aside, to swallow my self-loathing, and pretend that any scrap of attention would do.
I love the idea of being taken care of, but I’ve also always had the hidden secret dream of wanting to know what it felt like to take care of someone else’s needs, too. To feel as if I’m not just getting them off physically, but giving them something deeper.
My minor detour to over-analyzing my bullshit is interrupted when Henri reappears.
As he strolls toward the couch, the world’s most wicked look glows in his eyes.
“Our girl has been hiding a very big secret.” Holding my phone in one hand, he keeps the other hidden behind his back.
My stomach flips. Did he see something on my phone? Was there some sort of message there, revealing the truth of what happened with Dale?
He clicks his tongue. “Are you hiding other secrets stashed in the trunk of your car?”
“I—I don’t—” Words evade me.
Confusion races through my limbs, before my entire body flushes as he reveals what has been concealed in his other hand.
“Well, aren’t you Little Miss Prepared for pegging?”