Chapter 3
Mia sat at her small kitchen table in her weekend pajamas of a tank top and soft lounge pants while she started sketching lesson plans. She was still half asleep and not expecting anyone. So she was surprised by the early morning knock.
She assumed it was her mother, and she shuffled to the door to open it. Instead, she found Slade Carter taking up her entire doorway. He had two coffee cups in hand, and next to him, she could see Jamie bouncing with excitement.
But it wasn’t her mother like she expected. This definitely had not been it. “Slade?”
“We need to talk about our relationship, darling.” His voice was low and rough in her ear. The feeling of his breath on her skin and the way his voice said ‘darling’ did something to her knees. Before she could get her brain to react, Jamie was giving her a big hug.
“Hi, Miss Brooks. Uncle Slade says you’re his girlfriend.”
Mia’s eyes shot to Slade’s. She couldn’t get her brain and mouth to work together.
“Jamie, go play in the backyard for a few minutes. The adults need to talk.”
Mia watched Jamie head to her backyard. She was alone again with Slade. Crap. “I’m so sorry. I, I panicked. I didn’t think anyone would actually tell you. Don’t worry. I’ll fix it. I’ll tell everyone I lied—”
Slade placed his finger on her lips to stop her verbal diarrhea. “You’ll do no such thing.”
She backed up as he stepped inside her house and closed the door behind himself. Her hand took the coffee he was holding out to her, and she took a sip. It was made exactly how she liked it. How did he know that?
“I’ll do it. I’ll be your boyfriend. Take you to the wedding. Make them all back off.”
“Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that. You don’t even know me. You shouldn’t have to—”
He moved closer to her. “You didn’t ask. I’m telling you. I’m doing this.”
“But why? Why would you?”
“Because watching them use you makes me want to break things. Because you needed someone, and you said my name. Because I’m done watching from a distance.”
Mia’s breath caught at ‘watching from a distance.’ What did that mean?
“But we will do this right. When we’re together, you follow my lead. I touch you. You let me. We sell this.”
“Okay. What do I need to do?”
“Be yourself. I’ll handle the rest.” He reached past her and put his coffee cup on her counter. His body was so close. She could smell his scent. It was pine, wood smoke, and something masculine. The heat of him traveled through the air.
Her nipples hardened under her thin top, and she gasped. Slade gave her a knowing look. He felt it too. There was something between them, and she felt the heat climb her face.
“I’ll pick you up for the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night.”
“Oh. Okay. I—I really want to thank you for this.”
“No need to.”
“But I really should.
“There is no need to thank me for things I want to do.” His voice was rough as he stepped back, putting necessary distance between them.
Mia tried to catch her breath. Tried to remember how to think when all her body wanted was for him to close the distance again. She had never felt like this before.
“I should go get Jamie.” Slade’s eyes were dark as they traced over her face. His gaze lingered on her lips, and her tongue darted out to moisten her suddenly dry lips. “But I’ll see you tomorrow night. Six o’clock. Wear something that makes you feel beautiful.”
He moved toward the back door to call Jamie. Mia watched the way he moved. All controlled power and masculine grace. This man had barely touched her, and he was already going to ruin her.
“Jamie. Time to go, bud.”
Jamie came running in, breathless and happy. “Miss Brooks, your backyard is so cool. Do you have a tire swing?”
“I do.” Mia managed to smile despite her racing heart. “You can play on it anytime.”
“Awesome.” Jamie grabbed Slade’s hand. “Uncle Slade, can Miss Brooks come visit us on the mountain?”
Slade’s eyes met Mia’s over Jamie’s head.
“I’m counting on it.” As they walked to the door, Slade’s hand settled on her lower back.
Just for a moment as he guided her forward.
But that simple touch sent electricity racing through her entire body.
His palm was warm and possessive even through her thin top.
At the door, he looked down at her, his expression intense. “Tomorrow, Mia. Be ready.”
She could only nod. After they left, Mia stood in her doorway watching his truck disappear down her street. Her hand was pressed to her racing heart. What had just happened?
Slade Carter, the mountain man everyone feared and avoided, had just agreed to be her fake boyfriend. He had touched her like she belonged to him. He had looked at her like he wanted to devour her.
And the worst part? The absolute worst part?
Was that she wanted him to. This was supposed to be fake.
A convenient arrangement to get everyone off her back.
But the way her body responded to him. The way her heart pounded when he was near.
The way she could still feel the ghost of his hand on her back?
None of that felt fake.
Mia closed her door and leaned against it. Her legs were shaky.
She was in so much trouble.