Chapter 4
Slade drove down off the mountain and toward Mia’s house. He was going to be early. He would use some of that time to prepare. He needed to get himself under control. He hadn’t been able to think of anything else except for Mia yesterday.
Having seen her yesterday morning, still slightly asleep, her face soft and her hair slightly mussed, her image had haunted him the rest of the day. The smell of her and the sight of her in the thin top with no bra on underneath.
They way her nipples had hardened when he got close. How he had had to stop himself from taking one into his mouth. How he had had to fight the urge to pick her up and set her on top of her counter, leaving his hands free to explore her body.
He needed to get a grip on himself. He adjusted himself in his slacks and then knocked on her door. The sight of her took his breath away. Her hair was down in soft curls. She had on a deep green dress that hugged her curves in a way that his hands wanted to.
She was wearing a simple gold necklace and earrings. She was stunning. “You look beautiful.”
He took in her shy smile and the way her skin flushed.
She had worn this for him. He guided her to his truck and helped her into it, keeping a hand on her elbow to steady her.
He closed the door and walked around, her vanilla and cinnamon scent filling his nose.
He took another deep breath before he climbed into the driver’s side.
“When we’re together, I touch you. Your waist, your hand, your hair. People need to believe this.”
“Okay. What else?” He voice was breathy, and he wanted to take her to his cabin and not to the inn.
“You stay close to me. If anyone makes you uncomfortable, you tell me. If you want to leave, we leave.”
“You don’t have to—”
“Yes. I do.” He looked over at her. “I want to.”
“Why? Why are you really doing this?”
His hands tightened on the steering wheel. Should he tell her the truth? “Because I’ve watched you for two years. Watched you be kind to every person who doesn’t deserve it. Watched you make my nephew feel special every single day. Watched that bastard take you for granted.”
“You’ve watched me?”
“Every school event. Every Christmas when you bring your class to the farm. Every time I came to town and saw you at the coffee shop or bookstore.” He glanced at her again. “I’ve been paying attention, Mia.”
He watched her emotions flicker across her face before he returned his gaze to the road. As they pulled into the inn parking lot, snow was starting to fall. He stopped the car and reached out to place his hand on her thigh. “Last chance to back out.”
She looked up into his face. “I don’t want to back out.”
“Good. Because I wasn’t going to let you.” He came around the truck to help her out. “Stay close to me. I’ve got you.” Slade guided her into the building with his hand on her lower back. The room went quiet with their entrance.
He could feel every eye on them as they walked in. He took in Tessa’s shocked face. Derek’s clear discomfort and forced smile. The whispers started immediately. Slade didn’t care. Let them stare. He only cared about Mia.
He led her more into the room, finding their seats. He pulled out her chair for her and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Breathe, baby. Let me handle this.” He heard her breath catch at baby. Along with the others at the nearby tables.
He sat down beside her, his thigh pressing against hers under the table.
His arm was draped across the back of her chair, his fingers playing with the ends of her curls.
Claiming her without words. The reactions came quickly.
People staring, some with curiosity, others with something like wariness.
Slade Carter didn’t come to town. He definitely didn’t attend social events, and he certainly didn’t bring dates.
An older woman leaned toward her companion. “I didn’t know Slade dated.”
“How did Mia land him?” someone else whispered.
“He looks…intense.”
Slade ignored them all. His focus was entirely on Mia, making sure she was comfortable. That she had water, that her napkin was in her lap. The small touches and attentiveness said mine louder than any words could.
Tessa approached their table during cocktail hour, her smile forced but determined. “Slade. So glad you can make it. Mia told me so much about you.”
Slade let his expression remain cool but polite and distant. “Has she?”
“How long has this been going on? Why so secretive?” She was obviously trying to find cracks in their story.
“Mia wanted to keep it private.” His hands moved to his neck, thumb stroking her pulse point possessively. “I respect that.”
Derek approached behind Tessa, his discomfort obvious in every line of his body. “Hey, man. Good to meet you. Heard a lot about you.” His voice was flat and assessing.
Slade gave Derek a minimal handshake, then turned back to Mia without another word, dismissing him entirely. In his peripheral vision, he could see Derek’s face flush. He wasn’t used to being dismissed, but what could Derek say? It hadn’t been rude exactly, just uninterested.
During dinner service, his attention never wavered. He asked what she wanted, made sure she was comfortable, kept his hand on her. Her thigh, her shoulder, her hand. Always touching, always present.
Mia’s mother appeared during the salad course, pulling her to the side. “Honey, are you sure about this? He’s so intense. Intimidating. Is he treating you well?”
Slade heard every word from his seat three feet away. His jaw tightened. Mia’s response was, “He treats me better than anyone else has.”
When Mia returned to her seat, Slade leaned in close. “You okay?”
“You make my mother nervous.”
His eyes darkened. “Good. She should’ve protected you better.”
“Derek and Tessa’s love story is proof that sometimes the right person is worth waiting for, even if they’re not the first person.” The best man said.
The subtle dig landed. Slade’s hand tightened dangerously on his glass, his body tingling. His whisperer was low and fierce in her ear. “Say the word.”
Mia looked at him. “Stay,” she whispered back. “I want to stay.”
After dinner, as people mingled, Slade walked Mia toward the parking lot.
The snow was falling harder now, coating everything in white.
His arm was around her shoulders, keeping her warm.
They reached his truck, and he backed her against it, his large frame blocking the wind.
His hand came up to her face, the thumb brushing her bottom lip.
“They don’t deserve you,” he said roughly.
“Slade—” His name was barely a breath.
“I’ve wanted to kiss you since I saw you in that green dress.”
“Then why don’t you—”
“Wait.” Tess’s voice cut through the moment like a knife.
Slade drew away, frustration in every line of his body.
“Step back but kept me close,” he murmured, his hand on her waist.
Tessa hurried over, oblivious to what she’d interrupted. “I forgot to tell you about tomorrow’s fitting. We need to be there at ten and—”
Slade’s expression was dark as she stuttered out what she’d come to say. When she finally left, he turned back to Mia, and his voice was a promise in the dark. “Later.”
He drove her home in a charged silence. At her door, his hand lingered on her lower back. “Tomorrow. Afternoon. I want you to come up to the farm with Jamie.” It wasn’t a question. It was a command wrapped in an invitation.
“Okay,” she whispered.
His eyes were dark with promise. “Wear something warm. I plan to keep you on the mountain for a while.”