Chapter 5
Mia stood in front of her closet the next afternoon, staring at her clothes like they held the answers to the universe.
Slade had said to wear something warm. That he planned to keep her on the mountain for a while.
The way he said it, that dark promise in his voice.
It had kept her awake most of the night, replaying every moment of the rehearsal dinner in her mind.
His hand on her thigh, his thumb stroking her pulse point.
The way he’d dismissed Derek without a second glance.
The almost-kiss against his truck that had made her knees weak.
She remembered his words, “I’ve been watching you for two years.
” How had she not known? How had she not felt his eyes on her?
Mia pulled on dark jeans, boots, and a thick cream sweater that somehow made her feel both cozy and pretty. She left her hair down in its natural curls and added small hoops and minimal makeup. When she looked in the mirror, she barely recognized herself. She looked hopeful. Happy even.
Her phone buzzed. Slade: I’m outside.
Her heart jumped into her throat. She grabbed her coat and opened the door to find Slade leaning against his truck, his arms crossed, watching her house. When he saw her, something heated flashed in his eyes.
“Hi,” she managed.
“Hi yourself.” He opened the passenger door, then his hands were on her waist, lifting her easily into the seat. The casual display of strength made her breath catch. Jamie was bouncing in the backseat.
“Miss Brooks, you’re coming to the farm! This is the best day ever.”
Slade’s eyes met hers as he closed the door with an expression that said, ‘You’re mine.
’ The drive up the mountain was different in daylight.
They could see the town falling away below them, the trees growing thicker and the air getting clear.
Slade drove confidently with one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting between them.
It was close enough that his pinky brushed her thigh every time she shifted.
Jamie kept up a constant stream of chatter from the back. “And his workshop smells like wood. He makes the coolest things. He made me a treasure chest with my name burned into it.”
“Woodburned,” Slade corrected quietly, but Mia could hear the affection in his voice.
They crested the hill, and suddenly the farm spread out before them.
Rows and rows of evergreens dusted with snow.
A barn with twinkling lights, and beyond that, the cabin that looked like something from a Christmas movie, all wood and stone and windows that reflected the afternoon sun.
“This is yours?” Mia breathed.
“This is home.” The way Slade said it, looking at her, made it clear he wanted it to be hers too.
As soon as they stopped, Jamie was out of the truck, running through the trees with enthusiasm.
Slade came around to help Mia down, his hand lingering on her waist even after her feet touched the ground.
“What do you think?” His voice was slow, uncertain. Like he wanted her opinion more than anything.
“It’s beautiful.” She looked around at the peaceful expanse, breathing in the scent of pine and snow. “It smells like… peace.”
Something in his expression softened. “Yeah, it does.” He took her hand, just took it like it was the most natural thing in the world, and let her toward the trees. Jamie was already picking out candidates for their Christmas tree, running between rows and calling out his findings.
“This one’s huge. This one’s perfect. Uncle Slade, can we get TWO?”
Mia laughed, the sound surprising her. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed like that, genuine and unguarded. Slade was watching her with an intensity that made her skin warm.
“What?” she asked.
“Here.” He stepped closer, his free hand coming up to tuck a curl behind her ear. “You fit.”
“Slade—”
“I’ve thought about this,” he said quietly, his thumb tracing her jawline. “You here with Jamie. With me. I’ve thought about it more than I should.”
Her heart was racing. “How long?”
“Two years.” His eyes were dark and honest. “Since the first time you brought your class here for the field trip. You were wearing a red coat. You helped a kid who was scared of the woods. Made him feel brave. And I thought…I want her. I want this woman in my space, in my life.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
His laugh was rough. “Because I’m too much. Too intense. Too isolated. What would you want with a man who lives on a mountain and avoids people?”
“Maybe,” she said softly, her hand coming up to rest on his chest, feeling his heart pound under her fingers, “I’m tired of people. Maybe I want the mountain man.”
His sharp intake of breath was her only warning before his mouth was on her.
The kiss was everything the almost-kiss had promised and more.
Claiming and possessive. But also reverent, like she was something precious.
His hand slid into her hair, angling her head to deepen the kiss.
Her hands fisted in his flannel shirt, pulling him closer.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Jamie’s voice carried from the trees. “Uncle Slade. Miss Brooks. Come see this!”
Slade rested his forehead against hers. His eyes closed. “That kid’s timing is terrible.”
Mia laughed breathlessly. “He’s eight. He’s perfect.”
“You’re perfect.” Slade’s eyes opened, fierce and certain. “And I’m keeping you.”
It should have scared her. The possessive declaration from a man she barely knew. But instead, it felt like coming home.
“Okay,” she whispered.
“Okay?” He pulled back to look at her fully.
“Keep me.” She smiled, shy but sure. “I want to be kept.”
Something dangerous and satisfied flashed across his face. “Baby, you have no idea what you just agreed to.”
But as he took her hand and led her toward Jamie and the perfect Christmas trees, Mia thought maybe she did. Maybe this, this man, this mountain, this unexpected change was something real. Maybe it was exactly what she’d been waiting for.
Even if she hadn’t known she was waiting.