5. The Walk That Wrecked Me
The Walk That Wrecked Me
Braden
“ I ’m heading out for a walk. Want to come along?”
Mina claps her hands together with girlish glee as she pops out of her chair.
We’ve been playing house for three days and all I can say is that I’ve behaved myself. I’ve also jerked off more than a hundred times, but we’re not discussing that right now.
Outwardly, I’m a complete gentleman.
Plus, to be fair, it was a flurry of activity for the first couple of days. Mina, despite her claims otherwise, has a shit ton of clothes and shoes, which are now living in three of the five spare closets in the house.
But I’m not complaining. Mina is bright, sunny, and absolute aces in the roommate department. She’s also a neat freak, so my house is cleaner than ever before. I think we could eat off the floor, although I’m not testing that theory.
And she’s adorable about it, too. I caught a glimpse of her as she dusted the living room, her blonde ponytail bobbing as she bopped around, singing along to whatever pop song was playing on the radio.
Let’s just say Ash was never that cute when he cleaned .
“Give me five minutes to change,” Mina says before dashing up the stairs.
“I’ll be outside.” I fully expect her to take a half hour to prep for this walk, so imagine my surprise when she bounds out the door a few minutes later, water bottle in hand.
“All set.”
“Already? That was fast.”
Mina snorts, taking a pull from her bottle. “It’s a hike, not a ball. Besides, I can’t look good all the time. I’m allowed to look like a hot mess occasionally.”
That’s the thing. She always looks good. Yes, she has youth on her side, but she’s simply stunning without trying, which is likely why a lot of women in town choose to hate her instead of knowing her.
Might have something to do with the fact that every guy in town lusts after her, too. Although now, they’ll have to deal with me.
Hey, Therese asked me to protect her only daughter, and that’s what I’m doing.
We’ll ignore the decidedly dirty things I want to do in tandem for the moment.
Mina bends over to adjust her socks, once again offering an almost illegal view of her body. I swear, she doesn’t own a skirt or shorts bigger than my hand, and I like to tell myself that she’s wearing them for my benefit.
Delusional? Oh yeah, we’re toeing that line daily.
“What’s the plan, Mr. Hammond?” Mina asks, her eyes bright.
“Don’t start with that shit. I already feel ancient.” I jerk my thumb over my shoulder. “Figured I’d show you the greenhouses and gardens before hiking up to the overlook. The farm butts up on public land, so there are acres to explore, but the overlook is a nice mile and a half. You up for it?”
“Absolutely.” Mina grabs her ankle, stretching out her legs. “It’s a great way to get in my cardio. ”
I can think of a far more fun way to get your heart pumping, gorgeous.
“Are you okay?” Mina asks, her gaze flitting to me as she continues her stretches.
“More than. Let’s go.”
Mina is full of questions as we tour the ground, ranging from the age of the farm to the flower varieties blooming in the greenhouse.
She seems genuinely interested in my life here, and I’m happy to oblige her.
The farm is one of the few places I truly feel like myself, where I can let my guard down and simply be.
I’m not a showman like Ash, and being around too many people exhausts me. Besides, no one can compete with my brother’s larger-than-life presence. I learned that fact early on and accepted my lot as the quiet Hammond.
Or, as Therese put it, the peacekeeper. She’s not wrong. I spent years putting out the emotional fires my brother lit, intentional or not.
But here I’m just Braden, and with Mina, that somehow feels like enough.
We’re both winded by the time we reach the summit, but as usual, the view is worth it.
Mina perches on a rock outcropping and throws her hands and face up to bask in the afternoon sun. “It’s perfect. I’ve never been up here before.”
I settle next to her, shading my eyes from the sun as I scan the horizon. “There are a bunch of spots like this along the ridge. Each one better than the last.”
“How can it get better than this? You, me, a sunny day and the best view in town.”
“Are you always this optimistic?”
She rocks against me, giving me a gentle nudge. “Maybe you bring it out in me.”
“I doubt that.”
“Don’t. ”
That one word stops me cold. People say things to make others feel good all the time. It’s the delicate symphony of the social order. But Mina’s compliment feels genuine.
And I’m not sure what to do with that knowledge. Mainly, because I feel it, too.
“I’ve lived in Sparkwood my whole life, and I’ve seen maybe ten percent of the area. My entire life revolved around dancing—studios, rehearsal halls—not much else.”
“Now’s your time, right? I know every mile of these mountains. All the secret spots.”
Mina grins at me. “You’re going to be busy, Braden. My fiancé, my landlord, my tour guide. Any other hats you care to try on?”
Jesus. That comment went right to my dick.
“I’m not touching that one,” I reply with a nervous chuckle, running a hand over my beard.
“Beep.” Mina imitates a game show buzzer. “Sorry, sir, but that answer is incorrect.”
Damn it, what this woman does to me. “I need a better one. Is that what you’re telling me?”
She jumps to her feet and leans over, placing a finger under my chin and directing my gaze at her. “You most definitely do.”
I half expect her to kiss me, but she prances down the trail a few steps before shooting a coy grin over her shoulder. “Come on, Hammond. Let’s see if you can keep up.”
The woman is fire and sunshine, all wrapped in a tornado of enthusiasm that is highly contagious.
No way she doesn’t realize the effect she exerts on the male population.
Hell, she’s spouting line after line and I’m over here, blushing like a schoolgirl. Which is ridiculous, because I’m hardly virginal.
I’ve had sex—and no, we will not tally the total number—but let’s just say I’ve logged plenty of hours between the sheets. And against walls. On pool tables. In pools. A few questionable rooftops.
Suffice it to say, there’s not much I haven’t done.
And yet this twenty-five-year-old beauty—a woman who is far too young for me to consider—has me twisted up in knots.
Question is, does she realize what she’s doing to me? And what’s her end game?
More importantly, what’s mine?
“Ouch, shit.” Mina’s muttered curse catches my attention, and I jog to where she’s sitting on the path, clutching her ankle.
“You okay?” I push her sock down, gently palpating along her ankle. “Do you think you can stand on it?”
Mina grits her teeth, a hiss escaping as she struggles to her feet. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. It’s not that far back to the house.”
“It’s over a mile.”
“What are my options, Braden? As pretty as this area is, I don’t want to stay here and become wolf food.” She winces as she gingerly puts her foot down. “Come on, let’s go.”
Do I admire Mina’s stalwart stance? Of course. But there’s not a chance in hell I’m letting her hobble down the mountain.
“Absolutely not.” I hand her my water bottle. “Hold this.”
“How come?”
“Because,” I reply, swinging her into my arms, “I’m holding you.”
She loops her arm around my neck, her azure eyes finding mine. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I do. Besides, I want to show off how big and strong I am.”
“Trust me, Braden, I already figured that out.”
Time slows in that moment, as the smiles fall from our faces and one thought supersedes all the rest.
I want to kiss her again .
But this time, I won’t stop. I won’t be able to hold back the emotions building daily toward her.
Seems Mother Nature has other plans for the afternoon.
A wind whistles down the path and Mina shivers, burrowing closer into my arms. “What happened to the sun?”
A quick glance toward the ridge answers her question. “There’s a storm rolling in. Hang on, sweets, I’m going to try to beat the rain.”
Thankfully, I know this path like the back of my hand, and we reach the back door just as the first fat raindrops hit the ground.
“Talk about perfect timing,” Mina replies as I ease her down in the foyer. “Are you okay?”
“Of course. Barely noticed I was carrying you.” I flex my biceps for added effect.
“What a crock,” Mina laughs, hiding her giggle behind her hand. “I’m far from tiny.”
I drop a kiss on her forehead, taking a moment to breathe in the slight scent of honeysuckle rising from her skin. “You’re perfect.”
Truth is, I’m beginning to believe she is indeed perfection.
Mina’s breath catches at my gesture, and she offers me a soft smile. “Ditto for you. My hero.”
“I doubt that.”
“Like I said earlier, don’t. Never doubt anything I say about you, Braden. I’m a terrible liar, so I choose to speak the truth.” Her cheeks flush, as if realizing how much she’s said. “I’m going to take a quick shower and wrap my ankle.”
I know if I offer to take one with her, she’ll say yes, but it won’t end at the shower. It will continue to the bed until we cross every line.
Then there will be no going back.
At least not for me.
Forcing a smile, I step back, putting a bit of space between us. “Go ahead. I’ll whip up some dinner. ”
A cloud passes over Mina’s features at my sudden segue, but she hides it well. “You don’t have to do that. I can grab a sandwich.”
“Maybe I want to.”
Truth is, I know I don’t have to take care of Mina.
But I kind of like it.
There’s something about playing house with her that just feels right.
“What smells so good?” Mina asks, limping into the kitchen twenty minutes later.
I jerk my chin toward the table. “Have a seat. I made a quick sauce, and it should be ready in about ten minutes. Does spaghetti work for you?”
“Absolutely. I figured you were making us sandwiches or something.”
“I enjoy cooking.”