Page 27 of The Minx and the Mountain Man

“Sadie,” I growl.

Her grin breaks free, and then she’s nodding. “Yes, you idiot. Of course, yes.”

I don’t even wait to slide the ring on her finger before I’m standing, hauling her against me, my mouth crashing down onto hers.

She kisses me back just as hard, just as desperate. Like she knows this is it. That we belong here together. When I finally pull back, she’s breathless, her fingers curling in my jacket.

I lift her left hand between us, watching as the diamond catches the moonlight. “Looks good on you.”

She tilts her head, smirking. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I brush my lips over hers, slow this time, savoring it. Savoring her.

Because she’s mine.

Sadie’s lips are still swollen from my kiss, her breath uneven as she stares up at me. Snowflakes cling to her hair, melting against the warmth of her flushed cheeks.

I cup her face, brushing my thumb over her jaw. “Let’s go home.”

She nods as I take her hand, leading her through the snow-covered streets. The town is still alive with music and laughter from the Valentine’s Day dance, but we don’t look back.

By the time we reach the truck, I don’t bother brushing the snow off before opening the door for her. She hesitates for a second, then grabs me by the front of my coat, pulling me into another kiss. It’s slow and soft at first, but when I nip at her bottom lip, she makes a little moan that nearly brings me to my knees.

I force myself to pull away, my breathing rough. “If you keep doing that, we’re not going to make it back to the cabin.”

She grins and watches me with heat in her eyes. “Then drive faster.”

I make the drive from town to the cabin in the shortest amount of time possible.

The second we step into the cabin, I kick the door shut behind us. The fire is still burning low, throwing flickering golden light across the room, but all I see is her.

Sadie shivers slightly, her dress still dusted with snow. I slide my hands up her arms, rubbing warmth into her skin. But it’s not enough. I need her closer.

She watches me, searching, like she’s waiting for me to change my mind, to retreat back into myself.

Not this time.

I slide my fingers into the silky strands of her hair, tilting her head back. “Tell me you’re staying.”

Her lips part. “I’m staying.”

I don’t give her time to say anything else before I claim her mouth again. This kiss is different—deeper, more certain. Like I’m branding myself into her, proving to both of us that she’s mine. That I won’t ever let her go.

Sadie presses against me, her fingers fisting in my coat, and I reach between us, undoing the buttons so I can feel her, all ofher. The coat falls to the floor, then her borrowed dress, leaving her in nothing but a slip of lace and smooth, warm skin.

I groan against her mouth, my hands tracing her curves, memorizing the dip of her waist and the soft flare of her hips.

She tugs at my shirt, her touch desperate. I help her, pulling it over my head. Her hands skate over my chest and my stomach.

She whispers, “I love you, Reid.”

I inhale sharply, my throat tightening. I never thought I’d hear those words again. Never thought I’d deserve them. I cup her face, brushing my lips against hers. “I love you too.”

Her breath hitches, and then she pulls me toward the bedroom. The fire crackles softly in the next room, casting flickering light through the doorway. But here, it’s just us.

I lower Sadie onto the bed, taking my time worshiping every inch of her. She arches beneath me, her skin burning against mine. I want to make her feel good and start to kiss down her body.

Sadie stops me, “Reid, I just want you inside me. I need to feel you.”

---