Page 24 of Heart of the Mountain
“Is that my shirt?” I ask, hoping for any response from her. Sadie’s shoulders drop, and I realize she thinks I’m upset. “It looks better on you than it ever did on me.” I was hoping for a smile or even just eye contact, but Sadie doesn’t do either.
Oh, how our roles have reversed. It wasn’t more than a few days ago that she was chattering away while I grunted at her. Now I’m desperate for her words, even if they are angry and directed at me.
As much as I want to resolve everything right now, Sadie needs to get in a hot shower and change into dry clothes. I takea step back from my woman and help her off the sink counter, though it pains me to do so. Leaning over, I turn on the hot water, letting the steam fill the small bathroom.
“Warm up in the shower, and I’ll have clean clothes for you to put on. Then we’ll talk.” I meant for my words to comfort her, but she deflates even more. I don’t want to leave her here like this, but what choice do I have?
“I’m sorry,” Sadie whispers, her eyes turned down in shame.
“Sweetheart, no, I’m sorry. I don’t even know how to start to explain… I lost my mind, but that’s no excuse. I… fuck,” I ramble. I turn my back to Sadie as the familiar feeling of guilt winds its way around my heart. “I never thought I’d meet someone like you,” I tell her, trying to wrangle my thoughts. “You’re witty and beautiful and braver than you know. You’re strong as hell and yet sweet and soft. I don’t know how to handle someone so precious. You’re perfect for me. I think that’s what made me so quick to lash out when Gabby showed up.”
“I’m so sorry,” Sadie says again.
I shake my head no and begin pacing, trying to get out some of this anxious energy. “I’m saying this all wrong,” I mutter. “What I mean is that I thought you were too perfect. There’s no way you would really choose me, so when I heard you might have had an ulterior motive, everything in me shut down. It made more sense that you wanted to use me than simply wanting me for me.” I run a hand through my wet hair as my disjointed apology is drawing to an end. “I fucked up. I doubted you and let you leave. Hell, I kicked you out. I sent you straight into a storm, and I could have lost you…”
“Cutter,” Sadie finally says, her voice surprisingly gentle. I focus on her for the first time since turning on the shower. I’m stunned to see her naked body on display and her hand outstretched. I wrap her hand in mine, unable to believe what’s happening. “Join me?”
I nod and rip at my clothes before following her into the shower. I position her directly under the stream and rub my hands up and down her arms to warm her up faster. Those green eyes latch onto mine with an intensity I’m not prepared for. She didn’t look at me the entire drive up here or when I brought her into the bathroom, but now… it’s like she can’t look away.
“I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I’d like to start making it up to you,” I tell her. “I don’t know how, but–”
Sadie silences my nervous rambling by placing a hand over my heart. I cover it with mine, that small action speaking louder than anything I’ve said so far. She’s still here with me, listening and letting me get everything off my chest.
“I owe you an explanation, too.” I can tell she wants to look away from me, but she doesn’t. My brave goddess holds eye contact, letting me see her regret and sorrow. “I graduated from college early and needed to get out of Las Vegas, where I grew up. Remember Mr. Craig?”
I nod, barely suppressing the snarl trapped in my throat.
“He was the first of several abusive foster parents. The last couple I was with treated me like shit. On my eighteenth birthday, I woke up to my clothes and the few things I owned all packed up and sitting by the front door. I was able to make it through college thanks to government funds for foster kids, but I had to get out, you know? I had to leave. I was surrounded by so many bad memories that it was suffocating.”
“I understand that more than most,” I reassure her.
“Top Spot Realty was in a different state, and they offered to pay for me to get my real estate license in Colorado. I also had moving expenses paid for. It felt like a sign from the universe, but I should have done more research. You were right, Cindy and the other partners at the firm want to strip everything unique and special about this place. They’re only interested in making more money. I didn’t mean to lie to you, Cutter. I was going totell you about my job, but I hadn’t figured out the right moment. What we shared was the realest thing I’ve ever experienced, and I hope we can get back to that place.”
“Me, too, Sadie. I trust you. I forgive you for keeping your job a secret, and I understand why you didn’t say something sooner. I fucking love you and I want you here with me.”
“Really?” Sadie gasps.
I nod. “Can you forgive me?”
Instead of answering, Sadie trails the hand she has on my chest up until it cups the back of my neck, pulling me down for a kiss.
God, I never thought I’d have this again. I savor every single thing about this kiss; tasting her sweetness, breathing in her scent, and swallowing down her soft whimpers. I grab ahold of her perky ass and pull her closer. She lifts one leg over my hip, and I hold it firmly in my grip, loving the way she's opening herself up to me.
“Sadie…” I groan into the side of her neck as I kiss my way down the slender column.
She thrusts her hips and rubs her hot pussy against my rock fucking hard cock. “Please?” she whimpers. “I need to feel you. I need…”
I pull back slightly so I can rest my forehead on hers. “What do you need, baby? I’ll give you anything. Everything.”
“I need to feel that connection again. Need to feel closer, as close as two people can be.”
“Me, too,” I tell her before kissing away all of her doubts and insecurities. My hands roam over her body, stroking, squeezing, savoring every inch.
Finally, I break our kiss and spin her around so she’s facing the back wall of the shower. Sadie takes the hint and braces herself on the wall, sticking her ass out, presenting herself to me in an act of complete trust.
“God, I’ll never get used to how gorgeous you are,” I murmur before pressing a kiss between her shoulder blades and ghosting my lips and nose down her spine.
Reaching between her legs, I dip two fingers inside her wet slit to check her readiness. Goddamn, my woman wasn’t kidding; she needs this.
