Page 26 of Her Mountain Boss
A small smile pulls at her lips at that, so I keep going.
“I love you, Sophia Monroe. And there’s nothing anyone can say, nothing anyone can do to make me not love you. To make me not want to spend the rest of my life with you. You’re it for me, baby girl. Everything else is details.”
Her eyes go bright and she kisses me, her fingers scratching into my beard.
“I love you, too, Ford. I want to stay here and build a life with you.”
I kiss her. “Then we’re not going to let what other people think change that. It might be uncomfortable. But we can face it. Together.”
She curls into me, and I hold her as we watch the sun chase away the fog covering the orchard. Whatever tonight brings, I’m not letting her go.
Ten
Ford
The day flew by with the wedding at the lodge taking up most of my time and attention, as well as keeping Sophia busy while she helped the event coordinator. She’s risen to every task given to her, and I know she’ll be an incredible asset here at the lodge. But despite the busy day, we weren’t able to stay away from each other. Before getting out of bed this morning, I teased and edged her used little pussy with the vibrator I got for her, and she’d gone off like a fucking geyser when I’d finally given her permission to come.
Then, earlier this afternoon, we’d snuck off to the apple orchard where I’d fucked her hard and fast against the trunk of a tree, sending her back to work with my cum soaking her panties.
But now, I need to get my mind out of the gutter because it’s time to face my brother and Sophia’s mother. And it’ll probably go better if I’m focused and not thinking about all of the filthy, depraved things I want to do to my girl. Things like teach her how to cockwarm for me. Things like teach her how to suck my cock and swallow down every drop of my cum.
Focus.
We’re seated in the restaurant’s dining room, and it’s cozy with the warmth of flickering candles and the tasteful fall decor. Pumpkins and gourds line the hearth of the stone fireplace, where a crackling fire casts dancing shadows on the timber walls. The scents of woodsmoke, garlic and butter fill the air, creating an atmosphere that should be comforting, but my nerves are stretched taut as a bowstring.
Derrick and Jenny sit across from Sophia and me, oblivious to any tension, but once we come clean, I’m sure that won’t last.
“This place is just stunning, Ford,” Jenny gushes, her eyes reflecting the firelight. They’re the same shade of hazel as Sophia’s. She looks a lot like her mom, honestly. Same curls and freckles, too. “I can’t believe what you’ve done here. It’s really incredible. We’ll have to come back for a proper vacation. And thank you again for giving Sophia this opportunity. I’m sure she appreciates it.”
I force a smile, my fingers tightening around the stem of my wine glass. “It’s been my pleasure,” I reply, stealing a glance at Sophia. She’s smiling, her cheeks flushed from the warmth of the fire—or maybe from the worry that’s making her fidget with the edge of her napkin. She’s breathing fast and shallow, and I want to pull her into my arms, to assure her it’ll be alright. That we’ll get through this.
Fuck, I want to shelter her from everything. But I can’t shelter her from this.
Derrick chimes in, grinning. “We always knew you’d make something of this place. It’s impressive, Ford. Really impressive.”
Our appetizers come, and the conversation meanders between harmless subjects. The upcoming ski season, Derrick’s job back in the city, a cruise they’re planning to take in the winter.
Sophia laughs at something her mother said, something I wasn’t paying attention to, the sound forced and brittle. She’s trying so hard to be normal, to act like everything is fine. But I see the tension in her shoulders, the way her eyes dart nervously between her mother and me. The plan had been to tell them over dessert. To enjoy the meal and then drop the bomb that I’m in love with my twenty-four-year-old step-niece.
But maybe we should just rip the proverbial Band-Aid off. This tension is obviously getting to her, and I’m not enjoying it either.
I reach under the table, my hand finding hers. Her fingers are cold, despite the warmth of the room. I give them a gentle squeeze, a silent reassurance that we’re in this together. Her eyes meet mine, and for a moment, the rest of the world fades away.
But the moment is fleeting. Derrick’s voice cuts through the haze, pulling me back to reality. “So, Sophia, what have you been up to here at the lodge?” he asks, his gaze shifting between us. “Ford hasn’t been riding you too hard, I hope.”
Sophia chokes on her sip of wine, and I automatically lift my hand to rub circles on her back.
“Oh, you know, just learning the ropes,” she says, her voice a bit raspy. She clears her throat, and I leave my hand on her back. Her mom notices, but I don’t move it. There’s no sense hiding. “Ford’s been a great teacher.”
I share a look with Sophia, and she nods. This tension is unbearable, and I just want to be done with it. I turn back to Derrick and Jenny, steeling myself for their reaction. They’re both staring at us with slightly confused expressions on their faces, eyes cutting between me, Sophia, and where my hand still rests on her back.
“There’s something we need to tell you,” I begin, my voice steady. “Sophia and I have started dating. We’re a couple.”
Stunned silence greets my words. Jenny’s eyes widen, her mouth agape. Derrick’s brows furrow, his gaze darting between Sophia and me, disbelief etched on his face.
Jenny is the first to speak, her tone incredulous. “I’m sorry, what?”
I take a sip of my wine and clear my throat. “Sophia and I are together. We’re in love.”
