Page 88 of The Mountain Echoes
Like home and fight.
Like, something, shockingly, I don’t want to lose.
Her hands grip my shirt, holding on to me.
The world narrows to the space between us.
The scent of earth and blooming flowers hangs heavy in the humid air of the greenhouse, wrapping around us like a whisper of possibility.
“You have gray in your beard,” she murmurs, stroking my cheek. “And you…smell of leather and sage.”
I stroke her lips with calloused fingers, gentle, like she’s one of my precious seedlings.
I’m aware of everything, even if she’s the only thing I can see and feel. It’s as if the moment is magnified in every way.
The greenhouse pulses with life around us. I can hear the soft drip of water from the irrigation system, the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze from the open vents.
I trace a thumb along her jawline. She leans into my touch.
“I want you,” I confess.
Her eyes flutter open. I see excitement. I also see relief.
Underneath all that prickly persona is a vulnerable, insecure woman who has been treated as a second-class citizen by the people who were supposed to love and care for her.
I vow then and there that no matter what, I’ll never let her feel like she’s second to anyone in my eyes.
"Aria," I say her name like a prayer, coaxing her mouth open with mine, playing with her tongue, tasting her.
I hear a side door open.
I growl. She stiffens.
I gently tuck her into me so Zane, the son of a bitch who probably saw I brought a woman along, came to investigate and fuck with me.
“Boss.” I can hear the amusement in his voice.
My guess? He’s probably already texted Joy:Guess what Mav’s up to.
I stroke Aria’s back to soothe her.
“Get the fuck out, Zane.”
“I just wanted to make sure it was you and?—”
“Out.”
“Yeah. Yeah.”
Zane leaves, grinning.
Asshole!
Aria lifts her face; she’s flushed,embarrassed.
“What am I doin’?” she asks, shocked with herself.
I continue to hold her. She doesn’t resist.
