Page 16 of The Mountain Man's Christmas Bride
My movements falter as she pulls me over the edge with her, my release coming fast and hot.
Sage’s harsh breaths fill my ears as she moves her hand to cup my cheek. “That was a lot better than I remember it being,” she admits, smiling.
“Good.” I lean in and kiss her. “I can make that happen on a regular basis, princess. But next time you’ll be sitting on my face.”
A shudder rolls through her as her arms go around my shoulders. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she warns. “I’ve had a lifetime of disappointments.”
“Oh, I’m not lying.” Cock still inside her, my hands go to her ass as I lift her from the counter. A squeal falls from her lips, legs locking around me. “Now, you really need pants, Mrs Hayes.”
“You’re done already?” she teases, brushing her nose against mine.
“I’ve barely even started.”
EIGHT
SAGE
One moment, Willow Ridge is this postcard perfect town, with the pretty little shops, restaurants, cafes and bakeries lining the stretch of main road, with the mountains as its backdrop. A week ago, we’d walked through here with the weight of our fake marriage on my shoulders, wondering if this might work.
Now, the main street of Willow Ridge has been transformed by the light dusting of snow, taking it from charming small town to winter wonderland.
The Christmas markets—which I only heard about from clients at the vet clinic—are in full swing. Stalls circle the town square, little tents set up with home-made cookies, knitted sweaters and shawls, hot chocolate stands, and different foods. There’s even someone making ornaments in their booth with details given by customers.
There’s something about this that has me both excited for the day, and downright sad. Especially when I watch children run by in their little beanies and gloves.
Rhett gives my hand a squeeze, drawing me out of my thoughts. “Where did you say you wanted to meet your sister?” he asks, gaze soft when it meets mine.
I swallow hard, heart fluttering. For the first time in forever, I don’t dread Christmas. I used to make it special for my sister, planned everything from the Christmas Eve roast to the stockings. I wanted every Christmas to feel magical, so I made it happen. But with Scott, it became a chore, something I started to dread because he made it harder and harder to enjoy. And when he didn’t appreciate my efforts, I stopped wanting to do anything altogether.
“She said she and Axel would be waiting by the hot chocolate stand with the baby,” I reply, glancing away. The market is packed with some familiar faces; I see the Sterling clan, six brothers who have taken over their family ranch together. They’ve transformed it from town staple to something everyone can enjoy with their new wedding venue. They’re with their partners and children, as well as the matriarch and patriarch of the family, by the ornament stand.
There’s a stall for the firefighters and mountain rescuers set up taking donations and selling calendars for the new year. I make a mental note to grab one for the clinic—anything to help raise money for the firehouse, especially after the lodge fire that almost shut them down.
“Over there,” Rhett says, drawing me from my thoughts. “The red head.”
My sister’s iconic red curls come into view, barely covered by the beanie I know Axel must have forced her into, with a scarf wrapped around her neck. The giant mountain man of a husband is standing beside her cradling their son.
As soon as she sees us, Delilah waves us over. My heart leaps into my throat, but I force a smile.
“This is a bad idea,” I say quietly, though my fingers tighten around his. “She’s going to realise this isn’t real.”
“How would she when this feels real to me? To us?” he replies easily, looking down at me, lips quirked. “I mean every wordI’ve said. And everything we’ve done…it means something to me, princess.”
My cheeks flush. Ducking my head, I lean into his side, a rush of warmth hitting me hard as my mind wanders back to the last couple of days. Rhett had taken care of me in a way that felt so foreign, it hadn’t felt real.
I don’t get a chance to reply before my sister is on me. “I thought you’d blow me off for work,” she says, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “I’ve missed you.”
I pull her into a tight hug. “Missed you too.”
As she pulls away, her gaze flickers to Rhett. “So,” she says, a knowing smile playing at her lips. “What happened?”
I chew my bottom lip, but Rhett curls an arm around my waist and offers Axel his hand. “I’m Rhett,” he says. “Sage’s…husband.”
Delilah gasps, staring at me, then at Rhett. When her eyes meet mine again, I say, “I can explain.”
“You better,” she hisses. “Becausewhat?I mean, I know you, Sage. When did you have the time to meet this guy, date him, and thenmarry him?!”
“I won’t lie, I know it’s a lot. But it’s not something I want to talk about out here,” I tell her, giving her a pleading look I know she’ll understand. It’s a look I’ve had to give her so many times. “But this is a good thing. Please trust me.”
