Page 14 of The Mountain Man's Christmas Bride
Sage just shakes her head. “You’re uncomfortable.”
“No,” I reply, taking a step towards her, “I’m not. I’m practical.”
One of her strawberry-blonde brows raise. “Liar.”
The next step I take towards her has her backed up against the kitchen counter. The disobedience wavers for only a moment, but she lifts her chin defiantly. Like she knows anything else that comes out of my mouth will be a cover up.
I don’t want to tell her that her thighs make me hard, that all I want is to be between them, tasting her sweet cunt and making her come hard on my fingers, mouth—fuck, my dick, too. I don’t want to tell her that I’ve been celibate for too many fucking years and just the smell of her has me harder than a fucking rock.
She doesn’t need to know that the longer I’m around her, I don’t just want to fuck her. I want to show her what it should really feel like, being with someone who actually wants to protect her—love her—because I have a feeling her ex made sure she felt like absolute crap.
I brace my hands either side of her hips and lean towards her. The bravado wavers again when she blinks, but the defiance…
She has no idea what it’s doing to me.
She has no idea whatshedoes to me.
“Okay,” I growl, keeping my voice low. “I’m lying.”
Sage rolls her eyes, a pleased smile forming on her lips. “I knew it. If you’re uncomfortable, just tell me, Rhett. We’re married now. We can have open communication.”
I hate the way that she sayswe’re married nowbecause all I want to do is consummate it. I want to make it real.
But I can tell she’s teasing me. Playing with me.
And hell, I like that, too.
“You really want open communication?” I ask seriously.
Sage hesitates only a moment before nodding once. “Yes.”
“You won’t like what I have to say,” I tell her, matching her teasing tone. “But since we’re married…”
She crosses her arms, staring at me expectantly.
Slowly, I lean in, brushing my lips against her cheek. The shiver that rolls through her has me chuckling. “Those thighs on full display,” I murmur in her ear, “have me wanting to pick you up, spread you out on this counter, and eat you out until you’re screaming my name. I want to fuck you so hard you don’t even remember that deadbeat ex of yours in the morning.”
Sage sucks in a harsh breath, body tensing as I pull back. I’m not smiling anymore. I need her to see how serious I am. How badly I mean every fucking word.
Wide eyes lock on mine, a deep flush darkening her full cheeks. Lips part as if she planned to say something, but those words are lost now.
“That honest enough for you, princess?”
Her mouth snaps shut. “Rhett…”
“You wanted the truth,” I say, pulling back, eyeing her openly now, liking the way her thighs squeeze when I do. “Now, I’ll calmly suggest at least pants. But if you’re fine in that, then I’ll make myself scarce for the rest of the day and do paperwork. Just knock if you need me.”
Before I can turn away, her hand wraps around my wrist. I can’t bring myself to stare into her eyes and find the disappointment I know will be waiting for me.
“Has this all been about fucking me?” she asks, voice firm.
I shake my head. “If it were, this would be so much easier,” I reply, finally looking at her. The expression on her face is one I can’t read. “But no. I want you happy. And maybe give you a way to…forget.”
Sage’s fingers feel like hot brands around my wrist. Can she feel how fast my heart is racing? Does she see how badly I need her?
Slowly, she takes a step towards me. The proximity has me tensing, but it’s growing harder and harder to ignore how right this feels. How rightshefeels.
“Why do you even care?” she asks, voice low—confused more than harsh. “Why would you want someone as damaged and broken as me? I’ve already brought you enough grief, Rhett. You don’t want all…this.” She motions at herself, likely thinking I wouldn’t want all those delicious curveshenever cared for. Or the parts of her that he broke—that I know I can help her mend if she let me.
