As we prepare for bed, moving around each other with the comfortable familiarity of an established couple, my phone buzzes one final time. Another message from Marc.
Marc:Booked my trip. See you next Tuesday, Judith. Looking forward to meeting the mountain man.
I show Dario,watching his jaw tighten as he reads.
"Let him come," he says finally, setting the phone aside. "He has no idea who he's dealing with."
"No," I agree, thinking not of Marc but of the man before me. The complexity beneath his controlled exterior. The dominant who commands my surrender in the bedroom and the partner who respects my strength outside it. "He really doesn't."
Later, as we lie tangled together in the darkness, Dario's arm heavy across my waist, I face the truth I've been avoiding. I've fallen in love with my temporary husband. And in seven days, the man who nearly destroyed me once will arrive in Crimson Hollow, threatening to destroy everything again.
But this time, I'm not facing him alone. This time, I have Dario Wallace at my side.
And my mountain man protects what's his.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
DARIO
Four days until Christmas. Three days until our contract expires. One day until Marc Alexander arrives in Crimson Hollow.
I've faced armed insurgents with less tactical planning than we've devoted to this bastard's visit. Every scenario mapped, every contingency covered. Micah's security team has compiled a dossier on Alexander that would make the CIA proud. Financial records, business dealings, phone logs. The man's dirty laundry laid bare.
And still I can't shake the feeling that I'm missing something. That there's a vulnerability we haven't anticipated.
"You're doing it again." Judith's voice pulls me from my thoughts. She stands in the doorway of my office, arms crossed, a small smile playing at her lips.
"Doing what?"
"That thing where you go all thousand yard stare and brood silently." She crosses to me, perching on the edge of my desk. "It's very sexy, but not particularly productive."
Despite myself, I smile. "I don't brood."
"You absolutely do." She reaches out, smoothing the furrow between my brows with gentle fingers. "What's on your mind?"
"Marc." No point lying. "Something feels off about his visit."
"He's always enjoyed dramatic entrances." She sighs, hand falling away. "Loves to catch people off guard, see them sweat."
"Not happening." I catch her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "I don't sweat."
"No?" She leans closer, voice dropping to a whisper. "Not even when I'm on my knees for you?"
Heat floods my system at the memory of last night. Judith kneeling before me in the playroom, wrists bound in soft leather, those full lips wrapped around my cock. The way she'd taken everything I gave her, and asked for more.
"That's different." My voice comes out rougher than intended.
Her smile turns knowing. "Thought so."
This is what scares me most about Marc Alexander's arrival tomorrow. Not that he might expose our arrangement or threaten my land. But that he might somehow taint what's grown between Judith and me. This unexpected connection that's evolved from contractual to something I'm not ready to name.
"The land transfer hearing is today." I change the subject, needing to focus. "Silas called. Everything's in order."
"That's good." She studies me, reading between the lines as she's learned to do. "But you're still worried."
"Not worried. Cautious." I stand, unable to remain still. "The county attorney could still raise objections."
"Based on what? Your marriage is legal. The paperwork is filed. The requirements have been met."
