Melt me down and call it a day. There’s going to be nothing left of me but wisps of ash blackening the snow.
He extends a tattooed hand to take mine and proceeds to slowly lift it to his mouth. This man is just as tall as Reid, plenty muscular too, but leaner in comparison. I mean, the guy is still enormous; it’s just when side by side with the imposing stature of this cowboy, he’s built like a solid oak, rather than a mountain.
As he brushes his lips over the knuckles of my gloved hand, his mouth tilts into the sort of smile that I would be extremely wise to forget about immediately. Hazel eyes glint with flecks of copper around the irises when he flicks his gaze to the man at my side. A silent look passes between the two of them that I can’t interpret.
“I’m Henri,” he murmurs, ever so slowly, allowing my hand to drop back down. “What brings a gorgeous thing like you to Mistwood Falls?” That hint ofQuébécoisrolls off his tongue more strongly as he speaks.
I gape and apparently forget how to form a single word. Instead, I simply blush from head to toe because that’s a totally normal reaction to meeting two beautiful men in quick succession. I’m about as useful as a faulty string of fairy lights; my bulbs have all frazzled.
“This is Mia, she’s a guest at the ranch for the next few days,” Reid mutters, clicking his tongue. “Let’s go inside... and you’re only allowed in with us if you remember your house training.” He waves a big hand in the direction of the other man, whose smirk only grows wider in response.
“Woof. Let’s go, ma cocotte.” Henri pats his thigh to call Stella, gives me a wink, and strolls off toward the house. As he passes Reid, he gives the other man a soft bump with his shoulder.
Good lord. He’s stunning. My focus bounces down to the globes of an incredible ass perfectly hugged by charcoal denim, strong, thick quads, all that expanse of strong back revealed where his shirt clings to his spine. The immediate heart eyes I feel taking over, yeah, they’rebeyonda problem. Guilty, horny, no good thoughts roam through my mind as I swing my gaze between him and Reid, and oh my god, why didn’t I click before?
They live here together.
These two men have an obvious familiarity, an understanding passing between them. A closeness about them that only comes with years of spending time in each other’s company.
They’re together.
No wonder Reid was so quick to offer himself as myfakeboyfriend for a couple of days. He’s already happily taken.
Well, don’t I feel mighty embarrassed at misreading all the signals. He’s clearly alotolder than me—if I had to hesitate a guess, I’d bet he’s in his early forties—and while Henri is a little harder to pick the age of, he’s not too far off that mark either, judging by the sexy creases around his eyes that were impossible not to notice before.
Why am I a magnet for the attached and unavailable ones?
I’ve already learned my lesson. Won’t be makingthatmistake again.
I stall just inside the doorway to their impressive home. My eyes dart around, catching glimpses of rustic wood, soft furnishings; a distinctly masculine yet homely feel everywhere my attention falls. Stella is curled up in front of a roaring fire, and of course, there’s the unmistakable and alluring sight of two impossibly handsome men having what looks to be a rapid discussion across a large metal-framed kitchen island. A conversation that I unfortunately can’t catch more of than a mixture of rumbles and low murmurs by Reid, followed by a deep, velvety chuckle from Henri.
His hazel eyes lift my way, seeing my hesitation on the threshold, and he proceeds to wave me inside. All tattooed skin and silver rings glinting in a way that is so sexy it leaves me breathless.
“Come in out of the cold, Mia.” He says my name with that distinctly francophone tone to it that I immediately feel between my thighs. With a wicked glint in his eye, his gaze drops downmy body, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say his expression waskeen.This man has a way about him that feels much more open and flirty in comparison to the cowboy filling the open-plan kitchen.His cowboy, I hastily remind myself.
“I’m going to go get changed into something else, then we can figure some things out.” Reid slides me a look before disappearing.
Leaving me alone with a man who looks like a piece of art. He’s all angular cheekbones, jawline carved from granite, and roguish energy rolling off him in waves as he folds his arms and leans that perfect ass against the counter.
“Sounds like you two are up to no good.” He smirks.
“I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to—It wasn’t my—” I’m fumbling. Tripping over my words. This is the stupidest idea I’ve ever had, and now look at the mess I’ve made of things, disrupting their plans for Christmas.
Henri’s smile is hypnotic. Those lips and that mustache are all too tempting. If I’d wondered what it would be like to feel Reid’s stubble scraping over my skin, the single thought of what this man—no, a manlikehim—might do with his mouth, given the opportunity, leaves me covered in goosebumps.
“You don’t have to apologize. The big guy could use a little adventure; he works too hard.” Those rings of his keep drawing me to hone in on them, like some sort of slutty magpie searching for her newest prize. “I’m pleased he’s found a beautiful distraction for the holidays.”
Wait? He’s happy about this?
My stomach does a swan dive from a dizzying height.
“I don’t want to interrupt your plans…” It feels like a record just scratched to a halt inside my brain.
Henri pushes off the counter, stepping into me, bringing a wave of masculine scent that leaves me fighting the urge toinhale him like a madwoman. A wash of pine, resin, and working in that studio with whatever machinery he wields so effortlessly.
“You just focus on enjoying your date.” Those hazel eyes of his are a tad greener now that we’re inside.
“Fake—” I croak. “It’s just a silly pretend thing. Reid’s playing along.”
