Page 10 of Her Mountain Man Protector (Crave County: Mountain Men Love Curves #7)

HOLDEN

Once Mila and her sister are safely in my truck, I hurry back into the castle to grab their stuff.

Mila told me where to find their rooms. Nobody sees me—the guests are still in the chapel, bickering loudly—and I smile to myself as I carry the suitcases back outside, loading them into my truck.

I’m remembering how Mila sounded as she stood up to her parents.

The fierceness in her eyes. She looked more beautiful than ever, and I’m so fucking proud of her.

Now I just need to get her home, away from these people for good.

On the drive back to my cabin, I don’t speak much.

Mila is in the back with her sister, trying to comfort her, and I don’t want to freak the poor girl out more than she already is.

She keeps thanking me, thanking Mila, then breaking into a fresh wave of sobs.

She’s pretty damn shaken up, and I’m so relieved we got to her in time.

Thank God that cop told me about the wedding.

Back at my cabin, Mila leads her sister into the guestroom.

She offers her some of the clothes I got from Isabelle, and I leave them alone for a while, figuring they could use some privacy after what just happened.

Eventually, Mila comes out holding Grace’s dress, and I hang it up in the closet beside hers.

“What a day,” Mila says as we collapse onto the couch. “I told Grace she should get some sleep. She’s already passed out.”

“You think she’ll be okay?” I ask.

“Yes, Grace is strong. She just needs time.” Mila squeezes her eyes shut, shaking her head. “I can’t imagine how horrible it must have been for her, being told she had to take my place. She must have been terrified.”

“She’s safe now, sugar. You both are.” I wrap an arm around her, pulling her onto my lap. “I’m so proud of you, Mila. You were brave as hell to stand up to your parents like that.”

She melts against me, nuzzling against my shoulder with a sigh. “I didn’t feel brave. It’s a little scary, knowing we’re cut off from our parents forever. They meant it when they said we’ll never get a penny from them. But I know it was the right thing to do, for me and Grace.”

“Definitely. They don’t deserve you, beautiful. Now you’re free to do anything you want.”

“Free.” Mila smiles as she repeats the word, her face lighting up with possibility. “I like the sound of that.”

“You’ll always be free with me. I’ll make sure of it.”

Her eyes twinkle as I lean in to kiss her, capturing her soft lips between mine.

I run a hand through her thick hair, clasping her cheek with the other.

Nothing compares to kissing this angel. Her sweet taste, the soft moans in the back of her throat, her pretty mouth meeting mine without resistance, hot and silky.

My perfect girl.

We pull apart gently, eyes locked, and I feel my heart stutter as it hits me…how much I care about Mila. How much I love her.

Love.

It’s a big word, but it’s the only one that does my feelings justice.

I would do anything for this angel. I would die for her, kill for her, protect her with my last breath.

It’s crazy how fast I’ve fallen, but hell, I knew I was a goner the minute she looked at me from the darkness of the shed, a goddess dressed in white.

Now that she’s free to live her own life, I want to be part of it.

Not for a few weeks or months, but forever.

“I want you to stay with me, Mila.”

She smiles, resting a hand on my arm. “I know. I want that too. And I’m so grateful to you for giving me and Grace a place to stay while we get on our feet.”

“That’s not what I mean, sugar.” I reach out, brushing a lock of hair away from her face, her skin warm against my fingers. “I want you to stay here with me permanently. To live here with me.”

Mila blinks, her lips falling open. “You mean…live here forever? With you?”

“Yes.” My pulse jumps nervously. She looks shocked, and I can’t tell if that’s a good thing. “We can plant our garden. Build a life together out here. It won’t be as glamorous as the Hamptons, but I’ll do everything I can to make you happy, sugar. That’s a promise.”

“Oh, Holden…” She rests a hand on her chest, breathing hard. “I…you…that would be…b-but Grace…”

The words come out in a series of splutters, and I bite back a smile. I’ve never seen Mila look so flustered. It’s adorable as hell.

“Grace can stay as long as she needs,” I tell her. “It doesn’t have to be just a few weeks. She’s family, and I know how much you care about her. I’d never dream of kicking her out.”

Mila stares at me for a moment, then to my surprise, she laughs, throwing her arms around my neck. “What did I do to deserve you, Holden? I must have been some kind of saint in a past life.”

My pulse quickens with anticipation as I hold her close, rubbing her back. “Is that a yes, sugar?”

“Yes! A million times yes.” She pulls back, beaming at me with tears in her eyes. “I’d love that more than anything. Living with you would be like a dream come true.”

Joy buzzes through me, filling my veins with warmth as I pull Mila into another passionate kiss.

My heart is soaring, everything melting away as I pepper her pretty face with more kisses, from her forehead to her chin.

She’s laughing and crying all at once, clinging to me like she never wants to let go.

“I love you, Mila,” I tell her, my mouth brushing her ear. “So fucking much.” I hear her breath catch, her body stilling as I continue, “You can tell me I’m crazy and that it’s too soon, but it’s how I feel, sugar. I’m in love with you, and I always will be.”

Her face is like sunshine, radiating pure light as she says, “I love you too, Holden. I feel exactly the same way.”

My chest feels like it might explode as I let her words hang in the air between us for a moment.

I love you too, Holden.

“You’re meant to be mine, sugar,” I murmur. “I knew it the minute I saw you.”

“I felt it too.” Mila laces her fingers through mine, letting out a sigh of contentment. Then she giggles softly and says, “This is going to take a lot of explaining to Grace.”

“And Isabelle,” I add, wondering how my daughter will react when I tell her I’ve fallen in love with the runaway bride I found in my shed.

I know she’ll be happy for me, but nobody could be happier than I am right now.

I feel like my cheeks are going to break from smiling so damn hard.

I’ve never felt this kind of joy before, and it’s all thanks to Mila.

My Mila.

Something tells me she’ll be wearing a white dress again before long.

I’m determined to put a ring on her finger and show the world that this angel is mine.

The future is stretching out in front of us, full of possibility, but for now, all that matters is this moment, sitting here with my girl in my arms. I never imagined I’d find the woman of my dreams hiding in my shed, but I guess it’s true what they say.

Love really does show up where you least expect it.

And I’ll thank my lucky stars every damn day that it found me.