Page 6 of Sinful Mountain Man (Cold Mountain Nights #5)

Hartley

One Year Later

"Hartley, I didn't think it was possible to outdo last year's Firelight Games, but this is so beautiful!" Celeste squeals. She takes a long sip of her cider slushy as she taps her foot in time with the music.

Brynn Hobbs, director of entertainment at The Palmer , nods in agreement. "We had a sixty-two percent increase in occupancy for the high-end villas this week, and all of them purchased VIP tickets for this. The clients are thrilled."

I gaze out at the east lawn of the resort in satisfaction.

Bradford recommended doubling the budget this year, and we went all out.

Plush velvet couches in a deep burgundy color dot the landscape, creating cozy conversation areas.

White apples mix with the deep colors of autumn.

My fingers are blistered from sewing delicate black and orange silk butterflies into fluffy harvest garlands, but the effect is both whimsical and enchanting.

We also incorporated chairs shaped like large mushrooms. It's like going through Alice's looking glass but landing in autumn.

"Celeste, is that Blaze?" Brynn nods toward the dance tent, and we all stare at Celeste's uncle wearing a suit for the first time.

Celeste whistles loudly, getting his attention. She catcalls and cups a hand over her mouth. "Where's my uncle, and how'd you get him in a suit?"

Blaze glances at us and rolls his eyes. Then he tugs awkwardly at his suit jacket and rotates his thumb up and down.

All three of us immediately give him a thumbs up, and he grins. He gives us a little wave and steps inside the tent.

"Ladies." Bradford's deep voice has me grinning like a fool even before his strong arms wrap around me. He pulls me toward him, my back against his front.

Celeste and Brynn say hello, and I promise to catch up with them soon as they head off to find The Tea Madame tent to get some apple tea for Brynn.

"Find the Sweet Dreams food truck and get yourself some apple cake to go with it. You'll thank me later," Bradford calls out to them.

They both laugh, waving goodbye.

"Apple cake, huh? Is that your new favorite dessert?" I tease.

"Nope. My favorite dessert is the honey between these legs," Bradford growls low against my ear.

I squeeze my thighs together when a rush of wetness soaks my panties from his dirty words.

"Have I told you lately how much you amaze me?"

"Hmm, only five times so far today." I turn in his arms, kissing the tip of his nose. "You're behind."

Bradford slips his hands inside my coat and grabs my ass. "Your behind is what I'm thinking about." He pulls me toward him and kisses my neck on the spot that drives me wild.

"Oh, gawd, not here," I protest, but do absolutely nothing to push him away.

"Let's go up to my office and celebrate the anniversary of the sexy secretary game." He wiggles his eyebrows at me.

I swat him. "Aren't we having dinner with West and Bailey in fifteen minutes?"

Bradford's best friend, West, and his wife finally made it to The Palmer this year, and I'm excited to spend some time with them.

"They won't miss us," Bradford mumbles, his lips firmly planted along my neck as he works his way down my body, dangerously close to being inappropriate.

I laugh at his persistence. "Standing up your best friend to get laid? You must’ve been fun in college." I pull away and head toward the front entrance of the resort, but Bradford doesn't follow me.

"Hold on," he says, digging into his coat pocket. "I saved you some of that apple cake."

"In your pocket? Ewww." I wrinkle my nose and roll my eyes before letting out a gasp.

Bradford kneels before me. The diamond ring between his thumb and forefinger sparkles, picking up the twinkling lights of the fall decor.

"What is happening?" I squeak, then immediately cover my mouth with both hands to stifle my sob.

"Hartley Byrnes." Bradford swallows hard, holding back emotion as he tries to ask me the most important question of our lives. "Will you make me the happiest man on the face of this planet and marry me?"

I can't move. I can't breathe. I wish I could channel Elizabeth Bennet and kiss his fingers like a coquettish sex nymph, but instead, I ugly cry and awkwardly throw myself into his arms. "Yes!"

To his credit, Bradford catches me and stands, spinning me around in the most epic movie moment of my life.

He places me gently on my feet and gazes into my eyes. "Hartley, for most of my adult life, I've only focused on KPIs as a measure of my success. Revenue, occupancy rate, employee satisfaction. But since I met you, the only true measure"—he cups my cheek—"is winning your heart."

I close my eyes, overcome with emotion as I hug my future husband tightly.

When the reality of the situation sinks in, I whisper, "I love you, Bradford Maloney. My heart is yours."

The smile that breaks out across his handsome face warms my entire body, and I know, deep in my bones, that forever with this man will never be enough.