Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
“Yeah,” I said gruffly, focusing on adjusting settings that didn’t need adjusting. “Good to go whenever you two are.”
“Perfect.” Nate climbed up to take his position and held out a hand to Adrian. “Hop on up. There’s fur blankets under the seat if you get cold.”
I watched as Adrian settled beside Nate, something unexpected tightening my chest. They made an attractive pair framed against the winter landscape—Adrian with his model-perfect features and Nate with his rugged good looks.
“Coming, Sullivan?” Nate called, a knowing twinkle in his eye. “Or you planning to run alongside with that camera?”
“Give me a minute for a few establishing shots,” I muttered before reluctantly climbing up to join them.
The sleigh was spacious enough for three, but I still found myself pressed against Adrian’s side, his thigh warm against mine despite the layers between us.
The memory of that warmth—of his body against mine as we cut down a tree, of his skin under my hands while the storm raged outside, of his lips beneath the mistletoe last night—flashed through my mind with uncomfortable clarity.
I wondered if Adrian knew just how much the kiss last night had affected me. I’d almost lost my damned mind, dragged him into my arms, and indulged in something that would have humiliated me in front of the entire town—hell, the entire world—when he walked away.
Adrian Hayes was a threat to my equilibrium, my reputation… my fucking heart.
“All set?” Nate asked, gathering the reins.
“Yep,” Adrian replied, pulling out his phone to capture a quick behind-the-scenes clip for his Instagram story.
“Yeah,” I echoed grimly, hanging on to my self-control by the thinnest thread.
Nate clicked his tongue, and the horses moved forward, the sleigh gliding smoothly across the snow. The jingling of bells filled the air as we left the barn behind and headed toward the woodland trail, the winter landscape stretching out around us like a dream.
“Everyone always asks about the bells,” Nate commented as we picked up speed. “They weren’t originally for decoration. They served a practical purpose, warning other sleighs of your approach around blind corners.”
“Really?” Adrian leaned forward, genuinely interested. “I never knew that.”
“Lots of holiday traditions have practical origins,” Nate continued. “Even mistletoe—” He shot me a wink. “Did you know it was considered a symbol of peace? Enemies would meet beneath it to declare a truce.”
Adrian stretched his head from side to side as if trying to release tension. “Interesting timing for that particular history lesson.”
Nate chuckled, acknowledging the point, and changed the subject. “This route has some of the best views in the county. We’ll hit the river overlook in about ten minutes—perfect spot for those scenic shots you’re after.”
As Nate guided the horses along the trail, he kept up a steady stream of local history and stories about the land we were passing. Adrian seemed genuinely engaged, asking questions and laughing at Nate’s jokes.
I focused on getting footage, trying to ignore the way their rapport made my teeth grind together.
“You know,” Nate said casually after describing a particularly beautiful spot ahead, “I usually take couples on this route. It’s considered the most romantic of our trails.”
“Is that so?” Adrian replied politely.
“Absolutely. Something about the snow, the scenery, the closeness.” Nate gestured around us. “Had three marriage proposals on this trail last winter alone.”
I focused on adjusting my camera angle to avoid catching Adrian’s reaction.
“No pressure, of course,” Nate added with a chuckle.
“Well, Nate, I’ve enjoyed this date a lot so far, but considering we just met… Not sure a proposal’s in the cards for us today.”
Adrian’s attempt at humor made Nate chuckle and my stomach twist uneasily.
“I figured,” Nate said with a wink. “I was more wondering whether you and grumpy-ass over there wanted to pick up where you left off last night.”
“Give it a rest,” I bit out, turning the camera off. “You’re starting to sound like my sister.”
“Smart girl, Maya.” Nate shrugged. “Have to say, after that kiss, I was pulling for #TeamMaddrian myself.”
Heat crawled up my neck. I opened my mouth to tell Nate to back off again, but this time, Adrian beat me to it.
He let out a laugh that tinkled like the bells on the sleigh—high, clear, and just a bit brittle. “The kiss was staged, thanks in part to Maya and the other folks in Legacy. Maddox and I only went along with it because it made for good content. Which is the point of all of this, remember?” He smiled hard and didn’t meet my eyes.
My skin flashed from hot to cold and then settled on clammy and unsettled.
Good content.
Right.
Content.
“I see.” Nate nodded, guiding the horses around a bend in the trail. “It was Maya’s fault that you two happened to be standing right there all cuddled up when the lights came on.”
“We weren’t cuddling! I was blinded—” Adrian protested.
“Knock it off, Nate,” I muttered. “You heard the man.”