Chapter 2

Ashleigh was filled with excitement as Slate turned off the snowy mountain road and onto the winding driveway an hour later. How different it felt than a year ago when she’d headed there by herself, expecting a quiet weekend alone writing. “Wait, that’s Jett’s cabin? It’s already decorated for Christmas!” she said in amazement as she saw the twinkling white lights. Jett had used the cozy cabin for hunting and ski vacations, purchased years ago during his bachelor days. While it looked somewhat rustic from the outside, she knew it was filled with modern conveniences and state-of-the-art technology. He’d expanded it, too, to accommodate his growing family—not to mention added multiple layers of additional security. She resisted the urge to shudder. When she’d fled in the middle of the night last year with Slate, she’d had no idea how her entire life would change.

The sun was setting, not unlike when she’d first met Slate a year ago. Except instead of entering the remote cabin as strangers, both shocked to find the other there for the weekend, they were now lovers. A couple. Engaged to be married.

“Yes, this is it,” Slate confirmed as he pulled to a stop. “It looks bigger with the addition he put on. It’s nice that we’re close enough to drive to the city but can enjoy the peace and quiet here. While my brother offered to let us stay with him when they were in town a few weeks ago, staying with Jett, Anna, and their three kids isn’t exactly the romantic vacation I was hoping for,” he said dryly.

Ashleigh laughed as she glanced over at Slate, catching his strong profile in the waning light. Although he’d shaved that morning, dark stubble already coated his chiseled jaw. His green eyes briefly swept to hers, amused. Slate reached over and grabbed her hand, bringing it to his lips again. She loved how he could never seem to stop touching her. He placed her hand on his lap, his big hand covering her own. Slate was always affectionate with her, and far more attentive than she’d ever expect a gruff man like him to be.

“It’s cold enough here that we might as well be in New York,” Ashleigh said as he shut off the engine, shivering slightly.

His head swiveled to hers. “Do you miss it?” he asked, his voice deep and eyes serious.

“My tiny little studio in Brooklyn? No. Even if I’d never met you, Anna’s not in the city anymore. Jen moved away, too. My old life wouldn’t have been the same. Besides, I’ve got way more space at your home.”

“Our home,” he corrected.

Her heart swelled as she nodded. She’d been teasing him, but Slate had always made her feel like she belonged in his space. Her feminine touches had slowly been taking it over, which wasn’t surprising given his sparse decorations before. They’d converted a spare room to her office, and his dressers now held drawers full of her clothing and lingerie. For a simple man, Slate always loved to see her in satin and lace, and she rather enjoyed his eyes on her in the bedroom. They’d redecorated the rest of the house to some degree, but given that she’d moved from a small studio to his bigger place, the house still had more of his furniture than her own. They’d made purchases together as they found things she liked, and the transition had been seamless.

“Our home,” she agreed. “We should take a trip to New York one day. We could visit Jett and Anna and then go into the city for a couple of days. I can show you my old stomping grounds.”

“It sounds like a plan,” he said. “I just want to make sure you’re happy.”

“Are you kidding? I’m crazy happy to be here with the man I love. And even happier with our life together in California.”

Slate growled and leaned toward her, his mouth hot and insistent on her own, his big hand palming the back of her head. She was still bundled up in her parka and jeans but felt her body responding to him the way it always did. Slate made her feel alive. He could be demanding in bed, making her come again and again as he took her in various positions, and her body always reacted to him in ways that surprised her. She felt safe with him. Cherished. Loved. And happier than she’d thought possible.

“I just want to make sure,” Slate said in a low voice, pinning her with a look as he pulled back. “Jett did offer me a job, after all. If I had to, I’d give it all up. Move cross country to live where you wanted, work with my brother.”

“But you love commanding the SEAL teams in Coronado,” she said in surprise.

“Yep, but I love you more.”

“Slate,” she said, feeling her heart flutter.

“I’m serious, Ash. If you’d been unhappy in San Diego with me, I’d have given it up to move back east. I’ve got enough years in to retire when I’m ready. When we’re ready,” he added. Slate had told her more than once that during his first marriage, he hadn’t considered his wife’s feelings as much as he should have. Things had fizzled out quickly, but Ashleigh knew that he made sure to put her first in their own relationship.

“I’m definitely not unhappy in California,” she assured him. “We’ve got the sun, sand, and ocean. I get to spend all day writing my books while you’re off saving the world. Plus, you put together all those bookshelves for me. Where would I keep all of them if I was still in a studio?”

His lips quirked as he shot her a lazy grin, and she felt heat wash over her. Slate was sexy. He’d deny it, no doubt, but she’d been attracted to him since they first met. Even now, she admired the way he filled out his flannel shirt. Slate was big and broad everywhere, with muscles most men would envy. He’d literally stripped her bare the first night they’d met, when she’d fallen on the icy sidewalk and gotten soaked in standing water, and she’d never felt as safe as when pressed up against his big body. His touch and hot looks always left her flushed and aroused, and he seemed to relish pleasuring her and making her come apart in his arms.

“So do we get to see the inside of the place or what?” she asked, excitement winding through her. “Anna told me about some of the changes, extra rooms and whatnot.” Her stomach rumbled at that exact moment, and Slate bit back a curse.

“I’ll get dinner started as soon as we go in.”

“We both know you can’t cook,” Ashleigh replied, unbuckling her seatbelt and opening the door. Slate was already hustling around the front of the vehicle.

“I may have arranged for some pre-made meals,” he admitted, putting his big hands on her hips to help her down from the large SUV.

His slightly sheepish look had her bursting into laughter. Slate could do many things, but cooking dinner wasn’t his specialty. “You didn’t have to do that. You know that I don’t mind cooking.”

“I know, but we’re on vacation, Ash. I don’t mind spoiling you.”

“Vacation, huh? How many times have you checked in with your men?” she teased.

“Only once, and I’m assured they have things under control. This is the longest amount of leave I’ve taken,” he admitted. “But you can’t fault me for being diligent about keeping up with work. We both know you’re a workaholic, too,” he said, shooting her a knowing look.

“Point taken.”

She smiled beside Slate as he got their things from the cargo area, bouncing up and down slightly to warm up. “What? It’s cold,” she said as he glanced over at her. “I’ve gone soft living out in sunny California. How did I survive all those New York winters before?”

“Did you know some of the SEALs spend weeks in Alaska? Winter Warfare training,” he explained.

“Thank goodness you didn’t live there when we first met,” she quipped. “I may be a former New Yorker, but I have to draw the line somewhere.”

“You don’t think I could’ve whisked you away to snowy Alaska?” he teased, slinging her laptop bag over his shoulder. He picked up her suitcase and his duffle bag, despite Ashleigh’s protests that she could carry something.

“That’d be a no,” she said.

Slate chuckled. “I can be quite persuasive, Ash,” he said huskily.

She flashed him a look but then headed toward the big porch as he gestured for her to go first. Slate’s eyes scanned the area as he moved beside her, and she knew he would always be on alert, the tendency engrained in him from years of service.

“It’s gorgeous here in the snow,” she said, looking around herself before taking the several steps up onto the porch. Fragrant boughs of evergreen decorated the railing, the twinkling white lights giving it a magical feel. It felt like they were in the middle of a winter wonderland, hidden away from the rest of the world, nestled deep in the forest.

“Aren’t you cold without a coat?” she asked as she looked over her shoulder at him in the waning light.

“I’m a lot bigger than you,” Slate reminded her. “And we’re heading straight inside. I’ll get a fire going before I heat up dinner.”

“Maybe this time we should spend all night in front of the fire,” she teased.

Slate muttered under his breath, and she giggled. While he hadn’t liked that she’d gotten injured last year, he’d told her more than once how he’d loved holding her against him as they lay in front of the fireplace. Of course, they’d both been naked, covered by warm blankets as he’d tried to share his body heat with her.

“I still can’t believe the house is already decorated for Christmas,” she said. “I was excited for the trip but kind of sad to leave our holiday things at home.”

“I know,” he said, his voice smug.

She shot a surprised look at him. “Wait. You arranged to have Jett’s cabin decorated?”

He chuckled. “I can’t tell you all my secrets.” Ashleigh watched as he pulled a key from his pocket, sliding it into the doorknob. A pretty wreath with a big red bow hung on the front door, and she wondered if there were any more surprises inside.

“And how’d you get a key so quickly?” she questioned. “I thought they changed all their locks when they upgraded their security systems.”

“Jett’s assistant overnighted it to me,” he said. “I know Anna puts up with my brother because she’s married to the man, but it’s a wonder that Lena has stuck with him this long.”

“Maybe she has the hots for those Shadow Ops Team guys,” Ashleigh suggested.

Slate chuckled as he turned the knob, opening the front door. “She and Gray Pierce are together. He served with my brother years ago during their Army days. And the keys are just temporary anyway. Jett is going to switch the locks to a passcode system. That way he can change the code from Shadow Security Headquarters. He would’ve done it sooner, but the specific model he wanted wasn’t available.”

“That’s smart. It’s probably safer than a lock someone could potentially pick. The cabin is secluded, after all. Hopefully no one is looking for you out here this year,” she said, shooting him a look.

Slate grumbled again. “That’s always a hazard in my line of work, but I’ll keep you safe, Ash.”

She was startled by the intensity of his gaze and leaned into him without thought, Slate palming the back of her head again and ducking down to kiss her forehead. He lingered there for a beat, seeming to savor the moment. The two of them truly had come full-circle, returning to the spot where they’d first met one year ago.

They walked into the cabin, Slate going first to make sure everything was in order, and Ashleigh gasped in surprise at the large Christmas tree beside the fireplace. “You got a tree? How are there already presents beneath it?” she asked as both excitement and disbelief washed over her. “No, don’t tell me. Lena. I’ll have to meet this woman someday. Goodness knows that Anna raves about her. I should seriously send her a gift.”

Slate set their bags down, smiling. “I get the impression that Jett pays her well for her trouble. And yes, I arranged for a few surprises for you.”

“A few?” she asked, beaming as she moved further into the room. “There’s already a pile of presents under the tree. This is amazing.” Her eyes fell on the stockings hanging from the mantle. “Bride and groom, huh?” she asked, looking at the embroidery. “It seems like Anna is giving us hints to hurry things along.”

Slate muttered a curse. “That’s Anna for you,” he said. Ashleigh couldn’t help but laugh as he pulled out his phone, no doubt to text his brother. Anna’s meddling had been what brought them together in the first place, so Ashleigh couldn’t fault her too much for wanting them to tie the knot sooner rather than later. If she was hoping for cousins for her kids, however, Ashleigh and Slate were pretty set on remaining focused on their careers and each other.

“Don’t worry,” Ashleigh said. “I told her months ago that we were perfectly happy waiting until life slowed down before we dived into wedding planning. She’ll just have to patiently wait.”

“Anna? Patient?”

She shrugged. “Stranger things have happened.”

Slate pocketed his phone, reaching for their luggage once more. “Nope. I don’t buy it. My sister-in-law is one of the most impulsive and impatient people I know. Why don’t you get settled in and relax. I’m going to put our things in the master bedroom, then I’ll light the fire and figure out our plan for dinner.”