Tempting Love (Cowboys & Angels 3)

“Are you saying you slept with her four times or multiple times on each trip.”

“Does it really matter, Corina?”

I let out a gruff laugh. “Well, considering I now have to sit with this woman at dinner, I’d kind of like to know if she was a causal fuck or someone you liked to fuck often on your trips up here.”

He winced at my use of the word fuck, and I didn’t care. I was suddenly pissed off. I had expected this to happen at some point in Oak Springs, but in Canada? No.

“It was more than four times.”

Just like that, the air left my lungs, and I was regretting asking him. Pushing the door to the Jeep open, I jumped out and headed toward the cabin.

“Corina, wait.”

“Not right now, Mitch. I need a few minutes to process this. I could have dealt better with something like this in Oak Springs, but not in another country.”

When he walked up behind me, I felt the warmth of his body, and I wanted nothing more than for him to wrap me in his arms and tell me how much he loved me—that no other woman before me meant anything. I knew they didn’t, but I needed to hear it. This woman had invaded a space in my life, and I hadn’t been prepared for it. Back in Oak Springs, yes. If I woman walked up and did this I wouldn’t have been so caught off guard. I knew Mitchell wasn’t a saint. I knew he had been with other women. Lots of other women.

Mitchell unlocked the door, and we walked into a completely enclosed sunroom. Nothing but floor-to-ceiling windows. It was stunning. Turning to my left, I stepped into the living room. A large, stone fireplace was in the middle of the outside wall. A sofa and two chairs sat in front of it. I could practically feel the heat as I daydreamed about Mitchell making love to me here.

Did he make love to her in front of a fireplace like this?

Ugh. I needed to get these thoughts from my head.

Walking farther in, I saw the steps that led to what I guessed was the master bedroom upstairs. I quickly made my way up them. Part of me hoped he would follow, but he didn’t. I was behaving childishly, and I knew it. At the same time, I really needed some time to wrap my head around all of this.

Did he know this woman would be here? Did he know about the dinner and only decided to play it like he didn’t?

My arms wrapped around my body.

No. I knew Mitchell would never do that to me.

When I stepped off the last step and I turned to my left, tears filled my eyes. It was the most amazing place I’d ever seen. Everywhere I looked I saw something that made me smile.

A massive king bed sat to the left. The white, shabby-chic bedspread had bits of light blue in it and made the room feel so cozy. The giant window showcased the snow falling softly outside. The vaulted, sloped ceiling was covered in wood planks, adding to the romantic feel.

To the right, a sofa sat in front of another beautiful stone fireplace.

Tears flowed down my cheeks as I made my way over to the sofa and sat. I buried my face in my hands. I didn’t want to cry. I didn’t want to let this Kristi situation get to me like it had.

So why was I letting it?

Dropping my hands, I stared out the window. I needed to snap out of this. Quickly wiping my face, I stood. There was no way I was going to let some rich snow bunny destroy my time with Mitchell.

I turned to head back down the stairs when I stopped. Mitchell was standing in the archway that led into the room. His expression was laced with worry and regret.

“I wanted to make this trip special for the both of us. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be running into her. I haven’t seen her in years, and the last I heard she lived in San Francisco. I need you to know that.”

Nodding, I replied softly, “I know.”

He moved closer. “The urge to pull you into my arms after you got out of the Jeep just now was insane. You asked me for time, and I gave you all I could, Corina. I love you. You are the only woman I have ever loved or will ever love. I don’t even know how I breathed before you. You are my life. My now. My future. Please, don’t let my past ruin something so special as our time here.”

My hands covered my mouth. His heartfelt words made me fall even more in love with him. Mitchell closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. When he looked back at me, I knew he was waiting for me to speak, but I couldn’t. The only thing I could do was show him how much I loved him.