Page 4 of Her Mountain Man Rescuer

“Just trying to keep you safe, Miss Denver.”

My heart spasms as she holds my gaze for a beat too long.

“Well…thanks. And it’s Audrey, by the way.”

“Weston.” I gesture toward the forest. “My cabin is about a mile that way. Think you can walk that far?”

“Yeah, I think so.” Her lips curve into a small smile. “Thanks, by the way. For coming when I called.”

“Don’t mention it.”

I hand her my flashlight and guide her through the woods, looking back every few seconds to make sure she’s keeping close. Now that I know she’s okay and the shock of finding her has worn off, I can’t ignore the crazy way my body is reacting to having Audrey near me. I can smell her sweet perfume, feel the light brush of her arm against mine, and all I want to do is turn around and take her in all over again—that pretty face, those luscious curves. She’s so damn beautiful, and now she’s cominghome with me. It will be just the two of us, holed up in the warmth of my cabin, hidden away in the woods.

Fuck, keep it together.

Audrey looks like she’s barely into her twenties, half my damn age at least. Not to mention, she just survived a life-threatening experience. The last thing she needs is an old grump like me acting like a creep. I shouldn’t be thinking about her body. I should be focused on nothing but getting her back to my cabin and patching her up. She said she fell when she got out of her car to take a picture, so in the morning, I’ll head out with my truck to find the vehicle and tow it back to my cabin. Then she’ll be free to continue her journey to wherever she was headed.

“Ow!”

I whip around as Audrey lets out a pained sound. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, sorry.” She lets out a deep breath. “I’m fine.” But I can see the pain in her face.

“Is it your knees?”

She shrugs. “They just twinge a little…”

I stop walking, and before Audrey can protest, I scoop her into my arms, bridal-style, ignoring her indignant squeal.

“This really isn’t necessary?—”

“I’m not letting you walk when you’re in pain, Audrey.”

Her body is soft against my chest, and my heart is pounding so hard that I’m sure she must be able to feel it. Blood rushes downward, my cock stirring.

Fuck.

I can smell Audrey’s shampoo, like raspberries and cream, and it takes all my concentration to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

“Thanks, Weston,” she says eventually, her voice full of gratitude.

My name on her lips is like heaven, and I take a shuddering breath.

“You’re welcome.”

I feel her relax against me, and when I spot my cabin between the trees, I feel a twinge of disappointment knowing I’ll have to set Audrey down soon. I love holding her in my arms. It feels right somehow, like I’m meant to protect her, keep her close to me. There’s no logic to it. She’s a stranger, a pretty little city girl who will soon be out of my life for good. But as I carry her toward my front door, the moonlight shining down on us, I can’t help wishing I could keep her in my arms a little longer.

3

AUDREY

A whole torrentof emotions swirls around inside me as Weston carries me through the trees, his strong arms grasping me protectively to his chest. The main emotion is relief. It was pretty terrifying to watch the darkness thicken, and I was slowly losing hope that anybody would hear my cries. The cold had been creeping in, threatening to chill my bones, and if Weston hadn’t arrived when he did, I would have had to take my chances in the forest, seeking shelter or warmth in the trees. I hadn’t exactly been looking forward to it.

Relief and gratitude—those are what I feel most of all. Pain, too. My wrist and my knees still hurt, and the scratches all over me sting like crazy. But there’s another feeling too. It warms my veins, making my blood pump fast and hot as I melt against Weston’s broad chest. I’m glad it’s dark, so he can’t see the way my cheeks burn.

I can’t ignore the obvious…

My rescuer is insanely hot.

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