Page 2 of Broken Mountain Man

And there he was.

Not a bear. Not a rabbit. Not the elderly park ranger who had given a safety talk to my group before we started out.

A man.

A huge man. Broad shouldered, looking like he could bench press a truck, a dark beard that made me think of some very dark fantasies, and a tight t-shirt that revealed a set of abs I had never seen up close and personal—but damn how I wanted to now. He looked like the forest grew him.

He looked like he could pick me up with one hand and do whatever the hell he wanted with me.

Of course, that was just my rattled brain latching onto one too many of my romantic fantasies—a man who could actually carry my curvy ass without destroying his back. Or better yet, take me up against a wall without it being overly awkward because of my weight.

Heat flooded my cheeks at the thoughts. Apparently near-death experiences made me horny. Great.

His eyes flicked to the can in my hand, then to my face, then back again without saying a word. That steady stare made something low in my belly clench with an awareness that had nothing to do with fear and everything to do with the way he was looking at me. I dropped the bear spray and it bounced off my foot and rolled into a clump of moss. I just stood there, stunned by both the sudden presence of another human and the fact that men like him actually existed.

And that I was attracted to him. Wildly, inappropriately, inconveniently attracted to a complete stranger in the middle of nowhere.

“You’re... not a bear.” I knew I was stating the obvious, but how did you start a conversation in the middle of nowhere?

One eyebrow twitched. His mouth didn’t even hint at a smile. “Glad we cleared that up.”

“Do you live here?” The question came out breathier than I intended, like I was auditioning to be a phone sex operator. “Well, not here, here. But in town. Please tell me you know the way off this mountain.”

He stepped closer. Leaves crunched beneath boots that looked well-worn and comfortable. Unlike my totally inappropriate sneakers.

“I could really use some help and you have a very gorgeous beard and—” Heat flamed across my face as I realized what I’d just said. I ordered myself to stop talking.

He stared at me and I wanted to sink into the moss and disappear.

“You’re with that group.” It was a statement of fact, not a question. His voice was rough, deep, like he didn’t use it often.

“Was. Women empowering women with compasses and granola. Only, I—well, I needed to pee. And then they were gone. And now I’m here.” Rambling. I was rambling like an idiot.

“You’re lost.” The disapproval in his voice was unmistakable. I saw it written clearly on his face and knew instinctively this man did not suffer fools gladly. Or at all.

“I prefer to think of it as... aggressively rerouted.” When he didn’t even crack a smile, I added, “Or temporarily geographically challenged. Directionally disadvantaged? Come on, work with me here.”

His jaw tightened. Not amused.

He looked me up and down—dirt-streaked leggings, one sock sagging down into my shoe—and exhaled like this was exactly the kind of day he’d expected to have. “You’re coming with me.”

The command in his voice sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. Another unrealistic fantasy of mine—a man who knew how to take control… in any situation.

“Am I?” I shot back, the sarcasm bubbling up to cover my rapidly forming hysteria. And attraction. Our interaction was almost like I was starring in a bad porn movie. Not that I watched porn, being a good southern girl and all. “Right now, you’re giving off equal parts Unabomber and reluctant Santa Claus. Like, really reluctant. Like Santa after Mrs. Claus ran off with the elves and took the reindeer with her.”

Something that might have been amusement flickered in his eyes before disappearing. “You need to stop talking. It will attract the bears.”

I didn’t believe him, but I stopped talking anyway. For a second. “So now what?” I whispered. “I’m not sure I could follow directions if you gave them to me.” I bit my lip, reluctant to ask for a full-on rescue. The purpose of the weekend was to find myself.

He turned and started walking away.

I picked up the can of bear spray and quickly followed him. I was not stupid enough to try and find my group when a white knight had arrived. Reluctant as he was being. “Do you know where the camp is set up?”

“No, I don’t. My cabin’s half a mile from here. You’re not making it down the mountain before sunset. There’s no signal out here and I doubt help is coming.” He gestured to my backpack. “They probably assume you’d make camp and find your way back in the morning.”

A sharp laugh escaped me. “Well, they’d be spectacularly wrong. I can barely navigate a shopping mall without getting lost. You think I’m going to figure out this?” I gestured wildly at the thick trees surrounding us.

He just grunted. “I’ve got shelter, food, water, and you clearly need all three.”

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