Page 1 of Seduced By the Mountain Man

Chapter One

“Welcome to Trouble”

Delaney

Montana in July took my breath away.

I navigated the final winding stretch of mountain road in the cherry-red convertible I'd splurged on renting. The top was down despite Whitney's complaints about what the wind was doing to her perfectly styled blonde hair. Early summer sunshine bathed the mountainsides in gold, making the pines shimmer with that vibrant green you only find where the air is so clean it almost hurts to breathe it.

"Can you please slow down before you kill us all?" Kayla shouted from the back seat, her hands braced against the front seats as I took another curve with perhaps a little more enthusiasm than was strictly necessary.

"Oh, let her drive," Amber shouted back, her auburn hair whipping around her face as she raised her arms like she was on a roller coaster. "This is the first time I've seen Delaney Shaw have actual fun in six months."

Whitney turned down Beyoncé just enough to be heard without screaming. "Mountain therapy officially begins now, ladies. One week of no emails, no Slack notifications, and—" she pointed at me with a perfectly manicured finger, "—absolutely no brooding about Colin the Cowardly Banker."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress my smile. "I wasn't planning on brooding about him."

"Good," Whitney nodded. "Because what you need is someone new to help you forget the old, and I have a feeling this place will deliver."

"I just need a break," I insisted, though the idea of a vacation fling didn't sound terrible. It had been six months since I'd caught Colin with his assistant. Six months of burying myself in a massive marketing campaign launch that had earned me a promotion but left me with dark circles under my eyes and a permanent knot between my shoulder blades. "Peace, quiet, nature, and maybe some alcohol."

"And hot mountain men," Amber added, wiggling her eyebrows. "Don't forget those."

I laughed as the GPS announced our arrival. "We're here, you savages. Try to act civilized for at least five minutes."

Hope Peak Lake Resort appeared around the final bend, and all four of us fell silent. The resort perched on a bluff overlooking a vast, pristine lake that shimmered like a sapphire nestled among the Montana mountains. Luxury log cabins dotted the hillside, each with its own deck positioned to maximize the views. The main lodge, an impressive timber and stone structure, stood at the center, with stone pathways winding between buildings and down to the shore where I could make out a dock and what looked like a water sports center.

"Holy shit," Kayla breathed. "This place is gorgeous."

"Worth every penny," Whitney agreed as I pulled into the circular drive in front of the main lodge.

American flags and red, white, and blue bunting decorated the lodge entrance, a reminder that Independence Day was just a few days away. I killed the engine and took a deep breath of pine-scented air. Already I could feel some of the tension leaving my body—though that knot between my shoulders persisted, a souvenir from countless hours hunched over my laptop.

"Ladies, welcome to Hope Peak!" A smiling valet approached, opening my door with a flourish. "I'll take care of your bags."

We handed over the car keys and followed the stone path into the lobby, a cavernous space with exposed beams, a large fireplace stacked with logs, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the magnificent lake view. The resort filled my senses with wood smoke and hints of something delicious from what I presumed was the restaurant.

"Shaw party, checking in," I announced to the woman behind the reception desk, a silver-haired woman with an elegant bearing despite her practical clothing.

"Ms. Shaw, welcome." She smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm Ruth Anderson, the owner. We're delighted to have you with us." She handed us each a welcome packet in a leather folio embossed with the resort logo. "You've arrived just in time for our Fourth of July celebrations. We have a full week of activities planned, culminating in our famous fireworks over the lake."

"Sounds perfect," I replied, already leafing through the materials.

Ruth leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice. "I see you've booked our luxury lakeside cabin. It's one of ourfinest—complete privacy, with incredible sunset views." Her eyes twinkled as she continued, "And do take advantage ofeverythingthe resort has to offer. We've just launched an adventure program that's been quite popular with our guests."

The way she emphasized "everything" made me wonder if she somehow knew we were all single and ready to mingle. I glanced at Whitney, who was already scanning the lobby like she was hunting for prey.

"We definitely will," Whitney assured her, accepting her key card with a smile that spelled trouble.

A staff member led us to our cabin, nestled on a small rise with unobstructed views of the lake. The interior combined rustic charm with luxury touches—knotty pine walls, plush furniture, a stone fireplace, and a kitchen stocked with high-end appliances. A spacious deck wrapped around the back, complete with Adirondack chairs, a hot tub, and the promised sunset view.

"I call the master bedroom!" Amber shouted, dropping her bags and making a beeline for the largest bedroom.

"We agreed to draw straws," Kayla protested, following her.

Whitney sidled up next to me as I stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, taking in the view. "So," she said, waggling her eyebrows, "Ready to get under someone?"

I snorted. "I'm ready for a nap."

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