Page 7 of Bound to Two Bears

“Ahh,” Royce murmured.

“Diedre and Iwere together nearly five years. Drifted apart. It’s been over for a long while. We just finally admitted it.”

Royce glanced at him before looking back to the path. “Sounds like time for something new. Somethingdifferent.”

Not your kind of different.

Even as he said the words in his head, he felt his body respond to the thought of something different. Battling the sensation back, he looked away, trying to get a little control over himself. “No, I think it’s time to just be alone. Get my head on straight before I move on with a newwomanin my life.”

Royce glanced at him with a wry smile. “Yep. Perhaps that’s best.”

Indeed it is, buddy. I’m straight.

Super straight.

Straight with a capital S.

Suddenly, Carson wondered whom he was reassuring. The men or himself? He glanced over at Royce, hyperaware of the man’s presence beside him. Carefully, he peeked over his shoulder and felt Jared’s attention even stronger. That feeling of being drawn, it rubbed him raw. He wasn’t attracted to men.

He just wasn’t.

Luckily, the pair were quiet the rest of the way up the mountain, which seemed to bereallyfar up. The temperature droppedthe farther they’d driven. They’d left the early summer behind, and the crisp air held a chill to it. Royce finally pulled in front of a large cabin after passing multiple offshoot paths. The one they stopped before was surely too big for just him, or even a couple had Diedre come. It had to be a cluster of cabins—which wouldn’t allow him to be as alone as he wanted to be.

Royce turned off the engine and climbed out as Carson watched him leave. Jared exited, lifting the bags. Carson hated to admit it, but he almost missed the heated bodies close to his.

No. You. Don’t.

He glanced at the large cabin, sure there had to be a mistake. “This isn’t all for me, is it?” Carson asked.

Royce eyed him. “This isyours.Allof it.”

Carson glanced at the large log cabin. “This doesn’t look like the cabin I signed up for. It definitely looked smaller on your website. Whoever took your pictures did you a disservice.”

Royce headed to the door and opened it. Unnerved, Carson followed him, Jared following up at the rear. “I don’t need all this,” he said, his voice low as he walked into the foyer.

The place was a friggen log-mansion, not plain, rustic cabin. The inside was beautiful and big enough for a handful of people. A full chef’s kitchen with marble counters and a humungous island hugged one side of the cabin. Between that and a well-appointed living room stood a table that could seat ten. The entire back wall of the living space was windows, facing out beyond the trees.

He walked closer and saw a view of the entire valley below. The lake shimmered below, just as blue as the sky above. Mist hungaround the tops of the trees, giving the place a mysterious feel. It was stunning. The escape he’d needed.

Yet there was something that didn’t feel right.

“There’s some mistake. I absolutely didn’t book this cabin.”

Jared dropped the bags as Royce moved closer to Carson. He pulled out a slip of paper and handed it over. “This is the room you agreed to when you made the reservation. Is that not accurate?”

Carson took the slip and scratched his head. “Royce, you’re definitely undercharging for your cabins.” He smiled and looked around. Why look a gift horse in the mouth? “But you can fix thatafterI leave.”

Jared chuckled.

“I’ll look into that,” Royce said with a grin. “I’m sure you’ll find yourself at home in no time.”

Carson looked up into the man’s eyes, ensnared.

“The sun’s going down, so I suggest you stay indoors,” Royce murmured.

“Th bears…”

Royce nodded, grinning. “The bears.”

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