Page 1 of Possessed By the Mountain Man
Chapter 1
Aspen
The air smells like pine needles, testosterone, and the vague threat of a power outage.
Perfect.
I drag my pumpkin-shaped suitcase up the snow-dusted steps of Devil’s Peak Lodge, breath puffing out in small, frustrated clouds. My combat boots crunch against the porch, and the wheels on my bag squeal like they're auditioning for a horror movie. The bottle of glitter hairspray clinks against my dry shampoo in my duffel, a reminder that I’m not just here—I’mhere.
Ready to sparkle. Ready to win. Ready to forget every boring man who thought I was too much.
Cue: The man himself.
He’s outside the rustic hunting lodge, shirtless, in jeans that hang just low enough to be distracting. His back is turned, muscles flexing as he brings an axe down on a thick log like it personally insulted his mother. A flannel shirt is tossed over a stump nearby, ignored like he’schoosingto be indecent.
“Are you the guy in charge–Thorne Maddox?” I call out, planting a hand on my hip.
The axe stops mid-swing. He turns slowly, eyes narrowing, like he’s just been confronted by a forest sprite in faux leather.
"Unfortunately," he grunts.
His voice is low. Rough. Like he gargled gravel for breakfast. I hate that it immediately does something traitorous to my insides.
“I’m Aspen Taylor,” I say brightly, dragging my suitcase to the front door. "Winner of the Haunted Couples’ Retreat sponsored by Instagram. Solo division. Surprise!"
His brows lift. "Didn’t realize that was a thing."
“It is now. It’s a contest for influencers, I just have to document my week-long getaway on Instagram to share with my followers,” I chirp. “My fiancé dumped me last week, and I wasn’t about to let a little thing like devastating heartbreak stop me from claiming a luxury getaway."
His gaze drags down my body, slow and unhurried. "This is luxury?"
I glance at the sprawling, admittedly rustic lodge behind him. Chimney puffing smoke. Porch sagging slightly. Porch swing swaying.
“It’s got charm," I say, brushing glitter off my coat. "Just needs a few twinkle lights. Maybe some throw pillows."
His lips twitch. Not a smile. Not quite. But it’s there.
"You got pillows in that pumpkin purse of yours?"
"Don’t tempt me. There’s a whole world of sequins and tinsel in here."
He steps forward, close enough that I catch a whiff of cedar and sweat and something uniquely him. “The main lodge is under renovation, all that’s available is this old hunting lodge, and I’m the only one that stays here all winter. Not sure how you had the unfortunate luck of winning a retreat for this week, but you’re wastin’ your time. Boiler’s actin’ up right now, there’s onlyone bedroom with a fireplace for heat, don’t think you’ll hack if here for more than an hour if I had to guess.”
“Watch me.” I tip my chin in the air with defiance.
“You seriously think you’re gonna spend a week alone with me in this place and not get spooked by your own reflection in the window?"
I tilt my chin up. “I grew up with three older brothers. I eat spooky for breakfast."
“You eat glitter for breakfast, sweetheart.”
“Guilty. And glitter never ghosts you after four years of dating."
He exhales like I’ve personally exhausted him. "Fine. You can stay. But I’m not running a bed-and-breakfast here. I’m not fluffing your pillows or baking you muffins."
“Good,” I say, brushing past him toward the door. "Because I plan to win a contest for best haunted house decor and maybe even host a costume competition for my followers, not seduce a mountain man."
He snorts. "You say that like it’s a bad idea."
