Scarlett

I’m in a daze, and it’s not because I just fell into a stream. My pulse beats wildly as I stare up at my giant rescuer, taking in his huge frame and his ruggedly handsome face, partially covered by a dark beard. His forest green eyes watch me worriedly as he scoops me up into his arms, lifting me easily off the forest floor. The frozen water from the stream is turning me to ice, but I feel my shivers subside a little as I melt against Gunner’s broad chest, feeling his warmth against my body. Everything feels so surreal.When I left Oklahoma City at four o’clock this morning, I never imagined I’d end up in the arms of a gorgeous mountain man before the day was out. I wish he hadn’t found me lying in a stream like an overturned turtle—it’s not the best first impression I could have made—and my cheeks warm slightly at the thought. I feel like an idiot. I only just got to Colorado, and I’ve already proven I can’t take care of myself. It was meant to be a simple walk through the forest, yet I managed to literally land my butt in a freezing-cold creek. “I’m sorry about this,” I mumble, embarrassed. “I’m so clumsy. I kept thinking I heard something behind me, and then I took a step backward and the earth just gave way.” I chance a look at Gunner’s face, and I see something flicker in his eyes as he says, “It was me you heard.” His voice is a deep growl, and I shudder slightly as he continues, “I…was working out in the forest today. Didn’t know anybody else was around until you screamed. Sorry if I scared you.” There’s a look in his eyes that I can’t decipher, almost like he’s hiding something, but it’s gone before I can dwell on it anymore. “It’s okay,” I tell him. “It’s my fault for being so jumpy. I’m not really used to being out in the wild like this.” “I guess you’re not from around here then?” “Nope. I’m from Oklahoma. Just arrived, I moved here this morning actually. Great start, huh?” I smile at Gunner and he returns it unsurely, like he’s not used to moving his face in that way. “What about you? Are you from around here?” Gunner frowns slightly. “Not originally. I moved here from San Diego three years ago.” There’s something about the way he says it that suggests the matter is closed and not something he wants to talk about further, so I don’t ask him to elaborate. Instead, I steal curious glances as he carries me through the woods, the trees gradually thinning around us as I tell him the way to my cabin. There’s something guarded about Gunner, and I silently wonder if he lives alone out here. Maybe, like me, he came here to get away from something. Or maybe he just likes the mountains, I think, trying to be pragmatic. I don’t need to project all my issues onto a total stranger. “It’s just a minute further this way,” I say as patches of golden, late afternoon sunlight start to filter through up ahead. “Are you sure you don’t want me to walk? I could probably manage—" “No,” Gunner grunts immediately. “It’s fine. I don’t mind.” He hasn’t even broken a sweat since we left the stream. My curves aren’t just for show; I’m far from light, but Gunner is carrying me like I’m weightless. I reach to grab my key from my pocket, expecting Gunner to put me down just outside the front door. Instead, he holds me with one arm, taking the key in his other hand and opening the door, carrying me across the threshold like a newlywed. My heart sinks a little when he finally sets me down on the couch, and I immediately miss the warmth of his body. “I’ll get a fire going,” he says, crouching down by the fireplace. “You should go and change out of those wet clothes.” He clears his throat, but he doesn’t say anything else before he starts piling up logs and kindling. I hurry into the bedroom to strip off, toweling myself dry before pulling on some comfy sweats and the thickest hoodie I can find. My foot is a little sore, but I have no problems walking on it as I pad back into the living room. Immediately, it feels like I’m sinking into a hot bath. A crackling fire is dancing in the hearth; Gunner is tending to it, and the whole room already feels warm and cozy. The icy cold in my bones melts away as I move to sit in front of the fire, letting it thaw my hands. “Thank you,” I say, smiling at Gunner. “Honestly, you’re a lifesaver.” He shrugs. “It was no problem.” “I’ll try to stay out of creeks in the future. Clearly I’ve got a lot to learn about the great outdoors.” Gunner’s lips twitch into a barelythere smile behind his beard, and he straightens up, looking around before he says, “You’ve got a really cute place here. You said you just moved in today?” “I…well, kind of, it’s an Airbnb,” I explain. “I’ve rented it for the next couple of months.” Gunner’s smile vanishes. “You’re not staying in Crave County permanently then?” “I hope so.” I sigh wistfully. “It’s complicated. I need to find a job and an apartment that I can afford, probably somewhere down in Winterdale. If everything goes well, hopefully I can move here for good.” Gunner seems to wrestle with himself before finally asking, “What made you want to move here in the first place?” I open my mouth to respond, but I can’t think of what to say. My mind flashes to my parents, but the words won’t come, and Gunner shakes his head.“Sorry,” he says, frowning. “I used to hate people asking me that question. It’s none of my business.” He looks suddenly serious. “You should be careful though, living out here all by yourself, walking in the forest…it can be dangerous.” Am I imagining it, or does he look worried about me? “You’re right,” I tell him, my heart fluttering slightly at the intensity of his gaze. “Next time I walk in the woods, I’ll be more careful…make sure I’ve got all the right equipment in case I get lost and stuff. I was dumb to just go striding off like that.” Gunner waves off my words. “You weren’t dumb. It’s just something you have to get used to. The forests around here are wild, they’re not always safe.” I nod. “Thanks for the warning.” Gunner looks at me for a moment longer before taking a step toward the door. “I’ll stop lecturing you now and leave you in peace.” I chuckle. “I don’t mind being lectured. Anything to stop me ending up ass-first in a creek again.” Gunner’s green eyes twinkle at me. He looks unbearably handsome: broad and strong and sexy as heck with that intense gaze bearing into me, making my whole body tingle. As he reaches out to open the door, I feel my chest squeeze uncomfortably. I don’t want him to go. Something about this handsome mountain man is intoxicating—he feels so safe, like he could protect me from anything. I want to be near him, but I can’t think of any excuse to make him stay. I can’t even offer him dinner since I haven’t been grocery shopping yet—all I’ve got is the cookies left by the owner and the leftover candy I bought for the drive here.“See you later, Scarlett,” Gunner says, my name sounding more like a sexy growl in his voice. “Bye, Gunner,” I say reluctantly. “Thank you for everything.” We stare at each other for a moment, eyes locked, the air between us sizzling with tension that seems to fill the tiny cabin, stealing my breath away. But all too soon, the moment is gone, and Gunner turns away from me, letting himself out of the front door. I spring up from the couch, ignoring the twinge in my foot as I peer out of the window, watching Gunner’s broad, retreating figure as he vanishes into the forest once more. When he’s gone, I feel oddly sad and empty. I pace around the cabin, restless, before I finally grab my car keys and head back outside, ready to head for the grocery store to grab something for dinner. And maybe a pint of cookie dough ice cream to make me feel better, I think to myself as I begin the drive down the mountain, my eyes peeled for any sign of the burly mountain man who’s already taking over my thoughts.

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