* * *
Until Alexis.
* * *
I find Alexis snooping around on my property. I take what I want, so I take her captive.
* * *
I tell myself the sexy spitfire isn’t as innocent as she looks, and I want to possess every beautiful curvy inch of her body. I want to keep her as my prisoner and make her beg and scream.
* * *
Alexis knows I can’t resist her. I lose control. Now she knows my weakness. She uses it to her advantage.
* * *
Alexis has secrets of her own. And in exchange for her freedom and sweet revenge, I’ll take her to my bed. I’ll accept her innocence.
* * *
But for the first time in my life, I break my own rule. I’ve fallen hard for her…
Prologue
Alexis
I stood near the foot of the hotel bed with my belongings laid out in front of me. I picked up a photo of my two smiling parents and ran a finger across the image of my mother. Over the years, the colors had faded, but the old picture still reminded me that they would always be a part of me and with me in spirit. I couldn’t even remember the sound of their voices. I missed them so much. I missed having a family.
“Have you ever been to Arrow Lake, Minnesota before?” Paige asked from behind me.
I opened a small journal, tucked the photo behind some pages, and tossed it in my duffel bag.
Paige sat on the couch in the hotel room we were sharing. She had her feet propped up on the coffee table in front of her. She was filing her nails, a habit that annoyed me and made my skin crawl, but I bit my tongue. I didn't have many friends. Paige was pretty much it when it came to my otherwise ‘lone wolf' type of status, and I didn't want to offend her.
“I can’t remember.” I giggled and tossed a few tank tops into my duffel bag. “I’m a flight attendant, just like you. I feel like we’ve been everywhere.”
Paige sighed. “You’re probably right.” She sat up and glanced around the room. “I can’t wait to get out of this shithole hotel and go back home.”
“Ah,” I said. “I’ll bet.” At least we agreed on that. I couldn’t even remember the name of this drab hotel. “How long is your vacation?”
She rolled her eyes and walked up to where I stood over one of the two double beds in the room. “Unfortunately, it’s not nearly as long as yours. You’ve got so much tenure with the airline. I bet they’d bend over backward to keep you employed there.”
“They just need bodies. Anyway, I’m sure mine will feel like it’s over in a heartbeat,” I said with a chuckle as I plopped down onto the tired, creaky old mattress.
Paige shot me a pondering glance and tossed her straight-as-a-board brown hair over her shoulder. “How the hell did you win this gift certificate mountain trip again?” She asked cynically, but I knew she was only teasing.
I lightly tossed a pair of socks at her. “Here. Help me pack, would you?”
“Fine,” she groaned as she stuffed the socks into a random compartment in the bag.
I was too afraid to admit it, but I was actually looking forward to this little getaway. I had earned the most miles for the month and hadn't taken a day off in over six weeks. At the end of every month, the airline gave away a special prize. This month, it just so happened to be an all-inclusive six-day, seven nights trip to the mountains in Arrow Lake, Minnesota.
I'd already done some research online about the area, and I couldn't wait to go exploring. Paige worked with me as a stewardess, and we were both on layovers until the morning, so the airline put us up in a hotel room for the night. Once the morning dawned, I'd be on my way to fun and adventure where I could leave my cares at the door.
Paige had a terrible trait of being easily distracted. Instead of helping me pack, she was inspecting the pamphlet I’d been given about the resort.
“Holy shit!” she exclaimed. “It says you get free meals and it’s at a bed-n-breakfast! There’s a brewery. Dozens of hiking trails. Big ass lakes for swimming. And a local shopping mall. You’re so lucky!”
“Yep,” I beamed. “I can’t wait.”
Chapter One
Alexis
It was noon the next day, and I had safely arrived at the quaint and cozy bed-n-breakfast that was tucked and nestled away in an adorably charming patch of firs and cedar trees. It was a picturesque area full of nature and a canvas of perfection. I loved the prospect of escaping the whirlwind of everyday life and slowing my pace a bit. I was surrounded by the wilderness and it was magical. The inn itself was a pale aqua color, almost seafoam green. The owners were sweet, friendly and hospitable. All the locals were kind and welcoming too. Arrow Lake was definitely going on my list of places where I'd live if I ever retired from the airlines.
It was mid-afternoon, and I had just set off with a group of other tourists from the bed-n-breakfast. The trip included unlimited tours of the cultural attractions. Based on what I’d seen so far, I was definitely interested in going on more outings like this.
I was ready to seize the day. I loved being a flight attendant, but I had bigger goals. I aspired to be a tour guide someday and I felt like this trip was an opportunity for me to narrow the gap between me and my dreams and goals.
The group I was traveling with had made it to the base camp at the edge of one of the most highly desired and sought out mountains in all of the U.S. There was more to this region than just the mountains, and I made it a point to learn everything about it. My mind had been wandering as I concentrated and studied the map in front of me. I had only been halfway paying attention to what the tour guide, Keith, had been saying.
“Alright everybody, I think we are ready to press forward. Remember, please stay close as a group and no matter how curious you get, don’t go off on back trails unless otherwise directed to do so.” Keith waved his hands in the air in front of the group to beckon everyone along as if he were hurtling cattle.
I instinctively placed my hands on my waist to grab my camera from my belt bag but gasped as I realized I didn’t have it on. I knew something had been missing. I knew the weight felt lighter.
“Excuse me!” I called out in a panic. “Excuse me? Keith? Please, stop!” I yelled out in a fluster and frenzy.
A man wearing a ‘KISS’ band t-shirt flagged Keith down. “Hey, this girl needs your attention,” he stated.
The group stopped, and everyone turned around to look at me. I hated the attention and lived somewhat of a low-profile life. I knew that if I ever wanted to be a tour guide that I’d have to come out of my shell.
I swallowed hard. “Um, I’m sorry but…I think I left my bag on a camp bench with my cell phone and other important things inside. My ID and everything was in that bag.”
“I’m sorry ma’am, but I don’t have time to circle back around. I have to get the group back to the base ahead of the storm,” Keith said, and then turned back around.
“But…” I mumbled.
An older lady touched me gently on the arm. “I’m sorry that happened, but how can you lose a whole backpack?”
My face heated in embarrassment. Why did people have to be so rude? “It wasn’t a backpack. It was a belt bag that goes around my waist.”
“Oh.” The old lady pressed her hand to her chest. “I’m sure someone will turn it in if they see it.”
I couldn’t accept that! She didn’t understand. Everything important was inside. I couldn’t replace those things. I shouldered my way to the front of the group.
“What about my stuff?” I asked Keith. “Can I just go back and get it?”
Keith frowned. “This is a level five hiking trail. It is highly discouraged to break off from the group and we are too far ahead of base camp now to go back.” His expression was apologetic, but his tone was laced with a warning.
“It’s highly likely that another hiking guide has picked it up,” he added with a sincere smile. “I’m sure it will be in the lost and found when we get back later.”
How could I have done something so stupid? What was I thinking?
I looked down at the map that I had crumbled in my fist in aggravation and then up at the skies. There was no denying that a storm was coming, but getting caught in the rain was the least of my worries. I had experienced things worse than a rainstorm. I wasn't afraid of going back to get my things. I had been on my own since I was seventeen years old. I felt like I had witnessed more terror and horror than the world had to offer, and I could handle anything.
As the group trekked along, I trailed off more and more until I was all the way in the back. Against the hiking guides advisory, I marked my current location on a map and snuck off from the group. I tried my best to retrace my steps to where I last remembered having the bag. I hoped it wouldn’t take me long to find it and I could catch back up with my group in no time.
I rushed along the trail as fast as my legs would take me, noting how the temperatures had dipped and the wind had picked up. There were now goosebumps covering my arms and suddenly I wished I’d brought my cardigan along.
I paused under a tree to catch my breath and unfolded the map again. The last time I had my belt bag was when everyone stopped to take pictures near a cave. I had sat on a bench and fumbled with the straps while waiting for our guide to gather everyone for the next tour attraction.
Thunder rumbled in the distance and I smelled the familiar scent of incoming rain on the breeze. I ran the back of my hand across my forehead to clear my sweat and studied the map again trying to find the nearest landmark. Something. Anything that could point me in the right direction.
I had no idea how long I'd been walking. According to the time on my watch, I'd been away from the tour at least a half hour. Getting caught in the rain didn't bother me, but what if I encountered one of those wolf packs the guide was talking about?
“Oh gosh,” I breathed.
Standing here wasn’t going to get me anywhere, so I stuffed the map down into my back pocket, picked one of the trails, and followed it to God-only-knew-where. I didn’t have a phone. Not even a drink of water nor a stick to defend myself. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.
After a while of earth and dirt crunching and sinking under my sneakers, I began to panic. It was getting dark and I was afraid I was doing nothing but going in circles. I was lost, plain and simple. My heart drummed in my chest and my pulse swooshed through my ears.
I ran a shaky hand through my ponytail and tried to stifle my anxiety, but it was getting dark, and I didn’t see another soul around me as far off to the horizon as my vision would carry.
I glanced up at the sky. The clouds were rolling in and had a threatening, almost deep purple color to them. I knew a strong storm must be blowing in from the west. I should've listened.
I shivered and rubbed my bare arms because I was only wearing a tank top and shorts. Chill bumps prickled against my skin and there was a new biting cold in the air that seeped into my bones. I was alone and trying not to panic, but I knew I was in trouble.
When big droplets of water started to fall from the sky, I began to jog down the path that I thought led back to the base camp. I was wrong. When I got to the end of the trail, all I could see was fields of tall grass, thick woods, and mountains that seemed to go on forever. Not a building or house was in sight. I was in deep shit. Lost as fuck, as my friend Paige would say.
The only thing that kept me from breaking down was praying that the tour guide or someone would notice that I didn't check in when they arrived back at the base. Someone would come looking for me.
With a reluctant sigh, I decided to seek cover at least until the storm passed. I ran up to a thick oak tree just as a spark of lightning cracked in the distance. My heart jumped when it hit the ground a few miles away.
As I leaned against the tree, panting and feeling like I’d run a freaking marathon, I spotted a long piece of wood propped up against a grassy hill. Despite the breeze threatening to blow sand in my eyes, I steered my focus and realized that the piece of wood had a handle on it. Was it a door?
I made a desperate dash toward the hill as violent winds whipped across my face. Thank God. It was a door to some underground storage or cellar. I stooped down close to the ground and tried to peer inside, but it was dark.
“Hello?” I called out, feeling stupid. Who the hell was going to answer me?
Just to make sure, I picked up a few rocks and threw them down into the cellar. Nothing scary sprang out, so I decided it was the safest place for me right now.
I grabbed hold of the ladder and inched my way down into the darkness. My body was shaking more than I realized and my clumsy ass missed a step and fell hard on my backside. The force of hitting the rock-solid ground knocked the air right out of me.
When I opened my eyes again, I noticed a flashlight on the ground right where I’d fallen. My first thought was it belonged to a person. Someone had been here. I was silently relieved. I picked up the flashlight and turned it on.
My relief then turned to morbid fear when I rose from the ground and looked around. This wasn’t a normal cellar. No. This was something different altogether. Nothing but rows of weapons lined the walls. Pistols. Handguns. Semi-automatic weapons. Knives. Numerous clips and boxes of bullets lay scattered on a makeshift table.
What the fuck was this?
Whatever it was…whoever it belonged to…I wanted nothing to do with it. Guns had killed my parents. Between being lost out here in the middle of the wilderness and surrounded by enough weapons to fuel an army, I just couldn’t deal with all that. With the door being open the way it was, I figured someone would be back. Anyone with weapons of that caliber was up to no good.
I took the ladder back up. When I reached the ground level, a sheet of rain covered me. Shielding my eyes from the rain, I glanced out again trying to locate the big tree or another form of shelter. Stepping out on blind faith, I rushed out again into the unknown.
I never made it to any shelter. The rain turned into a torrential downpour and I could barely see one foot in front of me. My sneakers were soaking wet and it was becoming harder to run through the mud. One minute I was on my feet and then the next minute I fell against something hard that caused excruciating pain. I heard my cry rip from my throat and then I landed face first into a ditch. I tried to claw my way back up, but the rain kept pouring down. Everything happened in a matter of seconds. The trench started filling up with rain. I fought to stay above the rising water, but I kept going down…down…down…
…until I couldn’t breathe anymore.
Chapter Two
Erik
I didn't normally like the hiking trails near my cottage. Ever since that new tour company set up shop in town, they'd been expanding their sight-seeing trips further out into the wilderness. I felt like they were encroaching on my territory or invading my privacy or something. It wasn't like I owned the entire mountain region or anything, but I liked to be reclusive. I enjoyed my alone time. I had to tolerate them because I lived in one of the most astoundingly beautiful areas in all of the Northern U.S. I wasn't leaving anytime soon. In fact, I didn't want to leave at all.
The Arrow Lake, Minnesota region was blanketed with an abundance of beauty and attractions like fishing, boating, and hiking. I couldn't blame the people who flocked to this area in droves. It was part of the reason I chose the mountains to dwell in. The main reason I sought seclusion in the woods was the fact that they would never whisper my secrets through the privacy of the trees protecting and towering over me. Whenever I did go into town for groceries and supplies, the locals often asked me if I was comfortable living out in the woods with all the wild animals—bears, wolves, coyotes, and everything in between. The truth was I'd rather take my chances with the animals. I didn't bother them. They didn't bother me.
Today wasn't the
best day for hiking or sight-seeing, but I could tell that the guides had been out with tourists. There were fresh tracks on the ground, and just like all the other times, someone always left some trash behind. I scooped up a crushed up plastic bottle and threw it in a metal trash can.
I glanced up at the sky as the clouds rolled in. They were ominous, threatening and dark. I searched the atmosphere. Thunder bellowed and boomed through the air and shook the ground beneath my feet. There was an enormous storm brewing, and the bottom of the sky was getting ready to fall out and trample the earth below with thick, heavy rains. If I were going to make it to my underground storage unit and back in time before Mother Nature let it rip, then I'd have to hurry.
Right as I crossed one of the asphalt trails marked for tourists, I spotted something brightly colored sitting on a park bench. Against better judgment, I walked up to the bench and picked up the item. It looked like some kind of sack or purse—something that someone would wrap around their waist. Tourists always left things behind, so this didn't surprise me. Whoever this belonged to, they were now long gone. There wasn't a chance in hell that anyone was still out here with the storm coming. Anyone lingering around despite the bad weather that was coming had to be a damn fool.
I chuckled under my breath. “Yeah, like me.”
Curious by nature, I inspected the small sack. It was pink with a black rose patch sewed into the front of it. On the back, there was another sewed on patch of the letter A. Despite the tiny size—it was heavy. I wasn’t surprised by that either. It also smelled like it belonged to a woman, and just about every man knew that women liked to carry a shitload of things with them. The sack was probably filled with makeup and beauty items. I could already smell the sweet scent of perfume on the fabric.
Wife for the Lumberjack: A Single Dad Mountain Man Romance Page 16
