Ezra

by Kate Tilney

  EZRA:

  Camp Mountain Man #4

  by Kate Tilney

  Copyright © 2020 by Kate Tilney

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

  Cover Photos by

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  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter One | Wren

  Ezra

  Chapter Two | Wren

  Ezra

  Chapter Three | Wren

  Ezra

  Chapter Four | Wren

  Chapter Five | Ezra

  Chapter Six | Wren

  Chapter Seven | Ezra

  Epilogue | Wren

  Also by Kate Tilney

  Chapter One

  Wren

  Gaping at the scene in front of me, I can’t decide what’s more awe-inspiring.

  Is it the towering mountains and trees so green they don’t seem real? Or is it my best friend, wrapped around a hulking mountain man who is kissing her like it’s his job.

  Based on the sounds she’s making, he’s good at his job.

  Both views are promising. I was invited here to offer assistance on setting up a side business for the lodge. Something called “Camp Mountain Man.” They want to entice women to this little slice of heaven with the promise of breath-taking scenery and panty-melting bearded men.

  I’ve barely stepped off of the plane and I already feel good about the prospects.

  The pilot, who picked me up at the airport in Anchorage, tosses my bags to the ground. Without a word, he stalks off toward a massive wooden structure.

  That must be the lodge. It certainly is rustic. But, if we’re going to offer a Camp Mountain Man experience, rustic is good. Of course we’ll need to add a few amenities.

  A salon for mani-pedis. Maybe we’ll even offer massages.

  Cooking lessons from the lodge’s chef. Who, based on the scene playing out, has made up with Bea.

  I’m getting ahead of myself. The ladies invited me here for a consultation. I’ve spent the past five years climbing the ropes at one of the largest resort conglomerates in the United States and Mexico. While I’m not here representing my company, strictly speaking, I’m looking forward to sharing my expertise.

  Especially because this is exactly what I’ve been dying to get my hands on for a while. A one-of-a-kind project I can make my own.

  But, first things first. I need to drop my things off in my room. I’ll grab a quick shower. Then, I need a tour and a look at the financials.

  Another flannel-clad man with a muscular frame, and a red beard, strides toward me.

  “We weren’t expecting any guests today.”

  Not the greatest bedside manner, but this stud gets a free pass. These mountain men are seriously hot. Mr Angry Eyes could pass as Prince Harry. If Prince Harry spent six months in the mountains and let his beard fill in a bit more.

  “I’m Wren Kolarik.”

  “Ezra.”

  “It’s great to meet you.” I thrust out my hand.

  His jaw sets and stares at my hand. But his arms remain folded across his chest.

  Okay. Just Ezra. No handshake. And no “welcome.” Instead, he watches me closely. His ice blue eyes pierce me.

  I get the feeling Bea and her co-conspirators sent me a plane ticket a little prematurely.

  “Bea and the girls invited me.”

  His frowns. “Why?”

  Again, what an excellent host? Not. “They asked me to come and consult on Camp Mountain Man.”

  His eyebrows fly up. “You’re shitting me.”

  Okay, not the reaction I was getting. “That's why I’m here.”

  “They must have been drunk when they called you.” His eyes narrow. “Jules has been joking about that since she got here. That’s all.”

  “They bought a domain name.”

  “Anyone can buy a domain name. That doesn’t mean anything.”

  That was true enough. But, sheesh, why would the girls book me a next-day flight from L.A. to Alaska if they weren’t serious.

  “I don’t suppose you’d at least hear me out. I did come all this way.”

  Mountain Man Prince Harry stands there staring at me. I can practically feel his eyes scoping every inch of my body. I’m wishing I would have worn something more flattering than an oversized T-shirt and leggings.

  As his stare reaches my hips, I see it. A flicker of interest. Well, then. Maybe this Mountain Man with only one name likes a woman with curves to spare.

  That’s another point for him. It might even be enough to make up for his rude welcome. Though, if he wasn’t expecting me, I can’t fault him for being annoyed by my presence.

  When Bea finishes making out with her mountain man, I’m going to have to ask her just how much wine she had to drink last night.

  “You can stay the night,” he says at last. “But you should know, my business partner and I aren’t interested in turning this place into a corporate resort.”

  “Who says I would?”

  “I know corporate when I see it.” He leans over to grab my biggest suitcases, and I get a good look at his muscles in action. “I’ll help you carry your things inside.”

  My tummy somersaults. Oh, my. They must put something in the water here. Because this is a damn fine looking hunk of man.

  Ezra

  Like hell she’s here to consult on Camp Mountain Man.

  Noah and I bought this lodge five years ago to get away from the daily grind of the corporate world. And like I said, she’s all corporate. Her boss probably sent her with instructions to report back.

  We need this corporate bullshit like I need another hole in my head.

  I glare at Hank and Bea, who are putting on quite a show. God, it’s catching. First Noah. Then Silas. Now Hank. If I believed in fate, I’d be worried about myself. But I know a man makes his own destiny.

  And this man has no interest in letting a gorgeous babe shake the plans I have for my life.

  Not even if she has dark brown hair so thick and full, I can practically see myself gripping onto it as I bury myself in it. Her full, smooth ass high in the air as I take her from behind.

  My cock presses hard against my jeans.

  Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing to make nice with our new guest. It’s been a while since I got laid. And she’s on the first plane back in the morning. We wouldn’t have to worry about attachments or promises.

  I’m pretty sure she’d be game. I caught the way she was eye-fucking me a moment ago. I’d make sure she was good and satisfied before she boards that plane.

  Wren falls into step beside me.

  “This is a gorgeous place you have. How’s your visitation and booking?”

  I ignore her question and lengthen my stride. She just walks faster.

  “From what the girls told me, you have pretty good occupancy for the summer. Hunters. Fishers. Hikers. How about in the winter?”

  Really, it’s none of her business that we don’t have many people here in the winter.

  When I don’t answer again, Wren sighs.

  “Even if you don’t go for the whole Camp Mountain Man concept—which is freaking genius by the way—I could still give you some pointers.”

  That does it.

&nbs
p; Coming to a sudden stop, I swirl on my heel. Wren smacks into my chest. I drop the luggage and grab her arms to keep her from tumbling over.

  She stares up at me. It’s then I get my first good look at her face. She has lips so full, it makes a man think things. Sexy things. Her eyes are a rich shade of brown. She has a faint sprinkle of freckles on the bridge of her nose. I almost forget myself and trace her cheek to see if her skin feels as smooth as it looks.

  My dick springs to attention again. Clearing my throat, I force a frown.

  “Listen up.” My throat is gruffer than I mean as I fight back the need pulsing through my veins. “I can appreciate that you were brought here under false pretenses. But I won’t have you poking your nose around my business.”

  Even if it is a beautiful nose on a stunning face, and a curvy body I’d like to claim as my own.

  She opens her mouth to speak, but a truck backfires. Gasping she drops her own bags and jumps into my arms.

  I groan as her full tits press against my chest. And I can’t stop myself from moving my hands around her full figure. I glide them up and down her back. I stop myself just short of gripping onto her ass.

  “What was that?” she asks, her grip tightening on my shirt.

  Groaning to myself, I ease back to put some distance between us. I’d hate to scare her even more by letting her feel just how hard she’s made me.

  “Truck backfiring. Silas has been meaning to give it a tune-up. But he’s out of commission right now.”

  “The accident.” She nodded to herself. “The girls told me.”

  “He’ll be okay. But we’re trying to keep him from crawling under vehicles until his ribs are healed.”

  “Let me guess: He’s putting up resistance.”

  I can’t help but chuckle. “Whining like a baby.”

  She grins, and my eyes are once again drawn to those lips. I release my hold on her and take a giant step back.

  “I’ll show you to your room. We’re lucky it looks like Bea will be rooming with Hank. Or you might have to sleep in a broom closet.”

  I’m only half joking. One of us guys would give up our room before we let a lady sleep in a closet.

  But, like I just said, it won’t be a problem. Bea will be moving out of the room that was Violet’s before and Jules’s before that. Come to think of it, the last three occupants of that room have moved out of it and into one of my friends’ beds.

  I wouldn’t mind having this one in my bed. But just for a night. I don’t do more than a night.

  Besides, I don’t believe in fate, just coincidences. And it’s one hell of a coincidence that three out of three women are setting up permanent residence.

  But it stops at three.

  To prove that point to myself, I rush up the stairs at full speed and all but toss her luggage in the room.

  “Ask for Noah if you need anything,” I call out on my way out of the room.

  She stares after me, her mouth half open.

  Half open and looking all too tempting.

  Hell. I’m going to have to jerk myself off in the shower tonight. I know just who I’ll be thinking about.

  Chapter Two

  Wren

  After a fitful night in bed, I’m up and at ‘em later than planned. It’s not my fault thoughts of a certain mountain man kept me up half the night. And it really didn’t help that I kept having sensory flashbacks of how it felt to be pressed against his hard, tight body.

  If given the chance, I would climb Ezra like a tree.

  Heck, I’d been more than a little tempted to put myself out there to let him know I was available and interested.

  Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be. He’d shown me to my room, and then disappeared. Over dinner, Noah and Jules had explained he’d gone to scout out a trail for today’s tour. Silas had mused that after five years of giving tours, he’d be surprised if Ezra came up with anything new.

  Hank and Bea had been too wrapped up in each other to participate much in the conversation.

  Though I’d flirted with a few of the guests, none of them had gotten my engine revving quite the way Ezra had. Still, looking at the kind of men who came here, I had to agree with Jules. They really should let women know about the kind of men who stayed here. I know plenty of women who enjoy hunting and fishing.

  I know even more who’d love to spend a week curled up on a bearskin rug with a bearded man. Even if it was just pretend and just for a week, I guarantee both guests would leave satisfied.

  Once I had a few glasses of wine in me, I may have mentioned some of this to the guys. The more I’d said, the more interested Noah had seemed.

  “You really think it could open up a winter market for us?”

  “Wouldn’t you have gone running for a week of no-strings fun in the mountains back in your corporate days?”

  He’d asked me to extend my stay then and there.

  So this morning I’m armed with a pen, notepad, and a fully charged phone so I can start making notes. I’ve assured the men I have no plans of suggesting they turn this place into a resort like the ones you find in Aspen or Big Bear. But a few touches here or there wouldn’t hurt.

  I’ve just reached the bottom step when I hear a loud shout from one of the offices.

  “You asked her to stay and give a proposal? Are you out of your fucking mind?”

  I hesitate just outside the door. It appears Noah has broken the news to Ezra. He’s taking it as expected.

  “It could be really good money for us.”

  “I thought we left the city to get away from making decisions about money.”

  “We left Wall Street. We didn’t give up on business.” I can hear the exasperation in Noah’s voice. “Look, we’re doing okay now. We’re getting by. But wouldn’t it be nice if we could expand without worrying.”

  “Our finances are just fine.”

  “We’d be in trouble if we had one bad summer.”

  “We won’t have a bad summer.”

  “You never know. Besides, aren’t you getting a little bored spending our winters cooped up in here with nothing to do.”

  Ezra doesn’t say anything, but I can imagine he’s giving Noah the glare of a lifetime. Having been on the receiving end of that glare, Noah has my deepest sympathy.

  “I’m not saying we’re going to move forward with this Camp Mountain Man idea. Couldn’t we at least hear her out? See if it’s something worth pursuing?”

  Again, Ezra doesn’t respond. But in a blink, he’s storming out of the office and freezes when he sees me standing there.

  Something flickers in his eyes. A heat that melts that glacial blue. It sends a shiver down my spine. But not in fear. No, it’s pure lust.

  God, he’s sexy.

  “It sounds like I’ll be your babysitter for the next couple of days.”

  My eyes narrow. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

  “Then what do you call a person who’s been assigned to take care of another, helpless person.”

  “I’m not helpless.”

  He snorts.

  Oh, it is so on. “Want me to prove I can hang with you, Mountain Man.”

  He rolls his eyes. “You women have to stop calling us that.”

  “Why? Isn’t that what you are?”

  His jaw ticks. “You want to prove you’re tough enough for the mountains.”

  Excitement flutters in my belly. “You bet?”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  Ezra

  Standing at the edge of the river, I arch an eyebrow.

  “You want to have a fishing contest?”

  Nodding, Wren reaches into a bucket and pulls out a worm. She baits her hook without so much as a wince.

  “What? Are you scared of a little competition?”

  “Of course not.” Just because the girl can bait her own hook doesn’t mean she knows shit about actually catching a fish. “What are the terms?”

  “Whoever catches the biggest fish in the next thir
ty minutes wins.”

  “What if neither of us catch anything?”

  She arches an eyebrow. “What? Worried fate isn’t on your side today?”

  I roll my eyes. “A man makes his own fate.”

  I grab my own pole and get it prepared. I pretend not to notice the way Wren’s eyes watch me closely. Like I’m performing surgery.

  Still, knowing her eyes are on me, I can’t resist flexing my muscles a little. I bend forward to grab my worm, giving her my backside.

  I hear the gasp catch in her throat and smirk. Good. I’m not going to be the only one walking around with a hard-on.

  Standing back up, I slowly turn to her. “What are the terms of this wager?’

  She stares at me blankly. I bite back a grin as I have to repeat the question twice before it seems to register with her.

  “If I win . . .” She licks her lower lip. My cock twitches like she just ran her tongue over it. “You show me all of the financials and take me on a full tour of the property and park during the next day.”

  I shift in a failed attempt to ease the ache in my pants. “And if I win, you’re on the first plane out tomorrow morning.”

  She thrusts out her hand. “Deal.”

  “Deal.” I envelope her hand with mine. I see the goosebumps pop up on her arm and grin. “May the best man win.”

  “Oh, she will.”

  We release our hold on each other and move aside. Pulling out her phone, she sets a timer. We stand a couple yards apart , each picking our own page. I stretch out my wrist.

  Wren has no idea what she’s gotten herself into. She might be good at this, but she has no idea she’s up against the reigning champ for biggest catch in the lodge.

  It’s a pity she’ll be heading home so soon. I’ll have to make my move on her tonight after all. It had nearly killed me not to go for it last night.

  “Are you ready?” she calls out?

  “Let’s go.”

  She counts down from three. When she says “go”, I cast my first line.

  The next thirty minutes fly by as I pull in a half dozen fish, including one big boy. All the while we shout taunts back and forth.