Yes, it seemed as though a move was on the horizon. He just had to find the strength to drag himself away.
Chapter Three – Chloe
So cold now that her teeth permanently chattered, she tried to curl up into a ball, tucking her hands under her clothes. Anything to get some warmth back into her throbbing hands, but at least if they were frozen, they wouldn’t hurt so much. Chloe lay with her eyes open, watching the stars come out one by one above her head and wondered what had happened to her quiet, ordered life of yesterday.
In one fateful, unexpected visit to Jerry’s apartment, her world had come crashing down, in the same way she had crashed down the mountainside. But how could things be so bad when the sky was so beautiful? Behind the mountain, the moon put in its first appearance, cresting the peaks to slide across the sky. Slowly, she felt her strength evaporating and knew that tomorrow, if she made it to tomorrow, was going to be even more difficult than today.
But she would get through it. If she wasn’t eaten alive!
She lifted her head; in the distance, she heard a bear, its sorrowful cry echoing around the mountains. Now that was going to be a problem. Sitting up, she looked around, but she already knew there was no place of safety up here. She was too exposed, and it was much too dangerous to try to move from here. No, there was nothing else for it: she had to sit out the night and hope the bear went off in a different direction.
Bears, as far as she knew, were relatively rare even up here, seldom seen—and certainly, bear attacks on people were unheard of in Bear Bluff. Great: she might be the first. Well, at least her father would get some publicity from it. She might actually be worth more to him dead, chewed up by a bear, than alive, minus a fiancé.
The call sounded nearer, or was that just her imagination? She hunkered down, trying to disappear into the night as she crouched low, not even daring to look up and more scared than she had ever been in her life. This put the whole episode with Jerry into perspective. She could live without him. She would live without him.
She just wanted to live.
The roar came again, but the pitch had changed: it no longer sounded like a pitiful call to the lonely night. Now it sounded more hopeful.
Probably because it can scent its next meal, she thought. Frantically, figuring it was worth one last try, she looked around, searching for an escape route. But the light of the moon wasn’t enough for her to be able to see anything by. Then her heart stopped beating. The bear was close. How the hell had it got here so fast? Or was there more than one?
Keeping very still, she listened, her breath caught in her throat as she waited for whatever was to come. A small cry tried to escape, but she swallowed it down, just as the first small avalanche of stones tumbled down the slope above, the same slope she had slid down only an hour ago. Something was on her trail.
Closing her eyes, she tried to blank out her terror. All she could do was stay silent and hope that the thing would slip down the slope. Even better, it might fall over the sheer rock face, to its ultimate doom. But the small stones continued to trickle down, and now there was the definite sound of an animal, a bear, snuffling around only feet away from her.
Then it began moving away.
Still not daring to let out her breath, she screwed her eyes up, the beat of her heart so loud in her ears she though the bear must surely hear it and return. But slowly, the silence closed back in around her and she began to feel safe. Or as safe as she could ever feel when she was so exposed on the side of a mountain.
When she was finally satisfied the creature had gone, she carefully opened her pack and chewed on the last of the food she had brought with her, washing it down with two mouthfuls of water. She knew that tomorrow she had to get out of here or the mountain would be her doom. With this in mind, she needed sleep, and although she thought it would be impossible, the cold soon seeped into her bones and she closed her eyes and shut out the world.
A dream came to her. A man: his voice deep, sexy, and concerned. It was so close to her, she could feel his breath on her ear; he whispered comforting words to her, and she murmured something in return. Then she was being lifted, leaning against his chest as he carried her, the warmth of his body spreading fire through her veins, where before there had been only ice.
Deeper she snuggled against him, wanting his whole body to wrap around her like a warm comforter. If this was a dream, she wanted to stay here for the rest of the night. Tomorrow would be the time for worry and pain. Right now, she was safe and warm. She didn’t want to go back to the dark, cold mountain. Yet something in her told her she had to go back. Wasn’t that what you were supposed to do, when you were hypothermic, stay awake?
She fought the darkness, slowly coming to. But then she began to realise she was awake, or at least half-awake, and that she was no longer on the cold side of the mountain. At least she was, but now she was moving up the mountain, in the strong arms of … what?
A moment of panic covered her. Some creature had got hold of her and was making off with her. Fighting to gain control of her body, she began to struggle.
“Let go. Put me down.” She placed her hands on his chest and tried to push herself away, but his arms closed in around her.
“Shh, lie still. I won’t hurt you.” That deep masculine voice once more, strong, reassuring. Safe.
“Who are you? Where are you taking me?” she asked, finding the hard chest beneath her hands immovable.
“Somewhere safe and warm.” His hands pressed against her flesh, igniting a flame of desire.
I already feel safe and warm, she thought. Great, she must be delirious too. Now she had feelings for this man who was carrying her off, to who knew where. Yet she had to admit, wherever he took her, whatever he did to her—she swallowed that thought down—had to be better than lying on an exposed mountainside with a bear on the prowl.
“The bear,” she said, “Has it gone?”
“Yes,” he said, after a moment of hesitation. “For now it’s gone. You’ll be safe once we reach my cabin. Just lie quietly. You’re so cold.”
“I’m feeling better now.” Now you are here, she wanted to add, but kept her mouth shut. This day was becoming more and more surreal by the moment. How was it even possible to go through such a huge range of emotions in such a short space of time?
“My cabin is warm, and I’ll get you some stew. You’ll be feeling better in no time. Then you can get back home.”
“I hurt my ankle,” she said. She was worried he was going to try to get rid of her at first light, knowing she wouldn’t be able to walk back down the mountainside on her own. But it was too much to ask a complete stranger to help her, or go out of his way for her. She expected all he wanted to do was return to his quiet life. She was nothing more than an inconvenience; she could tell from the tone of his voice. He just wanted her gone.
“I’ll take a look at it once we get inside. I can strap it up, that should stop it hurting.”
“Thank you,” she said, wondering if his arms were aching from carrying her. She wasn’t exactly light, and the terrain was rugged. His breathing was starting to become heavier, and his pace slowed. But then when she looked over his shoulder, she could tell they were on a particularly steep slope. Her arms wrapped around him even tighter, and if she didn’t know better, she would have sworn he groaned, deep in his chest, as she pressed her body against his.
“Nearly there,” he said, and they crossed an open part of the mountain before going into a wooded area. The trees grew thicker, the night darker, but she was no longer afraid. She trusted him; on some level, she could tell that he was trying to help her. As her fears melted away, she began to enjoy the cool night air, fragrant with the scent of pine needles and damp earth. The smell of wood smoke told her they were getting near his cabin, and she relaxed more and more.
Then he was on the porch of a small, sturdy cabin, the moon reflecting down on the windows through a gap in the trees. She couldn’t see much else, but he paused, his han
d reaching for the door handle and then they were going inside. The change in temperature was immediate, the light from a small lamp so bright, it took her a minute to become accustomed to it.
When she did, she looked around, seeing a small, cosy room, with a fire burning in a big inglenook; in front of it, a shabby but comfortable sofa welcomed her. This is where he carried her and placed her down carefully, as if he thought she would break.
“Thank you,” she said, looking up into his face for the first time, shocked at his handsome, rugged features. He was one mountain man she would love to be stranded with. But after she was safely ensconced on the sofa, he moved quickly away and she knew he would never like a woman like her.
They were complete opposites, and so she covered her emotions, telling herself she must just be on the rebound from Jerry.
Chapter Four – Nate
The scent of her drove his cock wild. He only hoped she didn’t feel it pressed against her when he held her in his arms, or else she would think he was some kind of sex pervert. There was no way he could tell her it was only for her. Because she was his mate.
How crazy would that sound? Yes. I know you’re engaged, but we’re supposed to be together forever. So forget about the man you want to marry and stay here with me for the rest of your life.
Having seen the house where she lived, one of those big mansions in its own grounds over on the far outskirts of Bear Bluff, he had known she would never love a man like him. Regardless of whether she was promised to another man or not. It would have been different if she was a bear shifter like him, but as far as he could tell, she was an ordinary human. Scrap that, she was his luscious, curvy human.
Damn, he wanted to carry her off to bed right now and claim her. But when she looked at his face and turned away, he knew unless he forced himself on her, which he couldn’t do, because part of the bond meant he couldn’t hurt her in any way, then she was lost to him.
She moved, and a small cry slipped from her mouth. His heart wrenched in agony. Her hands were covered in cuts, and she sat with her ankle in an awkward position. Time to sweep away his feelings and do his job: protect her and nurture her.
“Where does it hurt?” he asked, going down on one knee in front of her. Anyone would think he was about to propose.
“All over,” she laughed, but then her face creased in pain. “My hands are the worst, and my ankle. I don’t think it’s broken, but it really hurts.”
He braced himself, knowing that this first contact between them was going to be incredibly hard to control. Nate might not have experienced it before, but he had seen it enough times, and heard stories from his father about what it was like to touch your mate for the first time.
With only his fingertips at first, afraid what would happen if he placed his whole hand on her skin, he lifted the hem of her jeans, and then began to unlace her boots. His hands were shaking, unsteady, but he quickly removed her hiking boot and then her sock. As he moved, his fingertips brushed her skin. A shock of electricity, so strong he thought she must feel it too, coursed through him.
Looking up, he saw her eyes widen, and her throat move as she swallowed down her confusion. But she didn’t say a word, only placed her hands in her lap and began to fiddle with her engagement ring, twisting it around and around her finger. That told Nate all he needed to know.
Calm now, he blocked out the way she made him feel and concentrated on helping his injured mate. If that was all he would ever be able to do, then he wanted to make sure he did it properly. Even if it meant he was helping her so that she could walk down the aisle on the arm of another man.
Chapter Five – Chloe
Chloe watched his hands as he worked, mesmerised by the touch of his fingers on her skin. Deep feelings of arousal began to spread out, through her veins, igniting her nerve endings. How could he make her feel so aroused? As if she wanted to give herself to him, right now, in his small cabin.
In all the time she had been with Jerry, he never made her feel like this. But then he had never touched her so intimately as this man was. His fingertips caressed her skin, although she could tell he was trying to be careful with her, not touch her too much. She guessed that the sensations filling her body were completely one-sided. And she felt stupid and foolish, like a little girl next to this grown man.
“I don’t think there’s anything broken,” he said, looking up at her with soft brown eyes.
“Good. That would make it difficult to walk back down,” she said, knowing he would want to be rid of her quickly. A solitary man such as this wouldn’t want a woman littering the place up.
“I’ll get a poultice. It might smell a bit, but it will draw out the swelling and bruising.” He stood up and she felt the loss of his touch strongly.
“Thank you,” she said. “By the way, I’m Chloe. Chloe Turnstall.”
“Nice to meet you, Chloe. My name is Nate.” He stared at her, making her stomach do back flips.
“I can’t tell you how thankful I am to you. There was a moment when I thought I was going to be eaten by the creature that’s out there. I never knew bears would bother a human.”
“Some bears are just inquisitive. He wouldn’t have hurt you.”
“You make it sound like bears are friendly.”
“Some are. Depends on their nature.”
“I see. Anyway, thank you again. I’m sure my father would offer you some kind of payment in thanks.” Or maybe not. He might have been happier to get rid of her, but she knew deep down that wasn’t true. Her relationship with her father was more complicated than that. He had been so hurt when her mom died, so deeply haunted, that he had coped in a way that had pushed Chloe out, at a time she needed him the most.
His face clouded, “I don’t want payment. Not for this.” His voice held a tinge of anger, and she wondered what she had done to upset him. Maybe she had hurt his pride.
“I’m sorry, I guess I sometimes struggle to think that anyone would do anything for me without it being for money.” She smiled weakly. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
His face softened. “You didn’t. But I don’t need your money. Your thanks is enough. Now I’m going to get that poultice.”
Nate left the room, giving her a chance to take in her surroundings. It was a small room, but cosy just the same, inviting and warm. Staring at the fire, she thought how wonderful it would be to live in a place like this, with no real responsibilities. Nothing but the need for food and warmth. And Nate.
Pushing that away, she concentrated on the cabin again. The furniture was all carved from wood. Chloe imagined he had made it all himself; well, what else do you do stuck up here all year round? As she smoothed her hand over the intricate detail of the hand rest on the sofa she lay on, her mind slipped into dream mode. Chloe imagined his strong, capable hands carving out her desire, making it into something he owned, something he moulded.
“Ready?” he asked, coming back into the room with a steaming bowl of water.
She jumped, feeling guilty. “Yes.”
He knelt before her again, lifting her foot so that it rested on his thigh. Those same strong sensations spread out, warming her insides, setting her heart thumping in her chest. Did he feel it too? If he did he kept it hidden, his eyes down, concentrating on her ankle, which already looked bruised and swollen. With the lightest of touch, he wrapped a warm piece of cloth around her ankle, the smell reaching her nose. Herbs of some kind, plants he must gather up here in the mountains and dry, ready for damsels in distress.
“Do you live here alone?” she asked, needing to fill the silence.
“Yes. I’ve lived here for six months. Before I used to use it for hunting, but now I live here full time.”
“Don’t you get lonely?”
His eyes flicked up to hers and held her gaze, searching for something, but then he turned away and she wasn’t sure whether he had found it or not. Instead, he just replied, “It suits my nature.”
“Don’t you like peopl
e?” she asked, knowing she was prying but still needing to know all she could about him.
“It’s not that I don’t like them.” He hesitated, that same look in his eyes. “It’s just sometimes it’s easier to be away from them.”
“I see. And I understand. Especially family. Too many questions, too many expectations.” She touched her engagement ring again, wanting to take it off. But she knew how it would look, as though she were coming on to him, and his every movement, every look, told her he was not interested. So the ring and the lie stayed firmly in place.
“There,” he said, tying the bandage off. “How does that feel?”
She flexed her ankle. “Much better, thank you.”
“Now you should eat and have something warm to drink. Try to relax.”
Oh, I’m very relaxed, she thought. But to him she said, “Are you sure? I hate to be an inconvenience.”
“You aren’t,” he said, and to Chloe, his eyes told her she could never be.
Confusion mixed in with all the other feelings that were swamping her body, One minute he was telling her he wanted to get rid of her as soon as possible, the next his eyes told her of his deep, dark desires. Well, of course. He was a man in his prime, living up here all on his own. So he must experience some kind of sexual frustration. Right?
A whole new thought struck her. Maybe that was what she needed, to get over Jerry, to make her feel wanted, like a desirable woman instead of the doormat she pictured herself as now. Jerry had cheated on her with a pretty, skinny woman, and Chloe needed to wipe that from her memory. Maybe by replacing it with a new, exciting memory, one that involved a certain hunky woodsman.
“I hope you like this,” he said, coming back into the room with a big bowl of stew. “I made it earlier and have just heated it up. And I made coffee.”
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