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When I’d spotted the cabins in the distance, I was so relieved. After tromping through the woods for what felt like forever—but was probably a few hours at most—it had been the first sign of civilization. All I had wanted to do was flop down onto a comfy chair on the back deck of one of the log cabins and beg someone to bring me a drink before asking if I could use their phone.
But when I saw him, my feet felt as though they were anchored to the ground. Another guy was in the yard with the man who was now carrying me, but I hadn’t been even a tiny bit curious about him. My attention was focused on the giant who’d hoisted me over his shoulder…and my unusual reaction to him.
I had never felt the pull of attraction before, but it was instantaneous with him. I’d seen plenty of hot guys, but he put them all to shame as far as I was concerned. He was almost a foot taller than me and at least a hundred pounds heavier. His muscles bulged as he moved, and his brown hair was way overdue for a cut.
Some instinct deep inside told me to run. The thought hadn’t even registered before I had whirled around and took off. It wasn’t until he wrapped his fingers around my wrist and twirled me around that I was able to see that his eyes were deep brown with a feral gleam in them as he gazed down at me. But he only held my gaze for a moment before I was over his shoulder.
Instead of banging my fists against his back and demanding he let me go, I wrapped my arms around his chest as far as I could and pressed my cheek against his back. Holding on to him, I breathed his woodsy scent into my lungs.
It didn’t take long for him to carry me through the wilderness, across several lawns, and into a cabin. As soon as my butt hit the couch cushion, he dropped to his knees in front of me. “How long were you out there? Are you hurt? Is someone hunting you?”
“Hunting me?” I echoed softly, shaking my head as I wondered at his odd choice of wording. “Um, no.”
He stroked his palms down my legs, and goose bumps broke out across my skin in the wake of his touch. “And you’re not hurt anywhere?”
“Nope.” I remembered the scrape of a branch against my calf and leaned over, twisting my leg as I peered down. When I saw a smear of blood, I cringed. “Okay, maybe a tiny bit.”
A muscle jumped in his jaw as he stroked his thumb over my scrape. “I scared you.”
This man had just chased me into the wilderness and dragged me back to his home like a caveman, but there was no mistaking his remorse over the small scratch on my leg. For some strange reason, I found myself giving in to the ridiculous urge to soothe him. “It’s not your fault, big guy. If I had known I would be exploring the woods so much today, I would have changed out of my shorts and into pants when I woke up.”
“You don’t look as though you were out for a hike,” he murmured, getting to his feet to stalk over to the bathroom. I eyed the door and wondered if I could make a break for it, but he quickly returned to my side with a first-aid kit.
Even though it was hot outside, Bess had told me to pack long-sleeved shirts and jeans or joggers. When I’d grumbled about broiling in so many clothes, she’d explained how they would provide added protection against bugs and plants. No matter how right she was, I hadn’t been in any rush to put on a pair of jeans when I woke up this morning. But in my defense, I’d thought there would be plenty of time before I did any serious hiking today…before I realized Sally was jealous enough of me to seriously consider pushing me over a cliff.
“Yeah, well…it wasn’t really a planned one,” I muttered.
“Did you get lost?” He looked up from the bandage and antiseptic wipe he’d pulled out of the kit, a wrinkle popping up in the middle of his brow. “The nearest campsite is almost six miles away. Did you hike all that way by yourself?”
Six miles. Whoa.
“I didn’t think I’d gone that far, but yeah.”
“Never again,” he grumbled, shaking his head.
“Not to worry, this was my first camping trip. It’s also going to be my last. I definitely wasn’t made for roughing it in the wilderness.” If I never saw another hiking trail for the rest of my life, it would be too soon.
“It’ll be different when you’re with me.”
My eyes widened as my head jerked back. “Um, I don’t know anything about you. Not even your name.”
“Keane Vetle.” He held out his free hand, and I gasped at the spark of electricity that jumped between us when I slid my palm against his.
Yanking my hand back, I whispered, “I’m Laina Ash.”
“Laina,” he rasped, his gaze drifting over my face. “Your name is beautiful. It suits you.”
My cheeks filled with heat at the compliment. “I like yours, too.”
“Good.” Holding the antiseptic wipe an inch above the scrape, he vowed, “This will sting a little, but I will never do anything to hurt you.”
His brown eyes gleamed with sincerity, making me feel safe enough to ask the question that had been plaguing me ever since I heard his footsteps behind me. “Then why did you chase me?”
“Because I couldn’t let you get away now that I’ve finally found you.”
Butterflies swirled in my belly at his answer, but I didn’t have time to enjoy them. Although the scratch was shallow, Keane hadn’t been joking about the sting from the antiseptic. My eyes watered as he gently brushed the wipe against my calf. I sniffled when he placed a bandage over the scratch and grunted, “There you go.”
My gaze drifted down, and I finally noticed he was barefoot. “Oh, my goodness! Forget about my little scrape. You don’t have any shoes on. Your feet have to be torn up. What in the world were you thinking?”
