Burning Mountains (Wind River Mountain Men #1)

Chapter 3

3

ZOE

I woke with a start, my heart racing. For a moment, panic gripped me. Then it all came flooding back - the storm, the falling tree, and Axel . My rugged mountain man savior, who looked like he'd stepped straight out of a lumberjack calendar.

Sunlight streamed through the cabin windows. I stretched, feeling the soft flannel of Axel's shirt against my skin. A blush crept up my cheeks as I remembered our almost-kiss the night before. What had I been thinking?

I padded out of the bedroom, running a hand through my tangled hair. I probably looked like I'd been electrocuted, but hey, that's the authentic mountain experience, right?

The smell of coffee and bacon hit me, making my stomach growl. Axel stood at the stove, his broad back to me, humming softly as he cooked. It was like watching a lumberjack version of Gordon Ramsay , minus the swearing.

" Morning ," I said, my voice still rough with sleep.

He turned, and I swear my heart did a gymnastic routine that would make Simone Biles jealous. His hair was tousled, his jaw covered in sexy stubble, and his eyes... God , those eyes. They crinkled at the corners as he smiled at me.

" Mornin ', city girl," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. " Sleep well? No nightmares about killer trees?"

I nodded, trying to ignore the way my body reacted to his presence. It was like every hormone in my body was doing the Macarena . " Like a log. Your bed is surprisingly comfortable. What's your secret? Bear pelts?"

He chuckled, turning back to the stove. " We're not complete savages up here, you know. We've discovered this newfangled thing called 'memory foam'. Revolutionary stuff."

I moved closer, peering around him at the sizzling pan. " Smells amazing. I didn't peg you for a chef. What's next, are you secretly a classically trained ballet dancer too?"

" There's a lot you don't know about me," he said, his voice low and husky. " I contain multitudes. And a mean pirouette."

Our eyes met, and for a moment, the air between us crackled. I cleared my throat, breaking the spell. " So , um, any luck with the phones? I really need to contact the lodge and my office. They must be worried sick."

Axel's expression turned apologetic. " Sorry , darlin'. The storm knocked out the lines, and cell service is spotty. It might be a day or two before we can get through."

Panic bubbled up in my chest. " A day or two? But I have meetings scheduled! The whole reason I came out here was to secure Wind River Mountain Lodge as a venue. If I miss this opportunity, I'll be planning bat mitzvahs in Jersey for the rest of my life!"

" Hey , hey," Axel said softly, turning to face me fully. He placed his hands on my shoulders, and I felt some of the tension leave my body at his touch. " It's gonna be okay. These things happen up here. The lodge folks will understand. They're probably too busy to notice you're not there yet."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. " But my boss won't. This could make or break my career, Axel . I'll be the laughingstock of the wedding planning world!"

He studied me for a moment, his blue eyes intense. Then , a slow smile spread across his face. " I've got an idea. How about I take you on a little adventure today? Something to take your mind off all this stress. I promise it doesn't involve wrestling any local wildlife."

I raised an eyebrow, my interest piqued. " An adventure? What did you have in mind? Please tell me it's not some weird mountain ritual involving peyote and spirit quests."

" There's a place I know," he said, a hint of excitement in his voice. " A hidden lake, high up in the mountains. Most folks around here don't even know it exists. It's like a little slice of paradise."

The idea was tempting. A secret mountain lake? But the responsible part of me balked. " I don't know, Axel . I should really be trying to find a way to contact someone... "

" Come on," he urged, his hands still on my shoulders. " I'll pack us a picnic. We'll hike up there, have lunch, and I promise you'll forget all about your worries for a while. Then we'll come back and figure out how to get you to that meeting."

I bit my lip, considering. It was irresponsible, unprofessional even. But looking into Axel's eyes, seeing the warmth and excitement there, I found myself nodding. " Okay . Deal . But if we get eaten by a bear, I'm blaming you in my ghostly afterlife."

His grin was infectious. " That's my girl. Now , let's get some breakfast in you. You're gonna need your strength for the hike. These mountains don't climb themselves, you know."

An hour later, we set off into the wilderness. Axel had lent me some of his sister's hiking boots and a flannel shirt, which I'd knotted at the waist over a tank top.

The hike was challenging, to say the least. I considered myself in decent shape, but this was on another level. It was like The Oregon Trail , but with fewer dysentery deaths and more sexual tension. Axel , of course, moved through the terrain, effortlessly scaling rocky inclines and hopping over fallen logs.

" You doing okay back there, city girl?" he called over his shoulder, a teasing lilt to his voice. " Need me to carry you?"

I puffed, blowing a strand of hair out of my face. I probably looked like a tomato with legs. " Just ... peachy," I managed between breaths.

He chuckled, dropping back to walk beside me. " Here ," he said, offering his hand. " Let me help you over this next bit. It's a little tricky."

I took his hand, trying to ignore the spark that shot through me at his touch. His palm was rough and calloused, but his grip was gentle as he guided me over a particularly treacherous stretch of loose rocks. It was like being led by a very attractive, outdoorsy Prince Charming .

" Thanks ," I said, once we were on more stable ground. But he didn't let go of my hand, and I found I didn't want him to. It was like my hand had found its soulmate, and who was I to break up true love?

We walked in companionable silence for a while, our joined hands swinging between us. The forest around us was alive with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves. The air was crisp and clean, filling my lungs in a way the Denver smog never could. It was like Mother Nature's own oxygen bar.

" So ," Axel said after a while, "tell me more about this wedding planning gig of yours. How'd you get into that? Childhood dream of being surrounded by tulle and crying bridesmaids?"

I laughed. " Would you believe it started with origami?"

He raised an eyebrow. " Origami ? Like , paper folding?"

I nodded, grinning. " I was obsessed with it as a kid. I'd make these elaborate decorations for every family event. When my cousin got married, I offered to do all the paper decorations for her wedding. It was a hit, and suddenly everyone was asking me to help with their weddings."

" Huh ," Axel said, sounding genuinely impressed. " Never would've pegged you for an origami master. What other hidden talents are you hiding? Extreme ironing? Competitive dog grooming?"

" There's a lot you don't know about me," I said, echoing his words from earlier. " I'm like an onion. Layers , you know?"

He grinned, squeezing my hand. " I look forward to peeling them all back. In a totally non-creepy, non-serial killer way, of course."

The trail suddenly opened up, and I gasped. Before us lay the most beautiful lake I'd ever seen. Crystal clear water reflected the surrounding mountains like a mirror, the surface broken only by the occasional jump of a fish. Wildflowers in every color dotted the shoreline, and a small waterfall tumbled down the rocks at the far end. It was like someone had taken every desktop background ever and mashed them into one super-scene.

" Axel ," I breathed, "this is... incredible."

He beamed with pride. " Told you it was worth the hike. Come on, let's set up our picnic."

We found a perfect spot near the water's edge, and Axel spread out a blanket. From his backpack, he produced an array of gourmet sandwiches, fresh fruit, and even a bottle of wine.

" Wow ," I said, genuinely impressed. " You really went all out. What , no chocolate fountain?"

He shrugged, but I could see the pleased look in his eyes. " Figured you deserved something special after the ordeal you've been through. Plus , I left my chocolate fountain at my other secret mountain lake. Rookie mistake."

We ate and talked, our conversation flowing as freely as the mountain stream nearby. Axel told me about his work as a wildlife biologist, his eyes lighting up as he described tracking wolf packs through the mountains. I found myself hanging on his every word, captivated by his passion. It was like watching Animal Planet , but with a much hotter narrator.

After we'd eaten our fill, Axel stood up, offering me his hand. " Come on, I want to show you something. And no, it's not my collection of pinecone art. That's for the third date."

I laughed, taking his hand and allowing him to pull me up. " Oh , be still my beating heart. How ever will I contain my excitement until then?" I quipped. Despite my teasing, I felt a little thrill at the implication of future dates.

He led me to the water's edge, where smooth, flat stones lined the shore. Picking one up, he demonstrated how to skip it across the surface of the lake. The stone bounced five times before sinking.

" Your turn," he said, handing me a stone. " Try not to take out any innocent fish."

I took it, trying to mimic his stance. My first attempt plopped unceremoniously into the water, creating a splash worthy of aminiature Shamu . Axel laughed, but it was a warm sound, free of mockery.

" Here , let me show you," he said, moving behind me. His arms encircled me, his hands guiding mine. " It's all in the wrist," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. " Like you're trying to swat a very persistent fly."

With his help, my next throw skipped three times. I squealed with delight, turning to face him. " I did it! I'm basically a stone-skipping Olympian now, right?"

" You're a natural," he said softly, his eyes locked on mine. We were so close, I could feel the heat radiating from his body. My breath caught in my throat. The world around us seemed to fade away, leaving only us in this perfect moment. I could see every fleck of color in his intense eyes, count every eyelash if I wanted to. I found myself leaning in unconsciously.

The moment was broken by a splash of cold water hitting my face. Axel grinned mischievously, already backing away. " Oops . Must've been a rogue wave. You know how dangerous these mountain lakes can be."

" Oh , it is on," I growled, chasing him into the shallows. " You're going down, Mountain Man !"

We splashed and laughed like children, the cool water a welcome relief after our hike. As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, we made our way back to the blanket, both of us soaked but grinning.

Axel wrapped a towel around my shoulders, his hands lingering for a moment. " You know," he said, his voice low, "you're nothing like I expected, Zoe Mitchell . You're like a wildflower blooming in a field of pine trees."

I looked up at him, my heart pounding. " Is that a good thing? Or are you more of a sturdy oak type?"

He nodded, reaching out to tuck a strand of wet hair behind my ear. " A very good thing. I think I might be developing a fondness for wildflowers."

We sat side by side, watching the sun paint the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks. It was like Bob Ross had gone wild with his happy little clouds. The beauty of it all suddenly overwhelmed me, and I felt tears prick at my eyes.

" Hey ," Axel said softly, noticing my change in mood. " What's wrong?"

I shook my head, trying to find the words. " It's just... all of this. It's so beautiful, so perfect. And I think about how I'm supposed to be at the lodge right now, schmoozing clients and securing contracts. What if I've ruined everything? What if I go back and find out they've replaced me with a wedding-planning AI ?"

Axel was quiet for a moment, his arm around my shoulders. " Zoe ," he finally said, " I promise you, we'll get you to that lodge. And when we do, you're gonna blow them away with your ideas. But right now, in this moment, you're exactly where you're supposed to be. Unless you believe in parallel universes, in which case there's probably a version of you giving a kickass presentation right now. And another one who's a pirate. Just saying."

I looked up at him, struck by the certainty in his voice. His eyes were intense, filled with something that made my breath catch. Slowly , giving me every chance to pull away, he leaned in.

When his lips met mine, it was like a wildfire igniting. All the tension, all the attraction that had been building since the moment we met, exploded into this kiss. It was hotter than a jalapeno wrapped in bacon and deep-fried in magma. His hand cupped my face, thumb stroking my cheek as he deepened the kiss. I melted into him, my fingers tangling in his hair. If this was a dream, I was going to hunt down anyone who tried to wake me up.

The rough stubble of his beard brushed against my skin. His scent - a heady mix of pine, leather, and something uniquely Axel - enveloped me, making my head spin. I could taste the hint of coffee on his lips, mingling with the sweetness of the mountain air. It was like the best cappuccino ever, but with more tongue.

My heart raced, pounding so hard I was sure he could feel it against his chest. Every nerve ending in my body seemed to come alive, hyper-aware of every point where we touched. The warmth of his body seeped into mine, chasing away the mountain chill and replacing it with a heat that threatened to consume me. It was like being wrapped in the world's sexiest electric blanket.

It was earth-shattering, mind-blowing, every cliché I'd ever read about in romance novels. When we finally broke apart, both of us breathing heavily, I felt like my whole world had shifted on its axis. My legs trembled, and I gripped his shoulders to steady myself, feeling the solid strength of his muscles beneath my fingers. If this was what kissing Axel did to me, actual sex might kill me. But what a way to go!

I looked up into his eyes, seeing them dark with desire, a mirror of the hunger I felt coursing through my own body. My lips tingled, already missing the pressure of his kiss. A small whimper escaped me, and I watched as Axel's pupils dilated further at the sound.

" Zoe ," he breathed, his voice husky and low, sending another wave of heat through me. His hand moved to the small of my back, pulling me closer, and I could feel every hard plane of his body against mine. The realization of how perfectly we fit together made my breath catch in my throat.

In that moment, surrounded by the majestic beauty of the mountains but lost in the depths of Axel's gaze, I knew with startling clarity that nothing would ever be the same again. This kiss, this man, had irrevocably changed me, awakening parts of myself I never knew existed. It was like I'd been living in black and white, and Axel had suddenly introduced me to Technicolor .

" Wow ," I whispered, my forehead resting against his. " Is that what they mean by 'getting high in the mountains'? Because if so, I think I'm addicted."

Axel chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. " Yeah . Wow . I think we just redefined 'natural high'."

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the mountains, reality began to creep back in. What was I doing? I barely knew this man. I had a life, a career in Denver . This wasn't part of the plan. My five-year plan, my vision board, and my color-coded life calendar were all screaming in unison.

I pulled back slightly, confusion and conflict warring inside me. Axel seemed to sense my turmoil, his hand gently squeezing mine.

" Hey ," he said softly, "we should probably head back before it gets too dark. I don't fancy explaining to search and rescue how we got lost playing tonsil hockey."

I nodded, grateful for the reprieve. As we packed up our picnic and began the hike back to the cabin, my mind raced. What did this mean? What was I going to do? Was I really considering throwing away my carefully constructed life for a man I'd just met?

" You're thinking so loud, I can practically hear the gears grinding," Axel said, breaking into my internal panic spiral. " Want to share with the class? Or should I just assume you're planning your escape route? I promise I'm not actually a secret axe murderer, despite the name."

I laughed, the sound a bit hysterical even to my own ears. " Just having a minor existential crisis, no big deal. You know, the usual 'city girl meets mountain man, has mind-blowing kiss, questions entire life choices' dilemma. I'm pretty sure there's a Lifetime movie about this exact scenario."

Axel stopped, turning to face me. His expression was serious, but there was a twinkle in his eye that made my heart do a little flip. " Look , Zoe , I know this is crazy. We barely know each other, and you've got a whole life waiting for you back in Denver . But I can't deny there's something here." He gestured between us. " Something that feels more real than anything I've experienced in a long time. And I'm not just talking about the life-threatening situations we shared."

I snorted, remembering the falling tree and our near-miss with hypothermia. " Nothing says romance like narrowly avoiding death, right?"

" Exactly ," he grinned. " But seriously, I'm not asking you to uproot your entire life. I'm just asking for a chance. A chance to see where this could go. Who knows? Maybe you'll decide I'm just a sexy distraction and you'll run screaming back to civilization. Or maybe..."

" Maybe what?" I prompted, my heart in my throat.

" Maybe you'll realize that sometimes the best things in life are the ones we don't plan for. The ones that come out of nowhere and knock us on our ass. Or in your case, nearly crush us with a tree."

I laughed. " You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"

" Not a chance," he winked. " It's not every day a beautiful woman literally falls into my life."

As we resumed our hike, hand in hand, I felt something settle in my chest. The panic was still there, but it was muted now, overshadowed by a growing sense of excitement. Maybe Axel was right. Maybe the best things in life were the unplanned ones.

And really, what was the worst that could happen? Okay , bear attack. Or falling off a cliff. Or dying of embarrassment when I inevitably did something citified and stupid. But aside from those things, what did I have to lose?

As the lights of Axel's cabin came into view, I made a decision. I , Zoe Mitchell , control freak extraordinaire and queen of the five-year plan, was going to take a leap of faith. I was going to see where this thing with Axel could go.

And if it all went horribly wrong? Well , at least I'd have one hell of a story for my next wedding planning gig. " Gather 'round, bridesmaids, and let me tell you about the time I almost gave up everything for a man who could start a fire with his bare hands and probably wrestle a bear."

Yeah , this was going to be interesting. Terrifying , exhilarating, and probably a little bit insane. But interesting. And really, isn't that what life should be?

As we stepped onto the porch of the cabin, I turned to Axel . " So , what's next on the agenda? Bear wrestling? Moose whispering? Extreme pine cone collecting?"

He laughed, pulling me close. " How about we start with dinner? I make a mean squirrel stew."

Seeing the horror on my face, he burst out laughing. " I'm kidding! God , your face. Come on, city girl, let's see what we can whip up. And maybe after dinner, we can have a nice, long talk about where we go from here. Preferably with minimal panic attacks and maximum making out."

" Deal ," I grinned, following him into the cabin. As the door closed behind us, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was closing the door on my old life and stepping into something new. Something wild, unpredictable, and potentially amazing.

Watch out, Wind River Mountain Lodge . Zoe Mitchell was about to take this place by storm. Assuming , of course, I didn't trip over my own hiking boots first.