His Curvy Secret (Security Guards of Appleridge #3)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Mila

Snow fell hard from the thick clouds in the sky as I steered my tiny car onto my brother’s street. His log cabin was at the end of the road and tucked far back, with lots of trees surrounding it.

I’d only seen pictures of Julian’s place from what he’s sent me, but wow, the images didn’t do the place any sort of justice. In person, his cabin looked a lot bigger and his driveway felt a mile long.

As I somehow managed to plow my car through the snowy driveway, I pulled up to find two large trucks parked. I knew Julian owned at least one, but I doubted both were his. Guess I’d find out in a few minutes.

Looks like I’ll be drowning in testosterone.

I parked my car and killed the engine before grabbing my tote bag. Snow blasted inside when I opened my door and I laughed as I brushed myself off. As cold as it was, who could hate the snow when it was so pretty? Besides I needed laughter. Laughter was good. Laughter kept me surviving.

When my jerk of a boyfriend decided to cheat on me, I had no choice but to ask my brother for help. I couldn’t afford a place on my own in the city even with my job as a waitress.

I left it all behind and here I was. In a small town I didn’t know, with no clue what I’d do for work. But my brother Julian always came through. A loyal, protective older brother since I was little, he never failed to be there for me, especially since we were raised by our single mom.

“Mila? Is that you?” I heard Julian’s voice and squinted as snow blew in every direction.

“Did you have to choose the most remote cabin in this small town?” I teased as he came up next to me and pulled me in for a hug.

“Yep. It’s private and peaceful. I missed you, Mi! I’ll grab your things. Head on up, I’ll be right behind you.”

“Okay.” I opened the rear door of my car, showing him the few suitcases and belongings I brought with me. Then I hurried up the path to his cabin, thankful it was well lit and well shoveled.

The front door was cracked open and I figured Julian left it for me, so without thinking I pushed it open and barreled through only to crash hard into something, or someone.

A very muscular someone.

“Whoa! I’m sorry!” A deep voice said as my purse went flying, my lip glosses, tampons, and hair brush scattering across the floor.

I froze in place as I pushed my hair out of my face and straightened my back, feeling as if the wind was knocked right out of me. I didn’t even look at my belongings strewn all over the place.

Instead, I couldn’t stop staring at him.

The very someone I just collided with, all muscle and brawn, and holy shit!

Whoever this beast of a man was, he was sexy as fuck.

Before either one of us could say a word, my brother trotted through the door at high speed, his arms full. “Shit, what happened here? Mila, Rowan, I see you two met each other?” Julian looked between the two of us and my stuff on the floor but again, silence.

“Hi,” I waved with a sheepish grin and darted around his large frame while only glancing at my brother before picking up my things and tossing them back in bag.

Of course the tampons came rolling out…

“I’ll take your things upstairs to your room. Rowan, care to show my sis around?” Julian asked. He didn’t wait for an answer before he disappeared up the staircase.

I quickly finished gathering my crap and when I stood up, Rowan had moved closer and was now all up in my space.

“Mila, is it?” Rowan ran one hand through his beard while his eyes locked on mine. The intense heat I found in them set my blood on fire.

No. NO! You will not be tempted by men and their tricks.

“Yep, that’s me.” I smiled but inside I felt like an idiot. I couldn’t think of anything more clever to say?

“Julian didn’t mention his sister is gorgeous.”

A loud laugh erupted from my throat and I clamped a hand over my mouth. “Uh, are we surprised? He gets mad when a guy dares to even look at me.”

“I’m looking at you.” Rowan said.

Silence fell between us as we stared at each other.

My brain turned into scrambled eggs as I tried to make sense of my thoughts. But his sexiness, his intense stare, his challenging statement…fuck what the hell was happening?

I’d never felt this way around a guy before and I wasn’t sure how to handle it. “Okay then…how about showing me where the kitchen is? I’m hoping my brother has something decent to drink out here in the boonies.”

Rowan laughed and the sound did strange things to my insides. “It’s just through here, but I doubt he has anything besides beer.”

I let him pass me and followed behind, my eyes dropping down to his sexy ass in those tight jeans of his. “Typical. Sometimes there’s a secret stash of vodka in his freezer.”

“Are you always this entertaining?”

“Ha! Julian would say no but I like to think I am.” I grinned as I took a look around the large kitchen. My brother seemed to do pretty well for himself, and even the decor wasn’t half bad.

I peeked in the fridge and saw a bottle of my favorite wine. “Aw he does love me!” I said as I pulled it out.

“He said you might say that. Here, let me pour you a glass and I’ll finish showing you around.” Rowan said just as Julian strolled into the kitchen.

“Drinks first? I like how you think, Mi.” My brother said as he grabbed a beer for him and Rowan. “My best buddy from the military here can be a bad influence when it comes to drinking, so watch out.”

Rowan’s head snapped up and he shot Julian a dirty look. “I think your sister knows the truth.”

“I do. Julian’s the bad influence.” I grinned before I took a sip of my wine.

“Wow, sis. I welcome you into my home and this is what I get?”

Rowan laughed. “She’s great. Someone else to gang up on Julian with? Count me in.”

“Hey there, watch it.” Julian warned though there was a playful tone underneath, I knew he meant business. “Mila is off limits to all of you clowns around here. Besides, she’s sworn off men.”

I rolled my eyes directly at Julian. “Relax. I can speak for myself. And I haven’t sworn off men. Just taking a break.”

“A permanent one. I’ll be damned if anyone around here thinks they can take advantage, hurt you, whatever.”

I could feel both of them watching me and suddenly, the room felt suffocating. “So are you guys gonna show me around or what?”

Julian nodded. “Yeah, let’s go.” He walked out of the room first and I followed but I didn’t make it far before I felt a large hand wrap around my arm and pull me backwards.

A loud gasp nearly escaped my lips but I managed to push it down in time.

Rowan’s head dipped lower and when his lips brushed against my ear, a shiver ran down my spine. “Your brother might say your off limits, but little does he know, I don’t care. I take what I want. And what I want is you.