Page 3 of Curvy Girl for the Mountain Man

Darkness. A throbbing ache in my head. I force my heavy eyelids open and blink against harsh sunlight streaming through curtains. Where am I?

I try to sit up, but a wave of dizziness sends me slumping back against the pillows. A rough blanket scratches my skin.

I take a gulping breath and scan the unfamiliar room—plain wood walls, a fireplace with glowing embers, a small kitchen.

Panic rises in my chest. I don't recognize anything.

Worse, I realize with growing horror, I don't know who I am or how I got here. My mind is terrifyingly blank.

I lick my dry lips and croak out the only thing I remember. "Olivia..."

My name, I think.

Heavy footsteps approach and the door swings open. A large man fills the frame, his rugged face wary beneath a short beard. Piercing blue eyes pin me in place.

"You're awake," he grunts. "About time."

I shrink back. "Who are you? Where am I?" My voice shakes.

He steps closer, looking me over. "Name's Jack. You're at my cabin. I found you passed out in the woods last night."

Woods? Cabin? Nothing sounds familiar. I clutch the blanket tighter. "I don't remember...anything. Except my name. At least, I think it’s my name? Olivia."

Jack frowns. "You hit your head pretty hard seems like. Memory loss, I reckon."

Tears sting my eyes. "Do I know you?"

He sighs heavily, rubbing a hand over his stubbled jaw. "Suppose you'll have to stay here til you recover. Nearest town is miles away. I'll look after you best I can."

I’ll take that as a no.

"You'll take care of me?" I search his stoic face. "Why?"

"Ain't the type to leave someone helpless. It's the right thing to do." He shrugs like it's simple.

"Thank you," I whisper, both grateful and unnerved to be dependent on this stranger. But then I suppose everyone is a stranger to me now.

Jack just nods. "Rest. I'll get you something to eat." He turns to the kitchen.

I burrow under the covers, my mind reeling. No memories, no idea who I am or my life before this moment. Only the reluctant charity of a gruff mountain man.

An admittedly very hot, super buffed-up, ruggedly sexy mountain man.

Who I don’t know, I remind myself.

Fear and confusion swirl inside me. But with no other options, I have no choice but to trust this Jack and pray my memories return soon.

For now, this lonely cabin is my only refuge.

Jack

I watch her, those big doe eyes wide with confusion and fear, buried under my old blanket.

Olivia.

That's all she's got, one damn name. She looks fragile, broken like a bird with clipped wings, but there's something about her—a flicker of fire behind that vulnerability. Makes me want to stand guard over it, keep it alive.

I turn away, busying myself with the task of cooking, though the clank of the pots is louder than necessary. I can't let her see the effect she has on me. It's not right to feel this draw towards a woman in her state.

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