Page 16 of Claimed By 3 Mountain Men

“My brothers and I are still processing our dad’s death. Tensions are high. It’s not like what it used to be between us. None of us meant to corner you like that.”

“Forget it,” I say, more harshly than I intended. “It’s in the past now.”

“Mac, right?”

“Yeah.” I rock on my feet awkwardly for a moment, staring at him.

“Look,” he says, breaking the silence. “We need to work together on this. We both want what’s best for the forest, right? I think we got off on the wrong foot. I’m Ben, by the way.”

He extends his hand, a disarming smile playing on his lips.

“I know who you are.”

He glances down at his empty hand then quickly retracts it. “You’ve got a lot of cameras installed out here.”

“It’s part of my work.”

“Are you watching us?”

“Only if you live in the forest day and night. But no. Like I said, I’m here researching the silver lynx. Not three asshole brothers.”

He winces at the remark. “Ouch.”

“Sorry,” I suck in a deep breath. “Sometimes, I just say whatever comes to mind.”

“It’s not undeserved.” He gives me another half-smile. My heart rate doubles, and my breath quickens.

“Are you going to tell them?” I mutter, unable to get a hold of myself.

“About finding a little researcher prowling through our property, hanging cameras up willy-nilly?”

I nod. “Yeah. That.”

“I haven’t decided yet. Though, you can’t stay out here alone,” he says finally, nodding towards my tent.

“I’ll be fine,” I insist.

Ben shakes his head, his sandy blonde locks falling over his forehead in a way that’s both frustrating and attractive.

“You don’t know the dangers that lurk in these woods, Mac. Mountain lions, bears… not to mention the harsh, unpredictable weather.”

“I can handle myself, Ben,” I say, a defiant edge creeping into my voice. “I’ve been doing just fine for a long time now.”

“Yet, here you are, trespassing on my property.”

I shrug.

“I can leave if you want me to.”

His eyes narrow and he leans forward until he’s inches from me.

I struggle to keep my composure as his masculine scent invades my senses. This close, I can make out every detail of his features. The hard line of his nose that curves down, meeting the soft layer of beard growing near his perfectly symmetrical lips.

“I didn’t say that,” his voice is low and gruff, sending shivers down my spine. “Something tells me that no matter what I say or do, you have no intention of going anywhere.”

“Then what do you want, Ben?” I ask in a shaky voice.

He smirks, his eyes roaming my face before settling on my lips that start to tingle with anticipation, as if they can taste the subtle hint of mint on his breath.

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