Page 13 of Broken Mountain Man

"The problem is that I don't feel right about sleeping next to a woman. That's all."

I give a jerky nod, swallowing down the brief flare of disappointment. Of course, a rugged, muscular specimen like him wouldn't look twice at a curvy girl like me that way.

"I understand," I reply, aiming for a nonchalant tone. "It's fine, don't worry about it. I’ll sleep here, no worries."

Russell's gaze holds mine for one loaded beat before he breaks it with a curt nod: "Alright then. You go on and get some sleep. We’ll have a big day tomorrow."

"You too," I echo automatically, watching as he turns and retreats back towards the main living area.

Only once the bedroom door closes behind me do I allow myself to expel the lungful of pent-up breath I've been holding. Leaning back against the wood, I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head slowly.

What the hell is wrong with me? This isn't like me at all—to be so transparently, well...thirsty about a guy I barely know, especiallyone who seems completely disinterested in anything beyond platonic hospitality.

With a frustrated groan, I stomp over to the saggy twin bed and flop down on my back, staring sightlessly up at the low ceiling. I need to get a grip on myself before I completely demolish whatever faint shot at friendship – or anything else - I might have here.

Next Day

A sharp rap on the bedroom door startles me awake. I blink blearily as bright sunlight filters in through the lone window, momentarily blinding me.

"You awake in there?" Russell's gruff voice carries through the thin wood.

"Ugh...yeah, I'm up," I call back, voice still thick with sleep as I sit upright. "Just give me a minute."

Stifling a yawn with the back of my hand, I quickly take stock of my disheveled appearance - shirt rumpled, hair a tangled mess.

I run my fingers through the wild curls in an attempt to tame them slightly before leaning down to blow a breath into my cupped palm and sniff, making a face at my stale morning breath.

Definitely not cute right now, but it'll have to do. Throwing off the thin covers, I slide out of the creaky bed and shuffle towards the door, tugging my shirt down self-consciously as I go.

Russell has his back turned towards me when I emerge, standing near the small kitchenette area and seemingly organizing some supplies into a backpack. At the sound of the door, he glances over his shoulder.

"It's about time," he grunts without any real heat. “I was starting to think I'd have to send a search party after you."

I shoot him a bleary-eyed look.

"Well, good morning to you too, sunshine."

Rather than rising to my sarcastic jab, Russell just shakes his head and turns back to the task at hand.

"Go on and grab some breakfast while you can. We'll be heading out soon."

I shuffle over to the kitchenette, scanning its meager contents before grabbing an apple and a banana. It's not exactly the most nutritious breakfast, but it'll have to do since Russell doesn't seem to keep any cereal or yogurt stocked.

As I take a bite of the slightly bruised apple, I allow my gaze to drift over to where he's busying himself, prepping our gear. The early morning sunlight streaming through the cabin's windows casts his rugged features in a warm glow, making the scruff lining his jaw appear almost golden.

Quickly, I tear my eyes away before he can catch me ogling.

Get it together, Lyla. Last night, the man made it abundantly clear that he's not interested in that way.

"So," I say once I've swallowed my mouthful of fruit, "what's on the agenda for this wilderness boot camp of yours?"

Russell glances up, lips pressed into a flat line.

"We'll start easy - gathering water, identifying edible plants versus toxic ones, that kind of thing. Basics any idiot wandering through the woods should know."

I bristle slightly at his dig about being an 'idiot' but decide to let it slide for now. Picking another fight probably won't make for the most productive learning environment.

"Don't worry, I'm a fast learner," I assure him confidently. "I'll have you whipped into something resembling civilized company in no time."

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