Page 5 of Burning Mountains

3

ZOE

Iwoke with a start, my heart racing.Fora moment, panic gripped me.Thenit all came flooding back - the storm, the falling tree, andAxel.Myrugged mountain man savior, who looked like he'd stepped straight out of a lumberjack calendar.

Sunlightstreamed through the cabin windows.Istretched, feeling the soft flannel ofAxel'sshirt against my skin.Ablush crept up my cheeks asIremembered our almost-kiss the night before.WhathadIbeen thinking?

Ipadded out of the bedroom, running a hand through my tangled hair.Iprobably looked likeI'dbeen electrocuted, but hey, that's the authentic mountain experience, right?

Thesmell of coffee and bacon hit me, making my stomach growl.Axelstood at the stove, his broad back to me, humming softly as he cooked.Itwas like watching a lumberjack version ofGordonRamsay, minus the swearing.

"Morning,"Isaid, my voice still rough with sleep.

Heturned, andIswear my heart did a gymnastic routine that would makeSimoneBilesjealous.Hishair was tousled, his jaw covered in sexy stubble, and his eyes...God, those eyes.Theycrinkled at the corners as he smiled at me.

"Mornin', city girl," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. "Sleepwell?Nonightmares about killer trees?"

Inodded, trying to ignore the way my body reacted to his presence.Itwas like every hormone in my body was doing theMacarena. "Likea log.Yourbed is surprisingly comfortable.What'syour secret?Bearpelts?"

Hechuckled, turning back to the stove. "We'renot complete savages up here, you know.We'vediscovered this newfangled thing called 'memory foam'.Revolutionarystuff."

Imoved closer, peering around him at the sizzling pan. "Smellsamazing.Ididn't peg you for a chef.What'snext, are you secretly a classically trained ballet dancer too?"

"There'sa lot you don't know about me," he said, his voice low and husky. "Icontain multitudes.Anda mean pirouette."

Oureyes met, and for a moment, the air between us crackled.Icleared my throat, breaking the spell. "So, um, any luck with the phones?Ireally need to contact the lodge and my office.Theymust be worried sick."

Axel'sexpression turned apologetic. "Sorry, darlin'.Thestorm knocked out the lines, and cell service is spotty.Itmight be a day or two before we can get through."

Panicbubbled up in my chest. "Aday or two?ButIhave meetings scheduled!Thewhole reasonIcame out here was tosecureWindRiverMountainLodgeas a venue.IfImiss this opportunity,I'llbe planning bat mitzvahs inJerseyfor the rest of my life!"

"Hey, hey,"Axelsaid softly, turning to face me fully.Heplaced his hands on my shoulders, andIfelt some of the tension leave my body at his touch. "It'sgonna be okay.Thesethings happen up here.Thelodge folks will understand.They'reprobably too busy to notice you're not there yet."

Itook a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. "Butmy boss won't.Thiscould make or break my career,Axel.I'llbe the laughingstock of the wedding planning world!"

Hestudied me for a moment, his blue eyes intense.Then, a slow smile spread across his face. "I'vegot an idea.HowaboutItake you on a little adventure today?Somethingto take your mind off all this stress.Ipromise it doesn't involve wrestling any local wildlife."

Iraised an eyebrow, my interest piqued. "Anadventure?Whatdid you have in mind?Pleasetell me it's not some weird mountain ritual involving peyote and spirit quests."

"There'sa placeIknow," he said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Ahidden lake, high up in the mountains.Mostfolks around here don't even know it exists.It'slike a little slice of paradise."

Theidea was tempting.Asecret mountain lake?Butthe responsible part of me balked. "Idon't know,Axel.Ishould really be trying to find a way to contact someone... "

"Comeon," he urged, his hands still on my shoulders. "I'llpack us a picnic.We'llhike up there, have lunch, andIpromise you'llforget all about your worries for a while.Thenwe'll come back and figure out how to get you to that meeting."

Ibit my lip, considering.Itwas irresponsible, unprofessional even.Butlooking intoAxel'seyes, seeing the warmth and excitement there,Ifound myself nodding. "Okay.Deal.Butif we get eaten by a bear,I'mblaming you in my ghostly afterlife."

Hisgrin was infectious. "That'smy girl.Now, let's get some breakfast in you.You'regonna need your strength for the hike.Thesemountains don't climb themselves, you know."

Anhour later, we set off into the wilderness.Axelhad lent me some of his sister's hiking boots and a flannel shirt, whichI'dknotted at the waist over a tank top.

Thehike was challenging, to say the least.Iconsidered myself in decent shape, but this was on another level.Itwas likeTheOregonTrail, 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.

"Youdoing okay back there, city girl?" he called over his shoulder, a teasing lilt to his voice. "Needme to carry you?"

Ipuffed, blowing a strand of hair out of my face.Iprobably looked like a tomato with legs. "Just... peachy,"Imanaged between breaths.

Hechuckled, dropping back to walk beside me. "Here," he said, offering his hand. "Letme help you over this next bit.It'sa little tricky."

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