Page 3 of Burning Mountains

"Ofcourse," she continued, her smile faltering slightly, "Ididn't exactly make the best first impression.Nearlygetting crushed by a tree probably isn't the way to convince peopleIcan handle mountain weddings.MaybeIshould rebrand: 'ZoeMitchell:Isurvived nature, so your wedding will too!'"

"Hey,"Isaid, surprising myself with the gentleness in my tone, "you survived.Thatcounts for something up here.We'llmake a mountain woman out of you yet.Justdon't expect me to teach you how to wrestle a bear – that's advanced level stuff."

Shelooked up at me, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thanksto you," she said softly. "Idon't even know your name.ShouldIjust call you 'RuggedMountainMan' or 'HeWhoSavesDamselsfromFallingTrees'?"

"Axel,"Ireplied, suddenly feeling exposed. "AxelHawke."

"Axel," she repeated, and damn ifIdidn't like the way it sounded on her lips. "I'mZoeMitchell.It'snice to meet you, even if the circumstances aren't ideal.ThoughIhave to say, as meet-cutes go, this one's pretty hard to top."

Inodded, not trusting myself to speak.Theair between us felt charged, crackling with an energyIcouldn't explain.Ineeded to put some distance between us beforeIdid something stupid.Likepropose marriage or try to impress her with my axe-throwing skills.

"Ishould check on the storm,"Imuttered, moving towards the window.Thewind was still howling, but the rain had slackened to a steady drizzle. "Lookslike it's starting to clear up.Wecan probably get your car towed once the roads are passable.Youknow, assuming it hasn't been turned into a very expensive boat."

"Oh,"Zoesaid, and was that disappointmentIheard in her voice? "That's... good.Iwouldn't want to impose any longer than necessary.I'msure you have important things to do."

Iturned back to her, ready to assure her it was no imposition, but the words died in my throat.Shewas standing now, the firelight behind her silhouetting her figure through the thin fabric of my shirt.Mymouth went dry.

"Axel?" she asked, taking a step towards me. "Iseverything okay?Youlook like you've seen a ghost."

Inodded mutely, unable to tear my eyes away from her.Shetook another step, and then another, until she was standing right in front of me.Icould smell the woodsmoke in her hair, see the flecks of gold in her eyes.Itwas like being hypnotized by a very attractive, flannel-wearing witch.

"Thankyou," she whispered, reaching out to touch my arm. "Forsaving me.Forall of this.You'relike my own personalPaulBunyan."

Hertouch sent a jolt through me, awakening somethingI'dthought long dead.Orat least in a coma.BeforeIcould stop myself,Iwas leaning in, drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

Ourlips were inches apart when a loud crack of thunder made us both jump.Thespell broken,Istumbled back, my heart racing.

"I...Ishould go check on your clothes,"Istammered, practically fleeing to the other side of the room.

Whatthe hell wasIthinking?Icouldn't let myself get involved, not again.Notafter what happened toSarah.I'dsworn off love, sworn to protect my heart at all costs.Iwas supposed to be a lone wolf, not some lovesick puppy.

ButasIglanced back atZoe, standing there looking confused and a little hurt,Irealized with a sinking feeling that it might already be too late.Inthe span of a few hours, this woman had managed to slip past my defenses.

Itook a deep breath, trying to steady myself.Itdidn't matter.She'dbe gone soon, back to her world of city lights and fancy weddings.AndI'dbe here, alone in my mountains, just the wayIliked it.Livingmy best hermit life, complete with a long beard and conversations with squirrels.

Sowhy did that thought suddenly make me feel empty?

Ibusied myself withZoe'sclothes, avoiding her gaze.ButIcould feel her eyes on me, burning with questionsIwasn't ready to answer.Theair between us crackled with unspoken tension, thick enough to cut with a knife.

"Axel," she said softly, andIlooked up.Shewas still standing by the fire, the flames casting a warm glow on her skin. "I...I'msorry ifIoverstepped.Ididn't mean to make you uncomfortable.IpromiseI'mnot usually this forward."

Isighed, running a hand through my hair. "It'snot you,"Isaid gruffly. "I'mjust... not used to company.Unlessyou count the raccoons that keep trying to break into my trash."

Shenodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Ican see that.Youstrike me as the strong, silent type."

Despitemyself,Ifelt a chuckle rumble in my chest.

Shetook a tentative step towards me, andIfelt my body tense likeIwas preparing for a cage match with a grizzly. "CanIask you something?"

Inodded warily, bracing myself for the worst.Pleasedon't ask about my spirit animal or my favorite yoga pose.

"Whydid you save me?"Hereyes were searching mine, looking for somethingIwasn't sureIcould give. "Youcould have just called for help, or left me to fend for myself.Butyou didn't.Yourisked your life to save a stranger.Why?"

Thequestion caught me off guard.Ihadn't really thought about it;I'djust acted on instinct.Butnow, faced with her piercing gaze,Ifound myself fumbling for an answer.

"It'swhat anyone would have done,"Imuttered, looking away. "Nobig deal.Justyour average, everyday tree-wrestling, damsel-savingTuesday."

"No," she said firmly. "It'snot.Mostpeople would have run the other way.Butyou... you ran towards the danger.That'snot just anyone,Axel.That'ssomeone special.Like, superhero special.Doyou have a secret identityIshould know about?FlannelMan?TheBeardedAvenger?"

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