Page 42 of Shielded Hearts

Nestled high on a snow-covered cliff, the remote cabin oozed rustic charm and just the right amount of luxury to fit the bill.

Cedar logs crafted the walls and framed the panoramic windows overlooking the most breathtaking view she’d seen since…well, since leaving Colt’s Lake Tahoe cabin.

The roof was layered in thick shingles sprinkled with a layer of fresh snow, and a stone chimney jutted toward the white sky, cold until they went inside and lit the fire.

She drifted to the quaint porch steps leading to a heavy door painted a dark forest green. The low thump of Colt’s footsteps behind her made her look over her shoulder.

“Do you own this cabin too?”

He snorted. “No. We know the people who do, though. They live in Palm Springs and come up here once or twice a year. My family keeps an eye on the place.”

“That’s nice of you.”

He crowded up to the door, and she stepped aside, giving him access. When he pushed the door inward, a blast of cool but not frigid air wafted at her face. It carried a little staleness from being closed up, but it wasn’t anything like the first two cabins they visited.

He shut the door behind them and set their bags on the floor. Aspen immediately set off to explore through the cozy, spacious rooms. The open floor plan and the oversized solid wood furniture were exactly what her clients were looking for. And the cabin possessed the charm of the old days with cozy nooks for reading or sipping coffee while gazing out at the Grand Tetons not far off, where they could ski and snowmobile—activities the billionaire loved.

She heard Colt approach her from behind, his steps quiet. She spun to face him. “It’s perfect.”

A slow smile spread over his face, enhancing his rugged features. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“You’re sure your friends won’t mind if I add this place to my portfolio?”

“I texted them last night, and they’re up for people staying here.”

“Great news.” She waved a hand at the mountain scene. “I need to text my client right away. It’s the perfect time of year for him to visit this place too. He’s outdoorsy, and so is his wife.” She shook her head. “I always envy people who enjoy the outdoors. I’m the girl who waits at the lodge with hot cocoa while everyone else skis.”

He chuckled. “I like the privacy of remote places like this, but you’ll never see me on a set of skis either.”

She flicked her gaze down his broad chest and long legs, trying to picture him in ski pants and a sporty coat. That just wasn’t Colt. He was outdoorsy in the way ranchers were, in jeans and leather boots and thick workman’s jackets with sherpa lining.

“It’s a little cold in here. I’ll get the fire started.”

He didn’t wait for her response, just walked away. She pulled out her phone and texted her client.

Then she walked through the cabin, snapping photos. She was no professional real estate photographer, but the light streaming through the big windows provided a charming filter to the rooms she wanted to capture for the client to see.

When she made her way into the living room, Colt was squatting before the stone fireplace. As she looked on, he fed a log to the kindling that he’d set on fire. The sweet scent of burning wood reached her nose.

God, could Colt look any hotter? The hard planes of his shoulders and the way his biceps bulged with every move he made had her insides on fire like those logs.

He twisted his head and shot her a look. Whatever he saw on her face made his eyes hood.

“Did you contact your client?”

“Yes, but I haven’t heard anything back from him yet.” She extended her hands to the fire and chafed them together to makeit look like she needed to warm up and wasn’t trying to get closer to him.

He set another log on the fire and pushed to his feet. They stood side by side, watching the flames.

At the same moment, they turned to each other. He opened his arms, and she threw herself at him. Their lips collided. Aspen dug her fingers into his hair and parted her lips for his tongue.

Just then, the phone in her pocket chimed.

“Ignore it,” he grated out between heated kisses.

Three more chimes indicated she had more incoming messages.

With a groan, she drew back. Colt cut his hand through his hair, chest heaving.

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