Page 2 of Speed Dating the Mountain Man

I stare at him as he surveys the room, my heart flipping in my chest. There's something about how he moves, with a quiet confidence that seems at odds with his awkward attire. I watch as he continues to look around, his deep-set eyes taking in the scene with a wary expression.

Before I can look away, his gaze lands on me. For a moment, we stare at each other, and I feel a jolt of electricity run through my body. His eyes are a piercing blue, and they seem to see right through me.

I quickly glance down at my hands, feeling a blush creep up my neck.

But when I look up again, he's making his way towards me, his strides purposeful. I feel my heart rate kick up a notch as he approaches, and I have to remind myself to breathe.

He stops before me, towering over me even as I stand. Up close, I can see the faint lines around his eyes and the wayhis beard is flecked with gray. He looks like he belongs in the mountains, not a stuffy resort lounge.

"Hey," he says, his voice a low rumble that sends a thrill through me.

I swallow hard, trying to find my voice. "Hi," I manage, wincing at how breathy I sound.

He gestures to the empty seat across from me. "This taken?"

I shake my head, not trusting myself to speak. He nods and sits down, his large frame making the chair look tiny in comparison.

It's the first time all night I've been lost for words.

2

AARON

Isit down across from the gorgeous brunette, cursing Wes under my breath for dragging me to this damn speed dating event. I don't belong here, surrounded by all these polished resort types. Give me the solitude of the mountains any day.

"I'm Rena," the woman before me says, flashing a warm smile that makes her brown eyes sparkle. "And you are?"

"Aaron," I grunt, trying not to get lost in those captivating eyes. I shift uncomfortably in my seat, tugging at the collar of this ridiculous button-up shirt Wes made me wear. It's a size too small and I feel like I can barely breathe.

"So, Aaron, what brings you to the speed dating event?" Rena asks, leaning forward with genuine interest.

I shrug, avoiding her gaze. "My brother thought it would be good for me to 'socialize more.' His words, not mine."

Rena laughs, a melodic sound that somehow puts me slightly more at ease despite myself. "Well, I'm glad you came, even if it was under duress. I'm always happy to meet new people."

I nod, not sure how to respond. Small talk has never been my strong suit. Give me a trail to blaze or a cliff to scale any day over this forced socialization.

"What do you like to do for fun?" Rena prompts, undeterred by my lack of verbosity.

"I'm a wilderness guide," I say, finally meeting her eyes. "Spend most of my time outdoors. Hiking, camping, that sort of thing."

Her face lights up. "That sounds amazing! I love being out in nature, but I don't get to do it nearly as often as I'd like. Maybe you could show me some of your favorite spots sometime?"

I blink, taken aback by her forwardness. Is she actually interested in me?

"My office is just off Main Street, next to the old library," I tell her, surprising myself with the information I'm freely sharing. You can sign up for guided hikes there if you're interested."

Rena beams at me, and I feel a strange warmth spreading through my chest. "I'd love that! I'll definitely stop by."

I nod, trying to ignore the unfamiliar flutter in my stomach. I'm not used to people, especially beautiful women, showing genuine interest in my work.

"So, what about you?" I ask, the question tumbling out before I can stop myself. "What do you do when you're not charming strangers at speed dating events?"

She laughs, a blush coloring her cheeks. "I'm a waitress here at the resort, and I'm also working on my online English degree. I'm hoping to become a writer someday."

"A writer, huh?" I lean back in my chair, intrigued. "What kind of stuff do you write?"

"Oh, a little bit of everything," she says, her eyes sparkling with passion. "Short stories, poetry, even the occasional attempt at a novel. I just love the power of words and how they can transport you to different worlds."

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