Page 25 of Mountain Mens' Curvy Obsession

“All on your own,” I reply with a smile.

Her brow furrows. “I need you to tell me more, Chance.”

“I don’t want to force it. I’m more than happy to tell you about our time in the Naval Academy. The years of service. The Navy SEALs were a surprisingly fun time,” I shoot back with a dry chuckle. “Got ourselves into a few hot zones. War zones. Came out with our share of scrapes. Aleks powered through for as long as he could before he decided to pull the plug and return to his family. To you.”

Anya gives me a long, worried look. “He gave up his military service for me? Why?”

“He wanted to protect you.”

“From what or who?”

“That’s one of those delicate subjects we agreed to avoid without a memory to connect them to,” I reply. “I’m sorry, Anya. It really is for your own good.”

She exhales sharply, and I can almost feel her enthusiasm deflating like a balloon left out in the sun too long. “I really wish everyone would stop saying that.”

“To be honest, you might be better off not remembering much at all.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because I don’t want you to suffer.”

“I’m suffering right now, not knowing who I am, not knowing what happened. Not even being able to reach out to my brother and let him know I’m okay,” Anya sighs and gets up. For a moment, I feel cold and miserable in the absence of her body. “I need to remember.”

I find myself relenting quickly. It was a bad suggestion. Hearing the words come out of my mouth makes me realize that they sounded better in my head, but just in my head, on account of my selfish motives.

“And I’ll help you. Booker and Nico will help you. We’re here for you, Anya,” I say. “Forget I even suggested it.”

She takes a deep breath, settling back in her window seat with a soft whimper. “It’s okay. I get it, I guess. You’re being protective. Maybe a little too much. I don’t think I’m so weak that I can’t handle the truth.”

“Nor did I imply any weakness. You are one of the strongest women I’ve ever met, Anya. We simply don’t know the extent of that head wound. We don’t want to risk making it worse.”

Anya nods slowly, reluctant but ultimately accepting of the situation. She’s got plenty of common sense, which comes to her naturally. It tells me plenty about the young woman she grew up to become. It also reminds me that her resilience might not be enough to help her navigate the inevitable moment when she remembers everything.

6

Anya

They never leave me alone for too long.

Not that I mind it. In the absence of memories, all I have is the present, as strange and as snowy as it may be. But ever since that night with Booker and Chance, there’s been a noticeable shift in our dynamic.

They take such good care of me, the three of them, yet the twins are always closer. Warmer to me. Sometimes, we slip back under the covers and consume one another, the chemistry downright impossible to deny.

It’s different with Nico.

And today, I’m Nico’s charge.

“Should I handle the dusting part?” I ask, holding up a feathered Swiffer, while Nico changes the pillowcases and blankets, tossing them into the laundry basket before taking the clean and freshly ironed replacements out.

“Sure. The bookshelves are always a pain,” he replies with a gentle smile.

Of the three brothers, he’s the biggest, but I like that about him, especially when he’s wearing casual sweatpants and a t-shirt so soft the fabric practically pours over his muscular, massive torso. He keeps his dark hair caught in a loose man bun; his beard always so carefully trimmed. It gives hot mountain man with a sophisticated edge, and it makes my heart beat a little faster.

“Where are the twins?” I ask, getting to work on the bookshelves.

“Still clearing the snow,” Nico replies, dressing one of the pillows. “It’ll be a couple more days before we’re able to reach the road leading into town. But we’re getting there.” He pauses, and I wipe down a jade elephant, remembering the story about their brief offshore leave in Thailand. It was one of the most beautiful beaches Booker ever saw, apparently, along with a souvenir shop from which this elephant came. “You miss them?” Nico asks.

I give him a puzzled look. “Who?”

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