Page 10 of Thirst in the Mountains

I make an involuntary groaning sound and those big brown eyes—full of life and fire—land on me.

The second our eyes meet, I’m done for.

My whole body reacts. My pulse spikes. My heart pounds.

And one word races through my mind on repeat.

Mine.

The word is loud and clear in my head. It’s not a whisper. It’s a demand.

Mine. That girl ismine.

I don’t know what I have to do to get her, but I’ll do anything.

I don’t know her name, her story, or why she’s here confessing about stealing a dog—but I know one thing: no man is getting near her again.

Not on my watch.

Not ever.

She blinks and then swallows. I know she feels it too. This unstoppable connection. This crackle of energy.

Her lips part slightly. My gaze drops to them. Pink. Soft. Kissable.

So fucking kissable.

The groan I make this time is loud enough for Henry to turn around.

He raises his eyebrows and smirks, giving me a look like he’s saying, ‘Can you believe this girl?’

No, Henry. I can’t believe it. This doesn’t feel like real life.

“I’m taking over,” I say as I run a hand through my hair on the way to the reception desk.

I’m ready to fight Henry to the death over this, but he looks relieved as he steps back, glad to be rid of her and her wild story.

“Good luck with this chick,” he whispers on his way back to the weight room.

“Thanks,” I mutter. I need all the luck I can get to make this angel mine.

I place my hands on the desk and stare at her. She’s even more stunning up close.

Her gorgeous brown eyes widen as she glances at my arms and shoulders. I’m wearing a tank top and my muscles are jacked from the workout. I hope I don’t look like a monster to her. I know I can be intimidating to men and women.

“Yeah, so…” she says, squeezing her eyes shut and shaking her head like she’s trying to reset her thoughts. “I was trying to explain to your colleague that some men are after me.”

I grit my teeth so hard my jaw aches.

Stay cool. Stay calm.

I’m fighting the urge to slam a pen and paper in front of her while demanding their names and addresses.

I’ll make sure they’ll never threaten her again. I’ll make sure they neverbreatheagain.

“And… um…whyare they after you?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

My heart is pounding so hard as she tells me everything…

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