I wasn’t going anywhere until this man let me inside.
Your mom would be beside herself right now…
I ignored the intrusive thought and focused on him. “How do you know I’ll delete them? You’re going to trust a stranger so easily?”
He scratched his beard. “Okay, I’ll bite. You’re gorgeous. But I don’t talk to people. And I certainly don’t invite them into my home. Nothing against you, but move along, alright? I’m surprised the local folk didn’t warn you.”
“Warn me about what? You?”
“Yeah. I like to be alone. I don’t play well with others...”
“Guess I missed the memo.” I smiled once more, putting all my good energy into it. “But by play, do you mean…”
He cut me off. “Have a good night.”
Then he turned and walked back toward his cabin, leaving me stunned.
CHAPTER TWO
Walker
I didn’t like disturbances.Not even the kind with sexy curves and pretty hair, stunning brown eyes, and a bright smile. No matter how much she warmed my heart.
The craziest part?
A smile. An actual smile threatened to spread across my face.
Who was this gorgeous, bright star, and why was she photographing my cabin?
I took two steps and stopped.
My brain said to move it and get back inside. She was bad news, wrapped up in a pretty package full of distraction.
My heart said she was mine. Allmine.
I turned back to face her, my gaze running down her body again. I couldn’t believe such a stunning specimen had walked onto my land. People rarely came this far up the mountain. Those who did stuck to the trails leading to the very top.
But this woman…
Out of thin air, she appeared, happily snapping away picture after picture.
Of course, my first reaction was anger. Shock. Annoyance.
Honestly, what made her think it was okay to take pictures?
Yet as soon as I walked out the door and studied her, sipped on her like a fine wine, my mood lifted.
She wasn’t just anyone.
She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.
But my heart didn’t trust.Couldn’ttrust. Not when a person you loved could easily disappear from your life in a matter of seconds.
Walk away, walk away already. And don’t look at her again.
Instead, I ignored every instinct and played her game back. “One look around and you’ll delete the pictures?”
Her eyes lit up. “Yep.” She closed the distance between us and held out her hand for me to shake. “I’m Emilia, by the way. Nice to meet you.”
