CHAPTER ONE
Ryder
There are a lot of perks when it comes to working with my four brothers in our little out-of-the-way town of Rock Creek. We get to live in a beautiful, wild remote town, set our own hours and make a damn good living between our two businesses.
When I’m working with TimberWolf Log Homes, the physical work of building the cabins is better than any gym could ever be at keeping me in shape, and I love the feel of working with my hands.
But Wolf’s Wild Wilderness Lodge holds its own set of perks. Like the two young ladies who are currently enjoying a glass of wine in the dining room.
“Ladies.” I put my arm over the backs of their chairs. “How are you this evening? I hope you’re enjoying your stay with us.”
The blonde with the big tits bats her eyelashes and straightens her shoulders to press her very generous breasts out even further. “It’s been so relaxing,” she purrs. “But maybe a little lonely, if you know what I mean?”
Oh, I know what she means, and I’m more than happy to help her out with her loneliness problem. “I think maybe we could do something about?—”
“Ryder!”
I suck in a breath and shake my head with a little chuckle at the sound of my brother’s voice. Briggs may be the youngest of the five of us, but he is definitely the biggest cock block.
“Excuse me for a moment, ladies.” I give them each a wink and gesture to our bartender to send them another round before joining Briggs, and Jaxon, our middle brother, in the main lobby.
“You gotta back off the female guests, Ryder.”
“I can’t say I agree with that, Briggs.” I shake my head but keep the mood light with a laugh. “She was just telling me how her stay would be so much more enjoyable if only she weren’t so lonely.” I glance over my shoulder at the blonde and blow her a kiss before Jaxon grabs me by the arm and tugs me away.
“He’s right,” Jaxon says. “It’s only a matter of time before it blows up in your face.”
He’s not wrong, but that doesn’t mean I want to hear it. What I want is to get back to that blonde and her friend and?—
“Before it blows up inallof our faces,” Briggs clarifies. “Remember, this is a family business. Your bullshit antics affect all of us.”
He’s not wrong either. With a sigh, I take one last look at the blonde and her tits and lead the way across the lobby to the front desk. “Just because you’re happily shacked up doesn’t mean the rest of us want that,” I say to Briggs. Three out of the five of us have found partners and I, for one, am tired of hearing about how it’s my turn next and how I’llknow when I know.
And not just from my brothers, but our parents, too. Just because they all fell in love at first sight doesn’t mean it will happen to me.
Or that I even want it.
“You don’t even know what you’re missing,” Briggs says. “With Mia, it was?—”
“I know, I know. Love at first sight.” I cut him off. “And don’t get me wrong. That’s great. Foryou.But it’s not my style. I like playing the field and exploring my options.”
I don’t need to look in their direction to know that both of them are rolling their eyes.
“Just don’t explore your options around here,” Jaxon says. “Especially with the reporter who’s showing up this afternoon. This piece inWeekend Warriorwill be huge for us.”
“Ifit’s favorable,” Briggs adds. “So don’t screw it up by getting her into bed.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” I wiggle my eyebrows. “I’ve never had an unfavorable review of my performance in bed.”
I know I’m pushing my luck, so I rein it in. “Don’t worry, guys. I promise I’ll be on my best behavior. Besides, nerdy reporters aren’t my type. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Every woman is your type.” Jaxon doesn’t look convinced.
But he’s going to have to try—they both are—because I’m the one on duty tonight. We have great staff in place at the lodge, but we still prefer to have one of us on-site as much as possible. Especially with the reporter coming.
“I’ve got this.” I flash them my most convincing smile. “I promise I won’t seduce the reporter. You have my word.”
My word counts for something. My brothers know I would never do anything on purpose to put our livelihood in jeopardy. They can trust me.
