“Okay.” Briggs slaps me on the back, and Jaxon nods. “Thanks, Ryder.”
“It’s nothing. Besides, like I said…reporter chicks aren’t my?—”
The words die on my lips as I turn at the sound of the front door opening to see a petite woman drowning in a huge parka. When she pulls the hood down and shakes her chestnut hair free, I’m speechless because the little slip of a woman shouldn’t be my type. She looks to be at least ten to fifteen years younger than me. And sweet. Way too sweet for me. Like a kitten with a wolf.
I like my women to be experienced and more…well, let’s just say the blonde in the bar with the big tits and the enthusiasm to have me in her bed is a whole lot more of my type than this innocent-looking little thing.
But then why did my dick get hard the moment she walked in? And why is my heart racing?
“Ryder?”
I clear my throat as I realize I’ve been staring at the woman and turn back to my brothers. “See?” I say. “Not my type at all. There’s nothing to worry about here.”
Chloe
I’m notnew to winter, but somehow winter in the mountains is different. There is way more snow up here at Wolf’s Wild Wilderness Lodge than back in the city. Judging by the sky, it looks like there’ll be more soon.
Not that it matters to me. In fact, I wouldn’t mind a little snowstorm to block the roads and keep me stranded up here for a few extra days so I can get some writing done, undisturbed.
I’m probably not lucky enough to get snowed in, but that’s okay. I have a plan.
If I write the article I’ve been assigned as quickly as possible, I’ll still have time to work on my novel. As long as my editor Lisa is happy with my work, she never needs to know.
But if I’m going to do that, I need to check into my room and get started on the list of activities she told me to report on.
The snow is deep as I pick my way through the small parking lot to the big stone steps of the lodge. From the outside, the log building is impressive, but I expected that.
My preliminary research told me that the Wolf brothers, who also own a very successful log home construction company, built the ten-bedroom lodge, complete with a gourmet restaurant, gathering rooms, and outdoor wood-fired hot tubs and saunas themselves.
Stepping inside, I’m greeted at once by the warmth of the huge stone fireplace at one end of the massive room. With the vaulted wood beam ceilings, slate floors, and giant overstuffed couches in front of the hearth, I’m drawn in immediately.
Almost by instinct, I begin walking straight to the big easy chair, where I can picture myself curling up with my notebook to write my next story. It’s not until I hear a deep voice that I’m yanked out of my spell.
“How can I help you?”
When I turn to see the huge mountain man standing behind the reception desk, I have to do a quick double take. Men like this don’t really exist in real life, do they? He’s huge!
He’s got to be at least a full foot taller than my five foot five. And those muscles… I have to check myself to be sure I’m not drooling. I need to remain as professional as possible so I can write up an unbiased review to keep Lisa happy. Besides, it’s not like a gruff, lumberjack mountain man who is at least ten years older than me would even bother to take a second look at a shy, little mousy girl like me. There’s a reason I stick to reading andwriting romance novels. And it’s not because I’m so busy with my own real-life experience.
Quite the opposite.
It takes me a moment to realize I’m still standing like an idiot in the middle of the lobby, staring at the sexy man instead of actually checking in and getting started on my assignment.
With as much composure as possible, I straighten my shoulders and step toward the desk.
“Hi.” My voice shakes just speaking to this beast of a man, and I silently berate myself and try again. “I’m Chloe Sullivan. I’m checking in.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Chloe. I’m Ryder Wolf. We’ve been expecting you.”
“You have?” Something about the smooth way he speaks to me has a very new kind of heat racing through me, and suddenly I’m way too hot in my parka and boots.
“Of course. You’re writing a piece about the lodge, aren’t you?”
All of a sudden, it’s clear. He’s only flirting with me because I’m writing the review piece.Of course.I’m glad I figured that out before I made a fool of myself.
“We’re very happy to have you here at Wolf’s Wild Wilderness. And we’ve set aside our best room for you this weekend.”
“Oh, you didn’t have to do that. I don’t want any special treatment.”
