“I’m a reclusive mountain man,” I tease. “Isolation isn’t an issue; it’s a bonus.”
“Our tagline is ‘The Bachelorette Meets Survivor.’ Lyssa will pick from a group of men as they’re presented with a series of physical and emotional challenges in their quest for love. Think surviving in the wild mixed with heart-to-hearts. You up for that?”
I let out a low chuckle. “Survival? You remember that storm that rolled in three nights ago?”
They both nod.
“Well, my brothers and I were on that mountain keeping the power on for you. Montana Maverick Lines is my family’s business. We contract with the state of Montana to work inthe most remote and treacherous terrain, so you could say wilderness survival is my regular job. But when it comes to love? It’s Lyssa. We’ve dated for years, and know every inch of each other.” I pause, letting that sink in, as my voice drops. “Inside and out.”
Elena’s cheeks flush a bit, but she keeps her cool. “We can tell you’re passionate about her. But Creed, this may be difficult to hear, but Lyssa could very well find forever love with someone she meets during the show. In the end, it’s her decision. The show’s about her journey.”
My jaw ticks. Forever? With one of those wimps in the other room? Over my dead body. I lean forward, resting my elbows on the table, and lock my gaze on theirs. “I’m not sure you understand the situation. If anyone knows Lyssa Palmer’s fire, her fears, the way she melts when I touch her, it’s me. She always comes back to me and doesn’t have a clue about just how intense my feelings are for her.”
Derek tilts his head, intrigued. “She isn’t aware of how you feel? That’s a twist. Care to elaborate?”
I run a hand through my beard, taking a beat to compose my thoughts. “I’ve played it cool because I didn’t want to scare her off, but seeing her sign up for this lit a fire under me. No more games. I’m here to claim what’s mine. Body, heart, everything.”
“Possessive alpha vibe.” Elena grins with a glint in her eye. “Viewers will eat this up. But remember, it’s her call. We’ll have challenges: building shelters, trust falls in the woods, maybe even a steamy dip in a hot spring to test chemistry.”
I smirk as the image and memory hits me hard: Lyssa in that hot spring last summer, water beading on her golden skin, body pressed to mine, her thick thighs wrapped tight as I thrust slow and deep, her moans echoing off the rocks. The heat pools low in my gut with my cock twitching at the thought.
“Chemistry? We’ve got that in spades. Try keeping up.”
Derek laughs, but it’s forced. “Confident. I appreciate your attitude, but there’s a distinct possibility you’ll still be single when we wrap. Will you honestly be able to handle Lyssa choosing to spend her life with another man?”
The question lands like a punch, but I refuse to flinch from his stare. “I’d respect whatever she decides. But she deserves to know I’m in love with her before she makes any final decisions. If she doesn’t choose me after hearing what I have to say, I’ll wish her all the happiness in the world. But I’m going to fight for her. She’s the only woman who’s ever made me feel like I could build a life instead of just surviving one.”
“Tell you what.” Derek straightens. “We still have a few auditions, but you have potential.”
Elena chimes in. “You definitely have the mountain man look, as well as the story and the heart. If you join the show, viewers are going to root for you, that’s for sure. One last thing. You haven’t communicated with Lyssa recently, have you?”
I shake my head. “No. I wanted it to be a surprise. Good or bad, I needed to be there for her in the same way she’s always been there for me.”
Elena smiles, scribbling a few lines in her notebook. “We’ll be in touch very soon. Thank you, Creed. It’s been a pleasure.”
I stand, offering my hand again. “Thank you both for your time.”
As I stride out, I ignore the envious glares from the guys still waiting in the auditorium and push through the doors into the crisp mountain air. Passion Pines buzzes around me with tourists snapping pics, probably hoping to get a peek at my Lyssa, the town’s new star.
I hop into my truck and start up the incline, but don’t make it to the top. I need air, so I pull over at a scenic overlook and kill the engine.
The valley spreads out below. Lyssa’s probably down there now gearing up for her television debut. I picture her in her lacy bra and panties shimmying into that sexy black dress she loves, the one that hugs her hips and makes my hands itch to slide up those thighs …
“Fuck,” I mutter at the steering wheel. “I think I’m going insane.”
We hooked up the last time I saw her six months ago. She knocked on my door unannounced, rain-soaked, informing me we needed to talk. Any talking lasted about ten seconds.
I hauled her into my cabin, peeled off her wet clothes and kissed her hungrily. I can still taste the rain on her skin. She arched into me, yanked my shirt open, and gasped against my lips. “You always do this,” she whispered. “Do it again. Make me forget why I’m mad.”
Damn straight, I did. I carried her to my room, laid her down on my bed, spread her thighs, and devoured her until she was writhing, begging.“Creed, please …”
I worked my tongue against her clit and she came so hard she was shaking, crying out my name with her thighs clamping around my head. Then I was over her, thrusting deep in one slow stroke, filling her completely. “You’re mine, Lys,” I growled, with my hips rocking as her nails clawed at my back, and her heels dug into my ass.
“Yeah? Prove it,” she teased, right before I flipped her over and took her from behind, with my hand fisted in her hair, the other on her hip … I was hard and relentless, until she shattered again, and pulled me over the edge with her.
We fucked all night until we collapsed, but by dawn, the same old fear snuck back under my skin. I was worried she’d bail if I started using the word forever, so I let her leave. One of the stupidest things I’ve ever done.
I shake off the memory with my cock half-hard just thinking about it, and start the truck again. This show is my last shot. If they pick me, I’ll make her mine forever this time.
