“Respect, man.” Ethan wipes frost from his brow. “Makes me feel soft just talking about protein shakes.”
I chuckle and clap his shoulder. “Everyone starts somewhere. Keep at it.” My mind drifts to last night’s ceremony and Lyssa glowing in that clingy silk dress. She took her time when she was handing out those heart pins. For a split second, I thought she was going to skip me. Thankfully, she didn’t, but I swear, I think she was hoping I’d bail.
Then she announced Tyler Grant, the musician from Austin, won the first solo date with her. I wanted to throw up. Why the fuck would she choose him? The show keeps dates secret because the producers love those “authentic” reactions, but my brain’s spinning every worst-case scenario. A sleigh ride through the pines? Picnic by a fire while he strums her a song? Or worse, maybe they sneaked off to those hidden hot springs, and he—
No, I can’t even think about it. She’s testing the waters. It’s her prerogative, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.
A low engine growls, rolling in from the front drive. I set the axe against the block and stride around the corner in time to see the sleek black beast glide to a stop near the entrance. My competition is already swarming, vying for a scrap of her attention before she disappears.
The door opens. And there she is. Damn. Lyssa’s wearing a cream parka I’ve never seen her in before, but it’s the hat, with a soft fuzzy pink pom-pom, that stops my heart. Her eyesare sparkling with mischief. She looks cozy. Adorable. And so fucking sexy I need to restrain myself from hauling her over my shoulder and getting out of here.
The guys surge forward, and she waves, laughing that rich, throaty sound that hits me square in the chest. She scans for a brief moment, and I know she’s searching for me. I stay a few feet behind her new fans until her gaze finds mine. “Creed,” her voice carries over the chatter. “Still playing lumberjack?”
I close the distance in long strides, with my boots crunching over the snow. “Someone’s gotta keep the fires burning while you’re off playing with musicians, sweetheart.”
“Jealous already?” Her lips curve into a teasing half-smile. “It’s only day one.”
“Not jealous,” I lie, stepping closer, in front of the men, so they can’t hear me. “Just curious about how long it will take for Tyler to disappear. I’m not sure he even knows how to keep you warm.”
She tilts her head, making her pom-pom wiggle. “Are you worried about my temperature, mountain man?”
“Always.” I reach out and brush a stray snowflake from her cheek with my thumb. “You’re so damn cute in that cap. Makes me want to steal you away and keep you all to myself.”
“Ready, sugar?” Tyler slides into our conversation with an annoying grin.
Lyssa gives me one last long, loaded look before turning to him. “Let’s go see what trouble we can find.”
Tyler helps her into the limo, and I watch her fuzzy hat disappear into the dark interior. The door shuts. The car pulls away with its tires spitting up snow, leaving us in the dust.
Ethan steps beside me and clears his throat. “Damn. She reminded me of one of those winter princesses in a movie. Tyler’s one lucky bastard.”
I grunt, crossing my arms over my chest, staring at the taillights as the limo navigates the long driveway. “Correct,” I say, with my stomach churning.
I took those simple things, holding her hand, making her laugh, kissing her all the time, for granted. On the flip side, the producers teased a group date for the rest of us losers tomorrow. I’ll find a way to get close to her.
Chapter four
The next morning opens with a headache. The sun slices through the room’s curtains, mocking my lack of sleep. I’m sure the tension coiled in my gut after I saw that limo pull away with Lyssa and Tyler didn’t help me relax. It gave me fucking nightmares.
What the hell did they do all day? The crew refused to say a word and kept us locked down, pacing the house like caged wolves.
I lace up my boots, grab my coat, and head out to the dining lodge for breakfast. Ethan’s already there.
“Morning, boss,” he points to the open space across from him and slides over a mug. “I’m in the room next to Marcus, who was hacking up a lung all night, so I doubt I got more than a few hours of sleep. What about you?”
“Didn’t hear him, but I barely slept,” I grunt, sliding onto the bench and pour a cup of coffee. “Marcus will be okay. He probably needs some rest and whiskey.”
Jake chuckles from across the table, spreading butter on his toast. “So, anyone have intel on today’s group date?”
Blake shakes his head. “Nah, but Elena said, and I’m quoting her directly, ‘expect something fun and flirty’. Lyssa’s joining in.”
My pulse ticks up. This is my chance to remind her why we fit. But with nine other guys fighting for her attention, it’ll be a damn circus. I gulp my coffee, ignoring the burn, and push back from the table. “Let’s get to it, then.”
An hour later, we’re herded into a large, heated structure tucked behind the lodge. Fairy lights are strung up as though it’s a party instead of a battlefield. Snow’s piled high around the edges, but the ground’s cleared and covered in yoga mats scattered like patchwork quilts. The crew has the cameras already set up, and the sound guy is hooking up microphones. Elena struts in with her clipboard in hand.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen!” she greets with a suspiciously perky grin. “Welcome to our group date: ‘Twist and Tease’, a flirty yoga challenge! You’ll pair up, learn poses to build trust and chemistry. Then, we have a relay planned to see who can hold the steamiest partner pose the longest. The winner gets a private sunset cocktail hour with her tonight, and don’t worry, Lyssa will be rotating in with all of you.”
Yoga? I freeze. Twisting into pretzels. Wearing spandex? That’s my nightmare. I’m built for climbing cliffs in storms, not downward dogs. I scan my competitors who appear completely unbothered. Ethan flexes, and I don’t blame him; we’re on his turf. Jake smirks confidently. But me? I’m the biggest man here. My muscles are used to hauling gear up icy slopes, not bending in ways that make my hamstrings scream. But if it gets me close to Lyssa, fine. I’ll bend. Literally.
