They’re ruined. The mud outside the cabin has soaked into the delicate pink fabric. Ilovethese shoes. They were the first designer thing I ever owned. I bought them with my first branddeal paycheck three years ago. For a month after I got them, I didn’t even take them out of the box. I just kept them under my bed and occasionally lifted the lid to peep at them, bursting with excitement that I owned something sopretty.
And now they’re destroyed.
I carry them over to the sink sadly. Maybe I can wash the mud out somehow? As I pick up the dishcloth, I hear an ominous creak from the porch outside the cabin and freeze.
There’s another creak and a heavy footstep. The doorhandle rattles.
Someone’s trying to get inside.
Without thinking, I grab a knife from the block on the counter. There’s the sound of a key in the lock, and the cabin’s front door swings open. A giant stranger holding a literalaxeover his shoulder steps into the cabin, whistling cheerfully.
I scream, brandishing the knife at him.
“Holy Mother of Christ!” he shouts in a thick Scottish accent, staggering back. “What in the hell?!”
Through the adrenaline pounding through me, I get a vague impression of his looks. Tall. Red hair. Massive broad shoulders.
“Who are you?” I demand.
Oh my God. I’m going to get chopped into little pieces by an axe murderer in the Highlands. Iknewthis was a murder cabin. Always trust your gut.
“I’m Fraser. I work here,” the red-haired man sputters. “Who are you?” His eyes narrow. “And why are you holding aknife?”
“WHY ARE YOU HOLDING AN AXE?” I shout.
He looks at the axe in his hand. “Oh. Shit.” He sets it down quickly. “I was chopping some firewood outside. Just thought I’d check if the cabin could use a refill. Didn’t realise there was anyone in here.” He glances around, taking in my suitcase, and understanding dawns on his face. “You a guest?”
I nod frantically. “I got in late last night.”
“Christ.” He winces. “I am so sorry. Didn’t get the memo. I just came to restock the logs, I swear.” His voice turns low and soothing. “You’re okay, honey. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Oh,” I say, my heartbeat slowing slightly. “Okay.” As the adrenaline drains out of me, I can take in the man properly.
He’s massive. He towers over me, his broad frame filling the entire doorway. He’s wearing a white T-shirt that does nothing to hide the solid width of his biceps, and a pair of faded blue denim jeans that seem to be struggling with the size of his tree-trunk thighs. My eyes trail up to his face. He’s ruggedly handsome, with a square jaw and auburn hair pulled into a bun. Most striking are his eyes. I suppose they’re technically hazel, but they’re unusually light, like gold.
Something hums in my belly.
He grins. “You still thinking of stabbing me? If you must, please just avoid my face. It’s too pretty to get holes in it. I’m sure you agree.”
I look down at the knife in my hand and drop it on the counter with a clatter. “I’m sorry!”
He waves a massive hand. “Aw, don’t apologise. Serves me right for startling a lady first thing in the morning. I’ll, ah, leave you to it, yeah?” He starts to back out of the cabin.
“Wait!” I say, and he freezes. “You said you work here?”
“Aye. Live up at the farmhouse with Cameron and Alec.”
I give him my best smile. “Can I please use your phone as a hotspot? I have no bars, and it’s sort of an emergency.”
He hums. “Signal’s crappy down here, but you can come up to the main house if you’d like. Hop on the Wi-Fi.”
I perk up. “Really?”
“’Course,” he says cheerfully. “It’s the least I can do after scaring the life out of you.” His eyes flick downward, and his mouth curves. “Although maybe you should put on sometrousers first. No pressure, of course. I mean, this outfit you have going on islovely.”
I look down. Apparently, I was so tired last night that all I did was yank off my skirt and socks before I fell into bed in my shirt. I’m standing in front of him with bare legs and my pale-pink thong showing. Heat flushes my face.
“Give me a minute!” I say quickly. Fraser grins as I run towards the bathroom.
