"Sorry," I say quickly. "I didn't mean to tease you."
"It's fine." He hesitates. “Trying to decide if I should tell you my last name." He slows down to take a corner and then glances over to me. "It's Wolfe."
"Oh, like the mountain? I've seen a whole bunch of businesses with that name."
"Yeah. I'm probably related to all of them."
"I've always thought it would be fun to have a huge family."
"Fun?" He snorts. “More like outsiders getting up in your business all the time."
I laugh again. When I catch his eye, I realize he actually likes it when I laugh at him. "And here you are taking a total outsider right into your home. Doesn’t get more up in your business than that. Sorry, this one's on you, buddy.”
This time his laugh is richer, deeper. "Themouthon you, sugar."
We reach his house in about twenty minutes, discussing all the ways he resembles the quintessential loner in movies and classic books.
I hope we're not driving up to some creepy little shack. My backpack is at my feet, so if it really came to it, I could run like hell into the woods. Sure, his legs are longer, but I could duck under branches a lot faster than he could. Okay, realistically, I’d probably slip and break something immediately.
But honestly? I get nothing but good vibes from Bear.
The truck rolls around the corner, then into a clearing, and I gasp in surprise. His place is much bigger and more modern than I was expecting. It's like a forest cabin decided to grow into a stunning house.
Once we’re inside I look around, taking in the wide plank flooring, thick timber beams, and cozy, oversized furniture. Everything is clean and inviting.
Maybe it’s crazy to feel so safe with a total stranger, but everything about this man makes me feel like I’m in the right place at the right time.
As Bear helps me out of the blanket and coat, I get a crazy impulse to spin and tuck right into his arms, wanting to inhale that woodsy male scent again and try to make sense of how that twinkle in his eyes sends prickles of heat blooming in my lower belly.
Instead, I just grin at him. “Yeah, this is definitely the best kidnapping ever.”
3
BEAR
Joy is a ray of sunshine.
She’s not afraid of me at all. She also has no idea who I am and hasn’t heard about me becoming a grouchier and grouchier asshole over the years.
I set her up in the guest bathroom to take a hot shower and give her a stack of clothing to sort through. It would take a lot more willpower than I’ll ever have not to picture Joy naked with water splashing across her delicate skin. The visual sends my head spinning.
After my own lightning-fast shower, I towel dry my hair, then turn the heat up two degrees. Mom always complains that it’s chilly in the house. Is that a woman thing?
Half an hour later, I’m throwing some burritos into the oven when I hear footsteps coming down the hallway.
“Mmm, that smells great.”
I turn to see Joy wearing an old pair of my shorts that are comically baggy on her, just hinting at the swell of her hips. She has the smallest t-shirt I own tied at the waist with a knot, and her damp hair is up in a ponytail.
One quick glance at her bouncy tits sends my pulse hammering. No. I refuse to be a pervert who lusts after the damsel in distress, even if the sweet little thing practically fell into my lap.
“I forgot to ask if there’s anything you can’t eat. Are chicken, black bean and corn burritos okay?”
“Sounds perfect!” She settles on a stool at the kitchen island. “A crazed mountain man kidnapper who can cook? I’m a lucky girl.”
Damn, I love the way she laughs. “Not crazed,” I grunt. “And I have two younger brothers. My choices were to learn to cook when our parents were out or listen to them whine that they were hungry.”
“You made the wise choice.” She swings her legs, showing off purple-tipped toes. “What are your brother’s names?”
