To my shock, though, the bear gives in. It grabs the hive with a big bite, turns, and lumbers back into the woods, not even glancing over its shoulder to check us out.
I realize I’m shaking. I try to make myself breathe, praying I don’t start crying like a baby in front of this guy. I hate feeling like a wimp, and right now, I’ve got terrified-city-boy written all over my face.
“You okay there?”
The mountain man kneels beside me. For a man who just yelled down a bear, he has a surprisingly kind face. Maybe it’s his brown eyes, clear and steady and strong as he holds my gaze. His thick beard is darker than the earthy brown hair he wears in a classic crewcut, although one that’s messy and a little overgrown. The chiseled lines of his features all play together, his face strong and his jaw square, but the expression still lightened by those eyes.
He lays his heavy hand on my shoulder, his brow tight and soft creases forming on his forehead. “Hey,” he says again, quieter this time. “You might be in shock.”
I blink, suddenly aware that I’m totally lost in his eyes. “No,” I say quickly, then scramble, pushing up on my hands, which are still shaking. “I’m okay. Just surprised.”
The man stands with me and takes my elbow as we rise to help me up. My heart is pounding, I’m sweaty, and I really want to regain my composure.
Then, as the man draws his hand away from my elbow, for a flash of a second, his fingers pass over my wrist. It’s both gentle and firm, and somehow, it helps calm me.
“Sorry about that,” he says sincerely.
“Why are you sorry?” I wipe dirt off my jeans and manage a laugh. “Was that your bear?”
“No, but she’s been coming around lately. I need to get better at chasing her away.”
“Well, thank you for chasing her away this time. Without you, I’d probably be bear food right now.”
One corner of his mouth turns up in a smile, which I find devastatingly charming.
Breathe, Cubby. Breathe.
“Nothing to worry about,” he answers. “She wouldn’t bother you. But it’s better for the bears if they stay back in the woods. Can’t get hurt by people that way.” His face opens in a full smile. “Chase,” he says and offers his hand.
“Cubby,” I answer and take it. “And in that case, thanks for protecting the bear from me, I guess?”
Firm grip. Of course.
He chuckles, a melodiously deep and rewarding sound. “Anytime. You must be passing through? Or here for a stay?”
“There you are,” Meg announces dryly as she rounds the corner of the shop, then spots Chase. “Oh. And you,” she adds, even flatter.
Disappointingly, Chase releases my hand to offer Meg a friendly wave.
“My friend isn’t trying to be rude,” I explain to Chase. “She’s just incapable of breaking her monotone.”
Meg adjusts her dark sunglasses. Her black, thick hair is tied back, and she wears black jean shorts with a gray T-shirt. It’s pretty much her only summer outfit. “We met inside,” she says. “He was just selling me a drink, and then he said something about a bear and ran away.”
“A bear threw a beehive at me from a tree and then jumped on me and tried to eat me,” I say brightly. “Chase fought it off.”
“Cool,” Meg answers. She takes a sip of her Coke, then glances between the can and Chase. “I’m going to come back in and pay for this.”
Chase gives us a slight smile. I think he’s amused, but then again, I feel pretty swoony at the moment, so I could be wrong. I’m lingering closer to him than I probably should, and it’s like the force of pure terror I felt two minutes ago has morphed into a tidal wave of lust.
Hot mountain men are one of my favorite types.
“No problem.” He scratches his beard. “If you’ll be in town for a while, come by. Rent a boat, check us out.”
“Sure!” I say, probably too eagerly. “We’ll be around.” When I offer him a flirty smile, I notice his eyes darting quickly down to my hands, then to the grass at his feet.
He spotted my painted nails, pale purple today. The color is gorgeous with my tank top, which has a beautifully pink sunset printed on the front, and which is itself a perfect pairing with my bootylicious jeans.
But that’s probably not what Chase is thinking. He looks like the classic hetero model of a mountain man.
