"Got a family of them in the back yard. I'm heading home to make lunch. Care to join me?"
I hope that sounded nice and casual. I'm not accustomed to young ladies.
She hesitates, so I take one step forward, extending my hand. "Thane Wolfe. A pleasure to meet you.” Her body language relaxes when she hears my name, and she steps forward to clasp my hand.
It’s hard to keep my expression neutral as our skin touches. Her delicate hand in mine sends an electric pulse through my entire chest. Of course I'm attracted to her, but it's more than that. I want…no, more than want,need…to care for her. Protect her.
"Audra Barclay. Part-time trespasser.”
I chuckle as her light laugh fills the air around us.
She packs up her equipment with almost military efficiency. It's not until I adjust the folded t-shirt over my shoulder and neck that I realize I'm standing in front of her shirtless. Well, too late now. I hoist the log back up, then turn toward the house. Audra goes to lift her gear bag, but I take it and sling it on my other shoulder. "This way."
We're close enough now that I can take a proper look at her eyes. Such a warm, golden brown, like caramel melting in the sun. Plus full, rosebud lips that send a signal to certain parts of my anatomy I've ignored for a long time.
This beautiful young woman lights me up on the inside in a way that's completely new. Asking a perfect stranger to come to my home? I've never done that before. Maybe it's good that I don't have a free arm: the urge to reach for her is overwhelming.
Audra smiles, then walks behind me as the path narrows. "Thank you," she says sweetly. "I've never had lunch with a lumberjack before. This is a whole new level of deep forest authenticity.”
Dammit. I'm a woodworker, not a lumberjack. Not even that, really.
And is there anything truly “authentic” about being born to a rich mountain family and becoming a woodworker simply because you enjoy it?
2
AUDRA
Iam utterly transfixed by the sight in front of me.
Thickly muscled back. Wide shoulders carrying my gear bag on one side and the better part of a tree on the other. The expanse of tanned skin narrows to a tapered waist with a natural six pack. And let’s not forget the firm, tight ass.
So much for birdsong. I'm now much more interested in this gorgeous lumberjack who wants to make me lunch.
I probably shouldn't just take off with a random stranger I met in the woods, but if he's part of the Wolfe family, he must be okay. I've seen signs for their businesses all over the mountain. Not to mention, I like to think I can read people. He might be huge, but there's clearly not an aggressive bone in that man's gorgeous, gorgeous body.
Thane. The old-fashioned name is oddly alluring. Every single part of this guy is attractive. Much sexier than the men I’ve had pushed in my direction for years, too.
We reach the back yard of a stunning house and any residual qualms I had about taking off with a stranger vanish. This is a classy house – like an upscale cottage.
The wind picks up even more just as we’re walking across the back lawn. He sets my bag down on the patio, then puts the log outside a large outer building that looks too big for a garage.
Thane is half-turned away as he pulls on his t-shirt, giving me another view of those rippled abs. His thick, dark hair and short beard make him look every inch a classic lumberjack.
He smiles and jerks a thumb at the building. "That's my woodshop. I make furniture. That particular tree fell in a storm a few weeks ago, and it's the perfect darker wood for accents." He nods as he passes me, heading to the rear of the house. "Coffee?"
"Sure. Thank you."
Past the sliding glass doors is a dazzling kitchen: wooden beams, hanging copper pots, and… I stare in delight at the gleaming machine on the coffee bar. “You have a Meraki?!”
Thane grins. “Are you saying you would like an espresso?”
“I could make us a round, if you like.”
“Be my guest.” His huge hand waves toward the machine and he heads to the fridge to pull out food. Everything in the cupboard just above the machine is laid out methodically, so it’s easy for me to measure and grind the beans. Once I'm finished, I turn back to see Thane flipping something in a skillet. It smells wonderful.
"Um, I'm sure you’re sick of people asking, but how tall are you?"
His dark brown eyes flash as he smiles. "Six foot four…and a half.” He chuckles for a second. "I don't mention the half out of ego. It's to point out that I'm half an inch taller than my oldest brother, Bear."
