Page 5 of Rough and Rugged

“Nothing,” I quickly snapped out, instantly regretting it. “Sorry.”

“I guesswelcome to the neighborhoodisn’t quite right, since you were here before me.” Axton crossed his arms at his chest and rocked on his feet. “I’m going back inside and leave you to it.”

I stood there like a total idiot, not knowing what to say.

“Well, goodnight.” Axton turned and strode away through the darkness.

I appreciated being a bear right then. With my keen eyesight, I was able to watch Axton’s pert ass as he walked away.

After he shut the door, I shook off the strange encounter and finished setting up the camper, making as little noise as possible. Once I was done, I locked up my truck and went to bed. My sleep was far from restful. I tossed and turned, dreaming of Axton.

Chapter Four

Axton

“Fortheloveof…”I fought the blow-up mattress and rolled onto my back. I stared, blurry eyed, at the unfamiliar ceiling, remembering my encounter with Beare Beckett.

I couldn’t believe I’d been jolted from sleep on my first night here by a crazed beef cake making so much ruckus. I bet the loud squeaky sounds could be heard on the other side of Lake Superior.

At first, I’d been scared shitless as I approached the big guy. But my gut told me to trust him and I’d relaxed slightly. I wished I’d been able to see his face more clearly. The night and the shadows created by my cell phone light had obscured his features. Even so, I wasn’t sure what to make of the encounter. Or him.

“Beare.” It felt sinful to say his name out loud, especially as I laid in bed while thinking of the hulking man.

Banging on the front door jarred me out of my stupor. I nearly fell off the mattress. Still slightly off kilter from lack of sleep, I stumbled to the front door and opened it.

“Yes?” I blinked several times at the morning sun shining in my eyes. I rubbed them and stepped back, out of the light.

“Good… Morning.” Beare moved and stood in the threshold. His towering form created a shadow that loomed over me like a Goliath.

“Morning,” I squeaked, then cleared my throat and repeated in a calmer tone. “Good morning.”

What stood in front of me was far more than just a man. He was an Adonis in a plaid shirt. My very own lumberjack eye candy—I mean notmy own, but… Damn. Beare was hot. Gorgeous to the nth degree.

He was definitely older than me. Twenty years at least. A hot daddy lumberjack with a barrel chest I could easily snuggle against. His broad shoulders could hold the weight of the world, and his piercing blue eyes—they were cutting deep into me and had my knees turning to jelly.

The black and red plaid suited him, and so did his dark denim. I swallowed hard and looked away before he caught me being a creeper.

“Are you done?” His abrupt question startled me out of my trance.

My spine snapped straight. “Done with what?” I wasn’t sure what he was referring to… or maybe I was.

“If you’re done staring me down like I’m your breakfast burrito, I want you to come out so I can explain what I’m doing. I don’t want you to get into a snit with all the noise in the next several weeks.” He turned his back to me and strode away.

“Umm…” My eyes automatically dropped to his jean-clad butt. “Damn,” I uttered quietly to myself. Then I realized I wasn’t wearing anything but my boxers. And a slight boner to boot.

Jesus, Ax. I was a total creeper.

I slammed the door and rushed to the bathroom. I relieved myself, then dressed in the blue sweatpants and a white t-shirt. After snagging my hoodie and sliding into my shoes, I headed outside to Beare.

“Okay, I’m here.” I reached his side, wishing I had brewed some coffee first. But I’d been too tired when I got here to poke around the kitchen. I’d blown up the mattress and went straight to sleep.

I must still be groggy, because I smelled coffee—a dark, rich roast. I glanced over to where the fabulous aroma was coming from: the camper’s open door. I groaned, as my mouth watered for a taste.

I was obviously not paying attention to what Beare was saying because I jumped when his large, solid hand gently gripped my shoulder. “Axton?”

My eyes darted up to his face, as my awkward brain regrouped. “What?”

“Coffee?” Beare waved a cup in my face, before he sipped and offered it up to me again. “It looks like you need some.”