Peaked Desires (Mountain Men of Falls Creek #4)

1. CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER ONE

Huxton

My boots twist and crunch on the pebbles as I stomp my way towards the staff accommodation cabin at Mountain Retreat Lodge. Despite my clear instructions to only disturb me for urgent matters, I can already feel my anger rising. And the thick morning fog has barely disappeared over the clearing.

“What part of ‘don’t disturb me unless it’s urgent’ don’t these fuckers understand?” I grunt to myself, hoisting my tool bag over my shoulder.

Seriously, I don’t have time for this.

In the last six years, this place has become more than my home. My dream of showcasing the rugged beauty of my mountain is finally becoming a reality, but I’ve never been busier. Living on Falls Creek Mountain my entire life meant my stress levels have always been low. But with two weeks until opening day, with so much riding on a successful opening for the new five-star mountain retreat, my temper has never been more on edge.

After years of planning, my vision, my father’s vision. It’s right here, set out before my eyes.

Overlooking the breathtaking landscape, my heart should swell with pride. Rustic log cabins, built with my own bare hands are dotted around, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings. They’re beautiful – even if I say so myself. The vacant land I spent my childhood running around on is now filled with a fine-dining restaurant, a thermal day spa and a small organic farm, allowing my chefs to hand pick fresh produce directly from the land, ready to feed our guests.

This lodge will be my legacy. This is what I leave behind, just like my father drummed into me as a child. The land will remain once we are gone. Treat it with care and love, son.

I take a deep breath, inhaling the crisp forest mountain air. It’s calming and I push on down the pebbled pathway.

Dad would be proud, but I haven’t got it over the line yet. It’s two weeks until opening night, and there is still work to do.

That’s why fixing the broken lock on one of the cabins in the staffing lodge has me grunting as I trudge down the trail, mountain birds chirping merrily in my ear the entire fucking way. There are a million and one other things I should be doing right now, and fixing a stupid lock certainly isn’t one of them.

Dark clouds disappear as I escape the dark canopy of the forest above me, stomping up the steps of the staff cabin. I drop my tool bag on the porch and bang my fist on the front door.

“Hello?” I shout as the ‘STAFF ONLY’ sign falls off the door, landing on the ground. “Fucking great. Now I have to fix that too.”

I bang my fist on the door again. I can’t exactly storm into the cabin. I have a roster of staff that live onsite. A cabin for the female staff, the one I’m standing in front of, and another for the men. I’ve promised privacy for all my team, and I’ve spared no expense either. That includes giving them everything they need to perform on the job, which is exactly why I’ve prioritized fixing the bathroom lock for the girls this morning.

I glance to my watch and it’s just past starting time. Perhaps they’re all down in the office already? I’ve hired only the best girls for the job, I won’t accept anything less. Their commitment so far has been incredible, and I’ve got a few more newbies starting in the coming days. The phones have been ringing off the hook for two weeks straight, booking after booking rolling in as word spreads about my new luxury retreat.

I try one more time, banging as hard as I can with my clenched fist. The force of my knocking rattles the latch and the door swings open with a creak.

“Hey! Excuse me, just wait!”

A voice squeals from inside the cabin.

To my surprise I’m staring at the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. And she’s standing in just a towel. Her hair falls in soft waves around her face, but she looks terrified. I catch a hint of floral aroma as I take a step back, holding both my hands up as a sign of surrender.

“Shit,” I grunt, trying my damned hardest to evert my eyes. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a gorgeous woman like this, so I should get a fucking medal when I manage to look away. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“Close the door, pervert! I’m calling security!”

I pull the handle on the door to close it, but as I do, it comes off in my hand and falls to the floor, leaving the door wide open and the woman screaming at me.

“Please, lady. Just calm down.” I hold my hands up, trying my best to lower the deep tone of my voice. I’m a big, burly mountain man and I know my size intimidates a lot of people. I don’t want to scare this rare beauty. “I’m Huxton. I’m the owner and I’ve just come to fix the lock on the door.”

Her chest is heaving, her gripping blue eyes wide with fear. I try so fucking hard not to stare, but it’s impossible. Goddamn. She’s stunning. Her towel is barely covering her body, and I can see her pale smooth skin glowing from here.

I’m frozen to the spot, but I see a sudden realization take over her features.

“You’re Huxton?” she breathes, scrunching the towel in an attempt to cover herself up further but it only makes it ride up her legs more.

I nod. “Huxton Barrel, owner and manager of the retreat.”

“Huxton… Oh…” she stammers, and I see her pretty pink lips tremble with nervousness. “Yes… We spoke on the phone. I-I’m Elise, your new Guest Services officer,” she says softly.

“Elise,” I say, the name leaving my lips so perfectly. It’s like she’s meant for me, the thing that’s been missing from my life.

“Oh my God.” Elise’s cheeks grow red as she shakes her head and stares down at her feet. “Shit. Shit… Shit!”

I frown as this girl reels off curse after curse. She’s working herself into a weird fit, her fists clenching together as she mutters something under her breath. I’m just standing there, dumbfounded.

Fuck. All I’m doing right now is imagining how it would feel to run my rough hands between those thick thighs. Hell, I’m not even trying to calm Elise down I’m that distracted.

Do something, jackass.

She’s so goddamn curvy it’s making me rock hard. I’m hoping the pressure of my jeans does enough to hide the painful erection throbbing in my pants.

“I’m such an idiot… Oh God, I just called my new boss a pervert…”

I clear my throat, trying to break the inappropriate thoughts racing through my head. “It’s okay, really. I didn’t mean to startle you, and I apologize for that.”

She looks up at me and it’s then that I realize how tiny she is. Of course anyone standing near me looks small, but this cutie would practically fit in my pocket.

And that’s exactly where I want to keep her.

I shake my head again. The sudden feeling of needing to protect this woman is undeniable, but she’s still cursing herself.

She looks up at me, her bright eyes still wide with shock, but now mixed with something else - embarrassment, maybe. “I-I’m sorry,” she stammers, her voice still trembling slightly. “Don’t fire me, I really need this job. This is just… a lot for me right now. I didn’t mean to jump to conclusions.”

I nod understandingly. “Seriously, it’s fine. I’m just here to fix the lock on the bathroom…” I stare at the door handle on the wooden floor beams. "… and I guess I have to sort that one out now too.”

She chuckles, a tiny little laugh that’s so cute I want to bottle it up just so I can hear it again.

“Well, then, Mr. Barrel-”

“Please,” I grunt, taking one step close to Elise. I reach out with my hand, offering it to her. Her eyes widen with what I want to think is excitement. “You can call me Huxton.”

She smiles and shakes my hand. “Okay, Huxton. It’s really nice to meet you in person.” She looks down at her towel, cheeks flaming brighter and brighter. “If you don’t mind, I’ll leave you to it. I have to get ready for my first day.”

My skin turns hot the moment she says my name and takes my hand. I’ve never felt anything like it before. Obsessive. Protective. Mine. The way my name sounds on her lips… it’s exactly how I want my name to sound for the rest of my life. The way her tiny hand felt in mine, grasping so softly, so perfectly.

She scampers off down the hall towards the bedrooms and I turn in the opposite direction to start work on the bathroom lock. My head is foggy, filled with thoughts of Elise. The air in the bathroom is the same, humid… with droplets from Elise’s shower still clinging to the damp walls. I reach into my bag and retrieve my tools, forcing myself to resume work.

But my tools aren’t the only thing that catches my eye.

Tucked away in the corner of the bathroom are panties. Red lace panties.

I grab them without thinking, pictures of Elise wearing them storming my mind. They’re so tiny in my fist, I can imagine how tempting those thick legs would look in them. I bring them to my nose, inhaling the musky scent deep into my lungs. The silky fabric is soft, and a wild thought enters my mind.

She’s mine. Mine.

By the time I’m done with the lock, I’m repacking my tools and heading back to the front door, quickly fixing that too. My mind is still spinning with images, thoughts and newfound desires that suddenly seem so clear.

But then reality hits like a ton of bricks.

This is my new employee. Someone I’ll have to work with every day. Fuck. I have a business to run. A new launch to get through. I take a deep breath and remind myself of everything I’ve put into this mountain retreat. Years and years of work. Dedication and sacrifice.

“All done?” Elise’s voice forces me to spin on the spot. She smiles at me, looking so damn beautiful in the crisp white blouse adorned with my company’s logo.

“Yeah, all fixed.”

My hand reaches into my pocket, my fingers clenching to the lacey fabric hidden inside. I don’t want to let her out of my sight. Not today. Not ever.

“How about I walk you to the office and introduce you to everyone?” I say.

She nods, and I watch her move down the stairs of the cabin, wondering if, for the first time in my life, opening the Mountain Retreat Lodge might not be the most important thing anymore.