Falling for the Mountain Man (Forbidden In Fall Mountain Man #15)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Elora

Click, snap!

I focused the camera and snapped a picture, then another, and another. Wow, the views are amazing.

As I walked farther up the path, my camera snapped over and over, the colors growing more vibrant as I moved deeper into the woods of the mountain.

Seeing nature in person wasn’t comparable to only seeing pictures, which was why I wanted to come here and capture it all, hoping to bring it to life for others.

I spent my childhood in a bigger town, about an hour outside of Appleridge, and closer to the more populated cities.

While our leaves changed every year, it wasn’t the same stunning beauty as up here.

I wanted to catch it before the season ended.

What I needed most right now was a few good shots for my portfolio.

Leaves crunched beneath my boots as I forged ahead, photographing everything around me. I wanted to capture every moment, every pretty tree, every fallen leaf, and burn them into my memory for years to come.

I pulled out my phone and tapped out a text to my best friend, my mom.

Emilia: It’s so gorgeous here! The colors are stunning!

Mom: I so wish I were there with you! Send me lots of pics!

Emilia: will do!

I flipped over to the camera app, snapped a few pictures for her, and sent them through text right away.

Tucking my phone away, I followed along the path, taking pictures as I went.

The sun shone bright in the sky, warming the chilly air, and a few hundred feet ahead of me sat a large, beautiful-looking cabin. I’d only run into trees so far, so a wave of excitement ran through me.

It looked like something out of a storybook. The gorgeous wraparound porch stood out to me the most, with lanterns swinging in the gentle breeze, along with a couple of rocking chairs and a porch swing.

The impressive log work blew me away, and my curiosity piqued at what the inside might look like.

I brought my camera up to my eye and adjusted the zoom and lens before capturing a few good shots.

Without getting close enough to be trespassing, I changed my angles and snapped more shots.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered under my breath, still taken aback by the sheer beauty of it.

Did a family live inside? Or maybe a couple hiding away from the world? Or perhaps it was a hot mountain man like I heard lived in these types of towns. But what were the chances of that happening? Probably slim to none.

As I lowered my camera, I took out my phone once more, needing to send a few pictures to my mom. She’d appreciate its beauty as much as I did.

“Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” A loud voice boomed around me, and my body stiffened, fear coursing through me.

The front door to the cabin was now open, and a very big, very beefy guy stood in the entrance, filling up the entire doorway. His flannel-covered arms were crossed over his chest, and his stance looked angry, almost menacing.

I swallowed hard, still unable to breathe.

“Excuse me? I asked you a question.”

It was like I’d forgotten the English language.

My mouth went dry, my brain malfunctioned, and no words formed.

The sexy, brawny man closed the door behind him and strode toward me, each step more forceful than the last.

I should’ve turned and gotten out of there. Done anything to defuse the situation. Instead, I stood there like a deer in headlights.

The closer he got, the more my insides twisted.

He must’ve been at least six feet tall, with tight jeans and a form-fitted flannel button-down shirt, a buzz-cut haircut, and a thick, full light brown beard that I desperately wanted to run my fingers through.

If I had to guess, I’d say he was older than me, a few white hairs popping through his beard.

But what got me the most was his eyes.

Piercing icy-blue ones stared at me as if they were seeing straight through to my soul.

Without thinking, I looked for a ring, thinking this man couldn’t be single. He was way too good-looking to be alone. He wore a single silver band on his pinky, but I couldn’t make out the words engraved on it. Who was he, and why did I care?

“Who are you, and why are you on my front lawn taking pictures?” His voice echoed through me, and a swirl of nerves took shape in my stomach when he stopped mere inches from where I stood. He looked like a Roman statue of some sort, one of those highlighting the most perfect male form.

“I’m sorry. I’m only taking some scenic photos of the area. I didn’t realize someone was inside.”

“So you think empty cabins just sit around in the woods?”

“Well, when you put it like that, it sounds stupid.” I chuckled at my dumb statement.

“I couldn’t help taking pictures of such a beautiful cabin.

Usually, you only see places like this in movies or on television.

” I smiled brightly, hoping to defuse some of his anger.

He could be as angry as he wanted. It didn’t bother me as long as he remained respectful.

Yet what I didn’t understand was why there was such a strong pull of attraction toward him, especially since he was turning out to be nothing more than a grump. A very handsome grump.

His body language didn’t waver in the slightest. “Delete those pictures,” he growled.

I only smiled bigger. “No, I’d rather not.”

“This is private property, miss.”

“I understand that. But I’m not making a profit from them. They’ll simply go in my portfolio.”

“You’ll have to find somewhere else to photograph then, because those pictures,” he said while jabbing his finger toward my phone, “will be deleted. Now.”

He might look tough—hell, he might even talk tough—but I could handle him.

Men always had sex on the brain, so why not flirt a little?

Maybe stretch the truth a tad? I wasn’t in a rush to leave.

If anything, I wanted more time being around him.

He gave me a rush like I’d never experienced before, and I didn’t even know his name.

“Okay, I’ll delete them. But only under one condition.”

“There are no conditions. I want them gone and for my peace to be restored.” His eyes flashed, and I took it as a dare.

“Fine, a favor then,” I challenged.

“A favor?” he shouted. “I don’t even know who you are!”

“Strangers can do favors for each other. Is there a rule book or something?”

“What favor?”

“You invite me inside. I’ve always wanted to see the inside of a beautiful log cabin.” I grinned as his arms fell to his sides, the tension slowly easing from his tight muscles.

His mouth fell open slightly as he studied me. A small something tugged at the corner of his lips. Dare I say a smile?

“How do I know you’re not a mass murderer or something?” he snapped.

I snorted. “Really? Shouldn’t I be the one asking that?”

“Women kill too, you know.”

“I know. But not guys who are double their size.”

“Good point. Fuck, what am I even saying? Just delete the photos, okay? Have a good day.” He went to turn when I reached out and grabbed his arm.

We both froze.

I didn’t know what I was thinking. All I could do was act. It seemed like the most sensible decision.

Because something inside me screamed not to let this man go.

Call it my gut, call it intuition, call me fucking insane. I didn’t care.

I wasn’t going anywhere until this man let me inside.

Your mom would be beside herself right now…

I ignored the intrusive thought and focused on him. “How do you know I’ll delete them? You’re going to trust a stranger so easily?”

He scratched his beard. “Okay, I’ll bite. You’re gorgeous. But I don’t talk to people. And I certainly don’t invite them into my home. Nothing against you, but move along, alright? I’m surprised the local folk didn’t warn you.”

“Warn me about what? You?”

“Yeah. I like to be alone. I don’t play well with others...”

“Guess I missed the memo.” I smiled once more, putting all my good energy into it. “But by play, do you mean…”

He cut me off. “Have a good night.”

Then he turned and walked back toward his cabin, leaving me stunned.