Chapter 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."
I laugh with him. "I don't have siblings, but I get how important that would be."
I find him really easy to talk to, and we discuss everything under the sun.
By the time we sit down at his dining table with grilled chicken and avocado sandwiches and exquisite espresso, I've learned quite a bit about this rugged, striking man.
He has two older brothers. He has lived in Rathlock his entire life.
He loves driving and visits Old Hemlock Valley, Cedarvale, and West Stoneburg frequently.
He makes all kinds of furniture, but mostly bed frames and dressers.
I've also learned that his deep, rumbling voice does…things…to my lower belly. Every time I catch myself staring at his thick, strong arms, I find my thighs pressing together tightly. This man is stirring up all kinds of physical feelings that are brand new for me. They’re so intense that frankly it’s on the verge of becoming uncomfortable.
Also, the man must be a prolific carpenter if he can afford a house like this on such a huge piece of land.
"So, what's with the audio recordings?" he asks when we're halfway through our meal. "Surely they have stock files you could use?"
I shake my head. "I create soundscapes. So I need original content that expresses exactly what I'm looking for. Stock files are just…generic."
Thane looks at me and blinks. "What the hell is a soundscape?"
I laugh, inadvertently touching his forearm for a few seconds. "People use them to focus or create a mood. Or to enhance their environment. Like the way lighting a vanilla candle changes the feeling of your space, you know?"
"Uh. Sure." He doesn't sound convinced.
"Imagine you're studying for exams. You've been staring at the screen for eight hours straight.
You put on rain sounds as white noise. It might help you focus, but it might also make you sleepy.
If you put on a soundscape of a fresh morning breeze mixed with bird calls, it would create an environment that's much more energetic. "
Thane nods slowly. "I do love sleeping when it's raining."
"Oh, me too. But sometimes people need an energy kick."
"And bird calls help with that?"
"For sure! It's like having company."
"Okay." He nods again. "I could see that."
My fingers drum on the table. "One of the birds I’m having trouble finding is a blue-winged warbler. Do you happen to know where they hang out around here?"
He nods. "You'd have a better chance of finding them on Maple Trail. I could take you there tomorrow morning if you like. They'll be chattering after the rain."
"You really don't mind showing me?"
I can't imagine why he would want to take time out of his day to show a stranger some birds.
Unless… Does Thane like me? I've been noticing the way he stares at my lips.
The way his gaze slowly meanders all around me, as if I intrigue him.
I certainly like him, even though it's too soon and our meeting was too random for me to trust the feelings swirling inside me.
"Don't mind at all." He smiles down toward his now-empty plate, smirking slightly. "How old are you, Audra?"
"Twenty-two, why?"
“I'm thirty-one. My mother, bless her heart, has been pushing me to meet some women. I’d like to show you the birds tomorrow morning to help you get your soundscape thing right. But if Mom gets on my case again, I’m calling it a date. Is that okay?”
There's an intense, hungry look in his eyes. I can tell he wants this to be a date – his mother is just an excuse. My breath is shallow as I feel my nipples tighten to peaks under my thin dress. If he notices, he's polite enough to pretend he doesn’t. "Sure. Date. Hangout. Whatever you like."
Thane’s chin jerks up, his head tilting as he listens toward the open window. "Rain's coming soon. Let's get you to your car. I don't want you driving on these back roads when it really starts bucketing down.”
He picks up my bag on the way out of the house, and we pass by his workshop. "Can I take a quick peek at the furniture you're making?" I ask.
"Sure." He opens the door and snaps on a light, revealing several panels propped up against the wall. It takes me a moment to realize they’re disassembled bedframes: headboards, matching footboards, side panels.
Several of them have geometric inlays of different tones of wood.
Some are smaller, with carvings of birds and dragonflies.
"You make beds for kids too! That's adorable."
He shrugs. "I find the carving meditative."
We get into his truck and he drives me back to where my Jeep is parked at the side of the road near the clearing. With the big S-curve up to his house, I wouldn't have even seen his house from the road.
Interesting. Most of my family always wants to be in the limelight. Meanwhile, this woodworker lumberjack with the gorgeous home is content to hide and be alone.
I grab my bag when we reach my car. To my surprise, he races around to open my door and help me down. "So, I'll meet you at Maple Trail at nine?" I ask.
Thane turns to me and freezes, staring gently and almost smiling. It's as if time stops. I can feel his eyes wandering slowly around my hair, my lips, then back to my eyes. "Where are you staying? I'll pick you up."
"Oh. It's the inn in Old Hemlock Valley. I think there’s only one?"
“You’re right. How did you end up coming here, anyway?”
I shrug. “I was looking for good places for birds, somewhere interesting and beautiful for a little working vacation. One of the birdwatching sites said this was the best area and very safe. So I decided to come for a week or two.”
He nods. "Cool. Well, I'll pick you up at nine." He picks up my hand, examines my pale gray nails, then kisses the back of it, sending shivers running up and down my spine. "Get home safe, Audra."
I love the way he says my name.
His fresh, masculine scent breezes past me as I step away, heading for my Jeep. This is a seriously sexy man. The kind of guy that I’m sure every woman in the area is throwing herself at. Yet he seems completely fixated on me.
Tomorrow’s walk to record some birds is going to be the most important date of my life.