To Claim the Mountain Man

Chapter 27

ISLA

Three separate pairs of eyes burned into me from different directions, but I somehow managed to avoid them all, staring instead at the fifth inning of the Rockies game like the biggest sports fan in Colorado.

Dexter, the handsome lumberjack from Silverton, Colorado, squeezed beside me on the couch, paying far more attention to me than the game. My brother scowled at us from his perch across the room, a vein in his forehead popping every time Dexter scooted closer to me. And the third set of eyes—the eyes that made my insides twist and my instincts prickle—glowered from where Heath leaned against the living room doorframe.

He was a monstrous, imposing figure, lurking in the background like some all-knowing god. I'd been avoiding him since my embarrassing behavior toward Stefanie but still felt his presence like a distant storm cloud. Ominous and demanding my respect.

Somehow, I managed to ignore him.

Sweat dampened my palms, but I cheered when our team scored, high fiving those around me.My throat felt tight, but I laughed when Dexter joked about something or another. I put on the performance of my life, while the rest of the room remained blissfully unaware of the nerves wreaking havoc on my body.

God, I just wanted to leave.

Unfortunately, Skylar was my ride, and she'd taken up residence on the lap of one of Garrett's firefighter friends.

A collective groan erupted around the room as the Rockies struck out for the third out, ending the inning. I blinked and forced my own disappointed pout, as if I actually cared about the baseball game while engaged in my own dangerous dalliance with my brother's best friend.

"So Isla," Dexter drawled when the television switched to a commercial break. "Have you ever been to the Narrow-Gauge Railroad near Silverton?"

I conjured my best polite smile and shook my head. "Never. Though I was supposed to go there on a field trip in fifth grade, but I came down with the flu and missed it."

At the time, I hadn't been heartbroken over it. I would've much rather sat in bed and read a book than visit a retired mine train and museum. Truthfully, I still had no interest in the historical landmark.

"Ah, that's too bad," he mused. He had dark brown hair and deep brown eyes that, a few weeks ago, would've made my heart skip a beat. Now, I only found myself comparing his features to Heath's, picking out flaw after flaw. His beard was sparse around his cheeks, and his jawline lacked the sharpness that I now found so damn attractive. And those dark brown eyes appeared muddy and dull compared to the slate gray that haunted my dreams...

"Y'know," Dexter continued, "Maybe you'd like to go with me sometime? It's actually pretty damn interesting. Then we could stop by Silverton, and I could show you my favorite pizza joint."

My eyebrows shot up. I hadn't expected Dexter to ask me on an actual date. He possessed the playboy smile and casual confidence of a man that didn't like to go on dates, unless he could guarantee a quick trip to the bedroom by the end of it. I didn't sense any sleaziness or hidden innuendos in his offer.

"Oh. Uh..." I stammered, chewing on the inside of my cheek.

Was I actually considering this? Dexter was handsome, and he'd been nothing but respectful all evening, though that might've had more to do with my brother glaring daggers at him from across the room. But, as soon as he asked me on the date, an image of Heath popped into my mind.

I thought that was a good enough indication that I shouldn't go on a date with another man. Especially not after the conversation that Heath and I shared after Alex dropped me off after our movie date the other night.