Hard to Fight (Alpha's Heart, #1)(36)

If I didn’t know better, I’d say his jaw tightened. “I said that’s it,” he says low. “That’s it.”

Hmmmm. Interesting. I decide to change the subject because he doesn’t look happy.

“Okay, so tell me where we’re going.”

“Up into the mountains.”

My brows shoot up. “The mountains?”

“Yeah, the Colorado mountains.”

I let out a whoosh of air. “I’ve lived here my entire life, and yet I’ve never been into the mountains. I’ve seen them, they look amazing, but I just haven’t gone up into them.”

“You’ve been missin’ out. Prettiest mountains you’ve ever seen.”

“And we’re going into those mountains because…?”

He nods. “Got a cabin up there.”

“You do?” I squeak.

“Yep. Bought it about six years ago. Spent my free time fixin’ it up. Now I go up there when I can, just to get away.”

A cabin.

I bet that’s where he planned on hiding out when the heat started crashing down on him. A cabin. A secluded, hidden cabin. I shudder.

“It’s a good thing I trust you, Raide. I can trust you, right? Because don’t forget I have a gun.”

He laughs, and it’s a rich, beautiful sound that makes my skin tingle. “I’m still not sure a tiny thing like you can use a gun safely.”

“Hey, I’m not tiny,” I protest. “And I use it just fine.”

“Sure about that?”

I snort. “Of course I am. Probably better than you!”

He cocks a brow. “That a challenge?”

“Sure.”

He grins and murmurs low, “Accepted. I win, I get you for an entire night.”

I bite my lower lip.

“In the bath,” he rasps.

Oh man.

“On the table.”

I shiver.

“Bent over my couch.”

“And what exactly is this challenge?” I say, but my voice comes out breathy and lusty.

“Target shooting. Got a few targets set up on my land.”

I straighten and smile. “Challenge accepted—I rock at targets.”

“You haven’t stated what you want if you win.”

I swallow and stare at him. “I want you to take me on a romantic date.”

He looks disgusted. “Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously. No one has ever taken me on a date that was beautiful, like the movies.”

His top lip curls. “I’m not dancing.”

I laugh. “Okay, handsome.”

“Not lighting candles.”

“Candles are a must.”

He frowns and mutters, “Fuck me.”

I can’t hide my grin. “I guess you’d better win, then, huh?”

He flashes me a quick, sexy look. “Oh baby, I’ll win.”

Challenge accepted.

*

We roll into Colorado Springs just after lunchtime. Raide stops at a gas station, and we fill up the tank, grab some sandwiches and shakes, then we’re back on the road. Raide tells me his cabin isn’t far, another hour or so, up into the mountains a little more. I fall asleep as soon as I’m finished with my sandwich and wake up only when we arrive at Raide’s cabin.

It’s gorgeous, with thick trees, the sounds of running streams, and a breeze that washes my hair back. I close my eyes, breathing it in. Then I get out of the car, stretch, and stare at the cabin in front of me. It’s not huge, but it looks homey—the perfect vacation retreat. I could imagine coming up here to escape the everyday tortures of life.

Raide comes around the car and takes my hand, pulling me up toward the cabin. He jostles some keys and then shoves one into the lock. With a loud squeak, the door opens. He steps in, fiddles about, and then flicks on the lights.

I gasp. Oh. Wow.

I’ve seen some beautiful places in my life, but nothing like this. It’s a cabin in it’s truest form. Exposed logs on the inside as well on the outside, one large living space, windows all around, and a patio running across the front length. There are no walls, the only separation is for a shower and toilet in the far right corner. Everything else is out in the open. The kitchen, the living, the bedroom, the fireplace.

Oh God. “This is—” I stop to catch my breath. “Amazing.”

“Took a long time to get it like this,” Raide says, walking in and dumping our bags beside the large bed.

“You’ve done an amazing job, Raide. It’s perfect. Where do you get the money to do all this? It must cost a lot.”

I don’t realize how rude my question is until it pops from my mouth. He doesn’t seem offended, he just shrugs. “I worked hard getting a job as soon as I could. I saved every penny, never spent anything on myself. This place, it mattered from the moment I saw it, and so I poured all my savings into it.”

Makes sense. “That’s nice.” I smile softly.

He walks over, reaching out and hooking his arm around me. He pulls me close, moving his arm down to my waist. He leans down, brushing his lips across my forehead. There he murmurs, “Go and shower or take a bath, and I’ll make some food.”

“There’s food here?” I breathe.