Chapter 2

2

My heart rate instantly spiked to a hundred and eighty.

Getting caught red-handed while spying on someone was beyond humiliating.

I wasn't sure if it was just my imagination, but it looked like the man was smirking at me.

I didn't dare stay a second longer.

Lightening my footsteps, I scurried away as fast as I could.

Ten minutes later, Sadie returned casually, claiming she had walked off to take landscape photos.

She openly pulled out her phone and showed me the new photos in her gallery.

I looked at them absently, unable to ignore the slightly smudged lipstick on her lips.

So they definitely made out just now.

"Winnie? Why are you spacing out?"

"Nothing, just feeling a little tired."

I gave a casual excuse, and thankfully, Sadie didn't suspect a thing.

Soon, our group hit the trail again.

This time, Sadie walked right beside Captain Cedar, chatting and laughing every few steps.

I trailed two paces behind them, keeping quiet.

Only this time, I couldn't stop myself from stealing glances at him.

I had only seen him from a distance before and knew he was tall, but up close, he was easily six-foot-two.

Beneath his dark athletic gear was a lean, heavily muscled frame with long, powerful arms.

With arms that strong, he could probably lift a woman off the ground with effortless ease.

As I let my thoughts wander, my gaze lingered along his broad back and shoulders.

The more I looked, the more a restless heat spread through my body.

I silently scolded myself for being so easily rattled by a hot guy.

Then again, I tried to rationalize it.

Men this gorgeous, with both a god-tier face and a killer physique, were rare gems.

Besides, I had been single for over three years, too buried in corporate grind to even think about dating.

Running into such a ruggedly handsome athletic guy was bound to make anyone's imagination run wild.

"Whoa―!"

The consequence of zoning out was missing my footing completely on the loose gravel.

I slipped, lost my balance, and pitched straight forward.

I crashed directly into Captain Cedar's back.

In an instant, his intoxicating, masculine scent enveloped my senses.

His back felt like solid brick, leaving me clutching my sore nose with tears welling in my eyes.

"Winnie, are you okay?"

Sadie gasped in shock and hurried to steady me.

I shook my head, clutching my nose in pain, too embarrassed to look up at Cedar.

"Let me see."

A deep, husky voice rumbled above me.

A large, warm hand reached out, gently pulling my hands away as Cedar leaned down to inspect my nose.

We were so close that I was practically pulled against his chest, instantly making me forget the pain.

His fingers lightly pinched the bridge of my nose, a faint, amused smirk playing on his lips.

"Good news. Your cute nose isn't squashed."

Realizing he was teasing me, blood rushed to my cheeks, and I instinctively pushed against his chest.

"I-I'm totally fine!"

I lowered my head and marched forward at a frantic pace, desperate to leave his low chuckle behind.

"Winnie, why are you walking so fast?" Sadie yelled.

"Because I feel like it!"

For the rest of the hike, I stayed at the very front with the lead hikers, leaving Sadie and Cedar behind.

Once we reached the mountain summit, everyone began taking photos and gathering in small groups to rest.

Not wanting to ruin whatever Sadie and Cedar had going on, I deliberately stayed away.

I wandered off on my own, snapping landscape photos with my phone.

As I framed another shot, a tall, imposing figure suddenly stepped into my camera view.

He leaned against a pine trunk, staring right at me through my lens with burning intensity.

I spun around to leave, but his deep voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Why were you spying on me earlier?"