He passed her the mug of tea. “Drink this. It’ll make you feel better and warm you up.”
“Thank you.” She cupped the mug in both hands. “I didn’t think I’d make it.”
“You’re safe now. Why weren’t you on the plane with everyone else?”
She finished taking a sip of tea. “I couldn’t afford it. I spent most of my saving just to go on my little adventure.”
Caleb was well aware the nature trips were targeted for the rich, people with so much money they didn’t know what to do with it. Damon and Caleb had done well for themselves in the city, starting their own construction company. It only taught him that money couldn’t buy happiness.
“I hope this experience didn’t give you a sour taste for country living,” said Damon. “Once you’re feeling better, I’d be happy to show you just how beautiful the land really is.”
Caleb scowled at his brother, but Damon ignored him.
“I’m surprised your boyfriend didn’t come along with you on the trip. I know if I had a woman like you, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight.”
Fuck. Couldn’t Damon keep his big mouth shut for two minutes? He was putting their guest on the spot when she was most vulnerable. His manners were shot to shit.
Caleb wasn’t a monster, and he had dreams and desires like any other man. He just didn’t believe in forcing himself on a woman. A relationship had to be stoked slowly, brought naturally to a flame. Damon wanted to skip right to the damn baby-making.
Opal bit her bottom lip, likely feeling awkward. “I don’t have a boyfriend. I was doing this for me.”
Damon smiled, glancing over at him with an evil smirk. Just because she was single didn’t mean she was ready to hook up with two bushmen. But Caleb couldn’t help but feel a trickle of hope.
****
Opal had woken up to the warmth of blankets and the crackle of an open fire. She thought she was dreaming, her mind creating a merciful fantasy in her dying hour. When she opened her eyes, the kind face of an old man looked down on her. A stethoscope hung around his neck, and she immediately felt the burden of survival slipping away. She was out of the elements and in the hands of a doctor.
She was half in a daze, studying the wooden plank ceiling above her and the different shaped knots in the wood. As her faculties returned, she focused on the two men still in the room, and she remembered the sequence of events—well, bits and pieces. Those men had saved her, brought her to this place in the woods. She tucked her hair behind her ears, imagining she looked worse than shit. The last thing she should care about was her appearance, but those men… They were tall and built, all burly muscle, rough hands, and worn jeans. The one with the blue eyes sat on the table, his elbows resting on his knees. His shoulders were massive, the red flannel shirt hugging his muscles.
The one with the short beard had dark eyes, the eyes of a predator. He’d look at her, but instead of smiling, the corners of his eyes would crinkle. He acted like she was an unwanted house guest, and she supposed she’d already put these men through the ringer tonight.
When he offered her the tea, her nerves settled slightly. “I’m sorry for putting you both out.”
“Don’t worry about us,” said Blue Eyes. “You just worry about getting better.”
“I don’t know your names,” she said.
“My name’s Damon, and this is my brother Caleb.”
They both sat on the coffee table in front of her now, two perfectly rugged specimens of the male form. She didn’t want to stare, but they were very nice to look at. “Who lives here?”
“Just the two of us,” said Damon. He ran a hand through his mop of dark hair.
“And you said you’re brothers?”
He nodded. “Caleb’s two years older, but a lot of people mistake us for twins.”
She found it odd that two grown men lived alone together, no family, no wives, or children. Opal wanted to know so much more, but didn’t want to insult them or open up any old wounds. Maybe one of them was a widower.
“Who’s waiting for you back home?” asked Caleb. He didn’t talk as much, so he had her undivided attention.
“I live alone. I have a little studio apartment above a discount store.” After she spoke, she wondered if she should be telling these strangers that no one was waiting for her return. Maybe they lived alone because they were crazy axe murderers. She tensed up, countless horror flicks scrolling through her mind again.
“A city girl?” asked Caleb.
“I’ve lived in the city all my life. It’s where the jobs and public transit are. Only people with money get to live in the suburbs.”
“What do you call this?” asked Damon, waving an arm in the air.
“Well, it’s far from the suburbs.” She smiled. “I can’t even imagine living way out here. How do you two survive?”
Caleb didn’t look impressed with her question and kept quiet.
“I guess it’s something you get used to. Or addicted to. Once you get away from all the noise and bustle, you don’t want to go back,” said Damon.
“I’d never make it on my own.”
Damon wet his lips, distracting her. “You just need a man to take care of you,” he said. “Or two.”
Caleb stood up and stormed off to the kitchen. She heard cupboards banging, then the water running. His quick escape had stolen her focus for a minute, but had she heard correctly? Had Damon hinted at something kinky? She must have misunderstood.
The hot tea and roaring fire had warmed her, bringing back her sensibilities. She looked around the cabin. It must have been built by hand, with a lot of history. The log walls were well insulated, the interior cozy and rustic. Big colorful rugs adorned the floor and the stone fireplace flickered with red, orange, and yellow flames. It was the type of place perfect for a retreat, a getaway for the mind. Maybe a few days holed up with Caleb and Damon in this little piece of paradise wouldn’t be so bad after all.
She’d started this adventure to heal herself from the inside out, to give herself a chance at life after she’d almost taken her own. Her entire life had been a struggle. The bullying first happened in grade school and never let up. She’d always been teased for her weight, and she found out adults could be just as cruel as kids. Opal didn’t want to grow old alone, in fact, it terrified her. But so far, men kept their distance. And loneliness nipped at her heels.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
Damon leaned closer, and she took a good look at him. His eyes were an unusual blue, and she imagined they’d be even more stunning in the sunlight. He had scruff on his face, a straight nose, and strong jaw. There was something about the brothers, something different than the men she’d seen in the city. Their untamed quality lured her in, made her conjure up impossible fantasies in her head. What she wouldn’t give to feel Damon’s strong arms around him, see lust in his eyes. This was every woman’s fantasy—trapped in the wilderness with two irresistible hunks. Too bad they were way out of her league.
Opal was used to being ignored or cast aside. It was just the way things were for her.
“Everything’s fine. If you’re worried about Caleb, don’t be. He’s old-fashioned and doesn’t believe in going after what he wants.”