Page 2 of Adrian

I roll my eyes. “It can’t be that bad.” This is exactly where I was planning to live until I can build a new house.

He reaches out a hand, snags mine, and tugs me right out the front door. The moment we’re on the porch, he breathes easier. “Jesus, woman. Do you have a death wish?”

I jerk my hand free of his and prop my palms on my hips. I’m only five-five. He towers over me at nearly a foot taller, but I straighten my spine and stand tall. I won’t let his size, or broad chest, or sexy beard, or firm handshake, or twinkling blue eyes, or plaid, mountain man shirt, or fucking well-fitting expensive jeans, or fancy truck intimidate me. I won’t.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine for a season. In the spring, I’ll start on the construction.”

He looks around. “Are you planning to move here alone?”

This makes my hackles rise. “Yes, big guy. I’m a grown woman. I don’t need a man to take care of me.”

He chuckles. “Feisty.”

“Don’t you forget it,” I bark.

He holds his hands out again, palms up in surrender. “Listen, I saw your SUV on our surveillance cameras when you passed the entrance to our property, so I came over to introduce myself and check on you. I’m Adrian Gallant. I hadn’t expected to find you inside this piece of shit. We all assumed whoever bought it would immediately bulldoze the house. You really can’t trust the structure. If you’re planning to stay here for the winter, you’ll need to invest in a nice RV that you can hook up to the water and electricity.”

I shake my head. “I don’t think that will be necessary, but thanks for your concern.”

His brows furrow, and he sets his hands on his hips. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing here, Blair?”

The answer is no, but I’m not going to admit that to him. “For your information, I’ve done plenty of research, and I have Google.”

He tips his head back and chuckles. Oh no. He’s laughing at me. “Google? Tell me you’re kidding.”

I narrow my gaze and plant my hands on my hips, matching his stance. “Have you never heard of it?” I counter.

His laughter increases. Part of me is struggling not to smile because damn, this man is hot when he laughs. Eventually, he runs a hand down his face, but he’s smirking as he faces me again. “Do you have a fancy smartphone and a computer, Blair?”

“Of course.”

“Got that phone on you, by any chance?”

I’m confused, but I reach into my back pocket and pull it out. When I hold it up with raised brows to show him, he continues smirking. “How about you Google something for me, princess.”

Now he’s getting under my skin. I do not like men calling me princess. It’s insulting. It may have been accurate at one point, but I’m turning over a new leaf, starting a new life. I can get dirty and work hard. So, fuck him.

As soon as that thought enters my mind, I find myself lingering on what it would be like to actually fuck him. I bet he’s good in bed.

“Blair?”

I jerk from my wandering thoughts and lower my gaze to my phone. Right. He asked me to open Google. “Don’t you have your own phone, Mr. Fancy Pants?” I grumble. Why does he need mine?

I tap the screen, and nothing happens. I can’t even see my home screen. The upper corner says SOS. Shit.

Fuck.

Ohhh… Oops.

“Yeah, there’s no mobile internet here, princess. You’ll need a satellite before you’ll be able to even send a text.”

I cringe. Hadn’t thought of that.

He nods to the right. “We have internet on Gallant Mountain. You’re welcome to come over and use it anytime, but it’s not going to help you in an emergency. I can’t leave you stranded here, Blair. I’d worry all the time. I’m not kidding about this house. It’s not structurally sound. A breeze will probably send it toppling to one side. I’m not sure how it’s managed to remain upright as long as it has.”

I inhale deeply and slowly. Fuck. Just fuck. I haven’t even been here an hour, and already I have a pile of unexpected issues.

Well, two problems. But they are big ones. No internet. No house. I wonder how long it will take to get a camper and a satellite… I turn my back on him to look at the building I’d intended to live in.