Espino, Stacey - Surrounded by Wolves [Wolves of Climax 1] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Read Online Free Page B

morning hike and thought I’d come and welcome you properly. I’ll be working with you at Gregor Mining.”
    “Oh, of course.” She wiped her hand on her jeans and reached out to shake his. He didn’t want her hand, but the whole woman. “I’m Cassidy Lyons.”
    “Evan.” He looked around the property after shaking her hand. “It’s just you out here? The place needs a lot of work.” He may be considered the lowest in the pack for his unquestioning devotion to his alpha, but he could physically outdo the other three men if he wanted to. His strength could aid this damsel in distress, now looking up at him with a mix of caution and curiosity.
    “It certainly wasn’t what I expected. But I’ll make it work.”
    “What’re you working on now?” He nodded to the stone pit.
    She smirked, squatting down to arrange the stones. “When I was younger, there was this one place I stayed that had a fire pit. We’d roast marshmallows and tell scary stories. It’s one of my happier memories growing up, so I thought I’d re-create it the best I could.”
    He already liked this girl. “Anything I can do to help?”
    Cassidy laughed. “There’s too much. I wouldn’t know where to start.” She stood up. “It’s my fault for not coming better prepared. Thanks for asking though.”
    He wasn’t going to leave without doing something. The woodpile on the side of the house was down to the last few cut logs. He picked up the rusty-bladed axe leaning against the side of the home and swung it up over his shoulder. There was an endless supply of deadwood to choose from living in the wilderness. He started walking back out to the forest behind the house. “It wouldn’t be gentlemanly of me to leave without at least making sure you had wood for a fire. It’ll only take me a little while, then I’ll be out of your hair.”

    * * * *

    She watched the broad-shouldered blond disappear into the brushwood. He didn’t intimidate her despite his size. There was a calmness about him that settled her nerves as soon as he spoke. It was nice to see another person after the long night of listening to those godforsaken wolves howling and rooting around her little wooden house. Until the light of day gave her renewed strength and optimism, she swore she’d stay holed up in the house until someone came to rescue her.
    Evan returned a while later dragging a massive downed log like a regular lumberjack. She wasn’t sure how on earth he’d moved it at all. Once he dropped it down, the earth trembled.
    “Wow, I guess having a man around is useful after all,” she teased.
    Cassidy tried to budge it with her foot, but couldn’t even make it wobble. Evan’s male power enamored her at once. She settled onto a tree stump nearby to watch the man in action.
    “I’ll set you up for half the upcoming winter. At least that’ll be one less thing for you to worry about.” He began swinging the axe, his shirt tightening across his back, revealing sculpted muscles. After cutting each section free, he’d rearrange the wood before continuing to create smaller logs. She’d easily be able to cart them into the house and fit them into the airtight fireplace. He didn’t even know her, but went to so much trouble to offer a helping hand. Maybe all small-town men were friendly and helpful…and droolworthy.
    A vehicle slowly crawled along the gravel drive as Evan continued with his cutting. She turned to find a white pickup truck with the Gregor Mining logo on the side. The foreman, Garret, stepped out. He looked even more striking than yesterday, his dark hair slightly damp and pushed casually off his face.
    “I came to check on how you were getting along out here.” He walked toward her, but stopped when he noticed the other man. “That you, Evan?”
    He stopped chopping wood and wiped his face with the bottom of his T-shirt, briefly revealing chiseled abs. “Just helping out the lady.”
    Garret looked like he wanted to argue with his