Brennan

by Anna Joung

  BRENNAN

  Mountain Man, 3

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2020 Anna Joung – All rights Reserved

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication / use of the trademarks is not authorized, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Table Of Contents

  Description

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Epilogue

  Also By Anna Joung

  About The Author

  Description

  She’s only ever been with one man.

  He’s carrying the burden of his family’s mistakes.

  Lizette

  I remember our eyes meeting across the room when I turned eighteen. I remember the feeling of him on top of me, taking me, claiming me. I never thought I’d see him again. That was until he walked into my office.

  Brennan

  Fourteen years ago, a drunken mistake rocked the foundations of my town and my father’s decision destroyed my life.

  I’m a recluse, living out on the mountains, deep in the woods. I want nothing more than to rid myself of society’s judgment. But still, I can’t get the mysterious woman from the party off my mind. Even four years later and she is all I ever think about. I must have her.

  Little did I realize just a slight change in my routine would lead to us crossing paths again and just how intertwined our family’s pasts truly are. Will she accept me for who I am or will my dark secret keep us apart?

  All I know is that I need to have her once more. She will be mine.

  Prologue

  Liz

  I watched the door click shut on my dad’s office as he shut himself away to go over figures with his accountant. My nails drummed against the desk as I stared at the screen of the computer, the emails pinging as they filtered through. Absentmindedly, I clicked through them, organizing them into their respective files and forwarding the urgent ones on for attention.

  After four years of working at the Miller Sawmill, I would have thought my dad would have trusted me to do something more than receptionist work. He knows I can excel; he knows how much potential I have. Just because I’m not a man doesn’t mean I can’t do just as well as my brother, Buck.

  I felt my brain numbing as I continued my mindless task. I was happy that I had taken on full-time work at the office from Monday to Friday, at least I had the weekend off to relax and unwind. Occasionally, I would go for a stroll near the wood’s edge, but my dad had always told me not to enter in case I got lost. He really did think of me as of some helpless doll.

  As I heard the door to the office open, I looked up. My heart stopped as I took in a sharp intake of breath. There he was, the man I never thought I’d see again.

  Brennan Hill.

  My eyes traversed the entirety of his body. He was dressed casually in jeans and a gray hoodie, his brown hair tousled to the side. He had grown facial hair since I’d last seen him, a short-boxed beard, not too overgrown but also untamed. Brennan also looked like he’d gained more muscle, his face chiseled, and his dark copper eyes hidden under his brow. When he had walked in, he had been looking at the ground but when he looked up to talk to me, he froze, his mouth hanging open. I knew he recognized me.

  “Liz?” he asked incredulously.

  “Brennan?”

  His face lit up and I couldn’t stop the massive grin spread across my own. I stood up and moved forward, stopping awkwardly, not knowing how to greet the man who had taken my virginity so long ago. We shuffled about for a moment before he offered his hand. I took it firmly and shook it, both of us laughing at the absurdity of the situation.

  “How long has it been?” I asked, trying to attempt nonchalance.

  “Four years,” he answered quickly.

  My stomach flipped over as I internally squealed.

  It must have meant something to him if he can remember when it happened. It’s good because I never forgot that night. The night where everything changed.

  “Yes, I remember. I had just turned eighteen and we were at that party,” I smiled.

  He rubbed the back of his neck, “My cousin’s party. I never did manage to get your number.”

  “You left in such a rush,” I responded, “You were like Cinderella, as soon as the clock struck twelve you were off. I haven’t seen you since. Do you live locally?”

  He turned and pointed through the window, “I live in Sanhill Woods, on The Iron Peaks. I never really come down except to drop off the logs here or to pick groceries up at Chester. I prefer to be alone.”

  “You didn’t want to be alone at that party. Do you remember?”

  ***

  Brennan

  How could I forget? I never wanted to go to my cousin’s party, but he had just turned eighteen and I didn’t want to seem rude. I was going to have one drink and leave, I’m wary of drinking after my father’s history. I was just finishing off my cup when I saw her across the room. It was as though the music faded away and a spotlight beamed down on her, like something out of a movie. I pushed my way through that crowd, and I could swear her eyes never left me for a moment.

  It was fate.

  We couldn’t hear much over the music, the next day my throat was raw from trying to talk to her. But we didn’t need words. Our bodies did the talking. We were like magnets, being drawn to one another. It started with a kiss and the next thing I knew she was in my arms, naked on the bed in the guest room. I didn’t want to leave but I couldn’t stay there. I needed to go home, back to safety.

  If only I had got her number.

  I broke from my daydream with her hand waving in front of my face, “Brennan, are you okay? You zoned out on me there.”

  “Sorry,” I laughed nervously, “Of course I remember that party. I remember you very clearly.”

  I saw the blush creep up her cheeks as she looked away. She had no reason to be embarrassed, she had the most beautiful body hidden under those clothes. I felt myself stiffen at the thought, my craving for her body, even now. I mentally slapped myself back to reason, I knew I couldn’t mix business with pleasure, not at Miller Sawmill.

  “Anyway, what can I do you for?” she asked, “I haven’t seen you around here before. Is this where you usually drop your logs?”

  “It has been ever since I lived by myself,” I replied, “I only come on Saturdays, sometimes Sunday, but I have something important this weekend and thought I’d drop by today instead. I’m here to collect a payment, I have this.”

  I handed over the paper slip the guys had given me outback. After coming into the yard, they would unload, count, and assess the logs before completing a slip and giving it back to me to collect payment from the front office. I was used to one of the guys leading me through to settle the balance, but they had informed me someone was in the office today. It was a surprise to know it had been the woman I had been obsessed with ever since I had met her at that party.

  As she counted the bills, she spoke, “I started working here full-time just before we met. It’s crazy how I’ve never seen you here before. Wha
t a small world. Although I wish I had seen you earlier, maybe we could have continued where we left off.”

  She handed me the bills and I took them, slipping them into my back pocket. An unsettling feeling gnawed at me until I could stand it no longer.

  “I wouldn’t have expected someone like you to work here. Why are you here?” I asked.

  “This is my dad’s sawmill. I’m Lizette Miller.”

  Time froze and I felt a chill run up the length of my spine. The worst of my fears had been confirmed.

  Numbly, I responded, “I have to go.”

  I registered the surprised look in her face before I turned on my heel and headed out from the office, quickly returning to my truck. It wasn’t until I had driven out on the yard that I allowed myself to breathe freely.

  After all, how could I talk to the woman whose mom died because of my family?

  Chapter 1

  Liz

  The day had dragged on since Brennan had left the office. In my head, I had more questions than answers after his abrupt departure, but I was still elated over seeing him. My dad had commented on how perky I had been that afternoon and I knew my happiness was showing on the outside.

  How can a man affect me so much?

  My hands skimmed the keyboard as I finished typing up a letter to one of the clients. I hit send before shutting everything down and standing to lock up. My dad would be out of his office at any moment and we would be heading home for dinner.

  As I went into the filing room, an idea crept up upon me. After losing Brennan one time, I wasn't prepared to let him go again. I had never been with a man after that night with him and I knew I wouldn't be able to move past him again with closure. I had to know whether he truly was the one for me or it was all some hormone-induced fantasy. Looking about me, I checked to see if the coast was clear and that no one was in the office. My dad was still tucked away behind his shut door but I remained on high alert for the slightest sound. Swiftly, I moved over to the cabinets and read their labels until I got to the one I needed – Supplier Contacts. I had alphabetized it when I was younger before I started working at the mill fulltime, and I knew that Brennan's details were stored in their realm. I skimmed through until I found his name – Brennan Hill. I pulled the card out and quickly whipped out my phone. I entered the digits quickly before shoving the card back into its place and slamming the cabinet closed. From the main office, I heard my dad’s office door open as he called out for me.

  Standing upright, I smoothed down the front of my jeans before heading out to see my dad, locking the door behind me. I felt my phone burning a hole in my pocket as I did so.

  I just pray that Mr. Hill hasn’t changed his number recently.

  ***

  Brennan

  The shower drummed onto my back as I stared down into the drain. I watched as the water slipped away.

  Just like I let her slip away. Again. Four years of obsessing over the woman of my dreams and I let her go just like that. How could I have known she was a Miller? Does it really matter? She must know I’m a Hill after dealing with my account and yet she still looked at me that way.

  As I turned the shower off, I opened the door and let the steam billow out. Wrapping a towel around myself, I headed for my bedroom, my feet padding across the worn rug. I was just about to start getting dressed when I heard my phone buzz on the chest of drawers.

  No one messages me…

  Curious, I headed over to the drawers and picked up the phone. Unlocking the screen, I opened the message and read:

  Brennan, it was great seeing you today. I got your number from your file – hope you don’t mind. Do you want to come for a drink tonight? – Liz

  My heart pounded in my chest as I read the message over once more. I couldn’t believe that she had tracked me down. Now I could begin to wonder whether the feeling was mutual between us. My brain whirled as I thumbed a reply:

  Sure. When and where?

  As I hit send, I rushed over to my closet to see what I could dig out. I spent the majority of my time out in the forest in complete isolation – I had no need for fashion. Buried deep at the back I found a black shirt and some tight-fitting black jeans, back from when I was younger. Although it took some squeezing, I managed to fit myself into the clothes. My muscles had grown substantially over four years and the material stretched over my body like a second skin. Regardless, I gave myself a once over in the mirror before I contemplated my hair. I was about to start on it when my phone buzzed, signaling her response:

  The Iron Brewhouse in an hour.

  It didn’t give me much time because the drive down was about half an hour. I smoothed down the front of my shirt before replying:

  Sure. See you there.

  The thought of going into town to socialize made me anxious. I hated being around town, I hated feeling like they were looking at me, judging me for my family’s past. I much preferred the comfort of the woods, being out in nature without people surrounding me. Swallowing my fear, I headed over to the mirror and combed my hair to the side with my fingers. I had a look at my beard and quickly went to the bathroom where I trimmed it into submission. A final glance and I knew I had to get in the truck now if I had any hope of getting to bar in time. Grabbing my wallet and keys, I went outside and started the engine.

  The drive down was peaceful, the roads were quiet and empty. Occasionally, I would spot a few hunters within the season but I made sure they didn’t come near the home. I had placed plenty of signage to warn off people from my cabin. As the woods thinned out, the buildings popped up and soon I was in the center of Chester, the sleepy mountain town. It wasn’t a large town by any means but it was my hometown. Everyone here had a special soft spot in their heart for Chester.

  I pulled into the parking lot of The Iron Brewhouse. I was surprised to see so many cars on a Monday night, I just hoped they wouldn’t be driving home drunk. I knew how that ended.

  Locking my truck behind me, I headed into the bar. I had to steady my nerves at the sight of so many people. I was relieved to see only a few turned around and out of that only a couple of people recognized me. They didn’t say anything as I wandered through, looking for Liz. As I rounded one side of the bar, I saw her, leaning over and chatting to one of the barmen. She was propped up on a stool, her legs crossed, covering her dignity from the short dress she was wearing. My mind started to wander so I quickly shook my head and walked over. I could see the bartender was into her, he was captivated by her every word, continually scrubbing the same glass over and over again despite the call of patrons waiting to be served.

  “Liz,” I called as I walked up to her.

  Her smile was infectious as she turned to me. The bartender looked agitated at the interruption before he finally put the glass down and returned to work. I seated myself on the barstool next to her before she struck up a conversation.

  “Sorry, I definitely broke some law or other by pulling up your information from our files. I hope you don’t mind.”

  I shook my head, “Not at all. I was actually glad to get your text. I was an idiot for running out on you a second time without getting your number. At least one of us has an iota of intelligence.”

  “I wish my father thought the same.”

  “Mr. Miller? Why?”

  She nibbled her lip before responding, “He won’t let me move further up the chain at the mill. I’m obligated to work there because of family tradition but it also prevents any female from ever get any form of power. My brother is a manager and he’s trusted with everything, dad just makes me man the front desk. I have so many ideas to increase productivity and marketing.”

  “Have you ever told him this?” I asked.

  “I’ve tried to bring up some things before, but he shuts me down before I even get started. It’s a man’s world in his opinion,” she paused for a moment, “Anyway, enough of my complaining, that’s not what I asked you here for. Shall I get us a drink?”

  “Drinks are on me. I�
�ll only have one because I’m driving.”

  Liz signaled over the barman, he looked pleased with her attention, but his face turned sour when I addressed him. I wondered if he knew who I was as I ordered a beer for myself a glass of house red for her. When he had finished pouring the drinks, he put them down, gave her a wink before heading back to serve other customers.

  “What’s his deal?” I asked, glaring at his back.

  She laughed, “He thinks if I get drunk enough, I’ll fall in bed with him. I’m not that type of girl.”

  Her eyes flicked to me, as though to garner my response. I knew she wasn’t that type of girl, despite our first encounter. I hadn’t got her into bed because she was easy, there was a true connection there.

  I took a gulp of my beer, “I wouldn’t take you for that type of girl. And now I know just how intelligent you are, you’re the whole package.”

  She blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. We chatted a while, sipping our drinks before we had drained them dry. Her finger circled the top of her glass as she listened intently to my answers. I couldn’t help but admire her pale-yellow hair, framing her face in straight lines. She had barely a whisper of makeup to compliment her perfect features – plump pink lips and intoxicatingly icy blue eyes.

  “Do you want to come back to mine?”

  The words fell out of my mouth before I could stop them. I froze as I wondered what she would think of my proposition. I was never usually that forward.

  Hell, I’ve never been that forward. I’ve never been with a woman since her. Liz.

  I could hear my pulse in my ears as I waited for an answer. It must have only been a second delay but it felt like a lifetime.

  “Sure, let’s go.”

  I let my breath go with relief. Carefully, I helped her from her stool. Pausing a moment to admire the curves of her body, trapped beneath her dress. She still had the body she had from all those years ago, if anything it looked even better. My groin started to stir so I quickly looked away and she followed me out the bar. I led her to my truck where I helped her clamber in before climbing my side and starting the engine. One nod from her and we headed back to the cabin. The drive was filled with small talk about the weather and the beauty of the forest. When we arrived, I helped her from the truck and we entered my house.