by CJ Turner
“You sure?”
“Yes. Where are we going on this mountain?”
“Up.”
Sure. Up the mountain. Even if walking nearly straight up didn’t make every breath harder to take. Sebastian disappeared over the top of a rise, and Alister sucked in a breath or tried to. He stared down the path he just traveled and debated whether to descend, but when he took a step downward, gravel slid under his sandals, and he fell on his butt. The fall landed him on a bed of the sharp rocks, and the jolt sent pain up his spine.
Alister sat on the rocks and found one leg road burned and welling with drops of blood.
“Damn it, damn it,” he sputtered.
With every bone in his body aching, he stood and walked up the mountain. Bit by bit, he hauled his abused body up the path and finally made the rise that Sebastian disappeared over. Here a small patch of grass occupied a flat part of the mountain. It was a welcome oasis where Sebastian stood with his hands on his hip, turning his head right then left.
“Sarge,” he called. “Sarge, get back here.”
“What happened?” Alister huffed.
“He took off after a rabbit, damn it. Sarge!”
A flash of white dashed between then, and then Sarge appeared from further up the path, running down the hill after it.
“Sarge!” called Sebastian. He ran after the dog and disappeared over the ledge’s lip, leaving Alister alone at the great height.
Defeated, he sank to the grass. He’d never be able to walk down that path on the damned slip-on sandals by himself. He remembered Daniel laughing at him for his fear of falling off the mountain. But he felt that was a real possibility.
He closed his eyes, alone and finding it difficult to breathe. What a mistake this whole trip had been. He’d have to return to Waterside with his jailbreak a total failure. His parents would insist on two security men now, and Alister imagined that his social life would dwindle to the few friends who would bother to FaceTime him.
As he contemplated his fate, he heard a dog barking. Alister picked up his head, expecting to see Sargeant Pupper fly over the ledge of the rise. Instead, a fluffy white and black dog rushed over the ridge and ran directly to Alister. The dog stopped just as he got to Alister, circled him, and sniffed different parts of Alister’s body excitedly. Hesitantly, Alister held out his hand and touched the dog, who in turn licked Alister’s face. Alister pulled back because he wasn’t entirely sure how he felt about a dog’s tongue on him. But he continued to pet the dog, who seemed very friendly, and he was glad he wasn’t alone on this mountain even if it was a dog that kept him company.
“Jack!” called a deep baritone.
The canine looked over his shoulder, but instead of moving toward the voice, sunk to his belly before Alister.
“Jack?” repeated the man. Alister looked up and couldn’t believe who he saw at the edge of the rise.
He groaned. It was the damned lumberjack. Could Alister’s day get any worse?
Chapter Four
Manu
Manu stared at the twink sitting on a rock petting Jack. The man’s casual familiar manner stirred a vague sense of annoyance in Manu’s gut. There was no reason for it, and it annoyed him the twink sparked any emotion. After the breakup with George, Manu had decided to give up entanglements and told anyone that asked that he gave up dating for Lent. Though, come to think of it, Lent was over four months ago.
“I recognize those sweatpants,” said Manu.
The twink jerked his head up from petting Jack.
“This your dog?” the twink said.
“He’s staying with me for a while. His name is Jack.”
The twink gave him another scratch behind the ears, and Jack put his nuzzle in the twink’s lap and gazed at him with his blue doggie eyes in adoration.
My dog doesn’t look at me that way.
Manu had no clue why this would be a problem. George legally owned Jack. The only reason that Manu had any claim on the black and white border collie was George got Jack as a puppy without asking Manu, of course. So Manu had a hand in caring for the pup from when George brought him home. He thought from time to time that he missed the dog more than George. At least the canine didn’t leave his bed to hunt up new conquests.
“He’s a great dog. Friends of mine have a bulldog, and the guy I’m staying with has this white German shepherd. He calls him Sargeant Pupper. Silly name, huh?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m familiar with the dog. He belongs to Sebastian Brevard, the developer, right?”
“Yeah, that’s the skank. I can’t believe he left me here on the top of the mountain by myself.”
“He did?” That didn’t sound like Sebastian. In a small town like this, especially around a lake, everyone knew each other. Sebastian enjoyed a reputation as a solid, reliable man.
“Sarge ran after a rabbit, and I couldn’t follow.”
“You can’t?”
“See these sandals.” The twink held up one foot, which sported a slip-on held on his foot by a strip of leather across his foot. “They are all I have, and I should never have tried a steep trail with them.”
Manu remembered the man didn’t have a carry-on piece.
“Why? Did the airline lose your luggage?”
The twink turned his head and stared into the distance.
What the hell had his attention? Manu turned his head in the same direction but saw nothing of note. On this side of the mountain that tumbled steeply to the lake before, he only spied more mountain tops in the distance.
“Yeah. That’s what happened,” the twink said. It was strange how he answered—as if he was a million miles away. And he didn’t sound convincing.
“They’re good about finding lost luggage. I’m sure it will turn up.”
“Sure,” he said. The word spilled from his mouth, tinged with bitterness. “But now I’m stuck here because I can’t walk down that rocky trail in these things. Damn it.” He wiped his forehead, which was beaded with sweat, with his hand, and Manu studied him. The guy appeared pale, and his stomach tugged too hard as he breathed.
Jack put his head under the twink’s hand, pushing his head forward until the man’s hand fell to Jack’s collar.
“Jack will help you. He’s good at it too. He would assist clients on tours. I’m Manu.”
“Alister.” He spoke the syllables of his name crisply as if it was a point of pride.
“Alister? Not Al?”
He scoffed. “Good Lord, no.” He fanned his face from his hand. “Is it always this hot here? I thought mountains were supposed to be cold.”
Manu couldn’t help it. The twink’s ingénu-ish manner and his helplessness in the face of his inappropriate clothing tickled Manu’s funny bone, and Manu laughed. And it wasn’t a chuckle or a guffaw, but a hearty belly laugh.
Alister huffed in indignation. “Is that all you can do - laugh at me?”
Jack took a moment to turn his head to Manu and gave a sharp bark as if scolding Manu. This alerted Manu because Jack had an uncanny sense of when a hiker was in physical trouble. The first time the canine did this was on a tour when he warned Manu of a client’s incipient heart attack. Manu called for a rescue helicopter with his satphone and saved the man’s life. Since then, Manu listened to Jack when he gave that sharp bark.
“Sorry,” said Manu. He stepped forward and reached for Alister’s wrist.
Alister drew back. “What are you doing?” He spoke with suspicion in his voice.
“Trying to determine your heart rate. You do have a heart, don’t you?”
“Don’t be silly.” Alister held out his wrist, and Manu gripped it and looked at his watch.
“Your fingers are cold,” complained Alister.
“This works better if you keep your mouth shut. You can do that, right?”
Alister huffed and turned his head while Manu counted the man’s heartbeats. Manu blew out a breath when the count revealed Alister’s too rapid heart rate. And then he frowned when he d
iscovered he didn’t want to let go of the twink’s wrist.
“Well,” said Alister sarcastically, “am I dying?”
Manu dropped Alister’s wrist suddenly.
“No, you are not. You have a mild case of altitude sickness. You shouldn’t be wandering around on the mountain by yourself if you don’t know what you are doing.”
"I wasn't. I told you, my friend left me here."
Manu shook his head in disbelief. “I’ll help you back to my cabin, and then we'll figure out what to do with you.”
“Like I'm a stray puppy.”
"Exactly.”
“Right,” Alister chided. He stood, and gravel slid under his feet. Instinctively, Manu grabbed him and slipped his arm around his waist. Why did the man smell sexy? There was an elusive mystery about his scent that made Manu want to bury his face in Alister’s neck.
And that couldn’t happen.
With Jack on one side and Manu on the other, they helped Alister to navigate the path. Manu grew more concerned as they traversed the steep grade because the twink breathed harder than he should. He wondered if he should call an ambulance to take Alister to the nearest hospital, but he wasn’t sure if that would help. It was a mild case, and Manu had some oxygen in hiker cans at his cabin. That, water and rest were all a hospital could do for him anyway. They probably would look him over and discharge him with a hefty bill. But the sight of his cabin sent a wave of relief through him.
“We’re home,” said Manu stupidly. “I mean, my home.”
“It’s small,” Alister said. “Um, I mean, cozy.”
“Yeah,” said Manu. “It’s just me.”
Manu kicked himself then. Why did he say that? It was none of the twink’s business if Manu lived alone.
“No girlfriend?” said Alister.
“No.”
“And no boyfriend, either?”
“How do you have the energy to be so nosy when you can barely breathe?”
Alister shrugged. “It’s a talent.”
Manu unlocked the front door and pushed it open. He flicked on the interior lights to reveal the sparse living area with an L-shaped couch that faced the big screen television over the river stone fireplace. Beyond that, a counter jutted from the wall that separated the small kitchen from the living room. On the left, a staircase rose to the loft where Manu slept.
“The couch is on the right. Sit while I hunt up a few things. Jack, keep him company.”
Manu traveled the hall that led past the bathroom on the right to the storeroom, where he kept supplies for his business. It had been the original owner’s pantry, but Manu had cabinets installed in the kitchen for storage. He foraged for the oxygen canister and wondered if he ran out. He found one and tested it. Empty. Manu rattled through the shelves once more and found a shipment he had forgotten under the red and black chevron afghan his grandmother crocheted. He tore open the plastic, pulled out a canister, and tore off the cellophane. As an afterthought, he draped the afghan on his arm. On the way back, Manu stopped at the kitchen and filled a glass with water from the tap.
“Do you need any help?” said Alister.
“No. Just sit.”
He walked to the couch, and the twink looked up with a questioning look in his eye.
“What?” said Manu.
“Do you always order your guests around?”
Manu chuckled. “Only the ones that deserve it.” He handed the water to Alister. “Drink this.”
Alister cocked an eyebrow up. “Shades of Alice in Wonderland. Will this make me small?”
Manu batted away several sarcastic but uncomplimentary replies.
“It’s water, and you need it. Hydration is an issue in the mountains.”
“Okay, I believe you.” Alister took the water with a huff but drank it while Manu kept his eyes trained on him. Then Manu held out the can. “Depress the button while sucking in the air. Take a deep breath.” Alister rolled his eyes but did as Manu told him.
“Again,” Manu said.
Alister shook his head but did it.
“How’s your head?” said Manu.
“Not as big as yours but better now though it still aches.”
“I’ll get you more water.”
“How about aspirin or acetaminophen or any pain freaking reliever that works?”
“Sure.”
After fetching both the aspirin and the water, Manu returned to find Alister fiddling with the television’s remote control.
“I can’t get it to work,” he said. “Why must everything here be difficult?”
“It’s not. You just need to learn the rules of the road. I don’t waste electricity, which is why I turn off the cable box and modem when I’m not using them.”
“How does one not need to use the internet 24-7?”
Manu shrugged and flipped them on. Then he took the red and black chevron afghan and laid it on Alister’s legs.
“Why did you do that?” said Alister.
“Because the cabin is chilly. I haven’t been here for three days and don’t run the heat when I’m gone. You’ll feel it when your heart rhythm returns to normal.”
“I should call Sebastian. Can I borrow your phone? I left mine at his house.”
Manu bristled but handed him his phone, then looked away. Why would that suggestion bother him? The twink should return to his friend. Hell, for all Manu knew, Sebastian was his lover.
“Sure. Are you hungry? I have some frozen—” But Manu stopped when he heard Alister speaking.
“Hey, I’m at this dude’s house. His name is Manu, and he lives by the lake. Do you know him? Anyway, I’m here, so whenever you want to pick me up because I don’t know where your house is in this godforsaken wilderness. I might forgive you then for leaving me behind.” Alister clicked off the call.
Manu sighed. “He’s coming to get you? Because I can take you to his house.”
“I have no freaking idea. And I do not have a key to Sebastian’s place if he’s not there. He didn’t answer, and I left a message. Now, what were you saying?”
“Are you hungry?”
Alister shook his head. “No. My stomach's upset. But don’t let me stop you.”
“No. I’m good. What do you want to watch?”
Alister scoffed. “I’m not into television. I’m more of a doer than a watcher.”
“Well, until we hear from your friend, you should be resting, not doing. Hey, do you like wrestling?”
“Wrestling?” said Alister with a doubtful tone in his voice.
“Sure. Men in tights duking it out on the mats? It’s fun.”
“The things that light up a man’s brain. Men in tights?”
“Better than comic book heroes. You’re not a fan?”
Alister shrugged.“I’m more of a Pride and Prejudice guy.”
Manu cocked his head. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. Rich men with a stick up their butts, and the women that haunt them. That’s fun.”
“You’re into women?” said Manu with disappointment.
“You’re not?”
“Well.”
“Women are some of my favorite people. But that’s because of my mom and my sister, Livvy. Otherwise, I’m out and proud.” Alister put his arms on the top of the couch and gave Manu a defiant glare.
Chapter Five
Alister
The mountain man pinged all of Alister’s buttons, and even though he had helped Alister out, this Manu character worked Alister’s last nerve. Manu stood over Alister with his hulking frame as if he wanted to intimidate him. Alister would not have it. He wasn’t used to being treated like a child, nor did he appreciate Manu’s paternal attitude. Alister made peace with the fact that in terms of stature, Alister was shorter and didn’t have the muscle bulk of other men. Here, he took after his petite mother. But he took enough martial arts classes as a child and a young man to defend himself very well. As his martial arts teacher taught him, being a big man meant you hit the ground harde
r. So Manu acting like a black bear didn’t intimidate him in the least.
Instead, it got him hot.
This was highly inconvenient.
“Hey, you’re preaching to the choir,” said Manu. “Now that we’ve gauged each other’s sexual orientation, do you want to measure dick, too? Because I’m sensing you’re trying to top me, and that won’t work.”
“It won’t?” said Alister.
Manu dropped onto the other portion of the L-shaped couch and reached across Alister for the remote. Which only made Alister’s stiffened cock twitch.
“Nope. I’m the lord of this castle. And when you leave, I’ll still be the lord, so back down. It will make your stay more comfortable.”
Alister closed his eyes to compose himself. The edge of command in his host’s voice made Alister’s stomach nervous with pleasurable anticipation. He swallowed and reached for the oxygen can again. But his hand shook, and Manu glanced toward him with an appraising eye, which only made Alister lose his shit more. The can fell from his grip and landed on his stiff cock.
“Ouch,” Alister said.
Manu gave him a cutting look. “What’s the problem?”
“Nothing,” said Alister quickly.
Manu looked to where the oxygen can hit and then rolled to the side because of the bulk inside Alister’s sweatpants. A wry smile spread across Manu’s face.
“Sweats hide nothing. And what you got there is a ton of something. But we all have our body issues.” He snorted as if inordinately pleased with his joke.
“You’re an ass,” spit Alister.
This last statement made Manu snort then outright laugh.
“What is so funny?” Alister’s indignation bubbled, and he got caught between his anger and his arousal.
“I don’t fucking know,” Manu said in between guffaws. “It’s the way you act so pompous and helpless at the same time. Talk about men with sticks up their asses.” A burst of laughter erupted from Manu then, and he gasped to regain control.
Jack took that moment to bark warningly at Manu, which seemed to shock Manu from his mirth. He stared at the dog as if trying to figure out what upset him.