Preview

The dining room is beautiful and timeless, with dark wooden ceiling beams, chandeliers, antique furniture, and a huge stone fireplace opposite a window that overlooks the forest and mountain. It takes a while for me to pull the rest of the tables slightly out of the way so that the one closest to the fire is obviously the special spot.

Once the table is set, I find the largest, sturdiest chairs, and start lugging the first into position.

"Hang on, let me help you."

The deep voice makes me jump, and I spin to stare into warm brown eyes that…oh my…

My breath and heart begin to sputter. He"s…gorgeous.

"Damn, I"m sorry." He takes my elbow and sits me in the chair. "I think I scared you half to death."

The man is huge. Not like a bodybuilder; like a man who spends a lot of time swinging an axe. His dark green flannel shirt is just snug enough to show off his wide chest, and the sleeves are rolled up, showing off thick, tanned forearms and a bit of a dark, swirling tattoo.

Focus. You"re here to serve him, and make his stay special.

"You"re up early." I manage a soft laugh. "I heard you gentlemen got in quite late."

He chuckles, easily moving the other two chairs into place. I laugh as he lifts the last one with me still in it, setting it in position. "Nothing keeps me from good coffee."

I stand slowly, noticing the top of my head is barely at his shoulder. The man"s nearly a foot taller than me. Looking up at his sculpted jawline and ruggedly handsome features, I can already tell it"s going to be challenging to keep my focus.

"I"m Maya. I"ll be your server this week."

"Nice to meet you, Maya. I"m Dylan. I"ll be your guest asking for too much coffee."

Before I can reach for the coffee to pour, he serves himself. Then he notices my look of confusion. "Sorry. We"re do-it-yourselfer types. Not used to being waited on. Hope that isn"t annoying to you."

How could I be annoyed with a man like this looking so deeply into my eyes?

A bell rings faintly from the kitchen. "I"m guessing that fresh fruit and muffins with the coffee will be a good start before the full breakfast?"

Dylan sinks into a chair, his inviting lips pulled into a saucy grin. "I will eat everything you tell me to, Maya."

With a quick nod, I dash to the kitchen, replaying what he just said. Oh my… Was he flirting? Did he mean for that to sound so racy?

My cheeks flame as I gather the trays. I"m going to have to be very careful that Dylan and I are never alone again.

I don"t think my heart can take it.

Don't worry, Maya's heart is going to be just fine in Thin Ice – Winter Heat at Wolfe Mountain.