Chapter Four
All around them lights twinkled and glistened, and the moon shone down overhead. Christmas trees seemed to be everywhere, and the world around them was a smatter of red, blue, gold and green. Megan smiled as she looked down at the town, it was picture perfect, just like a postcard. She had never seen anywhere so beautiful, and she knew that they had made the right decision by spending the holidays somewhere as magical as Bear Mountain. It really was the perfect place to escape the real world and forget about all of the troubles she had been having back at home.
The girls held onto each other as they carefully walked down the sloping, snowy paths to the town center. Even though they were well lit, the ice and snow were making it almost impossible to not go sliding down onto their knees. When they reached the main stretch of road it had been gritted with salt, and so they could finally walk without looking like baby deer’s that were about to lose their footing.
Megan’s eyes were wide as she looked at the storybook buildings and traditional pubs. They were all wooden with thatched roofs, and the smell of cookie dough and hot chocolate was heavy in the air. She couldn’t believe somewhere like this existed in Vermont, it was utterly magical.
Alyssa held onto her hand and guided her into the town square, people were dotted around outside, sat between pubs and bars, drinking pints of ale and eating a hog roast that was being cooked on a spit in the very center.
“The last time I was here was about six years ago,” Alyssa said, as she looked around. “But I seem to remember that place being really good fun!” She pointed to a traditional looking ale house, full to the brim with men and the sound of laughter. Outside a bonfire was burning brightly, and a little circle of women were carol singing and entertaining the tourists.
“Looks good to me,” Megan grinned. “But please do me a favor and don’t try to set me up with any guys tonight. We have two weeks for that, tonight is all about getting settled and having fun.”
“Exactly,” Alyssa rolled her eyes. “Just chill out and be friendly, now come on!” she pulled Megan towards the door, as their boots crunched over the frozen snow.
They pushed the door open, and inside was dark, with the only light coming from oil lamps and candles. A juke box played in the corner, and was blasting out country music. Megan wasn’t used to places like this. Being from a city she was used to dance music and happening bars, but this little pub seemed backward. She thought on it for a moment as she kept looking around and decided that it was in a good way. She felt at ease here, like there was no pressure for her to be anything but herself. She even would have felt comfortable coming out in really casual clothes and no make-up, she looked at herself in the mirror behind the bar and suddenly felt overdressed. All the men in there were in jeans and plaid shirts, and the women were all wearing their skiwear, or dressed down in turtle necks and leggings. She blushed and pushed her hair behind her ears, a nervous trait she had had since she was a child, and was still having trouble shaking.
“What are we drinking?” Alyssa slammed her hands down on the bar top. “Beers? Shooters? I’m game for anything!”
“Definitely no shooters,” Megan laughed as she sat down at one of the high bar stools. “A beer will be just fine.”
Alyssa saluted her decision, and ordered the drinks before she sat down next to her. Megan looked around the bar, and at the men singing, dancing and playing pool. It was so relaxed, it was the sort of place she wished she could visit at home. It felt as if there was absolutely no pressure, and was filled with lots of locals who either already knew each other, or all just wanted to get to know people. Megan recalled how back in DC she regularly felt lonely, even in a room full of people, and she felt something warm inside her heart. She knew that she could easily move and be happy in a place like Bear Mountain.
The barman spotted the girls and came over to serve them, he opened their beers, passed them over the top of the counter and started his small talk.
“Have you girls just arrived?” He asked as he chewed some gum.
“Yeah, just this afternoon,” Alyssa smiled as she took a swig from her bottle.
“Enjoying it so far?” he picked up dirty glasses and started to clean them with a bar mop.
“It’s great,” Alyssa grinned. “I’ve been here before, about six years back, but this is Megan’s first time.”
She turned to Megan and smiled.
“Oh yeah?” the barman leaned forward. “And what do you think?”
“I love it,” Megan beamed. “I’ve never been anywhere like this before, and I’m having a great time.”
“Good,” he nodded. “Just be careful up the mountain when you’re on the slopes, make sure you stick to the trails…” he raised his eyebrows and his tone was ominous. Megan felt a little flash of anxiety as she caught the look in his eye, but Alyssa seemed to just brush him off.
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about us, I ski all the time,” Alyssa smiled proudly.
“I’m not talking about the conditions,” he chuckled, as he leaned in a litter closer. “We’ve got some nasty bears up there. Two girls like you, alone, you’d be perfect pray for them…” he clicked his jaw. “People disappear up in these parts… why do you think we have the name?”
“Bear Mountain?” Megan asked with confusion, not thinking it was that much of a terrible name at all.
“The locals call it Lost Bear Mountain,” he grinned slightly. He was either having lots of fun with them, or he had perfected this story so much it was one of his favorite things to do to new people in town.
“Lost Bear…?” Megan asked under her breath.
“Yup,” he said, as he lifted a bottle of beer to his lips and took a swig. “Lost Bear, because they ain’t normal bears. These bears are like the most vicious bears you can think of and then some. They prowl here at night, in the dark, looking for unsuspecting people like you… And it’s well known that they can make people disappear.”
The girls were silenced for a moment before Alyssa started laughing and rolling her eyes, but Megan felt a cold chill slip over her. She didn’t like the sound of that at all.
Lost Bear Mountain…
A place where people disappeared.
Why would the barman be saying it if it wasn’t true? Surely the last thing he would want to do would be to drive tourism out of his town?
“Oh come on!” Alyssa howled. “There are bears in every forest, and it doesn’t mean we’re going to get dragged off and eaten in the middle of the night. Plus, we won’t be skiing after dark anyway, so where’s the danger?”
The barman took another swig of his beer and shrugged his shoulders.
“They roam the mountain at all times, but they’ve been known to come down here once it’s quiet,” he rubbed another glass and set it down. “I’m just giving you the heads up. I wouldn’t want anyone to say you hadn’t be warned…” he raised his eyebrows and stepped back, turning slightly and leaning over the bar to serve another customer.
Megan’s heart was pounding, and her palms were sweating. She didn’t know why, but what he had said had truly shaken her, and now she felt in danger.
This was the last thing she needed.
She had come away to forget about her troubles, not walk into a whole host of new ones. She rubbed her forehead and swigged her beer. Alyssa nudged her on the shoulder and whispered in her ear.
“Hey, don’t worry,” she said. “He’s just spinning a yarn. I bet it’s how he gets his kicks.”
Megan took a deep breath and nodded her head slowly, trying her best to forget his words, but they still sounded out heavy inside of her head.
This place appeared so perfect, it made sense that there would be something wrong with it somewhere. That was just Megan’s luck. She found something she liked, and it rapidly began to fall to shit before her very eyes.
She took another sip of her beer and rested it down on the countertop.
She could tell that her and Alyssa had attracted some attention when they had walked into the bar, and it was strange, she had also felt as if a pair of eyes had been on her the whole time, but she couldn’t really pinpoint where they were coming from.
She shifted on the stool and motioned to the barman to get her another drink. Now her nerves were fried and all she wanted to do was calm herself down and forget about everything.
This was her vacation after all.
She suddenly sensed something, and the air around her felt electric. She felt the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, and her heart began to race. But this time it wasn’t because she was anxious or afraid, it was because she could feel something powerful around her.
She felt something familiar, and right…
Something intense…
She turned her head to the side, and it was then, as if he had just appeared out of nowhere that she saw him.
A man like no other.
A man that made her breath falter and her heart pound. She felt her jaw sag open a little, but even without turning to look at her, he knew that he had her attention.
“Don’t listen to all of that,” he said in a gruff voice. “He loves peddling local superstition.”
Megan turned towards him properly, completely captivated by the voice, and its owner. The man was sat a few spaces down at the bar. He was big, with thick arms, and a mane of unruly black hair that trailed down past his ears. He had a smattering of rough black stubble on his cheeks and chin, and he looked unkempt and wild, but also incredibly well put together at the same time. Almost as if he were a well-heeled gent, trying to look as if he had nothing.
Megan felt her heart pound, she smiled at him before she was even aware she was doing it.
“That’s all it is girls, superstition,” the handsome stranger smiled wryly, still yet to look at them, before he sipped his beer.
“See,” Alyssa pointed at the barman before she slammed her hand down on the bar top. “I knew you were fucking with us!”
The barman shrugged and leaned in closer to talk to her. Alyssa had only had a couple of drinks whilst they were getting ready, but Megan could already tell that she was giddy and flirty with the wine, and she watched as Alyssa moved forward and started to whisper to the barman.
She felt herself blush a little, and then she bit her lip and turned back to the stranger. He really was incredibly good looking, like Megan’s idea of the perfect man. He was tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome, but he also had a big, bulky look to him. He was like a tank. Like a force to be reckoned with, and it made her nervous and excited her at the same time.
She imagined him picking her up in those huge arms and carrying her, laying her down softly on a bed, and she felt a twinge between her legs, and her face flamed red.
He still had yet to look at her, but she could see a look in his eyes that she recognized. It was one of intrigue, as if he were waiting for her to make the first move. She sat forwards and tapped her fingers lightly on the counter, determined that she wasn’t going to play his game.
He may have been verging on perfect, but she was still out of the dating scene. She didn’t want to fall into another man’s trap so easily, and so soon.
When she didn’t speak she felt him bristle slightly, and then he shifted his stool so that he moved closer to her, and finally, after what felt like an eternity, he cleared his throat and turned to look at her.
Megan’s heart began to race.
It was as if he were holding her there and she didn’t dare move.
“Well, I’m not used to that,” he said with a hint of humor.
“And what would that be?” she mused.
“Being made to work for it,” he said as he smiled widely and his deep brown eyes glinted.
Megan raised her eyebrows and prepared for war. The last thing she needed was some complete jackass trying to act smart around her. She shrugged and sipped her drink.
“I’m kidding,” he said. And she felt a rush of relief.
He began to laugh and then he turned slightly so he was facing the bar again. Megan felt a rush of disappointment. She wanted to talk to him. Even after all she was telling herself… She didn’t want to lose his attention.
“Are you from around here?” she finally managed to blurt out. The stranger smiled and turned back towards her, studying her with a smile, teasing her with his silence.
When he’d had his fun he leaned over on his stool so they could talk properly.
“Yeah,” he said genuinely. “I’m from the mountain,” he sipped his beer, “Are you girls on vacation?”
“Yes,” Megan had butterflies in her stomach. “We just got here this afternoon…”
He locked eyes with hers and she felt something shift right through her. This was such a bizarre experience, for her to feel so drawn to someone, but this man was like nothing she had ever known. She didn’t know him, and yet he felt familiar in some way. His eyes were deep and powerful, and she felt pulled into them. She felt as if she never wanted to look away. He smiled and reached across the bar. When he did, his arm skimmed hers and she felt a rush of something. A spark. A flare of excitement and need. She swallowed.
He faltered for a moment and then he withdrew his hand from the mat he had been reaching for, and shifted even closer to her.
“That guy,” he whispered as he motioned to the barman. “I hear him trying to scare people with that shit every week. It must make him feel like the big man. Either that or he has no other conversation.”
“Yeah,” Megan laughed. “He did seem a bit strange. I mean come on… Vicious bears dragging skiers off the slopes, it all sounds a bit farfetched to me!”
“Yep,” he smiled.
His eyes glistened again, and his pupils were wide and open. Megan felt herself blushing.
“I’m Mason,” he held out his hand.
Megan reached forward and shook it, and as their palms touched she felt a surge between them. His skin was red hot to the touch and his grip was strong. She caught her breath and managed to speak.
“Megan,” she grinned.
“Can I get you a drink Megan?” he asked deeply.
Megan looked around.
Was he with others?
Alyssa was already onto her second beer, and was knocking back a shooter. She was also outrageously flirting with the scaremongering barman, and it didn’t appear that she would be coming back to sit with Megan anytime soon.
She looked back to Mason. He was so good looking she couldn’t believe for one second that he’d be interested in spending time with her and buying her a drink. He was the sort of man who could have anyone, why would he need to come to a bar like this and chat up a girl like her?
She may have been beautiful, but she was damaged. And she was sure that it must have been written all over her.
Her scars may not have been etched on her skin, but they were hidden behind her eyes. Surely, he would only have to look into them once to know that she had been hurt.
Mason ran a hand through his hair and she couldn’t help but stare at his arms and at how muscular they were as they exploded from the sleeves of his rolled-up shirt.
Muscles had always turned her on, and it was one of the main things Cody had lacked. Maybe she should have paid attention to that when she first met him. Maybe then it would have saved her all the heartache and trauma.
“Oh,” she said as she brushed her hair behind her ears nervously. “Well, yes, thank you. As long as you don’t mind?”
“It would be my pleasure,” Mason said.
He stood up and dragged his stool closer to hers and sat back down. Now they were only inches apart and she could smell his masculine scent. It was a mix of mountain air, beer and his cologne. Her skin prickled with desire and she found herself fanning her face with her hand to stop herself from turning even redder.
“What can I get you?” he asked, as he cast his dark eyes down on her.
“Whatever you’re having,” she smiled.
Mason clicked his tongue behind his teeth and scanned the rows of bottles behind the bar. “I could make you try something really gross here you realize,” he laughed. “Absinthe? Whiskey? Gin?”
He tapped his chin with his forefinger as he mused on it.
“Very funny,” she laughed. “If you want to see me throw up then go right ahead.”
Mason grinned and held up his hands in defeat.
“I definitely don’t want to send you home,” he said. “So how about a small vodka soda?”
“Sounds good to me,” she smiled, before she tried to take a couple of deep breaths and calm herself down.
She watched him order her drink, along with a whiskey for himself, and she realized how big he was. Every time he moved she caught sight of new angles of his body, he was so muscular and defined it was almost impossible. And she couldn’t help but imagine him without his clothes on. The thought of this huge hulk of a man naked on top of her, kissing her all over, was enough to send her over the edge. She had to stop!
Get your mind out of the gutter Meg, she scolded herself internally.
It had been a long time since she had been with a man. She had begun to resist Cody’s advances well before the violence started, and it had been one of the reasons he had used when trying to explain himself for his disgraceful behavior. He said she had driven him to it because she was neglecting him and making him frustrated.
Megan despised him, he was pure evil.
She thought back to the day she had to face him in court and testify against him. She had been terrified as sat in the dock, and she had shaken the entire time. When the judge ruled he would go to prison the relief was immense, but she knew he wouldn’t be there forever and as each day passed she knew it was getting closer to his release.
She shuddered and closed her eyes before taking a deep breath. Pull yourself together Megan, she thought. You’re here to have a good time.
“Here we go,” Mason bellowed, as he grabbed the drinks and slid hers across to her.
“Bottoms up,” he held the whiskey to his lips.
She grinned at Mason.
In the mess of everything she realized that she had forgotten how to have a good time. And right then and there she decided that for once she was going to stop second guessing everything. She was going to act like she did when she had been younger, carefree, and up for anything.
“Cheers,” she said as they clinked glassed before downing the entire contents.
“Woo,” Mason said, blowing out a rush of air. “Here’s to a good night Megan… and to your first time on the mountain.”
“Thank you,” she blushed.
And already she knew that this holiday had far exceeded her expectations.