ROMANCE: LION SHIFTER ROMANCE: Luring The Lion (Lion Shapeshifter Paranormal Fantasy Romance) (BBW Lion Shifter Romance) (7 page)

    Lance looked confused and unable to decipher how to respond.  “Well, you know, as a lawyer we are taught to keep our eye on the big picture, and not to get bogged down.  So Katie, you just need to think about your goals, don’t worry about the pain of each step.”

    “Ya, Lance, that is really helping, thanks.”  Katie tried to sound as sarcastic as she could. “I think that I am ready to put your words into action now, and focus on that big picture.  But I will need to focus and not talk to do that.”

    “Right,” said Lance.  “Well, I will be around.”

    Katie didn’t like the sound of that.  She had come here to get away from his kind.  But there was nothing to be done.  She continued up the trail.  They were getting close to the first village.  Already Katie could tell that it was getting harder to breathe as they were higher in altitude. 

    Katie had considered climbing Everest, but now that she saw how difficult this amateur backpacking trip was she was glad that she didn’t. 

    When they got to basecamp, they sat down all of their equipment and stretched out and relaxed.  Jake called everyone to gather around.

    “We will be spending some time here to acclimate to the higher altitude.  It shouldn’t be a problem for anybody, but like I said earlier, safety is the highest concern.  Also, you will be able to experience a lot of the beauty of the Alps from this very location.  Look, if you will, at the view.”

    Jake pointed back to where they had come.  From their vantage point, they could see rivers, and trees and lakes scattered across the landscape.  There were clusters of lights representing cities.  The clouds didn’t seem very high above them, and the concerns of the world seemed very small and distant.  Everyone oohed and aahed.

    I didn’t know there was this much beauty in the whole world; Katie thought to herself. It seemed to her,  even though she regularly traveled, that her world was, in fact, tiny.

    “This is only a foretaste of the beauty that is to come,” said Jake.  “This is why you have come here, and this is what you have paid for.  Revel in the beauty, soak it in.  Take pictures and memorize the landscape.  Tonight the stars will be out in a dazzling display like you have never dreamed.  Every second out here is more breathtaking than the last. Live in the moment, and enjoy your night.  We will get started again in the morning.”

    “Wow,” said Katie out loud.  She was referring to the sights around her and also to how articulate and in touch Jake seemed to be with life as if he was living on an entirely different plane of existence than she was.

    “Katie, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out with me tonight,” asked Lance, breaking her daydream off.

    She was caught off guard, as he appeared out of nowhere.  “What? I think I am just planning on going to bed,” she said.

    Lance seemed puzzled that she was not falling for him, as it was what he expected from women.  “Katie, I am very successful and influential man, and you are the most beautiful girl here.  I can see that you are used to the good life, to being in charge. Don’t you think that we both deserve the best?”

    His arrogance floored Katie.  He reminded her of Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. 

“Look, I just want to enjoy the peacefulness of this trip on my own this week.  I am not trying to find any romantic solution to my singleness.  I’m sorry, Lance.”

    Lance looked at her almost sympathetically.  “We will just take it slower, how about that?”

    “Sure Lance,” said Katie, trying to show as much disdain for him as possible.  She went back to her cabin.  The cabin was set up from the group that had been there the week prior.  Katie hoped that they washed the blankets.  It was cold outside, and Katie tried to keep warm and find a comfortable position.  Thinking about Lance did not help.  But then her thoughts drifted to Jake, and she dared to let herself imagine that he really was the way that he came across; a leader, genuine, kind, and in touch with the world.  The thought comforted her, and she drifted to sleep.

    The next morning Katie woke up right at sunrise, as they would begin hiking immediately.  As it was summer, there was not much snow or ice at their present altitude.  But Jake explained that as they went higher, there would be more.  He promised that the most beautiful views would come when the whiteness of the snow mixed with the blackness of the night, and when the moon and the stars seemed so close that you felt like you could breathe them in.

    After a few hours of hiking, they all stopped on a large flat part of the trail to have breakfast, which they had taken with them.  Katie found a more secluded area to rest and look at the view from the mountain.  She ate the fruit and bars that she brought with her.  Jake cooked eggs and bacon for the group. She looked at him as he was preparing the food. He seemed to take extra care with what he was doing, even though with his well-built physique he seemed out of place. He didn't have to do that; he was just the guide. She imagined him to be a sympathetic and caring person - traits that were scarce in her world unless you paid for it.

    Lance sat down beside her, “this is a fantastic view, is it not.”

    Katie was beginning to get upset.  “It was an excellent view, that I had intended to enjoy myself, but you have just spoiled that.  What part of me wanting to enjoy this week on my own do you not understand?  I would really appreciate it if you got it into your head that I want to mind my own business, and I am not interested in you," she said, her voice rising.

    Lance seemed undeterred.  “Katie, trust me, I'm your type of guy. Together we can have a lot of fun. I can take you where-ever you want to be. I'm the best there is!”

    Katie was flabbergasted.  “What on earth are you talking about?”

    Lance smirked, “I am well versed in social dynamics, Katie.  Most girls I meet like my intellect, sense of humor and confidence, and I am sure that you will come to appreciate it as well.  Trust me, I know.”

    Katie was now getting furious.  “I am not most women.  I am not a statistic in your social dynamics research.  You are just like every other guy looking to get another notch on his belt.  You haven’t tried to get to know me or respect me or anything else.  You are not the suave ladies man that you think.  You are coming across as a lecherous creep.”

    “A lecherous creep?  Lance looked flabbergasted. Katie, I would watch the words that come out of your mouth if you know what is good for you.”  Lance was now starting to frighten Katie, as they were away from the others and he was beginning to breath heavier in his frustration at her rejection of him.

    “Please just leave me alone.  I just want to enjoy my vacation.  I am not looking for any trouble,” said Katie, as she tried to walk back to the rest of the camp.  But, Lance blocked her path.

    “Katie, you can’t just ignore me like this.  It doesn’t sit well with me. You don’t know what you are missing out on.  I can show you things and give you things that you cannot imagine.”  Lance was now filled with pride and his own ego as his voice got louder and more controlling.

    “That is what I am afraid of,” said Katie, trying to get past him. 

    “Is everything alright over here,” asked Jake, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. 

    “Yes,” said Lance, composing himself.  “We were just enjoying the view.”

    “I heard raised voices, and I wanted to make sure that everything was fine.  Why don’t you guys join the rest of us?  We are about to get moving again,” said Jake with confidence and surety in his voice.  There was also an honest quality to it that seemed in direct contrast to the way that Lance spoke.

    Katie began to walk towards the camp, but Lance glared at her through the corner of his eye.  “This is not the end, Katie,” he whispered to her.

    Jake served Katie bacon and eggs.  They tasted delicious, and for a moment, she forgot about how scared she had just been.  But then she looked up and saw Lance.  He seemed always to know where she was.  She tried to ignore him and just enjoy the food. 

    Katie looked at Jake, and they made eye contact.  He seemed to understand her situation, which she just wanted to be free of the constant attention. 

    “Alright, I hope that you guys enjoyed breakfast and got some rest.  We are now going to continue.  We will not stop again until lunch,” said Jake. 

    They continued the trek, and Jake seemed to keep a watchful eye on Katie.  She hoped that it would be enough to deter Lance from stalking her.

    Katie began to walk next to Jake, hoping that Lance would give up on stalking her.  “How often do you do these backpacking trips?” she asked Jake.

    Jake was looking around, making sure that everyone was safe.  He responded casually, “I am always in the mountains, it is what I do and what I love.  A few weeks of the year I climb the big peaks and do stuff for my own entertainment.  But the rest of the time I am doing stuff like this, leading amateurs, and showing them the glories of the world that I have been enjoying for a long time.”  His eyes lit up when he talked about it.

    They continued. 

The view was breathtakingly beautiful, and the air was crisp, but it did not detract from the weariness that Katie felt in her legs.  No amount of speed skating or training that she had done in her life could have prepared her for how hard backpacking was.  She thought about how strong Jake must be to be able to do this every single week, almost every day of the year.  He was up ahead of her now, and he seemed so content as he looked around.  He would help the tired backpackers and carry their equipment.  He was always looking to assist.  To him, this was easy and natural.  Katie figured that he must feel on the mountain side the same way that she did on the ice.  The thought made Katie miss the feeling of skating in front of thousands. 

    They stopped for lunch.  Katie had not made eye contact with Lance since breakfast.  But she could sense that he was always looking at her, probably scheming for his next opportunity to confront her.  The thought sent a chill down her spine. Years and years ago she had a stalker problem, and it was a frightening experience. She didn't need a repeat of that episode.

    Katie looked at the world below her.  From her perspective, the problems of humanity seemed small and insignificant.  She was glad that she had decided to come here, as it would be an experience that would shape her, of that she was confident.  As she was deep in thought and enjoying the view, Lance came up to her.

    “Have you had time to reconsider your words?”

    His audacity dumbfounded Katie. 

“Reconsider?  You think that I am wrong being silly and eventually I will change my mind.  You are sick, Lance.  Just leave me alone.  I am not joking.”

    “Katie, you are beautiful and famous, and yet you would rather talk to Jake than me?  Don’t you know how much money these guides make?  They hardly earn anything.  Not only am I better company, but we'll also make a great team, you and me,” said Lance. 

    Katie was about to shout at him, once again to leave her alone when Jake interceded.

    “Lance, I couldn’t help but overhear what you were saying.  Is there a problem here?” asked Jake.  Katie could tell from the tone of Jake's voice that he was genuinely concerned.

    Lance laughed.  “Jake, there is no problem, how many times do I have to say that to you.  You're just a guide, Jake. I'm a client and a very powerful one at that.”

    Jake grabbed Lance by the throat and shoved him into the side of the mountain.  “Do I know who you are?  You are a pathetic and weak creature miles away from anyone that cares about how big your bank account is.  It is you, me, and the elements, Lance.  People like you are not welcome here.”  Lance grabbed his throat tighter and pushed him higher up the mountain so that he could barely touch the ground.

  Lance's eyes were wide with fright. He didn't expect such response. Everyone always bowed to him, and his position.  “Please, be reasonable,” said Lance.  “We can settle this amicably.”

    “But that’s just it, Lance.  You think that your money will save you.  But it can’t.  Go home. Go down the mountain by yourself.  If you make it back and you want to try to use your money to sue me, than so be it.  I cannot dishonor myself or this woman by allowing your behavior.  Go now,” said Jake with authority and surety.  He let Lance go.

    Lance did not dare fight back, as he knew that he was no match for Jake.  Jake glared at him until he was nearly out of sight.

Chapter 4

    “I had my eye on that guy since we first started,” said Jake.  “I know their kind.  They think that because of how much money they make the whole world should bow down before them and worship them.”

    Katie almost laughed out loud, because she had those same thoughts.  “I can’t thank you enough.  He was really starting to scare me.  I came here to get away from those types, but wouldn’t you know my luck.”

    Jake smiled, “materialism and superficiality are hard to avoid.  But in some places, you find a lot less of it.  That is why I do what I do.  I have no need for the things of this world, or to keep up with the Jones’s as they say.  I am content to walk in beauty.”

    Katie recognized the Lord Byron poem that he referenced.  But could this rugged man really be that in touch with his feelings?  Katie knew that it must be impossible.  But she was definitely grateful for what he had done.