Rugged Heart Series by Aria Cole – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read

Rugged Heart Series by Aria Cole – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.ilovenovels.com Wed, 19 Nov 2025 18:27:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 http://www.ilovenovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/favicon.png Rugged Heart Series by Aria Cole – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.ilovenovels.com 32 32 Possessed by the Mountain Man (Rugged Heart #9) Read Online Aria Cole http://www.ilovenovels.com/possessed-read-online-the-mountain-man-rugged-heart-9-read-online-aria-cole Wed, 19 Nov 2025 18:27:55 +0000 http://www.ilovenovels.com/possessed-read-online-the-mountain-man-rugged-heart-9-read-online-aria-cole Genre: Alpha Male Authors: Aria Cole Series: Rugged Heart Series by Aria Cole
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 33333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >32

A haunted lodge.
A grumpy mountain man.
A glitter-soaked hurricane of chaos.
Let the mayhem begin…

Aspen Taylor doesn’t do boring. So when she shows up alone to a "Haunted Couples' Retreat" with a pumpkin suitcase, six wigs, and a trunk full of Halloween décor, she’s not about to let reality—or a smoking hot mountain man—tell her no.

Too bad Thorne Maddox has made "no" his entire personality.

He’s the brooding caretaker of Devil’s Peak Lodge—shirtless, scowling, and allergic to joy. She’s sunshine dipped in sarcasm with a death grip on her glitter gun. He wants solitude. She wants fog machines, cobwebs, and a sexy witch costume that is absolutely against lodge policy.

Then a storm traps them inside

One bed

No heat

Explosive chemistry hotter than hell

And a truth-or-dare game that absolutely should have been illegal

He calls her chaos. She calls him emotionally constipated.

But when ghosts from the past claw their way loose and sparks turn to wildfire, Aspen and Thorne discover something

Love is the scariest thing of all.

Perfect for fans
✅ Banter so sharp it draws blood
✅ Grumpy/sunshine with claws
✅ Forced proximity + one bed
✅ Halloween spice, dirty talk, and wicked heat
✅ Mountain men who fall hard and possessive

Get ready. Things are about to get filthy, funny, and fanged.

Devil’s Peak is waiting

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter 1

Aspen

The air smells like pine needles, testosterone, and the vague threat of a power outage.

Perfect.

I drag my pumpkin-shaped suitcase up the snow-dusted steps of Devil’s Peak Lodge, breath puffing out in small, frustrated clouds. My combat boots crunch against the porch, and the wheels on my bag squeal like they're auditioning for a horror movie. The bottle of glitter hairspray clinks against my dry shampoo in my duffel, a reminder that I’m not just here—I’m here.

Ready to sparkle. Ready to win. Ready to forget every boring man who thought I was too much.

Cue: The man himself.

He’s outside the rustic hunting lodge, shirtless, in jeans that hang just low enough to be distracting. His back is turned, muscles flexing as he brings an axe down on a thick log like it personally insulted his mother. A flannel shirt is tossed over a stump nearby, ignored like he’s choosing to be indecent.

“Are you the guy in charge–Thorne Maddox?” I call out, planting a hand on my hip.

The axe stops mid-swing. He turns slowly, eyes narrowing, like he’s just been confronted by a forest sprite in faux leather.

"Unfortunately," he grunts.

His voice is low. Rough. Like he gargled gravel for breakfast. I hate that it immediately does something traitorous to my insides.

“I’m Aspen Taylor,” I say brightly, dragging my suitcase to the front door. "Winner of the Haunted Couples’ Retreat sponsored by Instagram. Solo division. Surprise!"

His brows lift. "Didn’t realize that was a thing."

“It is now. It’s a contest for influencers, I just have to document my week-long getaway on Instagram to share with my followers,” I chirp. “My fiancé dumped me last week, and I wasn’t about to let a little thing like devastating heartbreak stop me from claiming a luxury getaway."

His gaze drags down my body, slow and unhurried. "This is luxury?"

I glance at the sprawling, admittedly rustic lodge behind him. Chimney puffing smoke. Porch sagging slightly. Porch swing swaying.

“It’s got charm," I say, brushing glitter off my coat. "Just needs a few twinkle lights. Maybe some throw pillows."

His lips twitch. Not a smile. Not quite. But it’s there.

"You got pillows in that pumpkin purse of yours?"

"Don’t tempt me. There’s a whole world of sequins and tinsel in here."

He steps forward, close enough that I catch a whiff of cedar and sweat and something uniquely him. “The main lodge is under renovation, all that’s available is this old hunting lodge, and I’m the only one that stays here all winter. Not sure how you had the unfortunate luck of winning a retreat for this week, but you’re wastin’ your time. Boiler’s actin’ up right now, there’s only one bedroom with a fireplace for heat, don’t think you’ll hack if here for more than an hour if I had to guess.”

“Watch me.” I tip my chin in the air with defiance.

“You seriously think you’re gonna spend a week alone with me in this place and not get spooked by your own reflection in the window?"

I tilt my chin up. “I grew up with three older brothers. I eat spooky for breakfast."

“You eat glitter for breakfast, sweetheart.”

“Guilty. And glitter never ghosts you after four years of dating."

He exhales like I’ve personally exhausted him. "Fine. You can stay. But I’m not running a bed-and-breakfast here. I’m not fluffing your pillows or baking you muffins."

“Good,” I say, brushing past him toward the door. "Because I plan to win a contest for best haunted house decor and maybe even host a costume competition for my followers, not seduce a mountain man."

He snorts. "You say that like it’s a bad idea."

My hand freezes on the doorframe.

Okay.

He did not just say that.

I pivot, eyebrow arched. "I thought you weren’t interested in fluffing anything."

His eyes rake over me again, slow and deliberate. "I’m not. Unless you ask real nice."

My pulse hammers.

I laugh, trying to cover the way my knees go suspiciously weak. “You always this charming, or is it just me?”

He steps in close again, that heat rolling off him like a goddamn furnace. "It’s just you, cupcake."

Cupcake.

I’m going to ruin him.

“Great. Then I’ll ruin your week personally,” I beam, pushing the door open with dramatic flair. “Consider me your glitter-drenched poltergeist."

He mutters something under his breath that sounds suspiciously like 'what fresh hell is this?' and follows me inside.

The interior is...a work in progress.

Rugged beams. A stone fireplace. A kitchen that hasn’t been updated since Y2K. But it has potential. Cozy, moody, totally haunted-adjacent.

I drop my bags and spin. “Where do I set up my cauldron and emotional baggage?”

“Wherever you won’t burn the place down.” He leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, abs on full display.

I pointedly don’t look at his stomach. Or the trail of hair disappearing into those evil, low-hanging jeans.

“This’ll do,” I declare, collapsing onto the overstuffed couch and kicking off my boots. “You got hot chocolate? Or do I need to forage for cocoa powder in the woods?”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >32

Advertisement
Trapped with the Mountain Man (Rugged Heart #8) Read Online Aria Cole http://www.ilovenovels.com/trapped-with-the-mountain-man-rugged-heart-8-read-online-aria-cole Wed, 12 Feb 2025 07:22:00 +0000 http://www.ilovenovels.com/trapped-with-the-mountain-man-rugged-heart-8-read-online-aria-cole Genre: Alpha Male Authors: Aria Cole Series: Rugged Heart Series by Aria Cole
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >27

A rugged firefighter. A fiery city girl. A wildfire that forces them together in more ways than one.

Flint Warner is a man of action, not words. As Devil’s Peak’s lead wilderness firefighter, he doesn’t have time for distractions—especially not the outspoken, irritatingly beautiful documentary filmmaker who just arrived in town, determined to challenge everything he stands for.

Juniper Hayes came to save the forest, not fall for the gruff, ex-military mountain man who thinks firebreaks and controlled burns are the only way to protect it. Their first meeting is an all-out war—she calls him reckless, he calls her naïve, and the sparks between them could start a wildfire of their own.

But when an out-of-control blaze forces them to take refuge in a remote fire tower, their heated arguments ignite into something neither of them saw coming. Trapped together, surrounded by smoke and uncertainty, they discover a passion that burns hotter than the flames outside.

Flint is possessive, overprotective, and utterly unprepared for the way Juniper turns his world upside down. And Juniper never expected to crave the rough, commanding touch of a man who drives her crazy. Can they survive the firestorm or will the heat consume them whole?

🔥 Forced proximity.
🔥 One bed.
🔥 Sinfully hot, enemies-to-lovers tension thick enough to cut with an axe.
🔥 A grumpy, over-the-top protective firefighter who will burn the world down to keep her safe.

🔥 For fans of alpha mountain men, intense chemistry, and steamy, heart-racing romance.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Juniper

The sound of rushing water greets me as I step off the beaten path and into the clearing by the Phantom River. The scent of pine and wet earth hangs thick in the air, mingling with the faint tang of gasoline and engine grease. My boots crunch on the gravel, a far cry from the red carpets and city streets I usually traverse.

And then I see him.

A towering figure, broad shoulders straining the fabric of his dark t-shirt as he maneuvers a hose the size of my arm into the truck’s water tank. He’s soaked—water dripping from his hair, clinging to his neck, and trailing down his forearms. The scene screams rugged wilderness, and for a split second, I forget why I’m here. This man looks like he’s stepped out of a firefighter’s calendar and I can’t seem to drag my eyes away. This must be Flint Warner.

The rugged firefighter pauses, biceps flexing as he twists the valve on the hose with slow precision. Then I remember. My camera slung over my shoulder, my mission to document forest conservation, and the annoying fact that my cousin Barron sent word ahead to his friend to “look after” me like I’m some clueless damsel who can’t hold her own.

I clear my throat, stepping forward. “Excuse me?”

Flint turns, and before I can duck, the spray from the hose arcs through the air, soaking me from head to toe.

My gasp is more shock than anger as icy water drenches my hair, my clothes sticking to my skin in an instant. “Seriously?”

“Shit,” he mutters, dropping the hose and straightening to his full, intimidating height. “Didn’t see you there.”

His voice is gravel and smoke, deep and unapologetic.

I’m too wet and too annoyed to appreciate it fully. I spread my arms, water dripping from my sleeves. “Do you make it a habit to hose down unsuspecting women, or am I just lucky?”

A slow smirk pulls at his lips, revealing the barest hint of a dimple. Damn him for that. “Depends. Pretty ladies who sneak up on me when I’m working are fair game.”

I gape at him, torn between exasperation and an unwilling urge to laugh. “Pretty? You mean soaked, disheveled, and questioning all my life choices right now?”

His smirk widens. “I call it like I see it.”

I hate the way his words make my stomach flutter. This man is infuriating. “You must be Flint,” I snap, pulling my sopping hair into a loose knot to keep it off my neck. “Barron’s friend. The one who’s supposed to help me with my film, not drown me.”

The amusement drains from his face as soon as I mention Barron. His eyes narrow, sharp and assessing. “You’re Barron’s cousin?”

“Juniper Hayes,” I reply, sticking out a hand. “Filmmaker, conservationist, and apparently your new favorite target practice.”

He stares at my hand for a beat too long before shaking it. His grip is strong, rough, and sends a spark of awareness through me. I snatch my hand back quickly, trying not to let him see the effect he has on me.

“Barron didn’t mention you were… filming.” The way he says the word makes it sound like I told him I’d be hunting unicorns.

I lift my chin. “Yes, filming. I’m here to document forest conservation efforts and the importance of preserving the natural environment.”

His jaw tightens. “Conservation, huh? You’re aware this isn’t a petting zoo? We manage these forests to keep them from burning the whole damn mountain down.”

“I’m aware,” I reply, matching his gruffness with my own fire. “And I’m here to make sure those efforts are sustainable and actually helping the ecosystem, not just bulldozing through it.”

For a second, Flint just stares at me, like he’s weighing the merits of arguing further. Then he shakes his head, muttering something about “city girls and their ideas,” before jerking his thumb toward the water truck. “Get in. I’ll take you back to the station.”

“Excuse me?” I cross my arms, incredulous. “I don’t even know you.”

“You’re Barron’s cousin. That’s all I need to know.” His tone leaves no room for debate. “And unless you plan on hiking all the way to the ranger station, you’re riding with me.”

I hate how reasonable he sounds. “Fine,” I mutter, trudging toward the truck.

The cab of the water truck smells like pine and smoke, a strangely comforting combination. Flint climbs in after me, his presence filling the small space. He starts the engine without a word, and the truck rumbles to life, jostling us as it bounces over the uneven dirt road.

I glance at him out of the corner of my eye. He’s all hard lines and quiet confidence, his hands gripping the wheel with ease. There’s a scar along his left forearm, a pale line against his sun-bronzed skin. I wonder what story it holds before shaking the thought away.

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >27

Advertisement
Promised to the Mountain Man (Rugged Heart #7) Read Online Aria Cole http://www.ilovenovels.com/promised-to-the-mountain-man-rugged-heart-7-read-online-aria-cole Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:51:26 +0000 http://www.ilovenovels.com/promised-to-the-mountain-man-rugged-heart-7-read-online-aria-cole Genre: Alpha Male, Forbidden Authors: Aria Cole Series: Rugged Heart Series by Aria Cole
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >23

Under the stars, passion blazes as bright as the constellations in this age-gap, best friend’s little sister, mail-order bride love story…

Ridge Warner has sworn off love. An ex-military loner with a passion for the stars, he spends his nights charting constellations from his observatory on Devil’s Peak and his days teaching snowboarding at the lodge. Practical, quiet, and fiercely independent, Ridge is content to keep the world—and romance—at arm’s length.

Until a mail-order bride ad changes everything.

Quinn Stevens isn’t your average bride. A brilliant researcher with a fiery personality—she’s not looking for a husband— she’s looking for answers among the stars. When she arrives on Ridge’s doorstep thanks to a prank pulled by his mischievous brother, Zane, sparks fly. Ridge is annoyed, Quinn is unimpressed, and the chemistry between them is undeniable.

As their shared passion for the night sky and snowboarding draws them closer, Ridge can’t resist the way she turns his carefully ordered world upside down—and the overwhelming desire to make her his. But Quinn is off-limits because she also happens to be Ridge’s best friend’s little sister. But when Quinn’s research into a rare constellation stirs up trouble with powerful enemies, Ridge’s protective instincts kick into high gear.

Will Ridge let go of his fear to commit and claim the woman who’s captured his heart? Or will the stars align to pull them apart forever?

Get ready to fall for ex-military man Ridge in this heart-pounding and forbidden, insta-love story filled with filthy-sweet banter, passionate nights, and the kind of love written in the stars.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Ridge

The sky tonight is clear, the kind of rare clarity that makes every star seem closer. I adjust the telescope, fine-tuning the lens, and note the position of a new cluster I’ve been tracking for weeks. Nights like this are why I stay on Devil’s Peak—why I avoid distractions, people, and everything that pulls me away from the stars. Out here, it’s quiet. Predictable.

At least it was quiet until the door to my observatory bursts open.

“You’re missing poker night,” Zane announces as he storms in, his boots leaving a trail of snow across my polished wooden floor. Slate and Grady follow, beers in hand and grins plastered across their faces.

“Not interested,” I mutter, jotting down coordinates. If I don’t engage, they’ll lose interest and leave me to work.

But Zane leans against my desk, knocking over a stack of star charts I spent hours organizing. “Come on, Ridge. You can’t hide up here forever. You’re inching up to forty–when’s the last time you even talked to a woman? Hell, when’s the last time you saw one? Twenty years?”

Slate chuckles. “He’s married to the stars. You should’ve seen him last week, staring at the sky like it owed him something.”

Grady smirks. “Maybe he’s saving himself for his telescope.”

“Funny,” I deadpan, but I don’t look up. It’s easier to ignore them than fuel their nonsense.

Zane’s grin turns wicked. “Well, don’t worry, big brother. I’ve got you covered.”

The tone of his voice makes me glance up. “What did you do?”

Zane shrugs, trying and failing to look innocent. “Nothing much. Just placed an ad. Mail-order bride. You know, to help you out.”

I set my pen down, slowly. “You what?”

Grady laughs, holding up his phone. “It’s real, man. We even got a response.”

“Response?” My voice drops, dangerously low. They think this is a joke, but I’m not laughing.

“Oh yeah,” Slate chimes in. “She’s on her way. Might even be here tonight.”

My jaw tightens. “You’re all idiots.”

Zane claps me on the shoulder, ignoring the storm brewing in my expression. “Lighten up, Ridge. You’ll thank us when she shows up.”

I stand, towering over him. “If anyone shows up because of this, you’re the one explaining it. Now get the hell out of my observatory.”

They laugh their way out the door, leaving behind empty beer bottles and a trail of chaos. I clean up, muttering curses under my breath. The idea of a mail-order bride is ridiculous. There’s no way anyone in their right mind would actually answer one of those things, is there?

Thirty minutes later a knock at the door cuts through my thoughts.

I freeze. No one comes up here unannounced, especially at night. Zane couldn’t have been serious... could he?

Another knock, this time sharper. Whoever it is, they’re not leaving. With a sigh, I open the door.

And there she is.

A petite brunette with sharp green eyes, dressed in a thick winter coat, a scarf wrapped around her neck, and luggage at her feet. She crosses her arms, raising an unimpressed brow.

“You’re Ridge Warner?” she asks, her tone flat, no hint of humor.

“Depends. Who’s asking?”

She exhales, a puff of steam in the cold mountain air. “I’m Quinn–your bride.”

I step back, letting her inside. She brushes past me, her suitcase trailing behind her. Her eyes scan the observatory—star charts on the walls, shelves lined with books, the telescope dominating the center of the room. She whistles low. “Nice setup. At least you’re not a complete fraud.”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >23

Advertisement
Stolen by the Mountain Man (Rugged Heart #3) Read Online Aria Cole http://www.ilovenovels.com/stolen-read-online-the-mountain-man-rugged-heart-3-read-online-aria-cole Thu, 21 Nov 2024 13:36:52 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/stolen-read-online-the-mountain-man-rugged-heart-3-read-online-aria-cole Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary Authors: Aria Cole Series: Rugged Heart Series by Aria Cole
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >29

Kidnapped. Held captive in the wilderness. And now…rescued by the most dangerous man she’s ever met…

Hunter Warner doesn’t do people—he does solitude, survival, and silence. As the quietest of the nine brothers, he’s built a life deep in the rugged wilds of Devil’s Peak, training people to endure nature’s harshest tests. But when he stumbles upon Lark—terrified, gathering wild berries, and being held captive by a crazed off-gridder—his instincts kick protect, rescue, and claim.

Lark’s been a prisoner for as long as she can remember, stolen from her city life by a man obsessed with controlling her every move. But the day she meets Hunter, everything changes. He’s an ex-military survivalist with a burning intensity, one who’s willing to break every rule to save her. Desperate and drawn to his over-the-top protective presence, she’s willing to put her life—and her heart—in his hands.

Hunter’s raw masculinity and lethal skills captivate Lark, while her vulnerability and inner strength awaken a primal desire in him to possess her completely. As danger closes in and the wilderness strips them bare, he knows one thing for she’s his, and he’ll kill to keep her safe.

Will Lark escape one captor just to surrender to another? Or will Hunter’s touch be the one she’s been waiting for all along?

The Rugged Hearts series is full of rugged, ex-military, mountain men brothers, steamy tension, seductive banter, and love worth fighting for.

Get ready for a steamy adventure where a reclusive mountain man risks everything for a woman who’s only ever known captivity in this age gap, touch-her-and-die, over-protective insta-love romance that will leave you craving a mountain man of your own!

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Hunter

The late afternoon sun filters through the thick pines, casting long shadows across the clearing. The air smells like damp moss and pine sap—familiar, grounding, a reminder that this is my territory. My boots crunch on dried leaves as I bend to collect firewood, the rough bark scraping my hands. I should be focused on the basics: shelter, warmth, survival. But something feels off, a prickle at the back of my neck.

Then I see her.

She’s crouched by a berry bush, her hair tangled and clothes too loose, like they barely belong to her. She’s picking berries with shaky fingers, her eyes darting around, wild and wary. There’s a desperation in the way she works, as if this small act is the only control she has left. My chest tightens with a sudden, primal need to protect. She can’t be more than eighteen or nineteen and she looks like a scared animal.

I lower myself behind a cluster of ferns, keeping my movements slow. I watch her, taking in every detail. My time in the Army taught me well–I can smell fear and the fear in this woman’s eyes isn’t the ordinary kind. It’s deep-rooted, ingrained, the kind of fear that’s had time to settle. Just like the women and children living under terrorizing regimes in Afghanistan, I recognize it—and I’ve seen it enough times to know what it means.

“Hey,” I call out, deliberately making noise as I straighten. My voice is low but clear, carrying a calm authority.

She freezes, her head snapping up. The makeshift berry pouch falls from her hands, spilling its contents onto the forest floor. Her eyes—big, wide, and terrified—lock onto mine. For a second, I think she might bolt, but she stays, trembling like a cornered deer.

I raise my hands, palms open, trying to project as much calm as possible. “Easy,” I say, my tone softer now. “I’m not here to hurt you.”

She stares at me, her eyes full of questions, mistrust. I don’t move closer, just let the silence hang between us. I need her to make the next move, to decide whether I’m a threat or not.

“You’re lost, aren’t you?” I ask, taking a careful step forward. “Or hiding from something.”

She doesn’t answer, just swallows hard, her throat working as if she’s trying to find the words. Her gaze flickers to the trees behind me, then back, as if expecting someone else to appear. I keep my stance relaxed, even though everything inside me is on high alert.

“What’s your name?” I ask gently, trying to coax her to talk.

“Lark,” she finally whispers, her voice raw, like it hasn’t been used in a while.

“Lark,” I repeat slowly, letting the name roll off my tongue. It suits her somehow—wild, untamed, and fragile all at once. “That’s a pretty name.”

She doesn’t respond, just hugs her makeshift berry pouch tighter, like it’s the only thing keeping her grounded. The vulnerability in her eyes tugs at something deep inside me. I force myself to keep my voice steady.

“You don’t look like you belong out here,” I say, keeping my tone casual even though my mind is racing. “Where are you staying?”

“A cabin,” comes her simple answer.

“Where’s the cabin?” I push for more details.

Her eyes dart away, hesitation written all over her face. But then she nods faintly to the west. “It’s…back that way,” she murmurs.

My jaw tightens. The pieces are starting to fall into place, and none of them are good. Her clothes are worn, her face pale, and there’s a bruise peeking out from under her collar. It’s not fresh, but it’s enough to make my blood simmer with anger.

“Who’s with you?” I ask, my voice dropping lower, taking on an edge I can’t hide.

She hesitates again, and for a moment I think she might shut down. But then she whispers, “Cyrus. He…he took me.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Cyrus. I’ve heard stories about him—an old man who’s gone off-grid, known for doing things his own way. Rumors of a criminal record follow his name, but that’s the case for most anti-social men living up in these mountains. No one’s seen Cyrus in town for years. He’s bad news, but hearing that he’s got this young woman in his clutches makes my protective instincts flare, hard and fast. I keep my expression neutral, though. The last thing she needs is for me to scare her more.

“How long have you been with him?” I ask, trying to keep my voice as gentle as possible.

“Months,” she says, her chin trembling. Her voice is barely audible, like she’s confessing a sin.

The rage inside me simmers hotter, but I keep it under control. I can’t lose it now. I need her to trust me. “And you want to leave, right?” I ask, the question more of a vow than a request.

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >29

Advertisement
Tied to the Mountain Man (Rugged Heart #2) Read Online Aria Cole http://www.ilovenovels.com/tied-to-the-mountain-man-rugged-heart-2-read-online-aria-cole Wed, 30 Oct 2024 13:05:07 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/tied-to-the-mountain-man-rugged-heart-2-read-online-aria-cole Genre: Alpha Male, Insta-Love Authors: Aria Cole Series: Rugged Heart Series by Aria Cole
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >30

Welcome to Devil’s Peak, where the men are rugged, grumpy, and over-the-top protective of the women they love…

Holt Warner is the kind of man who laughs in the face of fear. As a legendary free climber, he’s spent his life defying gravity—until a devastating accident grounds him. Now, he’s trapped at Devil’s Peak with nothing but regrets and scars that run deeper than the physical ones.

Lila Grayson is everything Holt isn’t, a prim and proper city girl terrified of heights. She’s a travel blogger just passing through Devil’s Peak, but when her safe, structured world collides with Holt’s rugged wilderness, sparks fly. He’s determined to push her limits, both on the cliffs and off, while she’s determined to unlock the man behind the rough-around-the-edges mask.

Can Holt let go of his past and grab hold of a future with Lila? Or will the danger of falling for each other prove more perilous than any mountain?

The Rugged Hearts series is full of rugged mountain men brothers, steamy tension, seductive banter, and love worth fighting for.

Get ready to fall for the fierce passion of country boy Holt and city girl Lila in this opposites attract, grumpy-sunshine insta-love romance that will leave you breathless.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Lila

The sun bears down on Devil’s Peak, its rays bouncing off the jagged rocks and shimmering in the ripples of the Phantom River below. I balance on a boulder, struggling to keep my footing as I aim my camera at the climber scaling the massive granite face. The air is cooler here, crisp with the mountain breeze, but there’s a tension in my chest that has nothing to do with the altitude. My hands shake as I zoom in, steadying the lens just enough to capture the figure clinging to the rock.

He moves like the mountain belongs to him—confident, controlled, every muscle working in tandem as he ascends. His back is to me, but I can see the way his shoulders flex beneath his faded T-shirt, the fabric pulling taut with each calculated movement. For a moment, I lose myself in the rhythm of his climb, the raw power in every stretch and shift of his body. I snap a few photos, each click of the shutter echoing in the stillness.

But then he turns. My breath catches as his head swivels in my direction, a sharp, assessing look pinning me from across the distance. I freeze, the camera still pressed to my face, feeling like I’ve been caught doing something I shouldn’t. His eyes, a piercing blue that seems to cut through the mountain air, lock onto mine through the lens, and I swear I feel the impact like a punch to the gut.

He doesn’t break eye contact as he finishes his climb, leaping down with a smooth, easy grace that sends a shiver racing through me. His boots crunch against the gravel as he stalks over, each step deliberate, the muscles in his arms and chest shifting beneath his shirt. There’s a dangerous energy in his stride, like a coiled spring, and my pulse kicks up a notch despite my best efforts to stay calm.

“You got a permit for that?” His voice is rough, gravelly, and he gestures to my camera with a jerk of his chin. He’s close enough now that I can make out the fine lines at the corners of his eyes, the way his dark hair falls messily across his forehead. There’s a smirk playing at the edges of his mouth, but it’s not friendly. It’s challenging, like he’s daring me to make a move.

Heat creeps up my neck, but I refuse to let him see how flustered I feel. I lift my chin, forcing a smile that I hope looks more confident than I feel. “I’m a travel blogger. I’m featuring the adrenaline culture around Devil’s Peak,” I explain, trying to keep my voice steady even though my heart is racing. “I thought you might appreciate a little free publicity.”

His smirk deepens, but there’s no warmth behind it. He steps closer, and I can’t stop myself from leaning back slightly, the edge of the boulder digging into my spine. “I don’t need any publicity, sweetheart,” he says, his tone dripping with condescension. “And you’ve got no business pointing that lens at me without asking first.” The growl in his voice sends a jolt of something dangerously close to excitement through me, but I stamp it down.

My embarrassment flares into irritation, and I plant my hands on my hips, standing my ground. “Maybe you should be thanking me instead,” I snap, feeling a surge of defiance. “I’m trying to capture the spirit of this place, and you seem to think you own it.”

He takes another step closer, until there’s barely a breath of space between us. I can feel the heat radiating off his body, mingling with the cool mountain air, and it takes everything in me not to back away. His eyes bore into mine, sharp and unyielding, and I swallow hard, suddenly hyperaware of how isolated we are out here. “You’ve got a lot of opinions for someone who looks like they belong in a library, not out here in the wild,” he murmurs, his voice dropping to a low, mocking drawl. “What, you think you can come up here, snap a few photos, and get your adrenaline fix?”

The patronizing tone sets my teeth on edge, and I meet his gaze head-on, refusing to let him intimidate me. “Maybe I’m not as predictable as you think,” I shoot back, even though my cheeks flush hotly under his scrutiny. “Just because you get your kicks risking your life doesn’t mean the rest of us have to be reckless.”

He arches an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement breaking through the irritation in his eyes. “Predictable, huh?” He lets the word hang between us, then leans in, close enough that I catch the scent of soap and pine on his skin, mixed with the earthy smell of the river. My mouth goes dry as his breath brushes against my cheek, and I clench my hands at my sides to keep from shoving him away. “You want a real story, princess? Stick around long enough, and you might learn what it’s like to actually live a little. If you think you can handle it.”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >30

Advertisement
Rescued by the Mountain Man (Rugged Heart #1) Read Online Aria Cole http://www.ilovenovels.com/rescued-read-online-the-mountain-man-rugged-heart-1-read-online-aria-cole Mon, 21 Oct 2024 11:26:55 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/rescued-read-online-the-mountain-man-rugged-heart-1-read-online-aria-cole Genre: Alpha Male Authors: Aria Cole Series: Rugged Heart Series by Aria Cole
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24910 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >27

She thought she could outrun her past. He never let go of their future.

When Emma returns to Devil’s Peak for one last adventure, the last thing she expects is to cross paths with Slate Warner—the man whose heart she broke a decade ago. She left him and the mountain life behind to chase her dreams, but the ruggedly sexy mountain man she once loved has only grown more irresistible, and now he’s built a life she’s not sure she belongs in.

Slate has spent years burying his feelings behind the rugged facade of the business he’s built alongside his brothers on Devil’s Peak. But when Emma shows up out of nowhere, all those old desires burn hotter than ever, threatening the carefully constructed walls around his heart. He swore he’d never let her get close again—but the pull between them is impossible to resist.

As a sudden snowstorm traps them in a remote cabin, Emma and Slate find themselves facing the truth of everything they left unsaid. The heat between them builds, sparking a passion that’s as wild and untamed as the mountain itself. But when the storm clears, will Emma choose the life she’s built, or risk everything for a second chance at the love she never truly let go?

The Rugged Hearts series is full of rugged, mountain man brothers, steamy tension, seductive banter, and love worth fighting for. Slate and Emma's love story is about finding your way back to the one who got away—and discovering that some things are worth risking it all.

Get ready to fall for the fierce passion of Slate and Emma in this heart-pounding, snow-melting insta-love romance that will leave you breathless.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Emma

The Devil’s Peak Lodge is exactly as I remember—warm, cozy, the crackling fire casting dancing shadows across the wooden beams. It smells of pine, strong coffee, and a hint of something more masculine, something that takes me right back to a time when I thought I had everything figured out. I take a breath, steadying my nerves as I push open the heavy door, the chill of the mountain air swirling in behind me.

I hesitate in the doorway, eyes scanning the lodge’s dimly lit interior. And then ice freeze my veins when my gaze lands on him. Slate. He’s standing near the fire, shaking off snow from his shoulders, his jacket flung across a nearby bench. Muscles flex under his thermal shirt as he runs a hand through his damp hair, and a flash of something hot coils low in my belly. God, he’s even more rugged than I remember, his jaw shadowed with stubble, his frame broader, stronger.

I’d heard that he’d created an extreme mountain adventure company with his brothers, but to finally see it in the flesh is something else. They’ve accomplished so much, putting all the skills they learned growing up in these mountains to good use by taking tourists and outdoorsmen out on river rafting trips, mountain climbing expeditions, snowmobile tours, and so much more. I can’t help the swell of pride that builds in my chest at all they’ve built.

Slate hasn’t noticed me yet, too caught up in banter with his brothers scattered around the lodge. Colt is the first to pipe up, grinning like a fool. “You’re looking rough, big brother. Those tourists give you a run for your money?”

Slate smirks, and it’s that same cocky twist of his lips that used to drive me wild. “Maybe you boys need to start pulling your weight for once.” His voice is deep, rolling through the lodge like a rumble of thunder. My breath catches, and I take a step back, half-hoping they won’t see me. But of course, the universe isn’t that kind.

Thorne shoves Slate’s shoulder, laughter bubbling up. “You just love playing the hero, don’t you?”

Slate’s smile widens, but there’s an edge to it. “Yeah, well, someone’s gotta keep you in line.”

The banter is easy, familiar, the kind that only comes from a lifetime together. And just like that, the memories flood back. Late nights, stolen kisses under the stars, the way Slate’s arms felt around me, safe and solid. I swallow the lump in my throat, reminding myself that those days are long gone. I have a job to do, and it doesn’t involve dredging up the past.

Steeling myself, I clear my throat. “Excuse me.”

The lodge falls silent. Slate’s head snaps up, his smile freezing, and for a moment, all he does is stare. His eyes are darker than I remember, sharper. My pulse quickens under his scrutiny, but I keep my expression cool, lifting my chin.

“Emma?” The disbelief in his voice is quickly masked, replaced with something harder. He crosses his arms, the muscles in his forearms flexing, the air between us crackling with tension. “What are you doing here?”

Before I can answer, Ridge lets out a low whistle, his grin widening. “Well, well, look what the storm blew in. The one that got away.”

Colt elbows Slate with a smirk, a knowing gleam in his eye. “You gonna sweep her off her feet, Slate? Or just hope she doesn’t break your heart again?”

I force a tight smile, ignoring the jab, though my cheeks burn. “I see you boys haven’t changed a bit. Still full of bad jokes.”

Slate’s eyes narrow, his gaze never leaving mine. “What do you want, Emma?”

There’s a challenge in his voice, and it ignites something stubborn inside me. I straighten my shoulders, refusing to let him see how much he affects me. “I’m looking for a guide to take me up the north ridge. Need a few shots of the northern lights for a magazine spread.”

His eyebrow arches, and his voice drops, rough like gravel. “You think you can just waltz back into town and expect someone to hold your hand up the mountain?”

My jaw tightens, heat flaring in my chest. “Not looking for a babysitter, Slate. Just a professional. I’ll pay whatever the rate is.”

Shepherd snorts, slapping Slate on the back. “Sounds like she’s hiring, Slate. Or are you too scared to face a little trip down memory lane?”

Slate’s jaw clenches, and for a moment, I think he might actually punch his brother. But his focus shifts back to me, his expression unreadable. “I don’t think you know what you’re asking for, Emma.”

I take a step closer, refusing to be intimidated. “What I’m asking for is a guide, Slate. Unless you’re telling me you can’t handle it.”

His eyes blaze, and suddenly he’s in my space, so close I can feel the heat radiating off him, his scent filling my lungs—pine, sweat, mountain air. His lips curl into a half-smile, and the sight of it sends a jolt through me, memories of that mouth on my skin flashing behind my eyes. “Oh, I can handle it, babe. The question is, can you? Or are you going to run off again when things get tough?”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >27