Page 2
Story: Her Protector on Route 14
“Yeah. Why just live in the moment and hope the memories measure up, right?” I ask with a smile. “Better to be present and preserve it.”
“Perhaps,” he murmurs, his gaze dragging over me like he doesn’t want to miss a single detail.
I almost cover up, but something about his gaze sets my skin on fire. I’ve been flirted with, I’ve had a few kisses, but the way his eyes darken as he drinks in every inch of me makes me feel sexy and seen in a way I’ve never felt before.
Five words, Holly, calm down,I insist.
“Grab anything important and bring it to the cab. If you need help, call me,” he says—firm and direct, like someone who’s used to being listened to. “There’s water in the cooler. Cool off. The tow truck should be here soon and then we will be free to go.”
I smile and rub my forearm. “Is there anything I can do to help? I mean, it’smycar, and you’re being really kind coming all the way out here.”
He looks at me, then toward the car. “It’s part of the job,” he says simply. Then, after a beat, “I’ll drive you into the next mechanic shop so you’re not stuck out here.”
“Oh,” I say, surprised by how much that simple offer steadies me. “Thank you.”
He nods once and turns back to the engine like it's already settled.
I head to the driver’s side, trying not to feel flustered.
It’s just a ride. Just a ranger doing his job.
But somehow, it feels like more than that.
Chapter 2 - Tanner
I tell myself to focus. This is a job. It’s always been just a job.
There are only ten of us covering the whole stretch of Route 14—from Florida to California. One ranger per state. One floater for backup. That’s it. Not exactly the kind of setup where you can afford distractions.
Butsheis a distraction.
The moment I saw her, all sun-kissed skin and that bright, unguarded smile, something short-circuited in my brain. That kind of warmth—sweet, open, genuine—is rare out here. Too rare. And exactly the kind of thing someone could take advantage of if they pulled off on the wrong shoulder.
I should correct her—remind her to be more cautious, more guarded out here in the middle of nowhere. But I don’t want to. I don’t want to be the one who dims that light, that sparkle in her eyes that somehow makes this whole sunburned highway feel less lonely.
Holly is sexy—no denying that. Her toned frame, her tied-up shirt, those curves that would’ve caught my attention even if I hadn’t been tryingnotto look.
But it’s not just her body. It’s something else. Something under my skin. Something dangerous.
Because I’ve driven this stretch a hundred times and never once felt what I’m feeling now.
And I haven’t even heard her full story yet.
I glance over at her and nearly curse out loud.
She’s bent over the passenger seat of her car, giving me a full view of her pert, round ass and those toned, gorgeous thighs—and now my brain is very muchnotfocused on the job. I just met this woman. I shouldn’t be thinking about her like this.But I am.
Lust? That’s fine. Natural. Even imagining the feel of her hips pressed back against me, kissing along that soft, sun-warmed neck until I can get more of thatfresh cookiesscent she wears like a dare… Yeah, okay. A quick fantasy is tolerable. As long as it stays in my head.
She starts to stand, and I react without thinking—sliding my hand under the top of the door just in time to keep her from smacking her head. My knuckles take the hit instead.
I grunt, the dull throb pulsing through my fingers. Her eyes flash to mine, wide with surprise—and something else. She blushes.
“Sorry,” she whispers. “I promise I’m not usually so… frazzled. I’m totally capable. Or I wouldn’t be taking this trip on my own.”
I nod once. Not because I doubt her. But because I do believe her.
And because I don’t trust myself to speak while my mind’s still stuck on how easily I could press her back into that seat and find out if she tastes as sweet as she smells.
“Perhaps,” he murmurs, his gaze dragging over me like he doesn’t want to miss a single detail.
I almost cover up, but something about his gaze sets my skin on fire. I’ve been flirted with, I’ve had a few kisses, but the way his eyes darken as he drinks in every inch of me makes me feel sexy and seen in a way I’ve never felt before.
Five words, Holly, calm down,I insist.
“Grab anything important and bring it to the cab. If you need help, call me,” he says—firm and direct, like someone who’s used to being listened to. “There’s water in the cooler. Cool off. The tow truck should be here soon and then we will be free to go.”
I smile and rub my forearm. “Is there anything I can do to help? I mean, it’smycar, and you’re being really kind coming all the way out here.”
He looks at me, then toward the car. “It’s part of the job,” he says simply. Then, after a beat, “I’ll drive you into the next mechanic shop so you’re not stuck out here.”
“Oh,” I say, surprised by how much that simple offer steadies me. “Thank you.”
He nods once and turns back to the engine like it's already settled.
I head to the driver’s side, trying not to feel flustered.
It’s just a ride. Just a ranger doing his job.
But somehow, it feels like more than that.
Chapter 2 - Tanner
I tell myself to focus. This is a job. It’s always been just a job.
There are only ten of us covering the whole stretch of Route 14—from Florida to California. One ranger per state. One floater for backup. That’s it. Not exactly the kind of setup where you can afford distractions.
Butsheis a distraction.
The moment I saw her, all sun-kissed skin and that bright, unguarded smile, something short-circuited in my brain. That kind of warmth—sweet, open, genuine—is rare out here. Too rare. And exactly the kind of thing someone could take advantage of if they pulled off on the wrong shoulder.
I should correct her—remind her to be more cautious, more guarded out here in the middle of nowhere. But I don’t want to. I don’t want to be the one who dims that light, that sparkle in her eyes that somehow makes this whole sunburned highway feel less lonely.
Holly is sexy—no denying that. Her toned frame, her tied-up shirt, those curves that would’ve caught my attention even if I hadn’t been tryingnotto look.
But it’s not just her body. It’s something else. Something under my skin. Something dangerous.
Because I’ve driven this stretch a hundred times and never once felt what I’m feeling now.
And I haven’t even heard her full story yet.
I glance over at her and nearly curse out loud.
She’s bent over the passenger seat of her car, giving me a full view of her pert, round ass and those toned, gorgeous thighs—and now my brain is very muchnotfocused on the job. I just met this woman. I shouldn’t be thinking about her like this.But I am.
Lust? That’s fine. Natural. Even imagining the feel of her hips pressed back against me, kissing along that soft, sun-warmed neck until I can get more of thatfresh cookiesscent she wears like a dare… Yeah, okay. A quick fantasy is tolerable. As long as it stays in my head.
She starts to stand, and I react without thinking—sliding my hand under the top of the door just in time to keep her from smacking her head. My knuckles take the hit instead.
I grunt, the dull throb pulsing through my fingers. Her eyes flash to mine, wide with surprise—and something else. She blushes.
“Sorry,” she whispers. “I promise I’m not usually so… frazzled. I’m totally capable. Or I wouldn’t be taking this trip on my own.”
I nod once. Not because I doubt her. But because I do believe her.
And because I don’t trust myself to speak while my mind’s still stuck on how easily I could press her back into that seat and find out if she tastes as sweet as she smells.