Page 8 of Longing for the Ranger (Shadow Mountain Forest Rangers #2)

Shawn

The squeals and laughter of the boys as they play with Missy have a grin splitting my face. These two are quite the handful, but are they ever a kick in the pants. It was all I could do to contain my laughter at their fishing practice.

Poor Izzy’s exasperation was palpable. To her credit, she didn’t lose her shit with the kids like many parents would. Though this seems to be their typical behavior so she is used to their antics.

Hearing her scream as I was about to knock on the door startled the shit out of me. All I could think about was getting to her. When I saw her lying on the floor, I thought for sure something was broken.

Once she assured me she was okay, and I realized what I was actually looking at and touching, my heart raced for an entirely different reason.

Not only was her skin silky smooth beneath my palms, but her lower half was almost completely exposed.

Covered only by a scant scrap of satin, which her lush round hips and thick thighs strained to its breaking point.

My dick tightened uncomfortably in my jeans.

The urge to bury my face there almost overrode the last good sense I had.

My pants once again become disturbingly tight at the direction my thoughts have taken. Completely inappropriate, given I’m playing with the boys.

Izzy opens the sliding glass door just then, calling out, “dinner’s ready.”

Telling Missy to stay, I follow the thundering footsteps of the boys. It’s nice the backyard is fenced and Missy can chill out here while we eat.

The boys are at the sink washing their hands and I wait my turn behind them.

As we gather around the dining table set with four place settings, Izzy murmurs, “Thank you for the flowers. They are beautiful. You shouldn’t have, and you certainly shouldn’t have gotten the tackle boxes.”

“I wanted to and I will leave it up to you as to when the boys can have the boxes, especially after their shenanigans earlier.” I throw my best stink eye at the boys, who are busy looking anywhere but at us.

“Now I’m starving. If this tastes half as good as it smells, you’re never going to get rid of me. ”

I’m only half kidding about the last part. Cooking is not one of my talents and homemade meals like this are few and far between for me. I fucking love the way Izzy’s cheeks turn an enticing shade of pink in response to my declaration.

We tuck into the meal and a groan rumbles from me at just how good the food is.

I wink at Izzy when I catch her watching me from beneath her lashes, a ghost of a smile on her lips.

She shifts in her chair, cheeks now bright red at the gesture.

I can’t help but wonder what’s going on in that beautiful head of hers.

The boys plow through their meals and I’m not far behind them. As soon as they are done, they beg to play with Missy more.

“We should clean up for your mom since she spent what I’m sure is a lot of time making this for us.”

“Oh no, you already helped so much with the mess upstairs. Please, you’re our guest. It’s fine. I clean as I go, so there really isn’t much to do. There’s beer in the fridge for you if you’d like one as well. Sorry, I didn’t remember to offer before now.”

“Well, if you’re sure. I’d love a beer while we play some more.”

The boys take turns throwing the ball for Missy while I drink my beer and watch from the patio in one of the chairs clustered there. Izzy, true to her word, joins me less than ten minutes later with a glass of wine.

The domesticity of the situation is not lost on me.

I can’t help but think about what it would be like to come home to this every night.

The laughter and commotion is so different from the sedate life I have been leading, it leaves me feeling like I have been missing out.

I thought I enjoyed the quiet but am finding the chaos unexpectedly filling me.

The boys finally start slowing down, and Izzy calls an end to the fun. “Time to get ready for bed.”

“But mom we’re not tired,” Luke protests even as a yawn cracks his jaw.

“Sorry buster, it’s that time. Why don’t you two take a quick shower and then we’ll do a story.”

“Can Shawn read us a story?” Jake asks, hands clasps as if in prayer under his chin.

“And Missy too?” Luke adds.

“Oh well, he might need to get going.” She hedges.

“I would be happy to read you a story, but first that shower.”

They take off like a couple of shots with no further complaints.

Izzy’s eyes meet mine. “Thank you so much for everything.”

Unable to resist, I tuck an errant lock of hair behind her ear. I revel in her shiver as the backs of my fingers graze her neck. “Of course. Like I said, I’m happy to. I was just thinking, you all are making me realize just how sad and empty my life has been.”

“Well, you’re reminding me what it’s like to not only have a partner, but be seen as something other than a mother.” Her green eyes widen, cheeks turn pink yet again, and her lips roll in as she shakes her head. “I, I don’t mean…”

My hands cup her cheeks. “I hope you do mean that. I don’t want to pressure you or overstep and this is probably going to send you screaming and running in the opposite direction, but I think I found something I didn’t even know I’ve been missing all these years.

You’re not only an amazing mother but a beautiful and generous woman who any man would be lucky to get to call his and support.

Those boys are the icing on the cake. They remind me so much of myself when I was younger.

I felt an instant affinity with them. I know they are your first priority as they should be and I want to assure you whatever happens between us will not affect the relationship I have with them.

” A single tear trails down her cheek and I swipe it away with the pad of my thumb.

“How are you so perfect? You do and say exactly the right thing without even having to be told. I’m surprised you haven’t been the one who’s running and screaming in the other direction, but you take everything in stride.”

I grunt, “Not perfect in the least, as I’m sure you’ll learn. All I ask is you give me the same patience you give the boys when I do mess up because I’m a man and we tend to do that.”

“That I can promise.”

Her smile is blinding as I finally give in to the desire she has ignited inside me. She inhales sharply as our lips meet, then melts into me as the rest of the world disappears. Blood rushes in my ears while my heart thunders in my chest.

I become light-headed as I explore all that is Izzy. She tastes like the tart wine she just drank. Her vanilla scent swirls in the air around us. Soft, creamy skin glides beneath my rough fingertips. I’m lost in this woman, senses on overload with every delectable piece of her.

Her arms encircle my neck, fingers tangling in the short hairs at the back of my head. My left hand entangles in her auburn tresses as I angle her head to deepen the kiss. A moan falls from her while our tongues twine together. The sound shoots straight to my dick.

She whimpers, her eyes fluttering open when I pull my mouth from hers. I would love nothing more than to take this further, but right now is not the time. My thumb sweeps her swollen bottom lip as our breaths come in pants.

“As much as I hate to stop this, I’m sure we're going to be interrupted at any moment and if not, we really should check on them.”

“See perfect.” She whispers with a shake of her head.