Brann
T he shock on Beckett’s face when she comes outside is truly golden. Wish I had a camera. Acting ignorant, I hold out the extra helmet for her. She’s cautious, but she takes it and straps it on. I know I’m going to hell over this. Or wherever stubborn, stupid orcs who refuse to acknowledge logic go. But there is no way in this universe that I’m going to let her take a tour of our island with Kaj—the minotaur with a reputation for being a ladies’ man. No way. She’s mine.
“A little unconventional. I forgot I sent the work truck in for an oil change. And your car is still at the mechanic’s.”
“Maybe we should wait? Or take Kaj’s car?” She squeaks out. I shake my head no. The schedule for the rest of the week is packed. I can see the words about work, and propriety, and whatever else floating in her head. I ignore them all. And after a minute, she slides on behind me. Her thigh snaking against mine until her foot hits the footrest. She wraps her arms around my waist and presses her glorious bosom against my back. I want to purr in satisfaction at the heat of her against me. Oh yes, I’m going to burn in the hell of my own making.
When we hit the town limit sign: “Moonfang Falls: Not on Maps, But on Your Mind,” I accelerate to highway speed and take us up the Wolf’s Ridge. The way she squeezes me with her arms and thighs when the bike lurches forward is exquisite. All I could think about last night was what it would feel like for her arms and legs to be wrapped around me in bed.
When we reach the main trailhead parking lot, I slow down and park the bike. The gravel lot is empty; it’s still early season for midweek hikers to be out here. There’s a clear absence of heat when she unwinds herself from me and steps off the bike. Her dark curly hair springs out toward freedom when she pulls off her helmet.
Off the bike, I explain the history of the park and the trail system for the mountain. I’m just about to deliver my favorite mountain joke— How do mountains hear things? With mountaineers —when she interrupts me.
“Captain Suthorn, no disrespect, but Kaj covered all this back at the station. I could read all about this in a pamphlet. Kaj was going to help me get a feel for distances and places for resources and rescues. You, sir, act like you’re out for a joy ride. I don’t want to waste your time, but I also don’t want to waste mine.”
Damn. She stands, one hand on the curve of her hip, her lips pursed, and her eyes glare a hole into my intentions. I have never thought of our polo shirt and cargo pant uniform as sexy, but damn, she makes it sexy.
“You’re right. I apologize. Let’s walk up here to the fire tower. We can see most of the island from there. I believe that was Kaj’s intention.” Walk away, before I can see whatever incredulous look she’s giving me. It’s like having the judgment angel on my shoulder staring at me with Beckett’s soulful brown eyes. Hearing her footsteps crunch behind me, I point out our native plants and tidbits from previous rescues.
The fire tower is older but has a sturdy ladder going up to the top. It’s one of my favorite spots on the island. Quiet, isolated, with a million-dollar view. I feel like king of the world up here. Hand on the ladder, I point up. “You first.”
“Is this a test of my fear of heights?” Again with her attitude and sass. Against my will, I huff out a laugh.
“Just figure I shouldn’t leave the new guy behind.” That seems to satisfy her.
With one deep sigh, she climbs.
Oh. Gods. Her ass. What was I thinking? Now I have to follow this gorgeous peach all the way to the top?
Now who’s the asshole?
It’s breezy at the top without the protection of the forest. Beckett shivers, just a little, and her skin erupts in goose pricks. There’s a brief half-second of war within me—that I should warm her up. When I see her nipples through her thick work polo, I know I’m a goner. Turning away from her, I make myself focus on the ocean. And the way it sparkles a deep cerulean blue as it stretches out in every direction.
“If you squint, you can see the mainland there,” I say, pointing. Doing everything I can to distract myself from the very unprofessional position I’ve now put us both in. It’s as if I’ve let all logic leave my brain and body where Beckett is concerned. Dangerous.
When she looks the direction I’m pointing, she sucks in a breath through her teeth. It’s a sound that goes straight to my cock. “Surprisingly, this is better than the view from the cliff.” She turns to me, her face redder than our demon sheriff’s, her eyes wide.
“That’s not what your—” I cut myself off as my lips form the ‘p’ of pussy . What am I doing?
My fingers twitch, wanting to touch hers that rest on the railing, but knowing that I’m already walking on thin, brittle ice.
Beckett walks in a circle around the perimeter of the tower, occasionally peeking out over the edge. “So when do you use this fire tower?”
For fucking you, I don’t say.
“Mostly as a regrouping spot if we know we’re going to be up here for longer than one night. The off crew will stage supplies and rest up to switch out as long as no one is on the north side.”
“And if the rescue is on the north side?”
“Then we pack everything in and out. The north side is wild and exposed. It isn’t a playground.”
She’s finished her circle, landing in front of me again, hand back on the rail. This time, her hand touches mine. It isn’t a shock or a jolt or a spark. It’s a gods-damned flood barreling me over like a tsunami.
“I don’t want to put my job in jeopardy,” she says, her voice a tremulous whisper.
“No,” I huff out. “I would never put your job at risk. We play with life and death all the time. I need a solid team that knows how to trust and work together.” Even as the words come out of my mouth, my other hand makes contact with that same luscious hip I drooled over earlier, resting tentatively against her.
“Good. I’m glad you understand me. I knew you would when I met you.” Her words are a vice around my heart, because no one has ever wanted to trust me with their heart before. I suppose that trust is a two-way street; I’ve never trusted anyone with my heart, either. But I would rip it out and hand it to her if she asked. Her other hand comes to rest on my chest, in the place where my granite heart resides. She looks up at me with those big brown eyes and I’m gone. Completely smitten in a way I’ve never been before.
Her hand imprints itself on my soul. I swore to myself that I would let her take the lead if and when she felt it. Or when she no longer worked for me. My fingers on her hip twitch, but I don’t move them across her body like I long to. I can’t.
Time slows as she rises up, on tiptoes, and kisses the cleft in my chin. The only thing she can reach. It’s all the nudge I need. I remove my hands from her, only to reach around and pick her up, one hand on her ass, the other cupping her cheek, and kiss her. Deep, hard, passionate. Letting all my feelings of need, longing, want, and desire pour into her.
Her legs grip me, arms steadying her around my neck, her fingers digging into my back. She kisses me back with everything I give her. Tastes like honey and peaches, and it takes all my willpower not to chase her lips when she pulls back from mine and takes a deep breath. She clears her throat.
“We should move on if we’re going to finish before I have to pick up Lucy.”
Grunting, I set her down and we descend the ladder and retrace our steps to my bike.
There’s the bomb. The slap in the face I need. Because Beckett can’t be a one-night thing. She isn’t someone whose emotions I should even touch, let alone play with. Because not only is she my employee, she’s a mom, and I don’t want to fuck with that at all.
Never mind that Lucy’s little giggle is present in my dreams, too.