Page 11 of Pining for the Ranger (Shadow Mountain Forest Rangers #1)
Laura - five months later
The water cascades over me as I linger in the shower, basking in the warmth, even though I need to get moving. The mornings are becoming chillier now as fall creeps closer. It happens quicker here in the mountains than it does elsewhere.
My lips turn up at the prospect of not being at the university as school starts for the first time in several years. I loved my time there, but at the end my focus was on finishing my thesis and I didn't get to spend as much time outside as I would like.
The door slides open, and Boone’s large body fills the empty space in the shower. Not that I mind, being it means I get all of that naked flesh pressed up against mine. Though we don’t have time to luxuriate together as we usually do.
“You didn’t wait for me.” He pouts.
I smirk. “You know we don’t have time for shenanigans this morning and waiting for you definitely leads to shenanigans. I don’t want to be late for my first official day.”
A shiver runs down me as he nuzzles into my neck, knowing what it does to me. “No one will care if we’re a little late to work.”
“I care. I don’t want anyone to think I’m not taking this job seriously or only got it because of our relationship.”
He nibbles on my ear lobe before muttering, “No one thinks that even a little bit. All the guys are stoked to have you on the team.”
It takes everything in me to push him back, stepping out of the shower. “Sorry buster, not this morning.”
He heaves a sigh. “Fine, but you’re in for it tonight when we get home for making me wait.”
I laugh, “promises, promises.”
Grabbing a towel, I dry off before wrapping my hair up in another. Then I step into the closet to get dressed.
I’m pouring coffee into two travel mugs and have toasted bagels smeared with cream cheese ready to eat in the truck when Boone appears.
He arches an eyebrow. “So eager. I thought you were only that way with me?”
“Don’t get butt hurt. I’m excited to start my new position and work with you every day. So it’s still all about you.”
“I can’t argue with that, and now I’ll have access to you all day long. We’ll be able to fit in quickies all the time.”
I can’t help but snort, shaking my head. “You are impossible.”
“What can I say? You’re just so irresistible I can’t keep my hands off of you.”
“Well then, you better get in the truck or I’m leaving without you Romeo and then you’ll be by yourself all day.”
We make it to the ranger station just in time, so I’m not late for my first day. I settle in to go over the information left by the last wildlife biologist, but not five minutes later, I’m interrupted by Boone.
“Shawn just radioed in. There are two missing kids from the Pine Creek Campground. He and the mother have already done a sweep of the immediate area and have come up empty. We’re all heading out now to expand the search.”
“Oh no. The poor woman.” I jump up, grabbing my pack stashed under my desk. Following him out. “How long have they been missing?”
He shakes his head. “They were gone when the mom woke up this morning.”
I can only hope we find them quickly as we climb into the truck and head out.
Find out if Boone gets his quickie at work in this bonus scene here .
Read Mitch and Tessa's story in Smoldering for the Firefighter and Shawn and Izzy's story in Longing for the Ranger, the next Shadow Mountain Forest Ranger book here .