Page 14 of Found By the Surly Ranger

Her lovely blue eyes glow as she stares at me, slowly nodding and biting her lip for a moment. She hesitates before saying, "A girl could get used to this mellow country life."

My heart pounds in my chest as if it's trying to escape, but I try to keep my expression calm as I smile gently.

"Shh, that's my master plan," I whisper, picking up my fork. "Don't tell anyone, though."

9

KARA

Jace and I spend a perfect day together. We take a short walk in the morning and cook a nice lunch together. Then a longer afternoon walk where we see some crows, ruffed grouse, and a cute blue-winged warbler with an odd white triangle patch on his shoulder.

Our big dinner feels like a party for two. Then we watch a cheesy action-romance movie before starting to get ready for bed. It's super domestic, and almost feels like we're together and our lives are like this all the time. An unlikely but real couple.

I know it's all just a fantasy, a strange chunk of time where I'm trapped here due to a weird situation. Being chased and stalked, then a bridge washing out and trapping us together? I mean, Jace is so kind to take me in, but let's face it, it's been an unusual chain of events.

But the thing is, it doesn't feel random. I feel more energized and grounded than I ever have before. My usual shy nervousness just doesn't seem to exist here in Jace's amazing house surrounded by the peaceful forest.

Partly because I know that Jace could protect me from anything up to and including a bear. Even though he teased me for not just handing him the stuck jam jar this morning, or asking for his help when fishing a bowl down from a high shelf. What? I've never had anyone to turn to before, so it's not instinctive on my part. I've always taken care of things myself.

A thick arm snakes around my waist as we head for the bedroom. "I was thinking of a quick shower," he breathes against my ear. "Care to join me?"

My lower belly flutters. Naked and wet with him… There's only one way that ends. For a split second I wonder if I'm ready. But this kind of intimacy is something I've dreamed of, and Jace is so caring that he'd definitely be perfect for my first time.

His fingers shift to splay across my stomach, pulling my back against his chest. "Yeah," I breathe. "Good idea."

Jace turns me to face him, a gorgeous grin transforming his slightly rough face. "Let me help you, then. Yes?" He waits for me to nod before gripping the bottom of my shirt and lifting it up over my head and arms. Dropping to his knees, he lifts his head and pulls my breast into his mouth. "I love that you don't wear bras, gorgeous."

My nipple is so sensitive against his lips that I nearly cry out. Ripples of lust begin growing deep in my core, along with a large dose of curiosity. I can't wait to see what happens.

It feels like he's being cautious as he slowly pulls my pants and underwear down. Then he backs me up to the bed so that I plop down, my feet lifting so he can slip off my socks. I sit, almost shivering in anticipation as I stare up at him.

Jace smiles casually as he straightens up, peeling off his snug t-shirt to reveal a physique that belongs in an action movie. I'm so busy staring at his sculpted abs and the grooved lines above his hips that I don't notice at first when his pants and shorts drop to the floor. But when I do…

I've definitely felt his erection several times when we've snuggled, but seeing it up close and personal is frankly a bit terrifying. Since every part of Jace is large, it's no surprise that his cock is as long and thick as a tree branch. The shaft looks like it's straining, the thick blunt tip bobbing slightly in front of him.

His rough thumb caresses my cheek gently. "Shall we?"

I follow him into the bathroom. He turns the shower on, waits for a moment, then gets in, extending a hand to me. As soon as we're wet, naked, and face to face, he slips an arm around my waist. Soft music fills the snug space as he turns me in a slow circle while humming. Dancing makes it easier for me to relax a bit. I've never been naked with a man, but the rhythm of the tune allows me to shift my hips, rubbing gently against him.

Slowly we explore, under the pretense of lightly skimming cedar-scented soap over each other's bodies. Our slow, languorous movements soon turn our energy as steamy as the now-foggy mirror.

His palms move slowly around my breasts, and I sigh contentedly as I look up at him. He sets the soap aside, wets his hand, then slowly moves it between my legs. My thighs part automatically. Giving myself to this man seems second nature. As if my body knows I'm doing the right thing.

He holds me close as his thick fingers spread me open, caressing my slippery skin. The way he roams around every curve and dip is possessive, like he couldn't stop even if he wanted to. It feels like he needs me. For the first time ever, I feel important.

The blunt tip of his finger circles around my clit several times before dipping inside me. My legs tighten and shake until I nearly slip. Jace catches me, chuckling as he pins me against the glass. Then he blinks in the hot steam, looking suddenly serious. "I've laughed more with you than I ever have with anyone else. Maybe that's a sign."

A sign of what? I want to ask, yet I can't think clearly enough to form the words. I gasp as his finger slides deeper, stroking rhythmically as his massive, muscular body presses against mine. My hand is gripping his hip, my thumb almost touching the tip of his shaft. Moving as slowly as he is, I skim my hand all the way up and down his length. I smile involuntarily when I feel the shiver that runs through him.

"You like that?" he whispers over the murmur of the falling water. "You like knowing how hot I am for you?"

"Yeah." It feels like his thick cock jumps in my hand when I say it. Carefully moving my palm over and around his length, I wash him in the hot stream of water that splashes between us.

Then I gasp, my knees almost buckling as he nudges a second finger inside me. Jace freezes. "You're really tight, Kara. Have you ever…"

"No. But I want to."

A deep shudder runs through him. "Maybe we should wait."

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