Page 14 of Love Me Fierce

I log in and get to work. There’s lab work to coordinate and file, phone calls to make. When I’m caught up, I take a few minutes to research job postings. I start at Cal State’s website because it’s how I found my last side gig, but there’s nothing with a remote option. Then Icheck Western Montana State, the closest four-year college to Finn River. I find one posted by a physics professor and earmark the page so I can apply later, maybe after work. I try one more spot—Bitterroot Community College. Though it’s smaller and not a research facility, it’s local.

“You won’t find any CE’s at Bitterroot,” Dr. Boone says, making me jump.

I spin around in my chair. I don’t need any CE’s—continuing education credits—until next fall. “I was looking for something else,” I say.

My computer gives the soft chime that lets me know my next patient is here, so I stand up and grab my tablet.

Dr. Boone gives me a quick once-over, but I step past him and head for the waiting area. I clear my head with a measured exhale. Dr. Boone is only here for a few days. It’ll be fine.

Thanks to the start of school, we are running all day. I get barfed on—twice, send a very sick kiddo to the emergency room, and juggle an anxious new mom having breastfeeding trouble with a steady stream of newborns needing immunizations.

So by the time I pick up Mateo, I’m so looking forward to a hot shower that I almost miss the small, padded envelope waiting for me against our door.

Mateo snatches it up, his blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. “What is it?”

My cheeks burn when I read the return address.Wow, that sure got here fast.“It’s for me, bug. Something boring, promise.”

“Aw,” he says with a playful little pout.

We step inside and I tuck the package into my room. That night of the wedding, after I talked to McKenna, I went online to research vibrators. Not only was I floored to discover so many options, but the author of the blog made the art of getting oneself off sound sonormal.

Is it, and I’ve been missing out?

“How about a snack?” I tell Matty. “Cheese and crackers?”

Matty cheers from inside his room, where I’m sure he’s already working on a new train route.

That night, after Mateo’s asleep, I finally get up the nerve to open my package. The little toy is so tiny and sleek. I close my eyes and think of Everett’s big hands on my waist and his sexy scruff and his mouth. A shiver travels down my thighs.

Tonight, I’m getting this rough and ready cop out of my system, once and for all.

Chapter Five

EVERETT

When I duckinto Glory Holes for my meeting with Hutch about growing our search and rescue program, he’s already in line. He’s been away for a few weeks thanks to his honeymoon and getting started with his new job as a medic for Evergreen Hospital, so I’m eager to give him an update.

“It always smells like heaven in here,” I say over the steady whir of the espresso machine blending with the hum of conversation. The line hugs the giant glass display case loaded with different flavors of their famous mini donuts, a tactic I’m sure the owners designed to make us salivate.

“It’s part of why we all love it so much,” Hutch replies with a laugh. Outside, the morning sun pours through the big glass windows, making the tables gleam.

Hutch and I catch up on our families as we shuffle forward in line. He and Ava are building a house on his family’s property, and his sister Beth’s flower business is taking off.

Miranda gives us a warm smile as we step up to the cashier. “I hear congratulations are in order, Hutch!”

“Thank you,” he says, beaming.

“What can I get you guys?”

We both order large coffees, then Hutch gets a mix and match of Boston Cream, plain, and Fudge Heaven. I can’t resist the Dirty Chai Bombs to go with my all-time favorite, the Chocolate Cake glazed with rainbow sprinkles. We carry our coffees, served in the beautiful hand-thrown mugs made by our mutual friend Kirilee Reed to a table facing the big windows.

“I’ve got a new funding idea for that new training program you’re after.” I blow across my piping-hot coffee and take a small sip.

Hutch raises an eyebrow. “I hope it’s better than that state grant.”

“Yeah, it’s?—”

The donut shop door swings open, and Vivian steps through the door holding Mateo’s hand.

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