Page 44 of High Velocity

“Oh, but I can,” I interrupt her, grabbing her hand and guiding it to the hard evidence under the sheet.

Instantly her eyelids go half-mast and she licks her lips as she curls her fingers around my shaft, only making things worse. But then Ash spoils what could’ve been some early morning delight by scratching at the door and whining even louder.

“I should let him out before he pees on your couch.”

Stephanie bends down, pressing her spectacular tits against my chest as she drops a kiss on my lips.

“I’ll take care of it. I need to pee anyway.”

I reluctantly let go of her as she climbs out of bed, but can’t take my eyes off her as she moves toward the door, bold and buck naked. I’ll be damned if that confidence isn’t as much of a turn-on as the generous curve of her ass is. The woman has a killer body underneath that tight exterior, and she knows how to use it.

For a few moments I lie back, my hands folded behind my head, taking stock of my body. I feel good, relaxed. If my teammates saw the smile I can feel myself wearing, they’d know right off the bat where—and how—I spent the night. They’re getting to know me pretty well too.

I hear the sliding door open and force myself to get out of bed and into the shower. Maybe I can cook us breakfast, since we appear to have missed dinner last night. At least I did. I’m starving.

When I walk into the kitchen ten minutes later, freshly showered and wearing yesterday’s clothes, I find Stephanie by the sliding door staring outside. Ash is standing beside her doing the same thing, except he’s growling softly. Stephanie hears me approach, snaps her head around, and if Ash’s growls didn’t alert me, one look at her face would’ve told me something is wrong.

“What is it?”

My eyes drift outside and I see the bear right away. The animal is close to the deck, digging through what looks like a garbage bag.

Shit.

“Looks like he got into your garbage. Gotta make sure you lock that latch.”

“I did. I do. I don’t even think that’s my trash bag. He wasn’t out there when I took Ash out, but he was when I got back. I was barely able to grab Ash and get inside. This is a little too close for comfort,” she adds with a little shiver. “At least that first bear was across the creek. I knew there were bears, I just didn’t know they all seem to hang out here.”

I walk up to her and pull her in my arms.

“I don’t think they do, usually. I mean, you’ll see the odd one, but for the most part they try to avoid human interaction as much as they can.”

As if to illustrate my point, the bear grabs a corner of the bag and starts dragging it toward the shelter of the trees.

“Well, all I can say is, I’ll be carrying that bear spray and my gun whenever I so much as stick my head outside from here on in,” she mutters as she steps out of my hold. “I’ll put on some coffee but then I need a shower.”

“Go shower. I’ll get some breakfast going.”

My offer is met with a sweet smile and a brief brush of her lips. Then she disappears to the bedroom.

I glance out the sliding door to where the bear disappeared into the woods one last time, before I turn my attention to the coffeepot.

It’s not uncommon for bears’ territories to cross or overlap, so the fact a second bear shows up this close to the trailer within a relatively short time span could be purely coincidental. But it’s definitely piqued my attention. It’s possible some idiot is dumping their trash somewhere nearby, which wouldn’t be the first time, but other than being illegal, it can also create a hazard. I’ll be keeping my eyes out.

Whether it was the bear, finding Stephanie’s ex on her doorstep last night, or the fact a violent criminal she once put behind bars is out and possibly close by, my protective instincts have been shifted into high gear. I’ll be sticking close for sure, with or without an invitation.

Fifteen or so minutes later, when Stephanie walks in, her damp hair loose down her shoulders, I have cheesy scrambled eggs on avocado toast and coffee ready.

“I could get used to this,” she comments, taking a bite from her toast.

I shoot her a grin across the small table and jump at the opening.

“I’m sure we can come to some arrangement. I was already planning on bringing a bag when I come back tonight.”

She pulls one eyebrow up high.

“Tonight?”

Shrugging, I point at Ash, who has made himself very comfortable on her couch.

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