Page 4 of Ranger Danger

I caress my hand, not wanting to admit shaking his rough, calloused one caused my clit to twitch and makes me feel all fuzzy inside. “That’s Betty,” I tell him, looking at my courageous doggo, wanting to defuse some of the awkwardness on my part.

Rafe cracks a smile, but it’s gone in an instant as he hands me a cup of tea. Did I imagine the tension between us earlier, or the raging hard-on he was sporting when he stood up? I must have. A man like him definitely has a string of girlfriends to choose from.

He walks over to a radio setup in the corner of the room, then takes off his flannel and hangs it over the chair, revealing the long-sleeved shirt underneath, his massive shoulders straining against the thin fabric. “I’m going to try and get the radio going and let my buddy from the station know you’re here with me. Do you need to contact anyone?”

I shake my head, watching him work the radio. “Phones don’t work this deep in the forest, and you can forget about Wi-Fi.”

“I wasn’t. I left my phone in the truck. No one is going to miss me,” I tell him, cringing because now he knows I’m truly alone with no way to contact anyone. “Do you need to let someone know I’m here with you?” I blurt out, my cheeks flushing.

“Come in Rafe,” a voice says.

Rafe’s thunderous laugh fills the cabin. “No, I live alone,” he tells me, working the controls. He grabs the microphone. “What’s up, Wes?”

I sigh. The man is the master at deflection. Shifting on the blankets, I remember the guy already saw me naked and didn’t try anything.

What is wrong with me? He saved my life. I shouldn’t be freaking out.

There was nothing sexual about the way he undressed me. Everyone knows the best way to get someone’s temperature up is to strip them of wet clothes. It didn’t mean anything.

The kind voice asks, “Did you find the stray?”

Rafe looks at me, his eyes running over my face. “I sure did.” He stops talking into the mic. “What’s your full name,kid?”

I grit my teeth from the nickname and blurt out, “Storm Donovan.” Shit, my family name is tied to each oil and fracking deal in the country. Why did I ever agree to finding out more about the person who owns this land? Why am I putting my future on the line for a family who only thinks about themselves and the money they own?

He flips the switch on the microphone and furrows his brows while he gazes at me. “Storm Donovan is here; she’s going to hide out with me for the upcoming days. I’ll meet up with you at the station when the roads clear and send her on her way.”

I hear the other man say, “Copy that, be safe. Out.”

“You too. Out.” He flips a switch and walks to the couch, running a hand over his jaw.

Shit, why am I being this paranoid, he’s a ranger who happens to live on the land my dad wants to buy. I only took the assignment so I had a legitimate reason to spend a couple of days alone building my portfolio for my upcoming job interview withNational Geographic. I needed to get away from my father, the company, and my fiancé. My soon-to-be ex-fiancé. I’m done with my old life, and I’m finished being a pawn in my father’s games with every double-faced gold digger running in our circle.

“I’m sorry, Rafe. I shouldn’t have gone into the woods.”

The corner of his mouth twitches while he takes a seat on the couch, watching me carefully. “No, you shouldn’t have. You have no idea what kinds of animals lurk in these woods,” he warns, his voice a little hoarse, tapping his fingers on his impressive thigh.

I stare at him a couple of seconds too long while my cheeks heat. Blowing on the steaming cup, I tighten the blanket around my shoulders. Why do I have the feeling he’s talking about himself?

“Why did you?” he asks, sounding genuinely interested. He parts his lips slightly and runs his scarred knuckles over his jaw.

I think he’s teasing me, and I hate to admit I like it. I press my legs together under the blanket, feeling the wetness there. “I was following a rare bird into the woods. I’m trying to be a wildlife photographer. I started taking classes with a famous Dutch photographer in California,” I ramble, trying to sell him part of the truth.

He keeps staring at me. “So, you’re a California girl?”

I shake my head. “Texas, but I moved to California for college and lost the accent.” I shrug, not daring to look him in the eyes. I’ve tried everything to put some distance between me and my family, only to be sucked into their web of lies because of my father and his lust for money and prestige.

Rafe grunts and watches me carefully, like he knows I’m only telling him part of the truth. “I’m sorry about your camera,” he says apologetically. “I wiped most of the snow from it. You should check it later, after you eat.”

I’ve been ordered around by men enough in my life, but coming from him, it doesn’t make me angry, it makes my heart race. Trying to keep my thoughts from wandering to all the dirty things I’m imagining he could do to me, I say, “Thanks for rescuing me.” I shudder from his intense gaze. I would give anything for him to reach out and brush my hair behind my ear again.I felt safe in his arms.

He clears his throat. “Don’t mention it. How’s that working out, the picture taking business, I mean?” he asks, laying his arm across the back of the couch, spreading his legs wide.

“I’m trying. My teacher set up a meeting withNational Geographic, and I got about fifty thousand followers on Instagram. You know what that is?” I ask, tearing my eyes away from his bulging biceps.

His thunderous laugh fills the room. “I might be older, but I haven’t been living under a rock.”

The cup shakes in my hands as I squirm. “I didn’t mean—and you’re not old,” I blurt out.

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