Jayme & Tripp (Game Wardens 1)

He was secretly ecstatic to be partnered with Flanagan. The guy was gorgeous. Flanagan’s former partner, Officer Long, was okay looking but nothing spectacular, just an ordinary looking guy. He was glad to have some eye candy to look at while he worked.

“What do you want me to call you? I only know your last name,” he said as he walked slightly behind his new partner.

“The name’s Jayme,” the man grumbled.

“It’s nice to meet you, Jayme.” He grinned.

Jayme glanced over his shoulder at Tripp, his expression dry. “Can’t say I feel the same way, Rookie.”

He shrugged. “Hey man, I get it. You don’t want a new partner. I’m sorry you and your boy got split up, but that’s not my fault.”

Jayme shook his head, his long strides taking them toward the front of the building. Tripp took the opportunity to check out his partner. The guy was an inch or so taller than his six-foot one frame. He had auburn hair that was cut in a military style fade. His emerald green eyes showed very little emotion other than annoyance at the moment. His square jaw was clean-shaven, and his lips were full and oh so kissable. He noticed the ring on his left hand, so there would be nothing happening between them. He could look though. Especially at the man’s spectacular ass. Good God, it was perfect.

They walked outside. The day was going to be a scorcher going off how hot it was, and it was only seven am. Jayme led them over to his truck, and they both got in. He started it and backed out of the spot.

“First stop. Coffee,” Jayme grumbled.

“Will coffee brighten up your personality?” he teased and was rewarded with a dirty look. He snickered. Oh, this guy was going to be fun to bust on.

Ten minutes later they pulled into a mom and pop convenience store named Maynard’s. After parking the truck, they both got out and headed into the building. The door chimed as they walked in and the older lady behind the counter looked up from the book she was reading. She smiled brightly when she saw Jayme.

“Oh! Good morning, Jayme! How are you today?” she asked.

He gave her a forced smiled and a nod. “Doing well, Mrs. Maynard. How about yourself?”

“Same as always.” She chuckled and waved a dismissive hand. “And who is this young man with you? Are you and Brendan no longer partners?”

“No, Ma’am, Brendan and I got a couple of rookies as partners now,” Jayme said. He could hear the bitterness in Jayme’s tone as he poured coffee into a large cup.

“That’s all right, Jayme. I’m sure this young man will be a good partner. Isn't that right, Sweetie?”

“Yes, Ma’am. I’m going to do my best. I’m Tripp Littrell, by the way,” he said and went over to shake her hand.

She blushed slightly and fanned her face with her book. “Oh boy, you’re a good lookin’ one, huh?”

He smiled crookedly at the compliment. “Thank you, Ma’am.”

“Go get yourself a coffee, Tripp. First one’s on me.”

“That’s very kind of you, Mrs. Maynard.”

“Go on, before I pinch those dimpled cheeks and never let you go.” She laughed.

Tripp barked out a laugh and moved away from the counter toward the coffee station where Jayme was stirring his coffee, his eyebrow cocked in what seemed like amusement. He grinned and went about fixing his coffee how he liked.

“Jayme, yours is on the house today too,” Mrs. Maynard called.

“Thank you, Ma’am,” Jayme replied.

They said their goodbyes to Mrs. Maynard and headed back out to the truck. They each set their cups in the cup holder on the center console, then buckled up. Just as they were pulling out of the parking lot, they got their first call. An alligator in a swimming pool. As Jayme turned the truck around to head to the residence, he called up an alligator specialist to assist them in removing the animal.

They pulled up to the residence about fifteen minutes later. A woman met them out front of the house and escorted them around back to where the in-ground swimming pool was. There was no fence around the pool, so he could see how easily a gator looking for water could find it.

There it was, a big ass gator chilling on the step of the pool. Tripp’s heart seized. He’d never seen an alligator up close. The thing was huge. He glanced at Jayme, who was standing a few feet closer with his hand resting on the butt of his weapon, like he would no doubt shoot the thing if he had to. Jayme looked back at him, a frown on his handsome face.

“He’s a big one. I’m not gonna mess with him before the alligator guys arrive,” Jayme said, shaking his head and backing away, coming to stand next to him.