Fierce (Wolf Ranch 5)

“Yes, he told me about Lily.”

Levi nodded. “It’s just me and Johnny left here in the bunkhouse.”

“I figured the sheriff would stay in town.”

He ran a finger over his lips. “I’m acting sheriff. The previous one had a heart attack recently.”

“Oh no,” I said. “Is he okay now?”

“He’s fine. He was shoveling snow when he got chest pains. His wife had been on him to retire somewhere warm for years now. That did it. He resigned, and I was voted by the city council to replace him until the next election.”

“You have past experience?” I needed to know what kind of background I was facing.

“Nothing like Willow, Rob’s wife. She’s former DEA.”

Oh. My. God. My stomach flip-flopped.

“Willow?” The hamburger felt like a brick in my stomach. There was a DEA agent living in the main house?

“She’d make a good sheriff although she’s pretty content here on the ranch. I was a deputy, actually, before. Part time. There wasn’t one from this side of the canyon, and it’s good to have resources in all areas since the county’s so big. Back to your original question, I’ve lived here for years. Sometimes other ranch hands will stay in the bunkhouse. Rand, who is Clint’s brother. Nash. Or guests like you.”

“I’m not going to remember any of those names,” I admitted. Well, I’d remember Willow’s, that was for sure. Holy shit, I was staying on a ranch with the county sheriff and a former DEA agent. And now mail service was going to drop a box of ketamine on their doorstep. This was a big freaking problem.

Levi spoke of them as if they were family. If I had it right in my head, most of them were related, but others were accepted and included, like Levi. They were all… good.

“Only one name you need to remember,” he murmured.

I slapped his thigh and gave him a knowing look. “Let me guess. Yours?”

His hand settled atop mine on his thigh, not letting it move. His quad was like concrete beneath my palm. Rock hard.

“That’s right, Doc.”

“And why is that?” I whispered, looking up at him through my lashes.

“Because I am your personal host. Anything you need, just ask. I’ll take care of you.”

It’s my job to make you comfortable at Wolf Ranch. And it starts like this…

Oh God. I pressed my inner thighs together to alleviate the slow burn his presence produced. That his words, the suggestion of what he was offering, made me feel.

His gaze tracked the movement. The corners of his lips turned up with a satisfied smirk.

He couldn’t possibly know I was horny right now, could he? Why did he look like he did?

Damn his size and rugged cowboy good looks. His dark manly scent. The eyes that seemed to see past every barrier I’d raised over the years. I hadn’t known I’d be so susceptible to virile ranch hands.

“I need a shower,” I blurted, setting my plate down. Because I did. Not just to freshen up but because of this pulsing between my legs. The need I had for this guy. He was so close. I could reach out and grab him, pull him in for a kiss. Climb onto his lap, straddle his thighs and take a cowboy for a ride. There were so many things I could do, but I just didn’t know how to go about it. Kiss him, Charlie!

No. I’d die of mortification if he wasn’t into it. I had to stay here for the duration of the breeding process, and I couldn’t live with myself if I screwed up. And I definitely couldn’t let him in my bed where he might learn too many of my secrets.

Frustrated, I stood. I’d never needed one of those massaging showerheads so badly before. I sure hoped they had one here.

His grin widened, showing a row of perfectly white, straight teeth. If it weren’t for his size and initial gruffness, I would’ve called him All-American. But no, underneath the good looks was something a little grittier. A little more dangerous. Animalistic. Fierce, even. He played at casual, but something made me feel like there was more afoot here than flirtation.

He didn’t seem like a player to me. He seemed more like a loner. He might have a pseudo-family here on the ranch, but he was still alone.

Same with me. I had Pops. My co-workers, colleagues. Friends. Besties, even. But I still felt alone. Especially since I couldn’t share the biggest secret of all with any of them.

So what was Levi’s interest in me? A wild romp with the visiting vet? He was a guy. Of course, that was his plan.

“I can definitely help you with a shower,” he said, and I cursed the heat that flushed up my neck. Yeah, wild romp.

“No help needed.” I jumped to my feet. “I’ll, um, just help myself.”