Blackstone Ranger Guardian - Alicia Montgomery Page 0,11

the morning light. Lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes. “John?”

Rolling her under him, he caught her mouth in a kiss. He savored it, the taste of her. The feel of her. She moaned, and her thighs parted, allowing him access. He slipped into her, knowing this could be the last time.

She was magnificent. The sex was phenomenal. Their movements were quick and frantic, but he was determined to make it last, letting her come at least twice before he let go for the last time, marking her deep inside, even as she left an indelible mark on him.

Bliss glazed over her eyes and her face lit up with her smile. “Hmmm …” Her hands ran down his chest, raking over his skin. “What a way to wake up.”

Don’t let go.

Don’t leave me.

He rolled over, away from her. “I need to go … to the bathroom.”

“Hmm-kay, but can I take a shower after? Or you want to join me?”

“Maybe,” he mumbled as he padded toward the bathroom. After cleaning up and finishing his business, he strode out. The bed was empty as Dutchy strode toward the front door.

“John, look!” She threw the door open, stepped out, spread her arms, not caring that she was completely naked. “Oh. It’s beautiful out here.”

“Yes.” He swallowed the lump growing in his throat as he soaked in the sight of her.

“Storm’s passed.” She gave a little shiver and then hopped back across the threshold, closing the door behind her. “Do you think they can send someone out for us?”

“I’ll ask.” He lumbered over to the radio and planted himself on the rickety chair. Flipping the switch on, he pressed on the call button. “Base, this is Countess. Can you read me, over?”

A crackle of static broke through the silence. “This is Base. Nice to hear from you, Countess. Hope the storm wasn’t too bad for you. Over.”

“All good here, Base. But gonna need transport for a stranded guest. Over.”

There was a pause before the speakers burst out again. “Roads are still impassable to the peak.” Hope surged in him. “But, if your guest can make it to the next station in sector L, we can send someone to meet him up there. Over.”

He turned to Dutchy. “Sector L’s about a click—a kilometer—away.” He glanced down at her feet. “I don’t have shoes for you, you’ll have to shift or let me carry you.”

“My fox can make that,” she said, her tone excited.

“Send transport when you can,” he said into the radio. “Over and out.” Putting down the receiver, he turned to her. She seemed so happy about leaving here, he almost didn’t mind the hole slowly forming in his chest. “When do you want to leave?”

“Can we go now? Oh!” She glanced around. “I don’t have any clothes. Do you think there’s anything here I can borrow?” She dashed toward the lone closet in the corner.

“You can wear my shirt.”

“It’s your uniform, I can’t take that.” She poked her head into the closet. “Besides what are you going to wear? It’s—oh!” Her hand pulled out one of his flannel shirts triumphantly. “This should work!” With her excitement, she didn’t seem to notice that everything in the closet had been his personal clothes.

Putting on the shirt, she glanced down. “This should do until I get home or I can borrow more clothes.” With a grin, she struck a model-like pose with her hands on her hips. “What do you think?”

“Looks … good.”

Her mouth twisted. “I promise, I have better clothes back home. And maybe other things.” Her eyebrows wiggled at him. “So, when can we go? Do you need some time to get ready?”

“No.” The single word came out in a hoarse whisper. “You can go anytime.”

“Great!”

He grabbed his jeans, hopped into them, and followed her outside. She had slipped off the shirt and stood on the porch, naked. “Do you need some space to shift?”

He shook his head and took the shirt from her hands. “I can make it like this. I’ll lead.” It would be too dangerous to let his bear out, especially if it caught wind of what he was about to do. “Need to keep your shirt dry.”

“Oh. Okay.” Turning toward the forest, she stretched her arms out and began her shift. Red and white fur appeared on her skin as she began to shrink. In seconds, a full-grown fox stood where she had been. The little creature did a few turns before settling on its hind legs, looking up at