Wild Men of Alaska Collection - By Helmer, Tiffinie Page 0,28
here on the bluff overlooking the scene, waiting out mama and her babies as they feasted on the meat. Well, mama bear feasted, while the rambunctious cubs had their fill and were now tearing apart his four-wheeler.
Not the tires.
Damn little heathens. They were cute as heck as they mauled his four-wheeler, shredding the leather seat, pulling and chewing on wires, and puncturing his tires with their wicked sharp claws and teeth. Lynx snapped some pictures of the destructive tykes for his insurance company.
Well, he wasn’t getting back to town with that thing, and he wasn’t about to take on the hungry mother. Some things weren’t worth fighting nature for.
Hiking out looked like his only option. He checked his GPS. Roughly eleven miles. Great. His cell phone was no use. He had only his GPS spot locater to push that he was OK or not. If he indicated he wasn’t OK, the troopers in Fairbanks would be notified. He’d have Search and Rescue out looking for his sorry ass. As a law enforcement officer for the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge he’d never live it down that bear cubs got the best of him. It was his own fault, his mind occupied with thoughts of Eva and what tonight might bring, rather than his surroundings. He knew better.
Now he’d be late for their dinner date. He looked at the time again. Hell, he’d be more than late. He’d be a no-show.
He wondered how understanding Eva Stuart was.
CHAPTER FOUR
Not very understanding at all.
Lynx stood there on Eva’s doorstep, staring at the door she’d just slammed in his face. Not the type to give up easily, he knocked again.
“Go away,” her muffled reply carried through the plank of wood.
“I have a really good excuse.”
“You aren’t bleeding.”
“My four-wheeler is. Let me in so I can explain. Please. I brought breakfast.”
There was a long pause. “What did you bring for breakfast?”
“My mother’s homemade cranberry muffins, oatmeal with fresh berries, and coffee that will grow hair on your chest.”
The door opened. “Give me the coffee.” She reached out a hand for one of the large cups he held and took a long sip. She closed her eyes on a sigh, her head tilted slightly back, and he was dumbstruck by the sensuality of the simple action. His heart thumped hard in his chest like it was waking up for the first time.
“Come in, if you want.” She turned and walked into the darkness of her apartment as though she didn’t give a damn if he followed or not.
Obviously not a morning person, or she’d come in contact with too many Ugly Moose at the lodge last night. He’d already been dressed down by his mother and Uncle Pike for standing up the cute little nurse. Most likely he’d be hearing it from the townsfolk next.
Eva was dressed in a knit top and form-fitting jeans with bare feet, her toes painted a glittery purple and her blond hair spiked.
The place was dark, all the curtains closed, like a cave. Eva dropped into a seat at the little dining table and motioned for him to bring the sack of food over.
He put the food in front of her much the way he’d approach a wild animal.
Cautiously.
Everything about this woman made him alert, all his senses on high octane.
She opened the bag and took out one of the muffins. Biting into it, she moaned over a mouthful. “Your mother can sure cook.” She looked up at him and frowned. “Take a seat or I’m going to get a pain in my neck looking up at you. Lord knows you go on forever. How tall are you anyway?”
“Six-three.” He sat feeling as though he’d been granted an audience with the queen. She was sure demanding for such a little thing. Would she be demanding in bed? The thought sent a pump of blood to his nether regions. “Listen, Eva, I’m sorry—”
She cut him off with a dismissive motion of her hand. “Just tell me why you didn’t show up. And for the record, I’ve never been stood up before.” Her bloodshot eyes met his. “Never.”
He took a moment to study her. She seemed slightly hung over. Either because she’d had her feelings hurt and tried to silence them with alcohol, or embarrassment had gotten the best of her since he’d left her sitting in a restaurant where everyone in attendance knew they’d had a date. He hoped it was hurt feelings. That meant their kiss had meant something to her