Chapter 4

Dani's face burned with embarrassment. Even her ears felt flushed. Stupid klutz, she berated herself, remembering vividly the heat she'd felt when she'd grabbed his muscular body when she'd momentarily been pressed against his broad back. His skin was moist with sweat but softer than old leather, which was totally unexpected of a man who worked all day outdoors.

Her thoughts did nothing to cool her ardor, and she shoved them from her mind, rubbing her hands over her face in the hopes of banishing her blush.

She could hear Caleb moving around in his bedroom, seeking a clean shirt, and she took a moment to study her surroundings. The cabin was rustic but homey. It consisted of an open area, one end containing a kitchen with a table and four chairs. On the opposite wall was a stone fireplace, in front of which lay a woven rug and a small couch. There was also a bedroom, currently occupied by the ranger, and a bathroom. She wondered how long this cabin had stood in these woods. It was in good repair, but the propane lanterns and vintage furnishings lent it an air of age.

Her survey was interrupted when Caleb strolled out of his bedroom in a crisp white t-shirt that hugged his muscles in a way that did nothing to relieve the warmth she felt inside. He passed her and grabbed his jacket off the coat tree near the front door. "Let's go," he said, stepping out on the porch and expecting her to follow.

Dani was exasperated as she hurried after him. "What the hell is going on here? Did you snoop around my campsite or not?"

He didn't bother to answer, his strides easily outdistancing her own. He slid into the ATV and motioned for her to take the seat beside him. Dani blew out a gust of frustrated air that caused her bangs to fly up from her forehead. She climbed in beside him and crossed her arms over her chest. Caleb started the ATV and pulled out onto the trail, putting on speed. Dani had to grab the handhold in order to not fly out of the vehicle as he sped around a curve.

"Look, this macho silent act isn't working for me," she said after regaining her balance. "Tell me what's going on. By your response, I assume you weren't the one invading my privacy."

Caleb scowled but didn't look at her. "No. But I have an idea about who it could have been."

"Poachers?" Dani asked, her concern ratcheting up. She had been worried about encountering strangers while tucked away alone in the woods. She'd even gone so far as to purchase a small handgun before departing. While she doubted the .22 would put a stop to a bear or cougar, it might convince a poacher to leave her alone.

Caleb exhaled heavily before answering. "That's a possibility, but unlikely. The surrounding populace has been made aware on several occasions about changes in hunting policies at the park. Besides, poachers wouldn't bother to snoop. They'd most likely avoid your campsite altogether. The fines for hunting in the park are heavy."

He took another curve in the trail at speed and Dani couldn't brace herself in time. She slid across the seat and rammed into his side. His body was hard and hot, and she couldn't right herself for several seconds as they continued around the curve. As soon as the ground leveled out, she scooted back onto her side of the vehicle, cursing her body for tingling fiercely at even an accidental touch.

Her reaction to him was like nothing she'd ever felt before, and it both disturbed and excited her. She frantically pulled her thoughts out of the bedroom and back into the conversation. "Well if not poachers, then who?"

His mouth tightened. "I received a call this afternoon from the park donor."
"Brice Masterson?" She'd never met the eco-conscious millionaire, but she had received a nice congratulatory note from him when been notified about her grant. She wondered what he could have to do with the ransacking of her campsite.

"Yes," he said, eyeing her sternly at the interruption. "Masterson informed me that he has knowledge of a plot to mine portions of the park for gold. Apparently, a relative believes he can sneak a criminal operation into my park." The ranger all but growled the last words.

Dani repressed the shiver that ran through her at the sound of his growl. He was obviously possessive about the park. She wondered whether that possessiveness might extend to other things.

"So you think some rogue miners have been snooping around my stuff?" It seemed unlikely, even far-fetched. But he nodded, causing a spark of fear to shoot through her. What if she'd been in her tent when they'd stumbled upon her campsite?

* * * * *

They crested the final hill that overlooked her campsite, and soon Caleb pulled up next to her tent and shut off the ATV. He turned and glanced at the woman beside him.

She was pale; her fingers clenched tight. He knew her nails must be digging into her palms painfully, but her eyes were far away. Clearly, his revelation had startled her. For a fleeting moment, he wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her, soothe her.

Caleb climbed out of the ATV and wandered over to her tent, trying to compose himself. He had never let himself get close to anyone, never really cared about anyone's feelings before, especially a woman's he barely knew. But somehow the professor had momentarily penetrated his defenses.

He couldn't understand this eruption of feelings, and he brutally shoved them back down. You want to fuck her, that's all, he reassured himself. You're not used to spending so much time with a woman before you seal the deal. It's just nervous energy.

Caleb bent to unzip the tent and stepped inside, returning his focus to his surroundings. There seemed to be very little disturbance. Danielle followed him in, placing her hands on her hips. He turned to face her, one brow rising in inquiry. "How exactly did you know someone was snooping in your tent?"
The professor cocked her hips to one side. She was certainly a spitfire. A woman like Danielle clearly liked a challenge, and what bigger challenge would there be than taming an unrepentant asshole like him? He forced away a smile, pasting on a scowl before turning back to her.

Professor Greenhorn caught his scowl and Caleb watched as an attractive, albeit angry, flush lit up her cheeks. She stomped over to him, shoving him out of the way to get to her laptop. She pointed. "I left this closed, and it was open when I came back." She scooted around him to the other side of the makeshift desk, picking up a stack of papers and thrusting them at him. "And these papers were in a different order. I know Miller's Pacific Choral Frog Populations in Central Oregon was on top."

Caleb almost laughed but caught himself. Some hint of his intention must have remained in his eyes because when she looked at him, her cheeks were red.

"This isn't funny," she snarled, balling her fists at her sides. "The tent was unzipped as well, and I know I wouldn't leave it like that." She stomped past him and back out the tent, bending close to the ground. He followed her, wondering what she was doing.

"I'm looking for footprints," she answered his unasked question. "Aren't you some kind of policeman? Shouldn't you be leading this investigation?"

She was such a fucking know-it-all. But little did she know he had her right where he wanted her. Next, turn up the sarcasm. "I'm not a cop; I'm a forest ranger. If you wanted me to identify an animal based on its spoor, no problem, but I'm not a crime scene investigator. Although I don't know if 'crime scene' really fits this situation."

She froze, slowly bringing her eyes up to his, then just as slowly straightening out of her crouch. "You don't believe me?" Her voice was eerily quiet.

"I'm not saying that," he replied in a tone that said quite the opposite. "I just don't think we've got enough evidence to say that a crime has occurred."

* * * * *

Dani wouldn't have thought it was possible to be this angry. The ranger sounded so damn condescending. Her temper made her voice rise an octave, her words fire in rapid succession.

"Oh, I get it. This city-slicker chick has already gone hysterical in the deep, dark woods? If that's what you think, then head on back to your little ranger station and ignore the paranoid professor." She bent over and jerked up her pant leg, exposing a little holster strapped to her calf and the small pistol it held. "I can take care of myself."

She looked up, meeting his gaze, and was shocked by the heat she found there. Was that lust? For her?

Dani looked away. Her emotions were coming too hard and fast to cope with. For a moment her reasonable side marveled at how easily this man pushed her over the edge. She was usually better able to control her temper.

She huffed once, then turned to stalk back towards the woods. If he wouldn't leave her campsite, then she would. At once his strong grasp latched onto her arm and swung her back.

"Let go of me!" She struggled against his iron grip.

"Just calm down." His voice was a deep rumble in his wide chest. "You sure do explode easily."

Dani couldn't stand it when someone told her to 'calm down' or 'relax' when she was keyed up like this. "I'll show you explosions!" She kicked him in the shin, hard.

"Ow, you little..." He groaned but didn't release her. In fact, he pulled her closer, putting his arms around hers, effectively pinning them to her sides. She kicked out with her legs as he lifted her from the ground to rush her backward, pushing her up against the trunk of a large tree. His body molded itself to hers, holding her in place. He released one arm to grab her chin and force her head up so that her eyes met his.

"I said let me go," Dani muttered, her voice low. She ceased struggling as she realized she didn't want to get away. She groaned inwardly, upset that she would surrender to this Paleolithic park ranger.

Hadn't she always been a strong woman, one who didn't want a caveman for a lover? She was here to do fieldwork, to further her research and make good on the prestigious grant she'd received. But one look into those fierce blue eyes and her resolutions flew away.

"Relax." His voice was low, husky. "I'm here to help you, so why don't you trust me for a minute?" The intensity in his eyes calmed her, while at the same time it made her core throb with desire. Why did he turn her on so much when he was such a remorseless jerk?

Caleb held her chin in one hand, and with his other hand, he trailed a finger up her arm. "If you're done throwing a fit, I can get busy looking for that trail."

"I wasn't throwing a fit." Her voice was more sullen than she would have liked. Dammit, why did his arrogance make her want him more? She hadn't been able to take her eyes off his mouth as he'd spoken, and right now his lips were pulled up in a half-smile.

His face was only inches away, his voice was so low it was nearly a whisper, and without realizing it, Dani moved in closer. "I don't think you want me to let you go, do you?"

"Of course I do," she mumbled, tearing her chin out of his grip. Her breathing was heavy, her chest pressing into his with every inhalation. Her nipples tightened at the sensation of so much hardness rubbing against her.

"Liar." His smile said he'd felt her desire.

Dani's thoughts were in a whirlwind, her attraction to this man overwhelming her good sense. She'd never been so aroused, especially in such a serious situation. She didn't really date, didn't have time for guys, not in her mad race towards tenure and the career she'd wanted since she was eight years old. Not to say that she was a virgin, but she certainly wouldn't call herself experienced.

The guys she normally went for were safe. Predictable. Not like the ranger. She knew, though, without a doubt, that Caleb could give her an evening she wouldn't soon forget.

Their gazes locked and the moment seemed to expand into eternity. She heard him exhale raggedly, and a jolt of desire shot through her at the sound. He wanted her as badly as she wanted him. There was no aphrodisiac as strong as being desired, and in that split second Dani decided not to resist. She leaned in the remaining inches and brazenly pressed her lips against his.

The moment her lips touched his, she realized she was entirely out of her depth. Caleb took control of the kiss with brutal precision. His mouth was soft and skilled as he teased her lips, sucking them in individually, nipping gently on the lower one.

She opened her mouth to him, and he groaned, his tongue delving deep and gliding against her own, causing her to push herself against him, rubbing her body against his.

The kiss accelerated, her arms sliding around his neck and her fingers burying themselves in his hair. His big hands cupped her face, holding her still for his explorations. Their embrace had the intensity of a sudden summer thunderstorm, powerful and surprising.

He held her tighter and pressed her against the tree until she could feel the bark scratching through her clothing. She didn't care and pulled him in closer. She wanted the kiss to go on forever, and when he broke contact a few moments later, she let out a whimper.

He pulled away from her with a shuddering breath. Her arms slid down from around his neck, and she splayed her hands against his chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat. Dani smiled up at him, but his eyes became cold. Her smile slipped as he pierced her with his gaze.

"I don't do relationships. Ever." His tone was stern, severe even. "I need you to understand that before we go any further."

"Relationships?" Dani's head was still in the clouds from that kiss, and she wasn't quite sure where his statement had come from. But being a professor meant always being on her toes, expecting the unexpected, from her data, from her students. Without thinking, she improvised. "I don't have time for a relationship. I'm busy with my work."

"That's all I needed to know, darlin'." Before she could blink, he was crushing her lips beneath his again. She moaned, and his hands were on her, cupping her face as he held her still for his onslaught, then moving down her body, over her arms, across her hips, and sliding around to her ass.

Without warning he picked her up, lifting her bottom to settle her against him. "Wrap your legs around my waist," he ordered, and she obeyed without question. She could feel his hardness as he pressed it against her center and let out a gasp.

"That's right, feel how much I want you." His lips moved from hers to pepper kisses across her cheek until he reached her ear. She could feel his hot breath, then shivered as he sucked her earlobe into his mouth.

"You're sensitive there. Let's see where else you're sensitive." He licked his way down her throat, sucking at the place where her neck joined her shoulder. She inhaled sharply, and he chuckled. "There too, huh? I bet I can find some other places, but let's move this party inside."

Without letting her go, Caleb walked them towards her tent. He bent down to climb inside, then zipped the flap up with one hand, the other still firmly grasping her bottom. Walking into her "bedroom," he stopped before her air mattress. Pulling on her ponytail to position her head properly he once again claimed her lips.

He broke away when both of them were panting, then moved to lay her down on the bed. Before he joined her, Caleb stood back and began to slowly pull off his t-shirt. Dani watched, lust in her eyes, wondering if he knew the effect he was having on her.

His smile said he did, as pulled the shirt over his head, exposing his tanned, muscled flesh. His pants followed until he was left only in a pair of navy blue boxer briefs which seemed to strain at the front.

He knelt on the bed and reached for the bottom of her shirt. He took his time tugging it upwards until he exposed the pale pink bra beneath it. She rose and allowed him to pull the shirt off then unbuttoned her jeans and pushed them off herself. Lying beneath him, exposed to his hungry gaze, the anticipation of what was about to come caused goose pimples to materialize over her heated skin.

His eyes devoured her, and she felt so desired, so sexy, that she couldn't wait a second longer. She grabbed his arms, attempting to pull him down on top of her.

"Wait, darlin'," he laughed, her eagerness amusing him. "I want you to be sure. We have tonight, a night in which I'll make you come harder than you ever have before. But just for tonight, nothing further. Are you sure?"

Dani's forehead wrinkled as she took a second to consider his words. Was she sure? Hell no, she wasn't. She'd never done this, never succumbed to seduction. Her lovers before had usually been nice guys, polite men who were gentle but unskilled, and easily dismissed in favor of her work.

Caleb was none of those things, but in the heat of the moment, she didn't care. She wanted this, wanted the pleasure she knew he could give her, wanted the release her body was screaming for.

"I'm sure."

"Good." His voice was like warm molasses as he put his lips on her. His mouth commanded hers, forcing her to open underneath him and surrender to his questing tongue. Soon she was writhing under him, shamelessly pressing herself against his erection.

He abandoned her mouth and moved lower, taking a moment to unhook her bra and slide it off her body. "Magnificent," he murmured before assaulting her breasts with his hot mouth. He captured a nipple and sucked, the sensation almost making her scream. Her nipples were so sensitive, and his mouth was so skilled, she began to shake.

She could feel her insides start to tingle, and she pressed his head into her chest. Caleb moved from one breast to the other, taking her nipple into her mouth while thumbing the one he had just abandoned. His warm hand squeezed her breast almost painfully, while he ran his teeth over her nipple, nearly driving her over the edge.

"Please!" She pressed herself against him, and he laughed, his hand moving down to rub over her panties.

"Is this what you want?" he asked, moving a single finger up and down, up and down, stroking her seam through the pink material which was rapidly becoming wet.

"Yes!" She moaned, almost driven to madness.

Without hesitation, Caleb tugged forcefully on the panties, and they ripped away from her, revealing her to his gaze and his skilled hands.

"Oh darlin', look how pretty you are."

She bucked up against him, his words firing her lust to a fever pitch.

"Please, Caleb." She'd beg if she had to, anything to make him touch her again.

"So impatient." He resumed his stroking, sliding one finger up and down her slit, causing her to thrash her head back and forth.

She needed relief, and she needed it now. "Stop playing with me," she growled, running her fingernails up his rugged back.

"The kitten has claws," he joked. "Don't worry baby; I'm gonna give you what you want."

He moved away, standing and pulling down his boxer briefs so that his cock sprang free. She almost sighed at the sight of it. It was large, just like he was, and a bit intimidating. Bending down, he dug in his pocket. His eyes found hers again as he brought a condom wrapper to his mouth, where he held it between his teeth and ripped it open.

She couldn't tear her gaze away from his until his hand moved lower to slide the condom onto his engorged member. Dani licked her lips in anticipation, and she saw his eyes heat up as she did.

Caleb positioned himself between her legs, spreading her wider before claiming her lips again. With one hand he idly played with her nipples, while the other hand gripped his cock as he moved it up and down her entrance, just as he had done with his finger. Before long she was trembling under the force of her craving.

"I want you," she whispered, amazed at her forwardness. Her words were coupled with movement as she ground herself against him.

"And you'll get me," he replied, at last beginning to push his hardness into her.

Dani gasped, astonished at the feeling as he stretched her to accommodate his girth. He continued teasing her, sliding in only a few inches before withdrawing to slide in again. Damn him, she wanted him all, and she wanted him now!

She wouldn't wait anymore, couldn't wait. Wrapping her legs around his hips, she locked them together and pushed, at the same time arching off the bed, attempting to force him deeper.

"Ah," he groaned, biting his lip. "You eager little minx. I wanted to go slow, but you obviously aren't having it, so hang on."

Caleb thrust in hard, his cock pushing all the way inside her, filling her up and causing her to cry out in pleasure.

"You wanted it all; you got it all." He thrust again, and again, his movements becoming more rapid, more forceful. She thrashed beneath him, unable to control her response.

Caleb moved his mouth to the spot where her neck met her shoulder and gently bit her to keep her still. His hands caressed her soft breasts, toying with her nipples as he licked and sucked the smooth skin of her shoulder.

It was too powerful, too intense, and her pleasure began to crest as she trembled around him. The walls of her womanly center writhed against him, squeezing his manhood in its humid grasp. Dani let go, accepted the pleasure, and felt it wash over her in waves that shook her to her core.

It seemed that her climax killed the last of his control and he grabbed her hips, angling her up to meet him more fully. He withdrew and slammed back into her, drawing out her orgasm as he plunged deeply into her willing body. Again and again, he entered her, pumping furiously.

"Oh God..." she moaned, "oh God," a litany of erotic joy. Her words drove him on, and his pace increased until she was mindlessly groaning under his assault. She cried out, "Caleb!" as another orgasm overtook her, causing her to shake uncontrollably.

At the sound of his name on her lips he shoved himself as deeply inside of her as he could and let go, finding his own release. "Oh holy fuck," he groaned, thrusting inside her until his cock stopped spasming. As the last tremors of his climax receded, he lay alongside her, panting.

Dani smiled, barely holding on to consciousness. It was the most powerful sexual experience she'd ever had, and it had sapped her strength. She closed her eyes, trying to rein in the overflow of emotion that followed their intense coupling.