Chapter 4

Stella

Saturday 4.12am

I wake way too early after a lousy night’s sleep, wishing I’d stayed in Washington and faced the music with Chad.

Anything would be better than working with Jagger.

Even though I know it’s stupid early, I roll out of bed, muttering to myself and staggering towards the kitchenette so I can make what is sure to be the first of multiple cups of coffee.

While the kettle comes to a boil, I stumble into the bathroom and switch the shower on.

I scowl at my reflection as I contemplate how I can get out of here before I do something worse than consider sleeping with a man who irritates the hell out of me.

I yank my t-shirt over my head and step under the water, still trying to work out why I thought I could make this work.

He’s obviously not as woke as he thinks he is, and after last night, I have no intention of hanging around when I don’t need to.

The only compensation for getting up this early, other than getting the pay-check earlier, is that I can take a nap, drive back home, and finish the job remotely.

Preferably as far away from Jagger Lincoln as possible.

As I scrub my body clean, I yawn and wonder why I’m allowing him to get under my skin.

I’ve worked with attractive men before and never had this kind of reaction.

As the warm water washes over my skin, I try to untangle and analyze why Jagger is annoying me so much.

When my thoughts just swim in a circle and I keep coming back to the same conclusion, I know this is based purely on a chemical reaction and is probably down to lack of sex, lack of sleep, and him being nearby when it’s Valentines' weekend.

I dress quickly and make sure I have everything I need before I pour myself a cup of coffee and fill my travel mug.

It’s still dark outside as I close the door and make sure it’s locked. I tuck my laptop under my arm and take a sip of my coffee as I unlock my car.

I put my laptop on the passenger seat and turn on my stereo so I can play my collection of progressive breakbeats to blast away the last of the sleep cobwebs.

I’m listening to Hyper and finishing my coffee by the time I reach the reserve.

Sure enough, Jagger has left the gate closed but unlocked, so I just have to lean out my window and press the open button to gain entry.

Grey light is edging over the hills giving me a good idea of how big the reserve really is.

As I drive down the track, I take note of the security cameras, and the fences keeping people out.

It’s a beautiful spot, with miles of lush forests and mountains in the backdrop, and if it weren’t for the fact this is where people come to hunt for recreation, I’d feel happier at being here.

I roll to a stop in the parking spot allocated for guests and grab my laptop and check my phone for the code for the alarm.

I climb the steps, feeling a little more awake as I punch in the code and wait for the door to disarm.

I slide my bag off my arm, put my laptop on the desk, and switch on the desktop.

I work steadily and pump myself full of sugar and caffeine until my eyes are drooping and I’m struggling to focus on the screen.

When I check the time, I’m happy to see that I’ve made enough progress to warrant a quick break.

I’m set to go outside and check out the kitchen Jagger mentioned in case they have a coffee pot, but as I walk past the cot, my body seems to ignore my instructions.

Feeling confident I can afford a quick nap, I abandon my search for more caffeine and kick off my boots.

I turn on my side, and stare at the blinking light of the alarm, thinking about how long it’ll take to finish the bulk of what I need to do before I can leave.

When my eyelids are drooping and I’m sure I can leave before Jagger gets here, I let my body relax, and quit fighting my body’s desire for rest.

I slide into an uneasy sleep and find myself caught in a fractured dream featuring Chad, dressed in his football uniform chasing me with a scalding hot cup of coffee, and shouting at me.

In a flash, it’s no longer Chad chasing me, but a shirtless Jagger oiled up and wearing camo pants, a cigar in his mouth, and a Stallone-Esque scowl on his face. “You need to wake up,” he slurs.

I frown at him and am about to tell him I’m not asleep when I realize I’m no longer dreaming.

As I open my eyes to a very pissed off Jagger glowering at me, I groan at my mistake.

“You left the alarm off. Anyone could have gotten in here,” Jagger says.

I wince, and squeeze my eyes shut in the hopes he’ll be gone when I open them again.

***

Jagger

Any annoyance I had at her leaving the door unarmed dissipates as I look at her.

Her hair is mussed, she’s wearing a tight-fitting t-shirt that’s clinging to her tits and has crept up revealing a belly button ring, which is hot, but it’s her feet that send a shiver directly to my cock.

I can’t say I’ve ever had a thing for feet, but fuck me, with a tattoo and black nail polish, her feet are just about the sexiest things I’ve seen in way too long.

To try to trick my cock into behaving, I look around the office in an attempt not to think about where else she might have tattoos.

From the looks of it, she’s been here a while, candy wrappers are scattered over the desk, and a few cans of energy drink have been tossed in the trash can.

No wonder she needed a nap.

She rubs her eyes and squints at me. “What time is it?”

“Little after six. Did you hear what I said? You forgot to reset the alarm after you came in.”

She yawns and rolls her shoulders back. “I had my hands full.”

I frown at her as she sits on the cot and pulls her boots back on. “Anyone could have come in here while you were asleep.”

She glares back at me. “Well, they didn’t. And it won’t happen again. I’ll be gone just as soon as I run the exploit test.”

I have no idea what that means, and I don’t care. Matt’s worried call at 0500 was a reminder this is his job on the line.

I spent hours with him implanting trackers on the biggest bucks, made it impossible for the poacher to enter other areas, and between those, the cameras, and me on-site, it’s the perfect opportunity to herd the poacher into a place I can catch him.

If Matt had been here, he could have done it himself, but he isn’t and he can’t be.

I can walk away from this, and go back to Seattle, get on a plane and nothing will change for me.

But if I mess this up because I’m interested in Stella, Matt and his family will be the ones to pay the price.

As she gets to her feet and stretches her hands above her head every last nerve ending seems to ignite.

She hands me the office laptop and taps it. “You can watch all the cameras in real-time from the hut. And I’ve added the tracking devices. No need to come in here and check them.”

I nod, but I’m not thinking about how she just made my job easier, or about how this can impact Matt or his family, I’m thinking about watching her walk away and spending the entire weekend wondering if I made a mistake.

I look at the desk and at her laptop, currently running some kind of scan. “How much longer do you need? If you want to come with me, we need to get moving.”

I know it’s a serious about-face so I’m half expecting her to turn me down when her eyebrows arch.

“What changed your mind?” she asks.

I shrug and struggle to come up with a good enough reason to convince her that doesn’t involve my interest in getting her naked.

I point to the laptop, now tucked under my arm. “This and I promised Matt I’d do everything to catch this guy this weekend. And you were right. It makes more sense to use you if you’re here.”

She cups her ear, her reply laced with sarcasm. “Did you just say I was right? Can I have that in writing? Because I want to frame it.”

A smile flickers at my lips, but I refuse to allow it to form. “Get your shit together. I don’t want to be away for long,” I grunt.

Her head tilts to one side. “My shit is together.”

I gesture to the door. “Not according to the alarm.”

She runs her fingers through her hair and shrugs. “I’m a light sleeper. I heard you the second you came in.”

“No, you didn’t. You were snoring when I came in.”

Her eyes widen and she looks so indignant it’s hard not to laugh. “I do not snore.”

I shove my hands in my pockets. “How would you know? You’re asleep.”

Her cheeks are flushing as she pushes past me, so she can pack up her things. “Someone would have told me by now,” she mutters.

I can’t resist digging a little more, so I move to the door so I can watch her. “Maybe they were too afraid? You’re pretty volatile.”

She stiffens slightly, and I can see her struggling to keep a lid on her temper which makes it even more enticing to tease her. “Or maybe they never stayed the night?”

That does it, she spins on her heel and glares at me. “Or maybe I don’t snore and you’re full of shit?”

I raise my hands. “Guess we’ll find out tonight,” I say.

Her eyes narrow and something deliciously too close to a tease flickers over her face. “Among other things,” she says.

I have no time to find out what she means before she’s out the door, and once again, I’m left shaking my head at a woman built solely to break guys like me.

Worse than knowing she’s combustible, is knowing I spent last night trying not to think about fucking her senseless.

I’m still wondering how I’m going to get through the whole weekend with her and do my job when I arm the lock and shut the door.