The memory of his body angling between mine and twelve thousand pounds of irritated elephant.
The solid line of his arm brushing mine every time he shifted.
The way he occupied space. Every shift of his weight, every quiet adjustment of his stance—it was control without a word spoken. I’ve spent my professional life observing men who shout to be heard.
Nick Mercer just stands still and the world listens.
There was a confusing, almost feral relief in that. For once, I wasn't the one who had to make sure the ceiling didn't collapse.
Steam rose past the privacy walls and thinned into the open air as I rinsed my hair slowly. When I finally stepped out, the interior had begun to cool as the day softened.
I wrapped a towel around my hair and pulled on a fitted tank and linen shorts. My phone connected to the lodge Wi-Fi after a brief negotiation with the router, and theSister Chatthread exploded.
RAYANN:Did you pet the wildlife yet?
BRYNN:Forget petting. Has she served the wildlife with a cease and desist?
RAYANN:Brynn.
SUMMER:Have you evaluated the financial viability of the wildlife?
I leaned back, watching the light turn honey-colored on the floor.
ME:None of you are helpful.
ANNIE:Send a picture of a Secretary Bird. I want to see if it’s more organized than Summer.
EMME:Please tell me you’re wearing bug spray. The kind that dissolves paint.
RAYANN:Did you meet the ranger?
ME:Yes.
BRYNN:Is he hot?
ME:Why do you always ask if they're hot?
RAYANN:That means yes.
ME:He's a professional performing a specialized service in a high-risk environment.
BRYNN:So he’s a god. Got it.
EMME:Is he armed? Does he look like he knows CPR?
ME:An elephant attempted to murder me earlier.
The screen scrolled so fast it blurred.
BRYNN:EXPLAIN.
ME:Situation resolved. The ranger intervened.
RAYANN:So the hot ranger saved you from a killer elephant. This is literally a movie.
I set the phone face down and took a deep breath.
BRYNN:I KNEW IT. DID YOU PUNCH IT?
