Wild Men of Alaska 02 - Moosed-Up

wildlife, international treaty obligations, subsistence uses, which is a big part of my job with so many people who depend on fish and wildlife in order to survive. Safety of people using the Refuge, and assisting with Search and Rescue when needed, which is called on more than I’d like.” He’d come close to being another statistic himself. “I monitor commercial activities on the Refuge, and Alaska is rich in oil, gas, and gold this far north. Way more politics than I signed up for,” he muttered under his breath.
    “How big is the Refuge?”
    “Yukon Flats is about eight and a half million acres, spanning an area roughly two hundred and twenty miles east to west and one hundred and twenty miles north to south.”
    “How many officers do you work with?”
    “It’s just me.” He continued when her mouth fell open, “I have other law enforcements agencies that I can call on if needed. But, basically, it’s just me.”
    “How do you patrol something that... big?”
    He shrugged getting uncomfortable talking so much about himself. Wasn’t that a red flag where women were concerned? But then if she was asking questions, she was at least talking to him and not slamming a door in his face. “By any means necessary. Horse, four-wheeler—which I’m going to need a spare until I get my other one back and repaired—plane, snow machine, dog team you name it. Whatever it takes to get the job done.”
    “Huh.” She picked up her coffee cup and studied him like bacteria in a Petri dish.
    Uh-oh. He had talked too much. She didn’t have that glazed over look that some women got, but she was from a big city. This had to be boring her to death. “How about I show you a part of the Refuge? It’s supposed to be nice today.” Which could change faster than a woman changed her mind. “I could take you on a tour, so you can get a feel of the place you are now calling home.” When she didn’t look like she was going to agree he added, “Show you the lay of the land so that you don’t get turned around so easily, and find yourself lost in your own backyard again.” That did it. He saw the shift in her eyes as she accepted his challenge. So she was the type who couldn’t turn down a dare. That was handy information to have.
    “How long will we be gone?”
    “A few hours. I’ll pack a picnic lunch. After all, I do owe you dinner.”
    “That you do.” She smiled.
    The movement focused his gaze on the lips he couldn’t stop thinking about.
    “Okay, you’re on,” she said.
    Now who was laying down a challenge?

Chapter Five

    “I thought you said ‘land’?” Eva asked, staring at the canoe beached on the bank of the Chatanika River.
    “Best way to get a feel for the place is by boat.”
    “This isn’t a boat.” A boat had a motor not a paddle, and seats not planks.
    He laughed. The sound and the way he tipped his head back charmed her in a way that she couldn’t explain or begin to understand. He was so different from any other man she’d been attracted to. But then the others had never measured up when it counted. He was big enough and tall enough that he could probably measure up to anything.
    She glanced back at the paint-scraped, dented, weary-worn canoe. Yeah, she’d give this a chance. Just like she realized, she’d give him a chance.
    “Okay, what do I do?” she asked.
    “First—” he held up a yellow lifejacket “—you have to put this on.” He held the vest out for her like a gentleman holding a coat for her to slip into. Once she had the lifejacket on, she faced him, looking down at the zipper and clips, not knowing what to snap, zip, or buckle first. Turn out that wasn’t something she needed to worry about as he went about securing the lifejacket tightly to her torso. His hands were all business until he finished with the belt around her waist, then they fell to her hips and just stayed there warming her from the inside out. His eyes met hers, and heat simmered between them. Just like that her internal temperature rose, and she wanted the jacket off. Wanted to strip all her clothes off and his too.
    His nostrils flared, and he leaned closer, stopping just before his lips would have taken possession of hers. “If I kiss you, we won’t be canoeing.”
    A large part of her was perfectly fine with that. Another, the more sensible part— damn it —insisted she step back. “So... ” She bent down and picked up a paddle. “Show me how to work a canoe.”
    He cocked his