Pleasing the Messenger Read online

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  Copyright ©2008 by C.S. Chatterly

  First published in 2008, 2008

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  NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.

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  CONTENTS

  Uniform Behaviour

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  About the Author

  Total-e-bound eBooks

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  A Total-e-bound Publication

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  Pleasing the Messenger

  ISBN # 978-1-906590-04-8

  ©Copyright C.S. Chatterly 2008

  Cover Art by Lyn Taylor ©Copyright January 2008

  Edited by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

  Total-e-bound books

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author's imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-e-bound eBooks.

  Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-e-bound eBooks. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

  The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

  Published in 2008 by Total-e-bound eBooks 1 The Corner, Faldingworth Road, Spridlington, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 2DE, UK.

  Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-burning.

  Uniform Behaviour

  PLEASING THE MESSENGER

  C.S. Chatterly

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter One

  Oak Tree National Park

  Valentine's Day

  Aeryn Saunders looked over the map once more. Her destination was almost dead centre within Oak Tree National Park. She put her truck in drive once more and was rewarded with the sight of the cabin, just ten minutes later. Though it was late in the afternoon, her impression of the place was quite a bit different from what the client had described as the ‘dank little cabin out in the middle of butt-fuck nowhere'. The station was actually a very pretty place. It wasn't huge, but the yard was landscaped to perfection and there was a split-rail fence around the yard. The grass was still brown from winter's cold winds, but she could imagine that the entire property would look beautiful in the spring and summer months. It was surrounded by pine trees and old oaks that gave the cabin a homey look which appealed to her. Though the surroundings suited her, the environment and peace and quiet wasn't everyone's cup of tea or she wouldn't be out here about to do this job. Her client had hated it.

  As described, a white truck bearing a National Park Service logo was visible. It was parked on a cement drive, just to the side of the house. The client had even written down the license plate to make sure her little message got to the exact right person, at this exact time of day. Having met the woman for whom the missive was being delivered, Aeryn kind of felt sorry for the recipient. He was supposed to be a 'big loser' with 'more brawn than brains' and an 'asshole who couldn't spell underachieve' let alone 'attempt to make something of his life'.

  An unfortunate part of her job was listening to clients explain the need for her services. She usually nodded in commiseration and even silently agreed with them on occasion. But since she was so far from town, she prayed this guy wouldn't go off on her after hearing her do her thing. The client had specified that he wasn't the violent type, far from it. Indeed, Aeryn had been assured the man was quite docile, even submissive. That seemed to be another reason for her having been hired. The Park Ranger she was supposed to confront wasn't Alpha enough for the very wealthy Margot Treadwell-Stintington. Sometimes, Aeryn wondered how some of the people she dealt with ever got coupled-up in the first place. But their mistakes provided her with a means to get through college. She'd been delivering these kiss-off messages for almost four years now, and only had one more semester before being rewarded with a degree in Horticulture. She wasn't always proud of what she did, but the money couldn't be bested with a minimum wage job. Besides, most of the people who heard her messages weren't surprised by what she had to say, just the delivery mechanism. No one had ever held what she did against her, and some even apologised for it. She hoped this time would be one of those occasions.

  Pulling her truck right up to the front fence, she parked and again noted the darkening sky. It was an hour back into town, so she had to get this over with quickly. Her notepad was lying in the passenger seat, next to her purse and cell phone. One last time, she quickly went over the little poem she'd written. It was bad enough for some folks to hear rejection couched in such a way. It was worse if she made a mistake in the commission of her job and didn't get the name or message right.

  Having just banked his fireplace for the coming evening, Race Donnigan heard the truck pull up outside his cabin. He walked to the window, parted the curtains and saw a young woman exit the driver's side. Sure that she was either lost or somebody in the park needed help, he quickly pulled his hiking boots back on, laced them up and swiftly walked to the door. Nobody ever came to his place at this time of day unless something was wrong. He had his door open just as the girl walked up. For a brief moment, he lost the ability to speak. The woman standing in front of him was the most beautiful creature he'd ever laid eyes on. She was tall, slender and appealed to his male senses even in her bulky wool coat. Her medium brown hair was long and fell just over her breasts. The woman's eyes were the clear blue colour of wild trillium that grew in the woods and her face was perfect. Below a turned-up nose covered with freckles was a pair of luscious red lips. High cheekbones were delicately contoured and lay beneath skin that was clear and healthy. She could have been a model on the cover of any magazine, and he unconsciously ran a hand through his hair to smooth it. Whoever she was, it seemed her surprise at seeing him was as obvious as his was when he'd opened the door.

  Aeryn had never been so stupefied. The man she was looking at wasn't what she expected at all. Yes, he was big, brawny and had a build like a prize-fighter. All of that was included in her client's description. But this guy didn't have the empty gleam of a 'socially backward moron' in his eyes, as she'd been told. Indeed, there was an inquisitive light in them that bespoke high intelligence. On further inspection, she took in the man's military-type haircut, his tanned face with a square jaw, noble nose and full, kissable lips. His eyes were a misty grey and were currently viewing her with an expression of both confusion and expectation. Indeed, this man came across like he was anything but backward. She had the impression that he was sizing her up. His entire facade reminded her of one of those movie commandos who saved people from darkest danger. The shoulders beneath that grey uniform shirt he wore were absolutely massive. Though he was in long sleeves, she guessed his biceps were a good seventeen inches around. Indeed, the man was almost seven feet t
all. Still, his size didn't intimidate her. Instead, she was drawn to his musculature as any warm-blooded woman would be, single or not. And she was definitely single.

  Race finally found his voice. “Can I help you?"

  She cleared her throat. “Uh, you're Race Donnigan?"

  Suddenly wary, Race simply nodded. There were all kinds of nuts in the world. He'd met a few in this job. Just because Lady Lovely looked like a dream didn't mean she couldn't be dangerous. He let his gaze slide down to her hands. They were empty of anything she might use as a weapon. Still, he squared his shoulders and readied himself for possible trouble.

  Aeryn took a deep breath. “I have a message for you, Mr. Donnigan."

  He arched one brow and waited. Her simple delivery of that sentence had him suddenly on edge.

  Aeryn took one deep breath, shrugged out of her coat, and began. The words and her spunky choreography matched the stuff she'd seen in old burlesque movies. In perfect pitch, she sang out to the tune of I'm Just Wild about Harry.

  "Margot sends you this mes-sage. You're out of her life at last. She wants to ex-press-ly relate that ... you can kiss her weal-thy ass! Live like the an-i-mals in the woods, live on min-i-mum wage. I've lost all the interest I had in you, you weren't e-ven a de-cent lay." After the short ditty was over, Aeryn blurted out the last part of her well-memorised routine. “This has been a singing message from Hearts of Extinction.” She reached into her cleavage, pulled out a business card, handed it to the Ranger. “If you'd care to reciprocate, I can quote our rates and deliver a message of your choice."

  For a full thirty seconds, Race just stood and stared. He'd automatically taken the business card from her, but simply couldn't string any coherent words together. The beauty before him was standing there in the biting Texas wind. All she had on was a little red satin dress. The miniscule garment fit her slender form like a second skin, and had two pink hearts sewn right over the nipples of her full breasts. Those perfect orbs of hers had bounced superbly as she'd done her little dance routine. How she'd managed to be so graceful in three inch heels was beyond him.

  "Mr. Donnigan? Did you want to hire a return message?” Aeryn asked again as she quickly picked up her long wool coat and put it back on.

  For the life of him, Race couldn't help himself. He pressed his lips together and tried with all his might to keep from laughing. His chuckle worked its way into a shaking chortle. Then he was doubling over with howling glee.

  Aeryn felt her eyes open wide. She'd actually received a smile or two while working this job. That was mostly from people who thought her poems were funny even though they were being dumped. This man, however, was in the throes of such mirth that he went down on one knee; almost laughing his butt off in the process. There were actual tears of joy in his eyes. “I'd say that went well.” She confirmed and just stood there in case, as sometimes happened, the recipient of her message wanted to retaliate with one of his own.

  Race finally choked out the last of his laughter, stood up again and looked the girl straight in the eyes. “N-No. No thanks. I don't want to send any return message. But I would like to give you a tip. Maybe even a cup of hot chocolate."

  His response wasn't one she'd ever experienced. Such a circumstance wasn't against the work rules, so Aeryn just shrugged and grinned. “Uh, I guess that'd be okay."

  Just as her last word was spoken, large drops of rain began to fall. Race glanced up at the darkening sky. “You'd better come inside. This is gonna be bad."

  Aeryn was just inside his door when the rain suddenly turned into a raging torrent, complete with what felt like ice crystals. “Damn, I was hoping to get back into town before the weather turned bad."

  He glanced out the window and knew, though the girl wouldn't like hearing it, that she wouldn't be going anywhere for the night. The radio in the corner of the room was already squawking out a warning that the farm-to-market roads were going to be closed anywhere a bridge was located. The only way to his cabin was over one of those bridges.

  "I-I don't suppose this might be over soon?” she asked, suspiciously gazing towards the door.

  Race ran a hand over his chin. “What's your name?"

  "Aeryn Saunders."

  "Well, Miss Saunders, I'm afraid you won't be going anywhere for a while. Some of the roads are being closed if there's a possibility the bridges will ice over. I suggest you call someone and let them know where you are. Use the regular phone though. Cells don't work way out here. We're too far from any transmitting towers."

  "Damn!” she blurted.

  He saw the beginning look of panic in her eyes and quickly picked up his telephone. “Here. Let your family know where you are."

  There was only one person who knew where she was. Aeryn quickly dialled the number back to the office and was relieved when her boss picked up the phone. “Danny, this is Aeryn.” She waited for him to blurt out his usual congenial greeting and then interrupted with, “Danny, I'm stuck out here at the ranger's station. I delivered my message, but the storm is ... Yes, I know. But what am I supposed to ... I need to get back into town.” She rolled her eyes and sighed at his fatherly instructions to stay put. “I know it's Friday and that I won't miss any classes, but ... Hello? Danny? Hello?” She looked down at the receiver. “It's dead."

  Race gently took the phone from her and attempted to call another station number in the park, but he knew the lines were gone. “Sorry,” he apologised after several attempts to call. “This happens a lot during storms. The ice was already on its way from further up north. It probably already knocked the lines out in that direction."

  "I can't stay here,” Aeryn informed him. “I need to get back to town."

  Before she could get to the door, Race kindly took her left upper arm in a firm grasp. “It's not safe to drive. Believe me, the roads will get slick and you could find yourself in a ditch all night. It's best to just wait it out."

  "How long do you think it'll be before I can drive?"

  Race knew this was the part she definitely wouldn't like. “This storm is supposed to last all weekend. Didn't you know that?"

  "Your ex-girlfriend paid me a bundle to get out here tonight since it's Valentine's Day. I thought I could get here after class and have plenty of time to get back."

  Race whistled at the virulence he suspected that Margot had intended with the singing message. As usual, it didn't matter who had to move mountains so long as his ex-girlfriend got her way. “Look, I suggest you just relax and get warm by the fireplace. I've got a generator already going. We won't lose power. I can fix us some food, and we could even watch television for a while. We'll get the latest weather reports so the isolation won't be too bad."

  For some reason, the unpleasantness of the situation seemed to slip away. She was twenty-five and could certainly take care of herself. It wasn't as if she was with someone known to be treacherous. Her boss knew where she was, and her host had even offered the phone so she could make a call. No one was holding her hostage. The man was a park ranger, and this was a ranger's station. She felt perfectly safe where she was. The idea that she might be there until Sunday or Monday hadn't previously entered her mind. But surely the weather would let up a bit later on and she could still leave then. “Well, I guess there's nothing else I can do. If you say it's dangerous, I guess it is."

  He smiled when the expression of fear left her face, and her words relayed a certain amount of calm resignation. But he wasn't so sure that having her there was a good idea after she took off her coat again, tossed it on the nearby sofa and faced him. How could he have forgotten about that little red dress and all that was in it? There wasn't a single strap or panty line to be seen. The woman couldn't be wearing much under the miniscule garment, but her honed body showed every curve to perfection. “Uh, if you're hungry, I'll see what's in the kitchen."

  Aeryn caught the man's quick glance over her attire, just before he turned around and walked to where she assumed the kitchen was located. She followed h
im into a very clean, but small cooking area and began to wonder what kind of woman dumped a guy like him. Most of the females she knew would fight just to get a mega body like that into bed. And the more she watched him move, the more a naughty imp of an idea implanted itself. She'd been a long time between men. She knew this one was free. He was not only desirable, but gorgeous. They were both adults, and she didn't have to be anywhere else tonight. So, where did that leave her?

  Normally, Aeryn would never have entertained the bawdy thoughts that scampered through her head. She simply couldn't get over how well constructed this man was, or that a very wealthy, very famous Houston socialite had been interested in him. Curiosity gripped her. She leaned against a countertop at the far end of the kitchen and began to sum him up.

  When Race glanced away from the cabinet through which he'd been rummaging, he'd meant to offer his forced guest a variety of options for supper. The angst at having been forced with him was no longer present in her beautiful eyes but a soft, friendly glimmer was. His mouth went dry and he tried not to look at the two pink hearts directly over her nipples. He couldn't be sure. It might be a trick of the light, but it appeared that Aeryn Saunders was no longer daunted by the situation at all. Indeed, her warm, lovely smile indicated a boldness that made parts of his body respond in a way that couldn't remotely be described as naive. “Uh, do you like spaghetti?” he quietly asked.

  She sauntered towards him. “Spaghetti's great. If you've got an apron, I'll help cook. If I'm your guest, I should make myself useful."

  As close as she now was, Race could smell the floral base of her wonderful perfume. He could now see flecks of gold in her unusually coloured eyes and felt as if he was falling into some soft crevice when he gazed down into them. “I'll, uh, go find you something you can put over your dress. You wouldn't want to get sauce all over it."

  When he quietly left the kitchen, Aeryn leaned against the counter again and softly whispered to herself. “Do you know what you're doing? Of course you do. Don't pass up a great thing."