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How do you trap a wildlife veterinarian? I was one of National Geographic’s most well-known wildlife photographers, and Dr. James Marian was the most elusive animal I’d ever tried to capture.
My official job was independent wildlife consultant. I had a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a doctorate in veterinary medicine with specialty training in wildlife management.
As soon as he had grabbed his backpack and started walking in that direction, I remembered the care package my brothers had sent me to celebrate my new singlehood. There was a huge box of condoms, lube, outrageous dildos and tacky jockstraps sitting out in the open on the bathroom shelf.
Okay, Jamie. The man is clearly old enough to know that men have sex and stupid-ass brothers who send prank shit and who are now going to die. Calm your ass down.
“Hold up. Wait. Holy shit. Are you telling me your name is Teddy Kodiak?” I blurted, breaking into uncontrollable belly laughs. “As in Kodiak, the type of bear? … Are you saying your name is Teddy Bear?” I felt tears stream out of my eyes and I almost snorted. He raised a brow and stared me down before one side of his mouth drew up in a grin.
He pulled his finger out after a few moments of me generally making a blubbery, slutty fool of myself and then sheathed himself in a condom.
The only thing that mattered to me was the mind-blowing orgasm I’d had and its success at blowing my ex-fiancé off the map of my memory.
Ahh, shit. Way to go, Teddy. You have a gorgeous and willing man bathing in the afterglow of mind-altering sex and you pick that moment to open up your fucking mouth?
“Imagine for a minute that you and Jamie were good together and wanted a future together. Can you think of a scenario where a wildlife photographer and a wildlife consultant might be able to bring their careers together in the same patch of wildlife?” I rolled my eyes, but he might have had a point.
I turned to him. “Good. I’m calling it Jamie’s Beaver Shot.” Then I piled up the shots and put them back in my bag. “Like hell you are,” he cried and slapped my arm.
That might have been when I started to realize I was fooling myself if I thought I could keep Jamie Marian at a distance.
I woke up in a puddle of my own drool on top of Teddy’s chest. Like a boss.
“Christ, Teddy. That was sexy as fuck.” I pulled away with a grin. “You’re sexy as fuck. Not only can I not just kiss you without getting a hard-on, but apparently I can’t just kiss you without fucking you either.”
I swear Tristan’s homophobic family thinks he caught the gay from us.”
“Jamie, I’m not going to submit your photos after all. I don’t want to do anything to make you uncomfortable. This flash drive has all the original files on it. You can use them however you wish. They are yours now. I’m so sorry I messed everything up. - Teddy” And just like that, I realized another man I loved had left me. Except this time it was without a doubt the absolute love of my life. The human being I knew would hold my heart inside of his for as long as I walked the earth.
When you find yourself telling a perfect stranger at the top of a mountain about an incredible person you might consider changing your life for, that’s a pretty big hint.” He smiled big and clapped me on the back.
Dammit, my heart was in Alaska. I realized in that moment I was in love with Jamie.
“Baby girl, don’t let one cheating jackass steal a happy future from you. You are going to find an amazing man who will make you laugh and make you feel like a million bucks. Someone who will cross an ocean just to be with you and who will stand in a crowded room and only see you. You have to put yourself back out there though. They’re not all manwhores terrified of commitment,” I urged.
I couldn’t get Teddy’s words out of my head. You’re so fucking scared of something ending you’re too afraid to even let it start.
I wished Teddy could have seen himself the way I saw him. I wished his camera could have captured that magical moment where my entire future was written as bright as day in salty tears spilling down his gorgeous face.
“All conversations by the water cooler should be done with one hand on a coworker’s junk,” Teddy declared. I thought about that seriously for a moment. “Hmm, okay, but I was thinking mouth on the junk instead of hand. We’ll go with your plan.” Teddy tried to interrupt, but I kept talking. “No, Teddy, you’re right. Hand only.
“Teddy, absolutely nothing about this worries me except for the thought that you might be the one scared off.” “Nope. I kind of like the idea of having a sexy-ass science nerd for a husband.” He shot me a quick wink.
I realized I should probably warn him about the Marian crazy he was now a part of. “Don’t freak out. They’re mouthy but harmless. Except for the old ladies. Be careful of them,” I said with a wink.
“Now that’s a hot piece of ass,” said a tiny woman who had to have been a hundred years old.
“Pete Marian, you’re a pervert,” I heard Ginger say when she walked back out onto the patio. Pete replied, “You love it when I’m a perv, Ginge.” Ginger rolled her eyes as her auburn hair caught the sun. “Not when your pervy ass knocks me up I don’t. This shit sucks. Jamie, don’t do it. No matter how much Teddy begs.” “Don’t worry.” I laughed. “Despite his many attempts, Teddy has failed to impregnate me thus far.
Griff scooted closer to where I sat at the picnic table. “Hey, Jamie, I keep forgetting to ask. Mom wants to know if you’ve heard from the San Diego Zoo lately to see how the peacock is doing with the implanted feathers.” Teddy’s face split into a wolfish grin, and he turned to shoot cobalt lasers at me. “Yes, Jamie, how is your cock now? Is it in good hands?” That smug motherfucker. “My cock has never been better, Griff. Thanks for asking.”
