The Geologist (Sexy Scientists Series, Book Four)

By Ramona Gray

Bryce
Seven years ago, the boy I loved left our small town, vowing never to return. Probably for the best. A humiliating experience with my one-sided crush meant Griffin Morris would never want me the way I wanted him.

Now he’s back and my boss assigned me to follow him like a sassy shadow.

The boy has grown into a very big man with a very hard... attitude. Clashing with him is a mistake, especially since he could get me fired.

But I can’t stop arguing with him. Or kissing him. Or letting him put his hands all over me like I’m one of his pet rocks he’s so fond of.

Griffin
Returning to the town that harbours bad memories isn’t something I ever wanted. But when I’m contracted to do a land survey for a lucrative project, I have no choice.

I have one mission – survey the land and ditch this town faster than a landslide.

Until Bryce Watson shows up. She’s got the same red hair and fiery attitude I remember. But it’s her intelligence, curvy body, and perfect mouth that’s got me rock hard whenever she’s around.

Willowdale is a town I’ve struggled to forget. So why does Bryce make me want to come to terms with the past and ache for a life here with her?

Author’s Note: This is the fourth in a series of stand-alone, short and dirty (So.Very.Dirty.) novellas. If you’re looking for quick, one-handed (ahem) reads with insta-love and over-the-top alpha heroes in lab coats, then the trope-alicious Sexy Scientists series is for you!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ramona Gray
• Release date: Sep 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781774461358

Ramona Gray

Ramona Gray is a Canadian romance author. She lives in Alberta with her awesome husband and her mutant Chihuahua. She is addicted to home improvement shows, good coffee, and reading and writing about the steamier moments in life.Email her at: [e-mail] out her website: www.ramonagray.caSign up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/_cL75She also writes contemporary and paranormal romance under her alter-ego "Elizabeth Kelly". Check out Elizabeth's books at www.elizabethkelly.ca

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Bryce

B ryce? Why are you still here? My boss Carol stuck her head into my office.

Well, office may have been too strong of a word. I had taken over an unused storage closet with no windows and barely enough room for a desk, but it was still infinitely better than working in the bullpen. I loved my fellow PR specialists, but trying to concentrate in a sea of voices, ringing phones, and clicking keyboards made my teeth itch.

I work here? I said with a raised eyebrow.

Smartass. Carol rolled her eyes and leaned against the doorway, her blonde hair in a perfect chignon and her magenta-coloured suit tailor-made for her slender figure. You’re supposed to meet Griffin Morris and Arnold at two.

I put on my you love me the best smile and said, Can’t you tell Arnold that me shadowing Griffin while he does his geo survey thingy is a waste of Arnold’s money? Does he really want to pay for me to babysit the geologist?

Carol sighed. One, Arnold Waters is our biggest client, and you promised me you would be committed to doing whatever he asked if I assigned you as his PR specialist.

I know, but -

Carol carried on without stopping. And two, you knew walking into this assignment what a control freak Arnold is. He has a lot riding on this mall project, and he’s paying our firm a great deal of money.

To write media releases, help him communicate with the public, and manage the flow of information for the mall development, I said. Not to babysit. It’s a waste of his money and my time.

Honey, when you have as much money as Arnold Waters does, what he pays us in fees is only a drop in the damn bucket. But that’s not the point anyway. The point is, he’s our largest client, and we’ll do what he wants because my firm promises results. Do you want to lose your first big assignment before writing your first press release?

I’ve already written two press releases about the mall, I said.

Carol stared at me until I looked away like a little kid chastised for overeating candy.

You know as well as I do that Arnold building this mall in Willowdale will revitalize our town. The buzz around building a local vendor-only mall is making waves not just here in the US but in Canada and Europe too. It’s the first mall of its kind – not a single franchise or big box department store allowed in the mall - just vendors and creators from right here in Willowdale. Our little town is on the map because of Arnold’s idea, and we owe him a lot. Disappointing him is not an option, Carol said.

I know, I said.

You’re one of my best specialists, and I want to know that I can count on you not to fuck this up, Carol said. If we lose Arnold as a client because of something you say or do, I will fire you.

Yikes. Usually, I loved Carol’s total bluntness even when it was aimed my way, but the prospect of losing my job sent the proverbial icy shivers down my spine. There weren’t a lot of opportunities for PR work in my hometown of Willowdale, which, if I lost this job, left my options limited – move to Havenport, a midsized city about half an hour away, or find a different job.

Neither appealed to me. I couldn’t imagine leaving Willowdale or my grandparents, and I loved my job.

Why are you so against shadowing Mr. Morris? Carol asked. You’ll get paid to be out of the office and in sunlight for a change.

I pointed to my pasty white skin. Oh yes, because as a redhead, sunlight is my friend.

Carol laughed. You can expense the sunblock you’ll need to use. Seriously, Bryce, why is this a problem?

I picked at a file folder edge. Griffin Morris is from Willowdale.

I’m aware, Carol said. It’s one of the reasons Arnold picked the firm Griffin contracts with. He wanted a geologist who knew Willowdale and the area.

I knew Griffin in high school, I said.

Makes sense. You’re around the same age, right?

He was a grade ahead of me, I said.

Still not seeing the problem, Carol said with a touch of impatience.

He and his older brother Ben were very popular in high school. They both played football and left town on football scholarships because of how good they were. All the girls in my high school had a crush on Griffin or Ben. I was no different.

Okay, you had a high school crush on Griffin, so what? Carol said. That was a few years ago. Neither of you is a teenager anymore.

I tried to kiss him, I said.

All right, Carol said. But again, that was a few years ago and -

I threw up on him, I said.

Carol winced. Oh, God. Seriously?

Yes. I went in for the kiss and vomited Lucky Charms all over him instead.

I had to give Carol credit. She struggled hard to hold in the laughter. Sure, she failed miserably, but I couldn’t blame her for it. If it hadn’t been me who threw up on the most beautiful man in existence, I would see the humour in it too.

You seriously barfed Lucky Charms into his mouth? Carol said.

He turned his head so, no, I said. It hit his cheek and down his neck. My face was bright red, just remembering the moment.

Well, that’s slightly better, right? Carol said.

I glared at her. There is no way to turn ‘I vomited Lucky Charms on the man of my dreams’ into anything slightly better, Carol.

She laughed hard, leaning against the doorway and pressing one hand against her flat abdomen. Okay, yeah, I guess not.

So, can we talk to Arnold about me not babysitting Griffin? I asked.

Carol gave me a sympathetic look but shook her head. Nope, sorry, Bryce. Vomit or no vomit, you will be Griffin Morris’s shadow for however long the geotechnical survey takes.

I slumped in my chair, rubbing my forehead. I kind of hate you right now, Carol.

I know, she said. Hey, what did you have for lunch today?

My stomach was in too many knots about seeing my high school crush again to eat anything today. I skipped lunch. Why?

Just wanted to make sure it wasn’t Lucky Charms, Carol said.

When you leave work one evening and find your car toilet-papered, it was one thousand percent me, I said.

She laughed and glanced at her watch. That’s fair. Now get your butt in your car and head over to Brilliant Beanz before you’re late for the meeting with Arnold and Mr. Morris.

I stared at Arnold’s text and then tossed my phone into my purse, trying not to scream my frustration in the Brilliant Beanz parking lot. Of course, Arnold was called into another meeting and couldn’t make this one. Facing Griffin Morris without the buffer of Arnold, where he would undoubtedly bring up the humiliating Lucky Charms vomit incident, was the perfect cherry on top of the shit sundae that was currently my day.

I climbed out of my car with a heavy sigh, straightened my navy blue power suit, and walked toward the coffee shop. I’d smoothed and tucked my crazy curls into a severe looking bun on top of my head, and while it wasn’t my cutest hairstyle, it made me feel more professional. My makeup was impeccable, and I’d chosen my most flattering suit.

I looked good, and while that gave me a confidence boost, my nerves were still rattling around like one of those old-school wooden roller coasters, and I could only hope that Griffin Morris wouldn’t bring up the past.

I stepped inside the coffee shop, inhaling the good scent of roasted beans. The shop was pretty busy, but Griffin Morris wasn’t the type of guy to blend in in high school, and eight years hadn’t changed that.

My mouth went dry, and my steps faltered. Griffin stood at the counter, all six foot five of him, wearing a pair of jeans and a dark green shirt with a grey striped tie. His dark hair was cut shorter than in high school, and his jaw sported a dark shadow of scruff that hadn’t been there in his teens. But it wasn’t the facial hair that had turned my panties into a soaking wet mess.

Griffin had been muscular back in high school – you couldn’t spend as much time playing football as he did and not be muscular - but apparently, he’d taken up a side hobby of bench pressing small cars and tiny houses because I was pretty sure his muscles had muscles at this point.

Griffin grabbed his coffee and walked toward a table near the window. I stared at his beautiful ass and thick thighs. Was it weird to be jealous of denim? Because I wanted to be the one clinging to those powerful thighs.

My formerly dry mouth salivated so much that I was in danger of drooling all over my power suit. I considered turning around and walking out. Griffin hadn’t seen me yet, and time had not lessened my crush on him as I’d assumed. Apparently, my unrequited love for him still burned as brightly as ever, and there was no way I could be near him without climbing him like a fucking tree.

I spun around but only took two steps before stopping. What was I doing? I loved my job and would be damned if I lost everything just because I couldn’t keep my libido in check around a man who would be less than pleased to see me.

I straightened my back, lifted my chin, and marched toward Griffin with a bright and welcoming smile plastered on my face. I stopped at his table and said, Griffin?

He stood and smiled politely at me. Hello.

Now that I was up close, I could see a few lines around his eyes that hadn’t been there before, and his nose had definitely been broken in the past. His dark eyes were the same, though, guarded and just the tiniest bit sad.

Say something, girl!

I cleared my throat, trying not to blush. Hi, it’s so great to see you again. You look wonderful. How was your trip? Does it feel strange to be back in Willowdale? I bet it feels a little strange.

Jesus. Stop saying something, girl!

I stopped talking as Griffin gave me another one of those polite and vague smiles. It’s nice to see you again as well, Ms….

Bryce. Bryce Watson, I said.

Not a flicker of recognition crossed his face, and hope blossomed in my belly. Holy shit. Could it be possible? Did Griffin Morris not remember me? I didn’t know whether to be insulted or elated. Elation won by the narrowest of margins.

I cleared my throat again. I’m the PR specialist working with Mr. Waters on the mall development project. I’m meeting with you and Mr. Waters today.

Oh, he said. My apologies. Arnold didn’t mention you’d be joining us. Please, have a seat.

He pulled out the chair next to his, and my stupid heart went all a twitter. I couldn’t help it. I loved a man with manners.

I sat down, and Griffin returned to his seat, taking a sip of coffee. I hadn’t gotten a coffee, but my stomach churned so much that I was terrified even to consider it. I’d already barfed once on Griffin Morris. I would walk barefoot across hot coals before I did it again.

Mr. Waters texted me, and unfortunately, he’s been held up in another meeting and won’t be able to make it today, I said.

A flicker of irritation crossed Griffin’s face. Why didn’t he just cancel then?

He’s asked me to chat with you about the geological survey in his place, I said.

One thick dark eyebrow raised, and he looked me up and down. I resisted the urge to fidget or pull at my clothes. It’s called a geotechnical survey, and why would he ask his marketing rep to talk to me about it?

I’m not in marketing, I said, swallowing down my annoyance. I’m a PR specialist.

Is there a difference? he asked.

A huge difference, I said icily. My crush on Griffin was melting away with every sentence he spoke. I didn’t remember him being this ornery and dismissive in high school.

Griffin took a sip of coffee and said, Okay, so why is a PR specialist, the slight emphasis he put on specialist made me grit my teeth, chatting with me about my survey?

As I’m sure you’re aware, the mall development project is incredibly important to Mr. Waters. He’s asked me to accompany you as you do your development site survey.

No, Griffin said.

I stared at him. No?

No, he confirmed.

What do you mean no?

I’m sorry, is there another way to say no in PR speak? he asked.

I held onto my temper with the thinnest of threads. Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear. Mr. Waters, the man paying you to do your job, has asked me to accompany you on the survey.