by Meg Ripley
Before she could question herself for calling out a man on murder, Ian had shifted. He charged forward, his bear body making the ground shake. He showed his white teeth in a roar and he was coming straight for her.
Sabrina didn’t have time to think, but she didn’t need to. She let go of her human self and let her tiger take over. She was long and lean and muscular, but Ian outweighed her by a long shot. Sabrina held her ground, her tail twitching. He was coming for her. There was no point in running.
She dodged to the side at the last moment. His weight and his inertia kept him going for a moment before he could stop and turn. She took advantage of the moment and pounced on his back, her claws and teeth sinking into his fur. Ian roared, his lips curling back, and swiped at her uselessly. Sabrina hung on, but he was strong. The bear swung his body to the side, flinging her off.
Sabrina rolled through the dirt and was back on her feet again. Something had taken over, something she hadn’t let out in a very long time. This wasn’t just hiding her emotions or choosing not to think about things. This was her true tiger soul, the warrior inside her who wouldn’t let this bastard win, no matter what. A deep roar emerged from her throat and rattled through the air, telling the bear to bring it on.
He did. Ian had recovered just as quickly, despite the blood that now ran down through his dark fur. She was quicker, but he was stronger. Sabrina was vaguely aware of shouts and chaos that had broken out around them, but she couldn’t worry about it now. She had her own fight.
They circled each other as they exchanged blows and searched for the chance to get to the most vulnerable spots on their enemies. Sabrina raked her claws across his face, drawing more blood that dripped from his muzzle. It only infuriated him. When he attacked again, he truly had the advantage of his weight. The bear pinned her to the ground and closed his mouth around her throat. She dug into his underbelly with her back claws. Her front paws smacked uselessly as the world began to go dark.
A blur of deep orange fur sailed through the air. Sabrina thought it might be a dream, because it didn’t make sense to her muddled mind. She needed oxygen. But then the bear was gone. She was staring only at a bright blue patch of sky, the treetops dancing in a circle around it. Air rushed back into her lungs, and she gasped with relief.
She rolled over onto her side just in time to see a very familiar tiger finishing off a black bear. Blood stained the paler patches of fur near his belly and legs. Several others had shifted, but they stood back from the fray, waiting.
President Whiteside swam into her vision. His brow was creased as he looked from the bloody scene to Sabrina. “It’s over. Everything is all right now.”
* * *
Sabrina, back in her human body, felt exhausted. She leaned heavily against Max where they sat in the shade, wondering if she would ever catch her breath again. Everyone who’d attended the trial had been kept at the clearing while President Whiteside sorted everything out and passed his official conviction on Ian Saunders. He was dead now, but everyone agreed that Ian’s actions had proven his involvement in Isaac’s death.
Now, President Whiteside walked over to them. “Dr. Barrett, you’re free to go. I appreciate your coming here today, and I particularly appreciate everything you did to find the true criminal. It would’ve been most unfortunate if we’d punished an innocent man.”
She gave a weak smile of relief. “I had some help.”
Whether he knew what she meant or not, the president turned to Max. “I have to thank you and your team as well. I felt better knowing our star witness was under the care of a neutral party. Not that I didn’t trust Russell. In fact, I plan to put in a word with his clan that he’d make a good candidate for their next Alpha. But I still think this was the best option, and I’ll be keeping your contact information should we need you in the future.”
Max stood, helping Sabrina to her feet before he shook the president’s hand. “I appreciate the opportunity.”
“I think everything should be under control. You should be safe on your way out. Contact me if you need anything. And Dr. Barrett, I look forward to talking with you further about the possibility of a new hospital.”
She’d just been through a terrifying day, but she had to smile. That was the most promising thing she’d heard yet about the specialized medical center. “Thank you, Mr. President.”
Sabrina was very aware of Max at her side as they headed through the woods. “Thank you for what you did today,” she said quietly. “You saved my life. Again.”
“And I’d do it a thousand times more.” He put his hand on the small of her back as they stepped through a narrow passage between two trees. “I’m proud of you, you know. Just a few nights ago, you hardly remembered your inner animal. Today, you tapped into her so quickly, I could hardly keep track of your shift. And you held your own against Ian for longer than most would have. I was trying to get to you sooner, but there was so much disorder as soon as the fight broke out.”
She caught his hand in her own. “I hope that’s not any sort of apology, especially since I owe you one. I was horrible to you this morning.”
“You already apologized for that,” he reminded her.
“Yes, but I feel like I need to again. And also to say I’m sorry for not wanting to listen to you about the other shifters involved in the trial. I didn’t think it was relevant at the time, and I lashed out. But it was all the information you told me on the ride here that made me realize exactly what had happened. Ian just happened to confirm it.”
His fingers tightened around hers. “At least it’s all over now.”
The helicopter was in sight now. Max would drop her off at her apartment, and then his job was officially over. There was no telling what life would bring them, and it filled her with a sense of longing.
Max must’ve been feeling it, too. He halted in his tracks and tugged on her hand to swing her around against him. “Sabrina, I meant what I said the other night. I really do love you. I loved you when we were together, and I didn’t stop even after I left. I thought I could get over you, but I absolutely can’t.”
Warmth flooded her body as she sank against his chest. “I love you too, Max. I don’t know why we’ve both tried to fight it so much, but I think it’s time we stopped.”
“Sounds good to me.” He captured her mouth in his and pulled her close. His hands were possessive as they wrapped around her body and skimmed her backside.
Their rendezvous on that lonely nighttime hillside was still fresh on her mind, and her body remembered it as well. She felt her core ignite at the mere thought, and his hardness pressing against her didn’t do anything to deter it. “I don’t know if I can wait until we get back to the city,” she whispered against his lips.
A low growl emitted from his throat as he brought her down to the grassy ground behind the helicopter. They peeled off their clothing, desperately trying to get enough of each other. In another lifetime, Sabrina was vaguely aware of how she would’ve felt being out there in the wild, stripped naked and tangled up with a man where anyone who might come through could see them. Now, she didn’t care. No, it was more than that. It was what she wanted. Her skin soaked up the warmth of the sun and of Max’s body, yet the cool breeze filtered it away. She was untamed and free, no longer held down by the constrictions of society and her career.
She ran her hands from the dark stubble on Max’s jaw and down into the thick hair on his chest, feeling his heart thunder beneath her palms. She moved her explorations further down to find his rippling abs and strong waist, then skimmed down his thighs as they pressed against her. She closed her hand around his hardness that was waiting for her, feeling the velvety skin and his pulse throbbing underneath it.
He closed his eyes as his hands wrapped around her hips. “Sabrina…” he breathed.
She moved back, pulling herself away from his grip until she could dip her head and take him into her mouth. Sabrina felt tentative at first, knowing this was something she wanted t
o do, yet uncertain of exactly what he wanted. But he responded with his hands tangling in her hair, his hips pulsing against her, and deep, growling moans issuing from his throat. Knowing he was turned on made heat ripple through her core, exciting her even more.
“Come here.” His hands were strong as they pulled her up, moving her around as though she weighed nothing. Sabrina expected him to settle her onto his shaft, ready for the two of them to join once again, but he flung her further so that she straddled his lips.
She braced herself on the grassy ground beneath them as he gripped her backside and held her against him, working his tongue thoroughly over her most sensitive areas. Over the last week, she’d found so many reasons to miss what the two of them used to have together, but she’d forgotten just how much she missed what he could do to her body. Her legs and arms trembled as he worked her over, the wet heat of his tongue shooting through her nervous system and constricting her lungs.
Finally, when she couldn’t take any more, she pushed herself back toward his eager cock, breathing a sigh of bliss and ecstasy as his member sank into her. Sabrina felt her inner tiger rumbling with pleasure as his thrusts picked up speed, bringing them both to their peaks. As the intense pleasure coiled in her belly, her walls clenched around his thickness, making him cry out with his release.
There was no doubt in her mind that they belonged together, not just physically, but in every other way, too. They were fated to each other, both mentally and emotionally.
And she knew she couldn’t be complete without him.
11
The threat to her life was over, but Sabrina was happy she still got to ride to work with Max every day. She glanced over at the pilot with a smile. “What do you think of the new job?”
He smiled, something that happened a lot more often these days. “It’s fucking great. I can’t believe I never thought to work for an air ambulance company before. It’s so much more satisfying than schlepping douchebags around all day. I’m still getting used to the uniform, though. It’s a bit bright.”
Sabrina looked appreciatively at the red and white jumpsuit he’d exchanged his t-shirt and jeans for. “I happen to like it.”
“Good. Then I’ll let you take it off of me later.” He hesitated for a moment. “I also have to admit this job has been good for my PTSD.”
It was something that had always hung over him, something she was still learning to be more understanding about. It was difficult to do when he didn’t like talking about it, and she lifted a brow in surprise now. “How’s that?”
He lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “There’s something about saving people’s lives with my skills that makes me feel like I’m making up for everything that happened overseas. I like it.”
“I’m glad.” Sabrina smiled. She wouldn’t push him any further on the subject unless he wanted to talk about it. They were a couple again, and communication was important, but she’d promised herself she’d be more understanding of exactly who he was and what he needed.
Max seemed to have taken on the same ideas when it came to her. He never complained when she had to work late due to various meetings or a surgery that went long. But he was always waiting to hear about her day or just relax with her on the couch when they both finally got home.
“Are you ready for your big day?”
Sabrina smoothed down the skirt of her dress. She wanted to look both professional and stylish. “I think so. I’m excited, but I’m incredibly nervous.”
“You don’t have anything to worry about. They love you.” Max landed expertly on the roof of the hospital. “You go on ahead while I get this shut down. I’ll be there soon.”
Half an hour later, Sabrina stood in front of a new set of double doors. A piece of fabric had been draped over the sign for the new ward, and the scent of fresh paint lingered in the air. Dr. Corton and the rest of the board were in attendance, as well as several other doctors and administrators. Even the local news media had shown up. Sabrina didn’t have to put on a fake smile for the cameras. This was one of the moments she’d been waiting for.
Dr. Corton cleared his throat, and the small crowd that’d gathered fell into silence. “Ladies and gentlemen, today we’re opening a new wing of the hospital. Not only does it boast the most advanced equipment and the most highly trained surgeons, capable of delivering reconstruction surgery for some of the most complicated cases in the world, but also the heart and soul of a caring team. I’m proud to say that this will not be a place where patients have to rely on expensive insurance or draining their savings accounts.”
Appreciative applause came from the crowd.
Sabrina scanned the assembly, easily finding Max in the back of the crowd. He didn’t want to be standing next to her, beaming for the cameras, but he had his own way of being there for her. Her cheeks warmed as he winked at her.
“And now, I’d like to give the honor of the ribbon-cutting to the person responsible for making this all happen, Dr. Sabrina Barrett.” Dr. Corton handed Sabrina a ridiculously huge pair of scissors.
It was silly, but there was no greater honor than taking the shiny gold scissors and snipping the ribbon that’d been stretched across the doors. She was even further surprised, however, when Dr. Corton tugged on the fabric covering the sign. The covering rippled to the floor, revealing her name right there on the wall.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Dr. Corton intoned, “I give you the Barrett Reconstructive Center!”
Sabrina stared at the sign, pressing one hand to her mouth as she fought back tears.
“You deserve it,” Dr. Corton said with a wink.
The rest of the day flew by. She not only had the new surgery wing that she so desperately wanted, but Sabrina had officially made her mark in the medical field. When she headed up to the roof at the end of the night, ready to head home, she slowed when she noticed she didn’t hear the sound of rotors. She furrowed her brow as she clutched the doorknob, hoping everything was all right.
When she stepped outside, Max was indeed waiting there for her, but he’d changed out of his uniform and into a suit. The air ambulance was there behind him, but he hadn’t yet started it up. He leaned against it, but he straightened and came toward her. “There’s the woman of the hour.”
She beamed. “I’m glad you were there. You strengthen me, even from across a room.”
Max pulled her into his arms and pressed a slow kiss to her forehead. “I’m proud of you, Sabrina. You’ve worked hard for this. Not only did you get the new unit opened, but they broke ground for the shifter hospital yesterday. You’re amazing.”
Her eyes could focus only on his handsome face and her own galloping heart. “Thank you.”
He took her by the hand. “You deserve a nice dinner. Come on.” Max led her around the other side of the helicopter, where a table for two waited for them. Gleaming china dishes held lobster and steak, and a bottle of champagne sat in an ice bucket near the taper candles.
“Oh, Max! This is incredible!”
He put an arm around her. “I wanted to take you out someplace nice to celebrate, but I decided there weren’t any restaurants around that were good enough for you. Besides, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about, and it’s sort of a private matter.”
She whipped her head to look up at him, but she saw nothing but warmth in his soft brown eyes. “What’s that?”
He stepped back and knelt in front of her, producing a small black box from his pocket. His fingers shook ever so slightly as he opened it to reveal a blue diamond solitaire. “Kitten, will you marry me?”
It was a beautiful scene with the table set, a gorgeous hunk of a tiger asking for her hand, and even a scattering of bright stars that the city lights couldn’t drown out, but tears blurred her eyes. They really did have a chance to start all over again. “There’s nothing I’d like more.”
The ring was cool as he slipped it over her finger, and as they celebrated the beginning of their new life together, he pull
ed her into a long kiss that made them both forget about the dinner waiting for them.
THE END
Jack
Jack watched the ground disappear under the helicopter. “I have to admit I’m still not sure about this.”
“What, working with the government again? I can’t say I blame you,” Max said with a laugh from the pilot’s seat. “You won’t catch me letting those assholes boss me around again. I’m happy to keep my work in the private sector from now on.”
“Yeah, I get it.” Sweat constantly beaded on his skin in this humidity, and Jack wiped his brow. He’d thought a lot before accepting this job, and even once he’d officially taken it, he hadn’t been sure. The Army had given him a purpose in life and he’d enjoyed that, but even more so, he’d enjoyed the freedom of the Special Ops Shifter Force. He wasn’t sure if this was a good idea, but his urge to keep the country safe from terrorists outweighed all uncertainty. Fortunately, he knew he’d have at least one shifter on his side. “I guess we’ll find out soon enough if I’ve made a mistake.”
Max shook his head. “Don’t think about it like that. You didn’t have much choice.”
“Thanks, man.” At least there was someone else who understood. He wouldn’t have expected it from Max, who’d always been so full of anger and turmoil. The pilot had calmed down a bit over the last few months, though. “Just do me a favor.”
“Sure.”
“Keep this chopper warmed up to come pull me out if things go wrong.” His stomach twisted, and not from the movement of the aircraft. His fox was telling him something. Jack was about to dive into something deep.
“You got it.”
A short time later, Max descended the helicopter into a swampy area where thick cypress trees arose from the shallow water. There was a small grassy spot that was slightly drier with a gathering of small cabins. They didn’t look like official government buildings, but these were the coordinates they’d been given. “This chopper’s too heavy for me to land here safely. I don’t want to risk sinking in. Think you’re okay for a short jump?”