by Unknown
“What is it?”
Trying to pull away, she pointed behind her.
Luke was shoving her behind him when he recognized the sight and the sound. “It’s all right, Cath, it’s a pigmy owl.”
Only then did she stop struggling and peered behind her. The two eyes winked back at her. “Oh.”
Luke stared down at her. His face fierce. “Is that all you can say after scaring ten years off my life again? By the time this case is solved I’ll probably have more gray hair on my head than Daniel.”
She swallowed. “I didn’t mean to scream, it just happened. When you came in I was going to get my gun—”
“What?”
“My gu—”
Suddenly she was eye level with a very angry Luke. “Don’t you ever even think of something so idiotic. Don’t you even put yourself in danger.”
“Luke, I’ve been tr—”
“Never!” he shouted. “Understood?”
“Yes,” she told him but he still looked ready to destroy something. Catherine wasn’t worried. Luke would protect her with his life. He was hopping mad because she might have put herself in danger.
“If you want I’ll go outside and scare him off.”
Despite the situation, Catherine began to see the possibilities. Now that her heart wasn’t trying to beat its way out of her chest. “Are you always this grouchy when you’re awakened from a sound sleep?”
“I wasn’t asleep.”
She allowed herself the luxury of just staring at his magnificent body clad in tiny black briefs which in no way disguised his masculinity. His chest was broad, the muscles hard and roped. The legs sturdy and strong. The feet long. “Aren’t you dressed for bed?”
“I wear even less to bed.”
Her heart started pounding again. “Don’t bother on my account.”
He laughed, his hand cupping her cheek. “Cath, will you always surprise me?”
“I certainly hope so,” she whispered, loving the way he endearingly shortened her name.
He slowly pushed the silk robe over her arms. The gray material pooled at her feet. “The night I arrived at the cabin I dreamed about you standing before me again wearing this.” His lips brushed across her bare shoulders. “Without the gun, of course.”
She shivered. “Luke, I’m not sure how much longer my legs will hold me.”
He picked her up, then stared down into her face, his gaze intent. “The first time should be in a bed.”
Heat licked through her veins. “You aren’t the type of man to break his word, are you?”
Placing her on top of the cool cotton sheet, his lips brushed against hers. “Never, and never about something this important to me.”
“Luke.”
His lips kissed her cheek, her eyelids. “You say my name as if it’s everything to you.”
“It is.” Trembling hands palmed his strong, handsome face. “I don’t want to disappoint you. I want this to be right for you.”
Tender lips brushed her palms. “Disappointing me would be impossible. Just being here with you gives me more satisfaction than you can imagine.” He brushed his lips across hers again. “Any way between us will be the right way.”
She relaxed, and pushed the doubts from her mind. Luke was what she wanted and she’d trust him to guide her. “Are there a lot of ways?”
He grinned. “More than you can imagine.”
“Hadn’t we better get started?”
“Need something first.” He started to pull away. Her hands around his neck stopped him.
She pressed her cheek against his chest. Looking at him was impossible when she said, “I won’t get pregnant.” Saying can’t was even more impossible.
Strong fingers lifted her chin. He studied her a long time. “Neither one of us can afford to be wrong about this.”
“I’m aware of that.” Uncomfortable, she lowered her gaze. “I—if you want to wear something because you have health conc—”
“Catherine,” he interrupted gently. “My concern is for you. I can tell this is difficult for you, but I have to be sure.”
“The pill makes me sure,” she said softly, mixing a truth with a lie, mixing the past with the present.
“Honey,” he hugged her to him, his lips brushing her hair. “I knew I was off base in asking about your past relationships, and I’m still not sure if I did it for me or for the investigation, but I know there was probably very little need for the pill in the past.” Lifting his head, he kissed her closed eyelids and watched them slowly rise. “You’re smart enough not to depend on a man to protect you. We don’t have to talk about it again.”
“Maybe there is one thing you should know.”
She looked so vulnerable, so fragile, so serious. Gently, his hand swept her hair back from her face. “I’m listening.”
“You’re my test case.”
His eyes widened. He stared down at her. The enormity of what she was saying slowing sinking into him, his heart, and touching his soul, his spirit. “You humble me.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re going to be noble and go back to your room, does it?” she asked, a bit worried.
Instead of answering, he brushed his lips against hers, a tender, slow glide that comforted and inflamed. He kept the maddening, slow pace up until she squirmed beneath him, her lips trying to find his. Finally, she nipped his lower lip.
“Stop teasing me,” she ordered.
“I might have known you’d be bossy.”
“I—”
Whatever she had been about to say was cut off by his mouth on hers. This time there was nothing fleeting in the fusing of his lips to hers, nor was there in the bold thrust of his tongue in her mouth. A man claiming his woman.
Catherine caught her breath at the bold attack on her senses, then caught Luke by his loose hair and met him. A woman claiming her man.
One kiss turned into another and another, each one leaving her a little more breathless, a little needier.
“Does the light bother you?” he asked between kisses.
“Not having you touch me bothers me,” she answered, drawing his head back.
His strong, callused hands were everywhere on her body, and everywhere, they inflamed. Teeth and tongue tugged and lapped the hard point of her nipple. Exquisite sensations swept through her. But somehow it wasn’t enough.
She jumped as his hand swept down the inside of her thigh. Always coming closer, but never quite close enough to the heat burning her. The silk became unbearable. When Catherine would have ripped it from her body, Luke did it for her.
The sound of rending silk matched her moans as his mouth closed over her bare nipple and suckled. Then his finger dipped, seeking the source of her heat and need. The twin assaults were too much. Arching her back, his name a moan on her lips, she came undone.
Opening her eyes, she saw him poised over her. “You are all that I desire.”
His words melted her heart and inflamed her body. She felt herself stretch to accommodate him, felt the fleeting discomfort, then knew a moment of perfect bliss and satisfaction when they were joined completely. She was unaware of the wonder on her face, the tears gliding down her cheeks.
Luke kissed away each one. Her tears washing away his fear that he might hurt her.
Her hand shook as she reached up to brush the thick, straight black hair from his face. “Until there was you, I didn’t know what desire was.”
Luke’s breath caught. Only this woman could touch the deepest, most vital part of him. “I’m finding out neither did I.”
He began to move, slowly in and out of her hot, sleek body. The tightness of her, the feel of her nearly sent him over the edge. More than that was seeing the flush of arousal, the pleasure sweeping across her face again. He wanted to linger there forever, make it perfect, unforgettable for her. He couldn’t.
Her slick velvet sheath called to him too strongly. Need had never trampled through him this strongly. The driving of his hips increased. Her l
egs wrapped around his hips, she eagerly met him. Then it happened. They both jerked and went still, suspended. Fulfillment . . .
Luke collapsed and rolled over on his side, bringing Catherine with him. His breath rushed out as if he had run ten miles, his heart pounded. He could conquer the world with Catherine’s light weight pressed against him. He felt unbelievably fantastic.
From a deep inner source, he found the strength to run his hand down her back, to kiss her damp forehead. “You all right?”
Too full to speak, she nodded.
Luke lifted her chin and stared into her teary eyes. He kissed them. “You’re sure?”
“I never knew it could be so beautiful.” Trembling hands touched his lips. “Thank you.”
“I know a way to thank each other.”
Catherine yelped when he came off the bed, taking her with him. Her arms tightened around his neck as he walked from the room. “I thought we were going to make love again.”
“We are.” Luke headed for the stairs. “First, you take a soak.”
“What if I wanted to make love?” she asked, looking up at him through a sweep of her lashes.
He grinned down at her. “I plan for us to do both.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
CATHERINE SUPPOSED SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EMBARrassed about her nakedness as she sat on the bath towel on the edge of the monster garden tub upstairs in one of the bathrooms. She wasn’t. She wanted to see Luke’s body and couldn’t see her acting prudish when she watched him with her tongue practically hanging out.
Picking her up, Luke stepped into the warm soapy water. “You’ll be feeling better in no time.”
“Are you an expert on the subject?” She had meant the question to come out teasing. It had come out accusatory. Immediately she was contrite. “I’m sorry, Luke, please don’t answer that. Why don’t you leave me up here and I’ll be back down in a little bit?”
His hand slid from beneath her legs, settling her in his lap. “Tired of me already?”
She sent him a quick glance. “Of course not.”
His knuckles brushed over her nipple, felt her shiver. “Good.”
She leaned against him, her head downcast. “All right, I’m jealous. My behavior is immature and unsophisticated and I apologize.”
Catching her around the waist, he twisted her so she faced him, straddling him, his gaze direct. “You’re the first woman I’ve ever made love to in this cabin. Since we may go by my house before you leave, I’ve never made love to a woman there either.”
She felt miserable. “Luke, I’m sorry.”
He lifted her chin. “Don’t be. I wanted to rip the head off the guy you were engaged to. I’m still not sure how I’ll react when I see Perkins. If I ever see your neighbor, he better hope it is on one of my good days. Any more questions?”
She reached down between them, felt his erection stir in her hand. “I think it’s already been answered.”
CATHERINE WOKE WITH A SMILE ON HER FACE, HER BACK pressed against Luke, his arm curved around her. Sunlight shone through the window of his bedroom. She stirred.
“About time you woke up.” Tender lips brushed across her shoulder, belying the gruff words.
Her smile growing, she turned around to face him. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” She nipped his chin.
“Because I’m the reason you’re so sleepy.”
“Yes, you are.” She grinned and scooted closer, her hand roaming freely. She loved the touch, the feel, the smell of him.
“Your first meeting is at ten. It’s almost eight. You’re going to be late if you keep this up,” Luke said, but his heart wasn’t in it. He was hard and getting harder.
Her tongue circled his nipple. He groaned. She teased him with her tongue all the way to the other nipple. Kissed, laved, then blew. “We could skip breakfast.”
Her nail stroked the inside of his thigh. He shuddered.
She started kissing her way down his broad chest, then abruptly lifted her head on reaching his navel. Mischief gleamed in her eyes. “But if you insist.” She started to roll from the bed.
With a fierce growl, he pulled her down under him. Her bubbling laughter stopped when he joined them with a thrust of his hips. If they were going to be late, they might as well enjoy themselves.
CATHERINE FELT WONDERFUL, ABSOLUTELY MARvelous. Her feet barely touched the tiled floor of the hotel’s lobby where registration tables had been set up. She saw a lot of old acquaintances and colleagues as she moved through the line. Finished, she went to where Luke waited. She might feel marvelous, but he looked marvelous in the charcoal tweed jacket. Better, she knew what he looked like without the jacket.
“If you don’t stop looking at me that way, we’re going to be the talk of the hotel.”
She grinned impishly. “I’ll try, but it won’t be easy.”
“Where to next?” he asked, catching her hand and starting down the crowded hallway.
“Finding my department chair, Dr. Watts, and the rest of the people from my university.”
His hand tightened. “Perkins included.”
She stopped and stepped in front of him. “He never even got a peck on the cheek.”
“In that case, I’ll let him live.”
Catherine started to laugh, then noticed the hard glint in Luke’s eyes.
“I told you I’m possessive.”
Suddenly the light affair she wanted was becoming much more serious. She should have realized that before. When she had been plotting to seduce Luke, she hadn’t taken into consideration his feelings. One of the many reasons she cared about Luke was that he had values and morals. “I’d never do anything to hurt you, but when my plane leaves Sunday, I’ll be on it.”
“I haven’t asked you to do anything different, have I?”
His easy acceptance brought a mixture of relief and a sharp pain of regret. “No.”
“This place is becoming more crowded by the minute. Why don’t we go eat lunch, then come back and try again?” he suggested.
“That’s fine . . .” They had missed breakfast and coffee.
Luke’s hand, which had been holding Catherine’s, lifted to her back, his thoughts in a swirl. With any other woman, he would have been happy that she wanted no strings, no ties—with Catherine he wanted to tie her to him and never let her out of his sight. Maybe because she was refreshingly different from all the other women he had dated or made love to. Whatever, the time until Sunday wasn’t going to be nearly long enough to be with her.
Leaving the registration area they strolled down the hand-painted corridors, then past the shopping court. Over their heads, wooden balconies and beam ends protruded over the tops of windows and the lobby.
Silently they joined the line for lunch. Through the huge potted plants, Catherine could see a tiled indoor-garden patio lit by a skylight. “I hope the food here is as good as at Brandon’s place,” Catherine said, uncomfortable with the silence that had grown between them.
“Probably not, since Brandon recently hired away the head chef from this restaurant.”
Catherine chuckled. “I bet those two in the kitchen is something to see.”
“It’s not for the fainthearted,” Luke agreed, then reached for his pager on his belt and read the message. “It’s from the clinic.”
“Hero or Naomi and Kayla?” Catherine questioned worriedly.
“I don’t know, but I intend to find out.”
“I’m going, too.”
“I never expected anything different.” His hand in the small of her back, they hurried through the lobby.
“HERO WON’T EAT,” DR. YOUNGBLOOD SAID, SQUATTING in front of the wolf hybrid’s cage.
“Since when?” Catherine asked from beside the doctor.
“Tuesday.”
Startled eyes turned to him. “But today is Thursday.”
“I know.” Frustration was in the doctor’s voice. “Sometimes animals get that way, but soon snap out of it, and I thought Hero would do the
same.”
Catherine stroked his nose through the wires. “What’s the matter with him?”
“He hates being caged in,” Luke answered, his voice tight.
“But he has to stay here until he’s well,” Catherine said, glancing between the two men.
“That’s just it, Catherine, he’s not going to get well if he doesn’t eat, and as long as he’s in here, he won’t eat.” Dr. Youngblood’s fingers clamped through the wire. “It’s your decision.”
“What decision?”
“Set him free or keep him here and watch him grieve himself to death.” Luke pushed to his feet, away from the shock in Catherine’s eyes.
Her trembling finger stroked the hybrid’s black nose. “Where would I send him? I haven’t contacted the woman in California.”
“He can come back to the cabin,” Luke heard himself saying.
“But you aren’t up there all the time,” Catherine pointed out. “Who will take care of him?”
“He’ll take care of himself. You’re leaving Sunday, remember?”
Her hand clenched. “Yes, I remember.”
Richard looked between the two and decided to stay out of it. “I can sedate him so he’ll be easier to handle.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Luke squatted down, his gaze on the animal’s. “Just bring the truck around to the back.”
“I won’t let you do it again,” Catherine said.
“What?”
“You’re not going to put yourself in danger. Saturday we had no choice. We’ll take him sedated or we won’t take him at all.”
“I know what I’m doing!” he snapped.
“And we both know why. You’re angry for Hero, angry at the situation that brought him here, and you’re punishing me, too, and I won’t have it. I won’t,” she told him, her voice almost as loud.
Hero lifted his head.
Richard decided it was a good time to leave. “I’ll be in my office.”
Luke came to his feet. He stared down into her face. The sparkle of tears in her huge brown eyes got to him. “Ah, hell.”
She leaned into him, her arms circling his waist. “Don’t you dare make me regret last night.” She sniffed. “And this morning.”