by Beverly Rae
His eyes changed, adding golden flakes to their deep richness. “Uh, can’t.”
She gritted her teeth and ignored the fact that he’d mimicked her. “And why not?”
Devlin feathered his fingers along her neck, tickling her like a puppy playing with her, and she had to squelch her nervous giggle. Her head shouted at her to struggle against him, but other parts of her were out to win the argument.
“I might pass out again.” At her quizzical expression, he added with a mock somber face, “You know. If I stood up too fast.”
Most of her—aside from her head—wanted nothing more than to keep his hard body on top of her. “I think we can risk it. Now get off me.” She grabbed him by the hair and pulled.
“Ow! Yes, ma’am.” He lifted up on his forearms and paused to stare at her. “But I need to do this first.” With a spark of mischief in his eyes, he tilted his head and licked her.
She inhaled a quick breath as the rough texture of his tongue swiped along her collarbone. Yet instead of being disgusted by the gesture, hot juices burst unchecked between her legs and quivers raced from the moistness into her stomach. He made me come with a lick! And not even by licking me down there.
With a low growl, he pushed away from her, falling onto his back. She stayed where she was for a second, unable to force her body to move. At last, common sense—thank you, brain of mine—came back and she leapt from the bed, dashing several feet away before daring to confront him. “I don’t let any hurt being, animal or man, go uncared for. So be quiet and lie there. Now, stay!” Why did she want to treat him like a dog? She cringed at the warning look he shot her. “You know what I mean.”
He ran his hands through the silky strands of hair covering his face, then kept his arms stretched over his head. “Okay. Anything you say.”
Narrowing her eyes at him, she studied his features for any telltale signs of deception and found none. “Good. I’ll be right back.”
Tala darted into the adjoining bathroom, opened the cabinet and dug around for anything she could use to tend his wound. Why in the world had she let this stranger, this dangerously sexy man, into her apartment? And to top it off, now he was in her bed.
Finding nothing useful in the cabinet, she flung the doors open to the storage area below the sink and sifted through the bottles, boxes and other containers. She always rooted for the underdog, but this time she’d gone too far. Who knew what this man really wanted? He could harm or even kill her. Still, if he’d wanted to do that, he’d had plenty of time and chances.
Her hand came to rest on top of a box of bandages and she paused. I know he wouldn’t hurt me. I know I’m safer with him than with anyone else. Besides, I owe him for shooting his dog. Or him. Or maybe both? She grabbed a bottle of antiseptic and a couple of towels, then sprinted back into her bedroom.
“Oh, my God.” In the short span of time she’d spent in the bathroom, Devlin had gotten undressed and pulled the covers down on the bed. He lay, exposing all his glory, with the comforter kicked to the foot of the bed, his hands folded on his chest, and his legs flung wide.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m ready for my physical, doc.”
If her mouth flapped any wider, he’d get a hook and reel her in. Determined not to laugh, Devlin cupped his hands behind his neck and cocked his head at her. “What’s wrong? Cat get your tongue? Mean, sneaky creatures, those felines.”
“What?”
Someone needed to put her out of her misery. And who better than him? “Um, I figured you’d want to get a good look at my wound, so I got undressed.” The fabric of her sheets felt good against the stinging in his bottom and he could tell his wounds were quickly mending. If the buckshot hadn’t been made with silver it wouldn’t have taken him this long. Plus, the slowly healing wounds had given his “passing out” a realistic touch.
She finally managed to close her mouth. “You did?”
“Which are you asking about? Figuring you’d want to look at my wound? Or getting undressed?” The way she perused his body, he could almost see the smoke coming off her. She wanted him. Of that much he was certain. Her stare fell to his sizeable manhood and he had to bite the inside of his mouth to keep from grinning. Of course, a man had the right to have a little fun. Concentrating, he willed his dick to jerk.
“Oh, my God.”
“You sure say that a lot.”
“Are you frickin’ kidding me?
Funny she should say so, since he was. But he’d never admit it. “About what?”
He saw the frustration flash through her and decided the time for jokes was over. “Never mind.” He rolled onto his side to place his buttocks toward her then peeked over his shoulder. “I’m hurting. Do you think you could patch me up and get me something for the pain? Like maybe some liquor?”
She jumped in response as if startled out of a deep sleep. “Uh, I don’t think so. In fact, I’m wondering why I’m not calling the police.”
“You know you won’t because you know I’m not a threat. Because you know something is going on between us.”
“Nothing’s going on between us.”
He stared at her, intent on letting her know where he stood. “Are you sure?”
She returned his stare, her eyebrows diving toward her cute little nose. Her mouth moved to the side in an odd little quirk, but she remained quiet, soaking in his words. At last she came to the bedside, unrolling the bandage. She lifted the covers over his legs, pausing for a moment when she reached his thigh.
He caught her trying to get another look at his… Oh boy… Snapping his fingers, he jolted her back to attention and pulled the sheet over the front of his hips, leaving only his bottom exposed.
She coughed, a nervous and excited cough, and drew the chair closest to the bed under her. Placing her materials on top of the sheet, she cleared her throat again and gingerly touched his wound. “I don’t understand why the wounds kept bleeding all this time. At least you aren’t bleeding any longer.”
Because my body pushes out the pellets and reopens the wounds. Hopefully, they’re all out now. But he opted for a safer answer. “After seeing your clean white sheets, I wouldn’t dare.” He’d have liked to watch her expression, but kept facing the windows. No use in pressing his luck. “By the way, don’t you think we should get introduced officially since you’re going to cop a feel of my rock-hard butt?”
“Obviously your ego wasn’t injured.”
Had he heard her chuckle?
“My name’s Tala.”
“Tala. Yeah, I remember as much from seeing you on television. Your name fits you. And your last name was…?” He knew her last name, but wanted her to say it, knowing it would sound sensual coming from her lips.
“Wilde.” She paused. “But you would’ve known that from the commercial. And from the name on the animal hospital.”
“Oh, yeah. Right.” He stretched around to grin at her. “Does your last name fit you, too?”
“What do you mean?”
Returning his gaze to the windows, he grinned, knowing she couldn’t see him, and gave her some time to think about his meaning. She came to the correct understanding soon enough.
“None of your damn business.”
“Hey, I just asked a simple question.”
“Somehow I don’t think any of your questions are simple.”
He started to ask her what she meant when he heard the amazement in her voice. Instead, he sought out her pretty eyes again. They’re the same color of blue as the sky in our mountains.
“Okay, this is weird. You were bleeding on the balcony. I know you were because I saw the blood. And, come to think of it, I don’t remember any blood drops on my carpet. This wound is already healing over.”
Should he explain now? Or wait until after he’d finished explaining everything else first? “Um, yeah. I’m a fast healer.” Faster when the bullets aren’t made of silver. Damn silver.
“I’ll say.”
&n
bsp; She flinched when she added the antiseptic to the injury, yet he didn’t move. She’d flinched because she’d expected him to flinch. Obviously, she had a lot to learn about him.
“So, you understand about the other night, right?” He held his breath, hoping he’d get the answer he wanted. Her hand grazed the skin around his wound, perking up his nerve endings. Maybe she wasn’t even aware of her action, but he’d bet all his claws she wanted to touch him. To absorb his texture. To enjoy the feel of his skin against her skin. He knew because he couldn’t wait to touch her, smell her, taste her.
“I’m not sure. I guess so. But didn’t you think watching me dance was a bit, you know, weird?”
“Weird? No. Not unless I’m not supposed to like women. Which I do. In fact, I love women. Ow!”
“Sorry. Guess I applied too much pressure. By accident, of course.”
Yeah, right. She sure has a lot of accidents. Or had she done it because she didn’t like what he’d said about loving women? Other women? “Besides, I thought your dance was for me.” He heard a ripping sound as she tore off a piece of the tape. She continued to work with a quiet rhythm and he listened to the sounds behind him.
“Why would you think such a thing?”
“You mean you weren’t? You really didn’t realize I was outside?” Again, her fingers played over his buttocks, sending a spark of heat rushing to his groin.
“How would I have known you were outside? Do you think I make a habit of dancing for voyeurs?”
She hadn’t known he was there which meant she hadn’t sensed him. But she’d called for him, right?
She dabbed at his wound, bringing him out of his thoughts. “Trust me. I’m a vet. Not a stripper.”
He gripped the sheet and grappled with the irritation flooding through him. His earlier suspicions were correct. She hadn’t realized he’d come for her. And from her questions about his “dog”, she didn’t realize what he was, either. He would have to change her and tell her the truth. Or vice versa.
He frowned. Then why had she let him—a total stranger—into her home? He’d assumed it was her instinct, their destiny, putting her off her guard. Along with a little acting on his part, of course. “I didn’t think you were.”
“Good. Because I wouldn’t want you to think I put myself on display for men.”
So she’s worried about what I think of her. She may not be aware that he was a shifter and she was his mate, but she was definitely drawn to him. “So what do you do as a vet?” Shit, he could barely spit out the word vet. Why couldn’t she have been a teacher, a secretary, a garbage man—someone that didn’t put animals in cages?
“Oh, you know. The usual stuff. But along with running my own practice, I also work as a consulting veterinarian at the zoo. Plus, I educate the public about various animals. I take care of the animals and do tours with civic and school groups. And I do the public service messages like the one you probably saw. Tala’s Animal Facts.”
“Oh. Sure.” Like he’d ever forget anything about her. He sighed a small measure of relief. At least it sounded like she didn’t do anything distasteful working with animals. “What about wolves?”
She pressed the bandage to his rear and applied tape to hold it in place. “What about them?”
Her touch on his skin was like a flame to kindling. Rather than putting out the fire, all he wanted to do was build the flames higher. “Do you do anything with the wolves at the zoo?”
Her hand slid along the curve of his bottom in a gentle caress. Enjoying the sensation of her stroke, he flexed and envisioned her hand stroking another part of his anatomy. He closed his eyes, imagining her hand wrapped around his blood-swollen cock, moving up and down until she lowered her head and slid her tongue over the oozing slit on the tip. He moaned, letting the velvety sound of her voice drift over him.
“Actually, I helped design the wolf habitat.”
The vision of her sucking him off splintered apart and he opened his eyes. He grumbled at the thought of caged wolves. “Habitat? Is that vet lingo for cage?” Once she became his mate, she’d have to stop caging animals. “Well, is it?”
“Look. I love wolves. And we treat our wolves with the best care, love and attention we can. What’s your problem, anyway?”
Take it easy. She doesn’t understand. Not yet.
Turning his head away, he struggled to level his tone. “No problem. I just figured with all the wolf posters you have, you’d rather see wolves running free instead of cooped up in some manmade habitat.” He tried, but he couldn’t keep from sounding out invisible quotes around the nasty word.
“I would. But their home at the zoo is the next best thing. Besides, they’re safe at the zoo. You know. Safe from hunters.”
“Safe, but not fully alive. Not able to live their lives as nature intended.”
An edge to her tone carried her anger to him. In fact, he could almost see her lips thinning out, pressed tightly together. “The wolves at the zoo are happy.”
“How do you know? Have you ever asked them?”
“I’m supposed to ask a wolf if he’s happy? Now you’re just being silly.”
A rustling noise had him flipping to see her gathering her materials and rising to her feet. “Hey, don’t get mad. I’m carrying on a discussion, is all.”
“I’m not mad.” She stepped away a few feet, paused, then faced him. “Okay, maybe a little mad.”
“Well, you shouldn’t be.”
Those big blue eyes grabbed him and threatened to rip out his heart. Hugging the bandage roll, tape and antiseptic to herself, she glowered at him. And he almost wished he’d kept his mouth closed about the wolves.
“How about this? When I’m better, you promise to take me on a tour of the zoo.” He leveled his best smile at her. “Convert me.” Unless I change you first.
“Why don’t you get some rest so you can be on your way soon?” She blinked, started to shake her head, and blinked again. “Okay. I’ll take you to the zoo.”
Now there’s something I never thought I’d hear my future mate say. But Devlin nodded at her anyway and plastered on a contented expression.
Shit.
ƒ
“Did I hear the shower?” Tala peeked into the bedroom, expecting to see Devlin resting in her bed. Wanting to see Devlin in her bed.
Seeing the covers in disarray, she crossed over to the rumpled mess. She brushed aside the disappointment, started smoothing out the sheets and found his discarded bandage. Damn, I’ll have to redo his bandage. Was he in the shower? Grasping the pillow, she picked up his aroma and sniffed. He smells like forest, sunshine and testosterone. Or at least, what I think those things should smell like.
She frowned and forced the intoxicating bouquet out of her head. Holy crap. In a few short hours, I’ve taken in a stranger, fixed his wound—she cringed, remembering how he’d gotten shot—and given him my bed. I’ve done some stupid things in the past, but this one tops them all. What the hell am I thinking?
If she had a brain in her head, she’d call the police right this second. But was it too late? After all, how would she explain taking him in, playing nurse and putting him in her bed? Not to mention that they’d find him in her shower.
The sound of running water beckoned her. Answering the summons, she tiptoed to the bathroom, peeked around the opened door and froze.
Even with the clear glass of the shower stall fogged over, she could still see enough to stun her into silence. Yet, although she wasn’t moving on the outside, her insides were a jumble of butterflies and skyrockets. Could anyone ever get used to seeing such a magnificent piece of animal? Animal? She wondered about her choice of word, but the sight of him bending over to scrub his legs tossed the errant thought out of her brain. Although she knew she shouldn’t stand there peeping, she couldn’t help but enjoy the sight. Devlin was a damned Greek god. An Adonis come to life. A capital M. A. N.
Strong runner’s legs covered with dark hair drew her gaze upward to his groin
. His shaft was extended, ready, as if knowing she would find him. Did this guy always have a hard-on? Would it get even bigger? Was that even humanly possible?
She tilted her head to examine him and let her tongue trace the backs of her front teeth. What would it feel like to take him into her mouth? She released her breath slowly and imagined. I bet his come is sweet. And salty. And everything a man should taste like. She gulped, already savoring him. Forcing her gaze away from his shaft, she slid upward over the curly hair.
A six-pack—hell, an eight-pack—abdomen rippled with every movement. And his chest. Good God, his chest overwhelmed her. Mountain-like pecs dominated the broad expanse while his brown nipples stood guard. She moaned, letting her need break free within her.
“Tala?”
She croaked out an answer, unsure if she could count on her voice. “Yeah.”
The shower door slid open a few inches, letting the water splash onto the bath mat. “Come.”
Had any other man commanded her the same way, she would have blasted him with expletives and thrown him out the door. Out of her apartment. Yet the words this man, this stranger, this god spoke to her didn’t evoke such a reaction. Instead, her crotch grew wet, her pulse quickened and her pelvic muscles tightened in automatic response.
Hell, yes, she’d come. In every way possible.
She moved without thinking about her actions, wanting to obey him, needing to obey him. And when her brain finally started to object, she shut it down without a qualm.
Crazy? Yes, what she was about to do was crazy. But she didn’t care. She’d already trespassed into the Looney Red Zone by letting him in her home. Why not go all the way into Insanity Land?
Besides, she couldn’t not go to him. Not with his huge beautiful cock calling to her. Not when all a woman’s fantasies stood billowed in steam and hot water. She may be crazy to go to him, but she’d be crazier not to. She could almost hear her friends chanting, “You go, girl!”