Animal Attraction: Buckhorn Ever AfterImagine Me and YouGimme ShelterPartner in Crime

by Lori Foster

  “I’m not going anywhere,” she told him. “Surely you’ll come back to visit. I mean, your sister lives here. Unless, of course, she heads to Lexington with you for that horse farm dream she has.”

  Abel smiled. “She can have that dream anywhere. And, yes, I’ll be back. I’ll definitely be here on weekends until she comes home. I can’t let her house sit empty that long.”

  “I’ll watch it and take care of her animals.”

  “I was hoping you would.”

  Saige shrugged, praying to God she could keep those burning tears from falling. “It’s what I do. Look after animals.”

  “That’s what makes you so special,” he told her, leaning in. “I’m thinking we won’t be making it to that skinny-dipping.”

  His mouth closed over hers, and Saige gripped his shoulders as his passionate kiss turned slow, purposeful and promising. This was their goodbye. Oh, it was unspoken, but she knew. And she was going to make love to him under the stars and remember this moment for the rest of her life.

  Chapter Nine

  Well, he’d done what he could. He’d made love to her, he’d told her he was accepting the job and he’d even told Lexington he’d be reporting next week. Now he was packing, getting ready to leave in the morning to drive hours away in order to find housing before he started work.

  And Saige hadn’t said a damn thing to stop him.

  She’d been so cavalier about their time together and how short it was. But she’d been terrible at hiding her emotions. He’d seen those tears shimmering in her eyes. He had felt her touch, her kiss, the way she’d looked at him after they’d made love under the starry sky. She loved him, but she wouldn’t say anything.

  Did she truly not want a long-term relationship? And why was he so concerned? Isn’t this what he’d been wishing for, working for and praying for? Hadn’t he devoted his entire life these past eleven months to therapy on the knee that doctors said wouldn’t be in top form ever again?

  He’d not only proved them wrong, he’d managed to get a promotion.

  And he couldn’t be more miserable.

  He zipped up his suitcase and glanced out the window toward Saige’s house. Her car was gone and he smiled. It was almost midnight, and he knew exactly where she was.

  How could he not love that about her? The woman risks her safety to make sure innocent animals are protected. Everything she did, she did for the sake of others, be it animal or human.

  She sacrificed sleep, finances and a personal life for animals...and she was sacrificing her feelings for him.

  Abel sank on to the edge of the bed, raking a hand over his head. At this point, there was really only one thing he could do.

  * * *

  Saige pulled into her drive carefully. There was a special rescue this night, and she’d never done one like this before. Mercy, she was a sucker, and she just couldn’t save this one fast enough. Thankfully she’d gotten there when she did.

  And, bless God, Erma and her nosiness had paid off. Erma’s new neighbors literally wouldn’t know what hit them nor that the innocent old lady next door had ratted them out for abusing a pregnant rottweiler.

  Saige hopped out of her car, sparing a glance to Leah’s house where Abel was probably wearing nothing but boxers and a sheet. But she’d given up the right to worry or even wonder about him when she’d not confessed her true emotions. It was better this way. She couldn’t live with herself if she knew he stayed because of her. He had a life before her, goals and a plan. Sex had muddled things up, and there was no way she’d be the reason he gave up his dream.

  She had to toughen up, concentrate and do what she did best. Rescue animals and find them new happy homes where they would be loved.

  As she lifted the hatch, something in her peripheral vision caught her eye. She nearly jumped at the sight of a broad-shouldered man moving from her porch toward her, but then realized she knew those shoulders...and the man, very well.

  “Need help?” he asked.

  “Actually, I do.”

  The light in the car shone down on a large black rottweiler and a box full of tiny black puppies.

  “You stole a litter?” Abel laughed. “Why am I not surprised you have no limit.”

  “Limit? I’ll rescue any dog that needs saved.” She slowly slid the box out and turned. “Think you can help Tasha?”

  “You go on in. I’ll get her.”

  Saige didn’t want to think about him being here, helping. Didn’t want to grow dependent on him, either. She’d done this before him, and she’d continue to be a one-woman rescue mission after he was gone.

  She sat the box of puppies on the porch, unlocked her door and propped it open while Abel carried in Tasha and took her to the back of the house. She held it again when he came back to grab the box of pups.

  He already knew which room was for the newbies, and she followed him there. Fluffy was asleep in the corner, oblivious to the newest members of their house.

  “You really need some air freshener in here,” Abel told her. “That dog has a serious problem.”

  Saige laughed. “There’s a plug-in thing, but I really don’t think anything helps.”

  Nothing like having your heart break while checking the health of new pups plus the mommy and discussing dog farts. Yeah, her life was just one big old glamorous package.

  Abel stood out in the hall, apparently where the air was fresher as Saige checked the puppies. When she went to check the mother, all seemed well, considering she’d just had her litter yesterday according to Erma.

  Saige grabbed a bowl and went to the adjoining bath to fill it with water. She placed it on the ground and filled another bowl with food.

  After laying an old blanket down, Saige led Tasha over and eased her onto it. Then one by one she placed a pup with her mother.

  “Come on, Fluffy,” she called. “Let’s go, girl.”

  Fluffy perked up, came to her feet and shook. Slowly she sauntered from the room like she’d done so many other times when Saige had interrupted her sleep. She moved down the hall toward the living room and disappeared around the corner.

  Saige stepped into the hall and pulled the door behind her. Abel leaned against the wall opposite her, and he had those professor glasses on again. Something about a man who was not only strong but intelligent was a total turn-on. She’d not given it much thought until now.... She hadn’t thought about love, either, until Abel.

  “You look tired,” he told her.

  She smiled. “You sure do know how to lift a girl’s spirits.”

  Closing the small gap between them, he placed his hands on her shoulders. “I worry about you.”

  “I’m fine, Abel. I’m surprised to see you, though. Aren’t you leaving early in the morning?”

  He shrugged. “That depends.”

  “On what?”

  “You.”

  Her eyes held his as that band tightened around her heart again. “What about me?”

  “If you want me to go, I will, but I want to know what you are feeling, what you want.”

  Saige held his gaze for second, then brushed his hands aside and went to her bedroom. Abel followed, as she knew he would. When she whirled around, he was right there in her space, filling her with his masculine scent, his powerful presence and his demand on her feelings.

  “What does it matter what I want?” she asked. “I want you to do what makes you happy.”

  “What about your happiness, Saige? Do you ever think of your needs?”

  “I don’t have needs.”

  Abel slid his hands over her arms, sending tingles spreading all through her. “Everyone has needs.”

  “I want to have a shelter for animals,” she told him, ignoring the pain in her heart. Why did he have to prolong this farewell? S
eriously.

  “No, what does Saige want?”

  She glanced down and sighed. “That’s it.”

  Foolish pride had her holding in her most coveted of needs. There was no use making him regret a decision later in life. No use holding back a man who’d only known her less than two weeks. And if things were meant to be, they’d work out...somehow.

  When his hands slid away from her shoulders, coolness instantly enveloped her.

  “Okay, then.” He took a step back. “I’m leaving in the morning, and I’ll be back in a couple days to finish packing my things. Can you watch Spike and Charlie until then?”

  Saige nodded, swallowing her tears past the pride.

  Unable to see him go, she turned her back, reached up and grabbed one of the posts on her bed. Gripping it, she waited to hear the front door slam.

  “Damn it, Saige.” She jumped as Abel slammed his hand against her bedroom door. “Do you care about me, about us?”

  “You know I do.”

  His eyes bored into her from across the room. “How much?”

  “What?”

  “How much do you care?” he demanded, resting his hands on his hips. “Do you care like you care about those new puppies? Do you care like you care about your friends? Or do you care about me like you can’t think when I’m not around, like you can’t breathe when we’re apart?”

  He inched closer, keeping his mesmerizing gaze on hers the entire time. “Like you love me and it scares the hell out of you, because that’s exactly the level of care I have for you, Saige.”

  Breath caught in her chest, tears fell of their own accord. “You...love me?”

  “I love everything about you. I don’t care that we’ve only known each other a short time.” Taking both hands, he held her face and swiped falling tears. “I love that I’ve never seen you in makeup or a dress. I love that you focus on nurturing everyone and everything around you. I love those shitty cookies I ate. I love seeing you slink in and out of your house on a rescue mission, and I love how you felt draped all around me after we made love the other night.”

  Saige laughed through her tears. “But, what about Lexington?”

  Abel shook his head. “I wanted to be the lead detective, because I miss that thrill of being on the force, the adrenaline rush, but I’ve had all of that with you. You’re the best thrill, joyride, adrenaline rush and good time I’ve ever had. And I want to be here, with you. If that means teaching at the college, then I’ll teach at the college.”

  Saige reached up, gripped his thick wrists and sniffed. God, she was such an ugly crier. There was no doubt she had the whole red eyes, Rudolph nose and drippy snot events going on. Yeah, she was a keeper.

  “I may be able to get back on with the department here, but if not, I’m content teaching Criminal Justice.” He leaned in, kissed her softly. “Tell me you need a partner in crime, because I’m so ready to stay here and see where this leads.”

  Throwing her arms around his neck, Saige held him tight, resting her head against his hard chest. “I never thought I’d have someone, never thought I’d want someone to help.”

  “That’s because you’re strong, independent.” He drew her back, kissed her forehead and looked her in the eye. “I’m not. I’m neither of those things without you.”

  Hope filled her, consumed her and had her laughing. “Are you seriously trying to get back on the force knowing I break the law quite often?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. If I’m asked, you were curled up in bed with me all night.”

  Saige kissed him. “I like the sound of that.”

  “I like you in this spandex,” he murmured against her lips. “But let’s get you out of it.”

  “You have the best ideas.”

  * * * * *

  National bestselling author Jules Bennett is no stranger to going after her dreams. Before fulfilling her goal of becoming a published author, Jules became a salon owner at the age of 21 and published her first novel at 27. She lives in the Midwest with her high school sweetheart husband and their two young girls.

  When Jules isn’t writing or spending time with her family, she enjoys working out and talking to the fictitious people in her head. She loves to hear from readers and can be found on Twitter or through her Facebook Fan Page. You can also stay up to date on her new releases, sign up for her newsletter or contact her through her website www.julesbennett.com. And look for Jules’ most recent book, Hollywood House Call, available now from Harlequin Desire!

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin ebook. Connect with us for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

  Subscribe to our newsletter: Harlequin.com/newsletters

  Visit Harlequin.com

  We like you—why not like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks

  Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks

  Read our blog for all the latest news on our authors and books: HarlequinBlog.com

  ISBN: 9781459254084

  ANIMAL ATTRACTION

  Copyright © 2013 by Harlequin Books S.A.

  The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:

  BUCKHORN EVER AFTER

  Copyright © 2013 by Lori Foster

  IMAGINE ME AND YOU

  Copyright © 2013 by Maisey Yates

  GIMME SHELTER

  Copyright © 2013 by Heidi Betts

  PARTNER IN CRIME

  Copyright © 2013 by Jules Bennett

  All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

  ® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

  www.Harlequin.com