Jennie swallowed the pills. She stared at her bruised face in the mirror. Had she imagined that hungry look she’d seen in Max’s eyes earlier? Was he attracted to her? She let out a snort. He couldn’t be. She looked hideous. Her eyes were huge in her pale gaunt face, her cheekbones sharply pronounced, her hair a tangled mop of unruly blonde curls. She turned away, unwilling to look at her pathetic image any longer. Max couldn’t possibly be attracted to her. She must have imagined the desire in his eyes.
Gray growled.
The hair snapped to attention on Jennie’s arms. She clicked off the light and turned toward the bedroom.
Gray’s snarls grew louder.
A chill slithered down Jennie’s spine. Someone was in the house.
Jennie tiptoed across the room. Gray was no longer lying on the floor by the bed. She didn’t see the wolf anywhere.
Jennie flicked off the lamp on the night stand, filling the room with darkness. She stood still, listening.
A soft sound came from out in the hallway.
Gray snarled again.
A muffled curse.
Then something banged into the wall.
Gray yelped.
Jennie’s heart leapt into her throat.
Had Gray attacked someone?
Oh crap! Had Gray mistaken Max for the man who’d captured him and attacked him? Jennie raced across the dark room.
She stepped out into the hall.
A hand snaked out, wrapping around her throat. Another hand slid over her mouth.
“Don’t move, bitch, or Max dies.”
Jennie went still, her eyes darting around the dark hallway. She couldn’t see a thing. The man yanked her hard against his body and dragged her down the hallway. She had no way of knowing what the intruder might have done to Max. She prayed Max was safe. She didn’t want him to die. Jennie struggled to draw air into her lungs, but the man’s hand was tight around her throat, making it difficult to breathe.
Claws scratched across the kitchen floor. Something brushed by Jennie’s leg in the dark. Lucky?
Get help, Lucky! Hurry!
Lucky barked, the sound loud in the silent house.
Find Max, Lucky! Tell him to run!
Lucky barked again. Then his claws clicked across the kitchen floor as he raced away. Jennie could only hope Max was alive and that he could escape.
The man cursed. He tried to drag Jennie across the living room. She fought back this time, trying to wrench free from his grip. She wasn’t going down without a fight, damn him! She had to save Max.
Lucky barked from somewhere in the house. Once. Twice. Three times.
Jennie squirmed against her attacker again. His fist connected with her jaw. Her head cracked to the side. She gasped, pain shooting through her skull.
Her legs buckled.
Dizziness swam in her head. She fought it back desperately, not wanting to black out.
A growl pierced Jennie’s senses, bringing her back. She sucked in a breath, then another. The man’s hand tightened around her throat. He kept dragging her across the room toward the back door.
She heard him fumble for the doorknob in the dark.
Something bumped against her leg, something larger than Lucky. Gray?
The growls grew closer, louder.
The man hissed out a breath. His grip loosened. Suddenly she was free. Jennie stumbled across the dark room until she slammed into the end table next to Max’s recliner. She lost her balance and fell backwards.
Footsteps thundered down the hallway.
The living room light clicked on.
Lucky barked twice more.
Max stood near the entrance to the living room, his dark hair tousled from sleep, wearing nothing but a pair of boxers. Lucky raced past him, heading straight for the backdoor. Max blinked. He stared wide-eyed at Jennie on the floor in front of him.
Lucky barked again.
Max’s gaze flicked toward the backdoor where Gray fought with the intruder, a man who was dressed all in white: white ski mask covering his face, white coat, white snow pants, white gloves, white boots...
Lucky barked rapidly, bouncing around the struggling combatants.
The man kicked out at the wolf. A tearing sound rent the air as he finally freed himself from the beast’s jaws. Gray stumbled back on her three legs with a chunk of the man’s white snow pants dangling from her mouth.
“Hey!” Max jerked into action. He spun toward the kitchen. Jennie watched as he skidded across the hardwood floor and fumbled to withdraw a knife from the knife block. Max lifted his arm and chucked a large, serrated knife at the intruder. The knife slammed into the wall with a thwack! only a few inches from the man’s head, the blade sliding into the sheetrock clear to the hilt.
Damn. Jennie stared at the knife handle sticking out of the wall. A few more inches and that guy would be dead.
With a hate-filled glare directed at Max, the intruder yanked open the backdoor and fled into the night, slamming the door shut behind him.
Max sank against the kitchen counter, expelling a breath. Then he hurried across the room and locked the backdoor, slamming the deadbolt home. “There’s no sign of forced entry,” he muttered. “I guess that’s what I get for not locking the door.” He shook his head in obvious disgust.
“You don’t lock your doors?”
He gaze slid to Jennie. “No normally, no. I’ve never needed to.”
“You’ll have to now,” she whispered. Jennie shivered. She’d almost been abducted from Max’s house. She sat on the carpet by Max’s chair, trying to comprehend what had just happened. Gray limped across the room toward her and laid her head in Jennie’s lap. Fresh blood covered the wolf’s thick coat. Jennie’s hand shook as she lifted it to stroke the beast’s head. Gray had been injured trying to protect her. Jennie’s eyes flooded with tears. She hitched in a breath as the tears trickled down her cheeks, landing in the wolf’s fur. Oh Gray, I’m so sorry.
Max’s gaze narrowed on her. He hesitated for a split second, then he approached, dropping to the floor next to her. Gray lifted her head, eyeing Max warily, but she didn’t growl.
Max gently cupped Jennie’s jaw, turning her face toward him. The expression on his face was one of stunned disbelief. “Are you okay? What the hell just happened?”
Jennie drew in a ragged breath. Another tear trickled down her cheek. “He grabbed me and tried to drag me out the door, but Gray stopped him.”
Max closed his eyes and hissed out a breath. “Dammit.” He opened his eyes, his gaze catching and holding hers. “Thank God you didn’t listen to me when I told you to keep that beast in the kennel.” He glanced down at the wolf. “Gray saved you.”
“Yes.” She forced back a sob.
Max’s gaze darted back to hers. “He hit you, didn’t he? Your jaw is swelling.”
She nodded, the breath snagging in her throat.
Max helped her up while Gray watched.
He sank into the recliner and pulled Jennie onto his lap. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her close. Jennie breathed out a sigh, snuggling against his solid warmth. She closed her eyes. She wasn’t sure how long they sat there, it could have been minutes, or it could have been an hour, but all of a sudden she became aware of him. His heat engulfed her. His masculine scent filled her nostrils. The light sprinkling of hair on his bare chest tickled her nose. She lifted her cheek off his chest and looked into his eyes. He gently stroked his fingers through her hair.
“You okay?”
As Jennie stared into his warm dark eyes, his caring eyes, she realized there was so much more to Max Montgomery than she knew about. Beneath that wall of pain he was hiding behind was a warm and caring man. A wonderful man.
Her heart thudded against her ribs. She liked everything she knew so far and all these little things she was just beginning to discover...She cared about Max. Truly cared about him. She was falling for him. Hard.
Her gaze settled on his mouth. His beautiful, kissable mouth.
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If he knew how desperately she wanted him to kiss her...How she’d wanted him to kiss her since the very first day…
Her heart pounding wildly in her chest, Jennie decided to show him how attracted she was to him.
Her gaze still on his mouth, she leaned forward and gently brushed her lips against his.
He tensed beneath her, all those hard muscles stiffening in what she hoped was surprise and not rejection.
Then he made a low sound in his throat. His arms tightened around her.
And then, to her utter delight, his mouth opened over hers as he kissed her back. Jennie sighed against his lips, melting against him as he took control. He kissed her slowly at first, tenderly, almost reverently. His tongue licked along her lips, urging her to part for him, and when she did, he delved inside. Fire blazed through her at the touch of his tongue against hers. Heat pooled in her loins. He withdrew, gazing down at her. Then he came back for more. Again and again. Her breathing quickened. She pressed closer, kissing him back, her mouth eagerly mating with his, as she wound her arms around his neck and tangled her fingers in his glorious hair. His big hands stroked up and down her sides, making her skin tingle, making her heart race even faster. Whimpering softly, she arched up, shifting closer. Wanting. Aching for his touch.
Gray whined from the floor.
Lucky barked.
Max stilled beneath her. His hands dropped to the sides of the chair. Jennie leaned back as the haze of desire slowly dissipated. She opened her eyes. Blinked. Max gazed at her with that smoldering heat she’d witnessed earlier, only it blazed hotter now than it had before. He really did want her. Her heart rate kicked up. Heat shot through her. She drew in a deep breath.
Lucky barked again.
Jennie glanced down. Gray was panting. The wolf looked like she was in pain. Oh Gray! I’m so sorry!
“G-gray’s hurt,” she whispered, reluctantly sliding off Max’s lap. “Would you check her to make sure she’s okay?”
Max didn’t say anything.
Jennie turned and looked at him. “Please, Max, you have to help her.”
Max cleared his throat. He looked down at the wolf. “Bring her back to the clinic while I go get some clothes on.” She didn’t miss the huskiness in his voice. He’d obviously been as affected by the kiss as she had.
Max rose to his feet.
Jennie stared after him as he left the room. He was tall and broad shouldered with a strong, muscular torso and corded arms. Hard abs, lean hips, strong legs...
She breathed out a sigh.
He was beautiful.
Gray whined softly. Jennie forced her gaze back to the wolf.
Sorry Gray, I got distracted for a moment.
She let out a soft giggle, then led the way back to the clinic.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Max’s hands shook as he pulled on a pair of sweats and yanked a sweatshirt over his head. He’d always had a soft spot for injured creatures. When he’d seen Jennie sitting on the floor with tears streaming down her cheeks, he’d done what came naturally to him: scooped her up and tried to comfort her. He’d never expected her to kiss him. And he’d never planned on kissing her back. It had just happened. Shit! He rubbed a hand over his face. It had been a long time since he’d felt desire for a woman. Hell, he’d never felt this strongly about Laura.
Jennie was getting to him. He was in serious danger here. If she hadn’t slipped off his lap when she had, he feared he would have made love to her right there in the chair. God, and the way she’d looked at him…
Max groaned. Laura had never looked at him that way. No woman had ever looked at him like that. He ran a hand over his face. He wanted Jennie. And that was dangerous. She would be leaving soon. And he’d be all alone once again. He’d be a fool to get involved with her. He needed to keep his distance.
Stuffing his feet into his L.L. Bean slippers, he headed for the clinic. He didn’t think Jennie’s attacker would be back tonight. But tomorrow was another story. He’d have to get a couple of guns out of the cabinet. He hoped Jennie knew how to shoot. If not, he’d have to teach her. She needed to be able to protect herself in the event the man returned. Lord knew Max hadn’t been any help to her. Hell, he’d been sound asleep. If Lucky hadn’t woke him…
Max sighed. He was no hero.
If it hadn’t been for that wolf…
He was glad he’d saved the animal now. He’d allow the beast to roam freely around his house if it continued to protect Jennie like that.
Max reached the clinic. Jennie was sitting on the floor in the first exam room with Gray. His heart squeezed at the sight of her. Lucky waited near the door, as if he didn’t want to get too close.
Max stepped into the room. “You’ll need to get her up on the exam table so I can look at her.”
She glanced up. “She’s too heavy. I can’t lift her.”
Max knelt next to Jennie. He couldn’t quite meet her gaze. “I know. She weighs about ninety pounds. I’ll have to pick her up. Do you think she’ll let me?”
Jennie glanced at the wolf.
Max waited.
The animal whined.
“Okay,” she said. “You can pick her up. But be gentle. She’s hurt.”
Max hesitated. “You sure?”
“Yes. I told her you were going to pick her up, but that you weren’t going to hurt her. She’s a little nervous, but she’s starting to realize you’re not dangerous.”
Jennie looked at the wolf again. Then she glanced at Max. “Okay. Go ahead. She should be fine.”
Hoping he wouldn’t get bitten, Max slipped his arms around the wolf and hefted the animal off the floor. A low rumble vibrated from Gray’s throat, but the wolf didn’t try to bite him. Max set Gray on the table. He began his exam while Jennie gently stroked the animal’s head.
“She tore some stitches in her neck,” Max said several minutes later. “And I think she may have a cracked rib or two. I’ll have to take a few X-rays to be certain.” He stepped back. “I’ll repair the torn stitches first, then we can take her to the X-ray room.”
Her soft blue gaze met his. “Thank you, Max.”
Damn, it would be so easy to get lost in her eyes. He cleared his throat. Nodded.
He went to work cleaning and repairing the torn stitches while Jennie kept the wolf calm. Max had to admit she was communicating with the animal somehow, for there was no way in hell he’d have been able to work on the beast without at least sedating the animal first. Not without Jennie.
Max finished with the stitches. He stepped back. The wolf had remained surprisingly calm the entire time. Either Max was losing his mind or Jennie really was telepathic.
Or something.
“Try to keep her calm while I take her off the table. I don’t want to get bit.”
“You won’t,” she promised. Max waited while she stared at Gray, then she nodded. “Okay, you can put her down now.”
Max hefted the beast in his arms and set the wolf down on the floor. Gray didn’t even growl this time. Max turned toward the X-ray room. “Follow me. Let’s get a couple of X-rays now.”
Ten minutes later they were done. Jennie had worked her magic on the wolf in the X-ray room as well. The animal had remained quiet and still throughout the X-rays.
Max stuck the first film onto the fluorescent screen to view it. Jennie watched silently. He put the next film in. Then a third.
“See here?” He pointed to the two ribs that had caught his attention during the exam earlier. At Jennie’s nod, he continued, “Both cracked, but not broken. They’ll be sore for a while. It would be best if we could keep her as still as possible until they heal. She’s probably better off in the kennel where she can’t move around so much. But it’s your call. I can give her something for the pain.”
Max clicked off the fluorescent screen and turned to Jennie. “I’ll stick a pain pill in some meat that you can feed her, okay?”
Jennie nodded. “I can’t lock her back in that kennel,
Max. I just can’t. I’ll make sure she stays calm and doesn’t make her ribs worse.”
Max shrugged. “That’s up to you. She’s your wolf.” He went to the prescription cabinet and unlocked it. He removed a bottle of the pain medication.
He headed for the kitchen.
Jennie followed with Gray and Lucky at her heels. Even his own dog seemed to like her better now.
After removing a chunk of steak, Max sliced off a piece, wrapped it around the pill and handed it to Jennie. “Feed her that. It will help with the pain.”
While Jennie bent down in front of Gray to feed the wolf the meat, Max headed back to the clinic to lock up the pills. When he returned, Jennie had turned the coffee pot on. She was sitting at the table while she waited for the coffee to brew. It was now almost three in the morning. Max was tempted to go back to bed, but he didn’t think he would sleep.
The wolf lay on the floor to Jennie’s left. Lucky sat to her right.
Max scowled at his dog. So much for loyalty.
It was time to set some things straight with Jennie. Starting with what had happened in the living room earlier. There could be no more of that. Absolutely none. He was too weak. He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted any other woman. But he had no illusions. She’d leave soon. And a broken heart would be all he’d end up with. He couldn’t touch her again. Couldn’t let himself care about her. She was nothing to him. Nothing.
Yeah, try to convince yourself of that one, buddy.
Max leaned back against the counter, his gaze slowly perusing Jennie. She was beautiful and courageous, kind, thoughtful, caring…she was everything he longed for and couldn’t have. He had to nip this attraction in the bud, before it was too late.
Max studied her in silence. The swelling was going down on her forehead, though the bruising was still prominent. Not that it detracted from her beauty. He’d remained detached before, choosing not to notice, but now, after that kiss…after the way he’d felt with her in his arms…
Abducted (Unlikely Heroes Book 2) Page 9
