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

by Lori Foster

  Abel wasn’t a heartless man, but why was he going to such extremes to keep an eye on her? Perhaps because he’d want someone to do the same for his sister. Or perhaps, if he were honest with himself, he was more attracted to Saige than he wanted to admit.

  “Are you going to talk?” he asked as he pulled onto the two-lane road.

  “I have nothing to say.”

  “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

  From the corner of his eye, he saw her glance over at him. “Oh, I’m thinking plenty right now, you jerk. Do you know I had that dog on a leash and trusting me enough to follow me when your Officer Dolittle came along and spoiled my plans? I’m sure that Simmons dude took that dog somewhere else, and now I’ll never be able to save him.”

  Abel didn’t say a word. Best to just let her get out her anger, because she was pretty steamed right now. And maybe the snarky side of him wanted her to eat her words later and come groveling to him for forgiveness.

  “Are you even going to apologize for having me arrested?” she asked, her voice a whole octave higher, indicating just how angry and frustrated she was. “Or for leaving me there for hours?”

  “No.”

  He pulled up behind her car where she had parked it before her little B&E earlier.

  “No?” she repeated. Shaking her head, she reached for the door handle. “Whatever. From now on, just pretend I’m not your neighbor. I can’t wait for your sister to come back. She never tried to act like my father.”

  Abel reached across the seat, snagged her good arm before she could exit his truck and jerked her across the bench seat. “I’m not feeling at all like your father, Saige.”

  Her eyes flared a second before her hand came up, ready to strike his face. Years of quick reflexes had him reaching up, gripping her wrist just before she could strike. He hauled her against his chest.

  “I have a better idea for that anger.”

  His mouth came down hard and fast on hers, and he had no idea what possessed him to take control like this. Everything about getting in deeper with Saige was a bad idea, but God help him, he couldn’t ignore this passion, this chemistry, because he hadn’t felt like this since...ever.

  Maybe it was her hero status when it came to defenseless animals; perhaps it was her no-nonsense attitude or her strong will to do what she damn well pleased.

  No matter what the reason, Abel couldn’t get enough of her...especially since he knew exactly how she felt beneath him, over him, around him.

  For a split second Saige resisted his kiss, then she melted against him, opened her mouth and moaned. He thrust his tongue against hers and kept his grip on her delicate wrist. That euphoria lasted about five seconds before she used her other hand and shoved him away.

  “Don’t you dare try to turn this into sex again.”

  Abel smiled. “That was just a kiss, Saige. Not my fault if you have sex on your mind.”

  Those sexy green eyes turned to slits before she jerked on the handle and exited his truck. Of course, she slammed the door as if that was her way of getting the last word in. Little did she know this wasn’t over.

  Once she pulled onto the street, he followed close but not enough for his lights to blind her in the rearview mirror.

  When she pulled into her drive, he made a hasty decision and parked right behind her. Somehow between that heated kiss, the word “sex” from those moist lips and the short car ride home, Abel had managed to grow irritated, frustrated and flat-out horny. Great combination.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” she asked, hands on her hips. “You belong over there.”

  Abel ignored her pointing, crossed his arms over his chest. “You think you know what happened last night?”

  Her arm dropped. “Yeah. You had me arrested then decided to leave me there. I figure you were teaching me a lesson.”

  She took off toward her porch and Abel followed right behind. She wasn’t getting off that easy.

  “Yes, I did have you arrested, and I did it for a good reason, and I already told you I won’t apologize for it.”

  He came up behind her as she unlocked her door and stepped inside. She tried to close the door, but Abel was faster and stronger and put his foot over the threshold, curling his hand over the door to hold it open.

  “Get the hell out of my house, you overbearing control freak.” She tried to push against the door but gave up and tossed her purse on the couch and stood in her living room with her hands out to her side. “Fine. Say what you want to say and then leave. I have to get in the shower so I can get ready for work.”

  Fluffy came up, rested her paws on Saige’s shoulders. Saige petted her and eased the dog down. The dog headed to the couch and curled up.

  Abel stepped inside, closed and locked the door behind him. Saige’s eyes darted to where his hand still rested on the knob.

  “Um, you’re not staying.” She laughed. “Remember? I’m mad at you, and I have to be at work in about two hours.”

  “You’re not going to work, Saige. Be realistic. You’ve had no sleep and you’re pissed. You think, if I leave now, you’ll even be able to rest? You’re too wound up.”

  Her hands flopped to her sides. “I’m not wound up, Abel. I’m angry, and if you must know, I’m worried about that dog, because you had to intervene where you weren’t needed. Give up the cop routine. You retired. You can’t have it both ways.”

  She marched to the kitchen, and Abel went right behind her. He leaned against the small center island and watched as she grabbed a banana and peeled it. God, he wasn’t going to be as cliché as to admire the way her lips closed around the fruit. Could he be more of an ass right now?

  He averted his eyes from the sensual sight, because, even in anger, Saige was one of the hottest women he’d ever known.

  A platter of what appeared to be some type of cookie lay on the island. Abel snatched one, his stomach rolling since he hadn’t eaten in over twelve hours. He’d been a little preoccupied.

  As he took a bite, Saige glanced up from her banana, smirked and kept eating. He didn’t know what that was about, unless she was plotting his demise or sizing him up to make a voodoo doll later.

  “Have as many as you like,” she told him. “I made too many.”

  He took another bite, not all too impressed with her culinary skills, but best to keep that to himself, and he was just grateful to have some calories flooding his body. The cookies were a bit on the dry, tasteless side but whatever. Not like he could do much in the kitchen himself.

  “Are you ready to listen to me now?” he asked.

  Saige took the last bite of banana and crossed the room to throw the peel away. When she turned to face him, amusement flooded her eyes. He had a sinking feeling she knew something he didn’t.

  “Care to tell me what you’re suddenly so happy about?” he asked, taking another bite of the cookie.

  With a shrug, she came to stand on the other side of the island. “Oh, nothing. I just never really believed in karma until now. It truly is a beautiful thing.”

  She picked up a cookie and walked down the hall into the living room. Fluffy was still awake, thank God, and she handed him the treat.

  “I’m glad to know my homemade dog biscuits are a hit with humans, too.” She straightened and smiled at him. “I’ve never tried them, but apparently you’re not having a problem.”

  Abel glanced at the last bite in his hand slowly swallowing the bite in his mouth. “You made these...for the dogs?”

  “Actually I made them to sell at the vet clinic I work at.”

  Abel moved to Fluffy, who tried to wiggle her tail, only there wasn’t a tail but a nub, so her butt kind of moved out of happiness. He handed her the rest of the cookie and rubbed his hands on his jeans.

  “Okay, you paid me back.”
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  Saige met his gaze. “Not hardly, but I am feeling suddenly better.”

  “I won’t defend my actions, but I will tell you the facts, if you’re ready to hear them.”

  Saige shrugged. “I know enough, Abel. I know you retired, yet you still want to keep your hand in the pot, so to speak, and you took it upon yourself to butt into my life.”

  Guilt and anger fueled Abel as he crossed the space of the room to stand directly in front of her. “You have no idea why I retired, why I still have that cop who lives inside me and wants to protect people. You know nothing about me, so don’t presume to act like you know what actually went down tonight.”

  Those bright green eyes stared up at him. “I know you have this chip on your shoulder. You want to still be a cop? Then rejoin the force, but don’t interfere again just because we had sex...no matter how good it was.”

  Abel snaked an arm around her waist, hauled her against his chest and murmured against her lips, “At least you don’t deny how good we were.”

  Her eyes dipped to his mouth, then up to his eyes. “Just because I’m attracted to you doesn’t mean I’m going to sleep with you again. That was a one-time thing, before you decided to pull rank.”

  Abel closed his mouth over hers, quickly, powerfully, then pulled back just enough to whisper, “I saved your very fine ass last night.”

  “What did I need saved from? I could’ve been out of there without a peep had your officer not stopped me.”

  Abel reached up, stroked her cheek. “That may be, but it was a chance I wasn’t willing to take.”

  He nipped at her lips, ran his hands down her spandex-covered waist and rounded hips. Damn, he could get used to this second-skin wardrobe she used for her illegal night job. Teddies and garters had nothing on the things this material did to her body.

  “Don’t kiss me again,” she murmured with very little heat behind the request.

  “Fine.” His hands continued to explore, roaming around to her backside, gripping her and relishing in the feel of all her soft curves. “But before you throw me out, let me tell you that I haven’t wanted a woman in a long time the way I want you. Since we were here last night, I haven’t thought of much else, except how soon I could get you back here.” He nipped her lips. “You intrigue me enough to want to know more, but I don’t want long-term. I want now.”

  She placed her hands on his chest. “You’ve got to be—”

  “I have the dog.”

  Saige froze, her eyes wide. “You...what?”

  Abel slid his mouth across hers again. Damn, he couldn’t get enough of her and seeing her all angry only added to his growing, unexplainable attraction. He didn’t want to think he was so textbook as to be protective of her simply because his partner had been hurt in the line of duty alongside him.

  Saige eased back. “Abel?” she asked, searching his eyes.

  “The dog is safe, Saige. And so are you.” He kissed along her jawline. “Trust me.”

  Her entire body relaxed against his. He needed no further invitation to take what he wanted, what she wanted even though she had tried to resist.

  Abel took fistfuls of her shirt, tugged it from her body-hugging pants and on up over her head. The dim lamp in the corner of the living room was just enough to highlight her body. All her silky skin was just begging for his hands to roam, and a lacy pink bra was waiting to be released.

  Quickly he undid the closure in the back, tugged the garment down her arms and flung it to the side. He dipped his lips to her breast, wrapped his arm around her bare waist and bent her back to taste her.

  Saige’s hands gripped his shoulders. “Abel.”

  “Yeah,” he said against her taut nipple.

  “We’re in the living room.”

  “Your bed is too far.”

  “What about your knee?”

  “I took something for it earlier. I’m fine.”

  He stood straight up, hooked his thumbs between her waistband and her soft skin, and yanked the black spandex pants down. Sweet mercy, she was going commando.

  Abel unfastened his jeans, shoving them and his boxer briefs down to his knees. He picked up Saige and turned to put her back against the wall.

  “Condom?” she panted, locking her ankles behind his back.

  His forehead rested against hers. “I didn’t exactly plan to do this again so soon.”

  “I have that box in my bedroom.” She rubbed herself against his erection. “But I’ve always used one and I had a recent physical. I know I’m clean.”

  “I had to have a physical...well, when I hurt my knee, and I haven’t been with anyone since. I’ve always used protection.”

  A smile spread across her swollen, moist lips. “Then why are we still talking about it?”

  Abel slammed into her, refusing to succumb to the very slight twinge in his knee. Being inside Saige with no barrier between them overrode any pain, any worry—though the pain really was minimal compared to earlier.

  Her hips rocked against his, and Abel couldn’t hold still any longer. Soft hands cupped his face and pulled him closer to her lips. When she opened her mouth, Abel took no time in claiming her. He swept his tongue through her lips as his hands roamed up her bare backside and into the dip in her waist. He held on to her as his hips met hers, thrust for thrust.

  Saige tore from his mouth, tipped her head back and groaned. Her body clenched around him as her climax hit her, and Abel stilled, wanting to feel her contract around him.

  Before her tremors ceased, Abel gave another thrust and let himself go. Saige wiggled her hips against him, prolonging his pleasure.

  Moments later, he rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. “I really didn’t mean to have sex with you again.”

  “Are you sorry?”

  Abel nipped at her lips. “Not at all. Sorry for the fact I had no finesse and couldn’t even get you to a soft surface but not sorry we did this.”

  Saige unlocked her ankles and Abel stepped back as she came to stand. He pulled his boxers and jeans up, leaving them unfastened. Saige leaned against the wall, all flushed and gloriously naked. Yeah, no need to fasten the jeans when he planned on taking them off soon, anyway. This time in the bedroom.

  “Not to ruin the moment, but where is the dog?”

  Abel smiled. “You really do have a one-track mind.”

  Saige shrugged. “I’m interested in knowing what you did.”

  “Don’t you have to get ready for work?”

  “I’ll text my boss and tell her I’m sick. I’ll go in later today after I rest.” She crossed her arms. “Are you going to tell me what happened?”

  He slid his gaze down her body, then back up. “Do you want clothes on?”

  “Are you staying?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Then I won’t need clothes, will I?”

  Abel clenched his fists at his side. She was going to kill him. The casual way she addressed sex was mind-boggling. Granted he was thrilled she wasn’t picking out monogrammed towels or anything, but she’d seemed so...innocent in the beginning. Who knew this fiery vixen lurked beneath?

  “After I left, I ran home and drove to the Simmons residence. I parked down the street, so you wouldn’t see me. I’d already called Officer Tibbs and told him to be there.”

  “Why?”

  Abel raked a hand over his smooth head and turned to pace the room. There was no way he could look in her eyes. No way would he chance letting her see that he was developing deeper feelings. This was just sex. This had to stay casual.

  “I’ve personally arrested Simmons before.” Abel sat on the couch, scratched the section of Fluffy’s head between her ears. “Without getting into details, he’s not been a model citizen. He wouldn’t hesitate to hurt you, Saige.�
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  “And you needed to intervene?”

  Abel looked across the room at her, met her gaze and didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

  “And do you plan to do that again?”

  Honestly, he hadn’t thought that far. He’d only known Simmons was one of the most evil bastards he’d ever arrested, and there was no way in hell Saige was getting near him.

  “If I think you need protecting, then, yes.”

  Saige threw her arms in the air and marched down the wide hallway toward her room. When she came back, she was tying a short silky robe around her waist. Her rounded hips pulled the bottom of the robe apart just enough to tempt him again.

  “Where’s Toby?” he asked, suddenly realizing only one dog was here.

  “I found him a family home. I’m just a stepping stone for most dogs. Fluffy was just special, so I kept her.”

  She stared at him from across the room, and Abel knew he was going to have to answer some tough questions.

  “Why, Abel?” She shoved her hair out of her face and leaned against the wall. “Why do you think I couldn’t have handled myself? I’ve done this for a really long time.”

  Events of that night from not quite a year ago flashed through his mind. Saige wouldn’t fully understand where he came from until she knew the truth.

  “About a year ago my partner and I were called to Simmons’s place. There was a tip that a drug deal was going down.” Abel relaxed on the couch, resting his hand on Fluffy’s head and scratching her ears. “We had just parked our unmarked car and were waiting for backup when we saw several guys pull up with a van of pit bulls.”

  Saige’s eyes closed, she dropped her head between her shoulders. “Dog fights,” she whispered.

  “Yeah. Right after we saw those guys circle around back, my backup radioed in, and they had parked one block over. The sun had set, so darkness and the element of surprise were on our side.”

  Saige pushed off the wall and moved across the room, taking a seat beside him. “What happened?”

  “Long story short, that element of surprise scared the hell out of a trigger-happy teenager who accidentally shot my knee.” He still couldn’t talk about it without feeling that impact, that burn. “Besides the drugs we found, we rescued fourteen dogs, and arrested everyone who was there. Simmons had to be the ringleader, but since he wasn’t home, we couldn’t charge him. I know the bastard was behind it all. He just kept slipping through our grasp. I only took him in on two occasions, and both times he was set free.”