Call of the Wilds (8 page)

Malcolm gave her a real smile and continued his story. “I knew right away he was part wolf, but I had no idea where he came from. Anyway, I took him home and bottle-fed him. He slept with me for a long time. Still does once in a while.”

“Do you think he’s related to the pack?”

“Could be. It doesn’t matter. After tonight, I know I was right to keep him a secret. The big bad wolf always gets a bum rap.”

Chapter Nine

Ralf slept on, and they framed him like a pair of bookends. Malcolm sat with his back propped against the wall and his long legs stretched out in front of him. His eyes closed, giving Karin a chance to study him. He looked exhausted and weather-beaten but clean-shaven, and he smelled like Drakkar Noir, crisp and woodsy.

His clothes appeared new—even the crew-neck muscle shirt that showcased his toned body quite nicely. Who was the lucky woman he dressed for? Where had he been tonight? More to the point, why was she obsessing over it? She had no business being jealous, but he’d been on her mind so much lately she felt she had a proprietary right to him.

She shifted position, and her body screamed in protest. She felt like she’d been hit by a Mack truck. Groaning, she put both hands on the small of her back and arched her body until only her head touched the wall.

Malcolm’s eyes flew open. “Hey, you all right?”

“Yeah, still a little stiff from a spill off the Mule.”

“Damn, what was I thinking? I should never have let you drive here alone in the middle of—”

“Whoa! It’s nothing to do with you.” She tried to brace herself, back against the wall, arms around her knees. “It happened a few days ago.”

 
“Why don’t you go home? Get some rest.” He sounded so guilty. “I’ll hang around awhile and lock up when I leave.”

“Not a chance. Ralf’s not going anywhere until the IV is finished and neither am I. Besides, I wouldn’t sleep a wink worrying about you. And Ralf.”

“You’ve done enough for both of us. I hated to call, but I had no one else. If I hadn’t left Ralf alone tonight—”

“Stop blaming yourself for everything. You might be Ralf’s mother, but he’s not a pup anymore. It could have happened any time.” She crossed her fingers. “It could have been a hunting accident.”

“I’d like to believe it, but no one comes close to my property by accident.”

“Let’s just worry about getting Ralf on his feet.” She didn’t believe it was a hunting accident any more than he did. Jude was still her number one suspect. “Everything else can wait.” She winced and changed position again.

“Hey, doc, at least let me do something for your backache. I’m not a masseur, but I think I can manage a back rub.” For the first time since he showed up, she saw a trace of his disarming grin. It would have made her panties wet—if she’d been wearing any.

Warning voices whispered in her head.
You’re a fool. The man came here from the arms of another woman. He’s only here because of Ralf.

She blew them off.
It’s only a back rub. He’s just being nice. It doesn’t mean a thing.
Besides, up until that very minute, she didn’t realize how very much she needed a back rub. Her sore muscles cried out for relief. It would be silly to turn down something that would make her feel so much better.

She scooted around Ralf’s cozy nest and did an about-face in front of Malcolm. He wasted no time, pulling her between his legs, and instinctively, she pressed her back against his chest.

“I can’t get to your back like this,” he murmured in her ear. “Not that I don’t love having you this close.”

She hated the way she reacted to him, but she couldn’t help it. Being so close to him only made her want to be closer. She felt like a giddy schoolgirl. She literally forced herself to break contact with him.

“Hey, not so far.” He grabbed her arms to stop her.

She twisted her hands in her lap to keep from touching him. She didn’t want to make a fool of herself. He might get the wrong idea and think she wanted to jump his bones. He’d be right, but he didn’t need to know it, not yet. She hardly knew him and had no idea who might be waiting for him at home. A jealous ache took hold in her stomach. How could she find out without sounding like a complete idiot? Oh hell, why not just go for it?

“There’s not much to do in town. Only one movie theater and a bar.”

“You’re right.”

“So where did you go tonight?” Shit, shit, shit. She hadn’t meant to blurt it out like that. The way he stiffened behind her left no doubt he wasn’t happy with the question. “You don’t have to answer that. It’s none of my business.”

“You deserve an answer,” he said flatly. “I put Ralf at risk, and I dragged you out of bed in the middle of the night.”

“No, you were right to call me. I may work for the state wildlife agency, but I’d never turn away an injured pet. Besides, I couldn’t sleep. You didn’t drag me out of bed.”
Don’t do it.
“Did you drag yourself out of somebody else’s bed?” God, she was an idiot, but she couldn’t stop. “Are you married?” Embarrassed, she clenched her teeth and waited for his answer.

“No,” he said softly, and her heart did aerobics.

“A girlfriend?”

“You’re barking up the wrong tree,” he said wearily. “I’m a lone wolf.”

Relief flooded her from head to toe. “I just don’t want any jealous girlfriends on my tail.”

“Sweetheart, the only one on your tail is me.” He drew her back to prove it. “Now how ’bout that massage?”

“Yes, please.” His words set her afire like a match to gasoline. Right then he could have come from an orgy, and she wouldn’t care.

“I never saw your hair down.” He pulled the rubber band from her ponytail and ran his fingers through the long strands. “So pretty.” Then he pressed his nose against her hair. “Hmm…I love the way it smells, like peaches and cream.”

Gently he moved the hair from her neck, and his warm breath raised goose bumps before he grazed his lips over her nape and nipped it lightly. Before she could beg for more, he worked his fingers up her neck and into her hairline, scratching, then kneading her scalp. She leaned back into his hands and closed her eyes, melting like wax in the sun. It felt so good. Each stimulated follicle stood at attention.

“I think I could fall asleep.”
Not!

“Good. Just relax. I’ll wake you if Ralf gets up.”

All too soon, his large hands traveled down her neck and moved across her shoulders and down her rib cage. No, there would be no sleeping as long as he touched her. He rubbed circles on her lower back. Tense muscles unwound under his hands. She wanted more. Every part of her ached for his touch.

“Is it getting warm in here?”

“It’s just your blood circulating.” He chuckled.

She wasn’t so sure. Her body felt alive and on fire. It was almost better than sex—almost.

“Ohh.” He found a sore spot, but, like magic, it healed under his hands.

“Am I hurting you?”

“No. Well, yes, but—”

“I’ll stop.”

“Don’t you dare,” she cried out. “It would be cruel and unusual punishment if you stopped now.”

“Sweetheart, I haven’t even started yet,” he murmured in her ear, his hands dangerously close to her breasts.

Oh, my God.
She gripped his thighs and arched back against him.

He shuddered. She heard a sharp intake of breath, and he pulled her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her.

“Maybe you should rest now. I don’t want to hurt you,” he said tightly.

Yes, yes! Hurt me!

“You promised me more,” she insisted.

A second later, he brushed the hair from her neck, and she felt the heady sensation of his lips against her skin, kissing and nibbling. Shivers ran down her spine. The breath caught in her throat. Who knew the spot behind her ear could be so sensitive? One hand held her hair back and the other rested on her shoulder while he traced her ear with his tongue, then sucked the lobe into his mouth. If she had been standing, she would have collapsed in a puddle at his feet. He worked his way around her jawbone, and she twisted her head to claim his lips.

Nothing could have prepared her for the breathless wonder of their first kiss—sweet and gentle. It was everything she imagined and more. She increased the pressure and parted her lips in invitation, shocked at her own eager response. With a sensuous movement, he slipped his tongue past her lips and explored the recesses of her mouth. He swept across her teeth, and she sucked on his tongue. His growl vibrated against her mouth, and his hand closed over her breast.

She gasped and tensed like a frightened child. What was wrong with her? She wanted this.

He pulled back, his face white. “I’m sorry. I just—” He looked so chastened, like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

She had a quick pang of misery. Her mouth opened with a small whimper, then shut again. “It’s not you.” Her fear of being hurt spoiled a precious moment between them and made her bitter. Damn Jude for bringing it all back. She wouldn’t let him. She had to let it go once and for all.

“I feel like a complete dog.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong.” Time to fess up. He shared a part of himself with her, and she needed to do the same.

“I don’t know what I was thinking. It won’t happen again.”

“Yes, I want it to happen again. I’m not playing games.” She had to make him understand, or they’d be over before they got started. “I have a tough time letting go and trusting people.”

“You can trust me,” he assured her.

She spoke softly as if saying the words aloud might conjure up her attacker. “I was assaulted, physically hurt.”

“God, Karin, I’m so sorry. If I’d known, I never would have touched you.” He started to hug her, then stopped. “I shouldn’t have touched you anyway.”

“I don’t like to talk about it.”

“I’m glad you confided in me.” He cupped her chin and turned her head. “Look at me.” His jaw tightened, and a vein throbbed in his neck. “Did it happen in Black Wolf?”

“No, it happened before I moved here. In the city. My neighborhood sucked, but I felt safe enough to do extra shifts at the vet clinic. I needed the money to open my own practice.” She tensed. Just talking about it gave her a nasty, creepy feeling. “One night I came home late. I was at the door looking for my key, and a man grabbed me from behind. He pressed a knife to my throat and dragged me into the alley.” A cold chill ran down her spine. “Lucky for me someone heard me scream and called the police. He got my purse, and I got a scar and some cracked ribs.”

She pulled down the neckline of her sweatshirt, revealing the scar. “
I’ll be back.
That’s what he told me before he took off. The police never caught him, and I didn’t like being afraid all the time so I took the job here. I just want to get my life back together.”

He traced the ridged line of flesh under her collarbone. “Bastard! If I caught him, he wouldn’t get off as easy as Jude did.” His eyes turned black and rings of amber fire circled his pupils.

“Please, I just want to forget about it,” she said, alarmed by his angry stare. She expected to see pity on his face, not violence.

The fire in his eyes vanished like two candles had been snuffed out. “Don’t be afraid of me, Karin. No matter what, I’ll never hurt you.”

She ignored a prickle of apprehension. “I know.” She would not transfer her fears and preconceived notions to Malcolm. Categorizing him was futile. He was like no one else she’d ever met. If she didn’t go beyond her safe zone, she might lose her chance for something special. She didn’t want to be a woman who had a
what might have been
in her past. She’d never forgive herself. She kissed him and for a few seconds his lips rested warm and soft on hers, then he pulled back.