“Are you okay?” Jake’s deep voice drew her back from her troubled thoughts.
“Sorry. I’m just a little overwhelmed right now.”
He carefully placed his hand on her shoulder and waited until she looked into his eyes. Kyle growled again and grew restless, but she kept her eyes fixed on Jake. “I’m generally a big picture type of person, but today might be an exception. Focus on one thing at a time. Kyle’s going to die if he doesn’t get energy now and you’re the only one who can give it to him. Once that problem is solved, we’ll move on to something else.”
She nodded and took a deep breath. “Good plan.”
Enya moved up behind her and Ava closed her eyes. Jake moved his hands to her neck, supporting the back of her head with his fingers while his thumbs pressed against the underside of her jaw. Enya pushed up Ava’s sleeves and clasp her upper arms. Skin against skin, as Kyle had said, Therian energy couldn’t pass through inorganic material. Tingling currents pulsed from their fingertips, warming and tightening Ava’s skin. She relaxed, trying to remain calm and open as her senses were bombarded with sensations and impulses. Her ears buzzed and her muscles twitched. Enya gripped her more firmly.
“Almost done,” Jake whispered.
Their hands were hot against her skin, their touch starting to burn. She drew air in through her nose and released it slowly through her mouth, trying to control her instinctive reaction to the growing discomfort. Kyle only needed energy because he’d healed her. She owed him this at the very least.
Jake released her head with a groan and stepped back. Ava quickly followed. “You have to get undressed. Energy can’t pass through—”
“I know.”
“If he’s too weak to arouse you—”
“Give it up already.” Enya slapped his arm then dragged him from the room by his sleeve. Jake’s grin was utterly unrepentant.
Ava pulled off her boots and faced the bed as she shed the rest of her clothes. Other than get naked and touch him, she had no idea what she was supposed to do. Was Kyle aware enough to help her? He’d perked up instantly when she touched his arm and reacted each time Jake touched her. Hopefully Kyle would stir again. She was ready and willing, but the able part had a long way to go.
Well, there wasn’t anything she could do to instantaneously change her skill level. She folded her clothes and set them on a chair, arranging her boots underneath. You’re stalling. Her inner voice could be such a bitch.
She blew out a shaky breath and focused on Kyle’s haggard face. This was medicinal. It didn’t matter that it felt a whole lot like having sex with a stranger. He literally needed this or he would die. With that thought fixed squarely in her mind, she crawled into bed beside him and carefully placed her hand on his shoulder.
* * * * *
Maggie dropped her keys on the hallstand and released a tired sigh as she turned back to the front door of her apartment and rotated the deadbolt. Toulouse Tavern might be in one of the most beautiful locations in the region, but that didn’t make the work any easier. Her feet ached, her back… Alerted by something that didn’t belong, she paused and allowed her senses to sharpen and her claws to lengthen.
Everything was quiet and calm, but the faintest hint of dog hung in the air. Shit!
“Miss me?”
Recognizing Bruce Fitzroy’s deep voice didn’t help her relax. He might not be a stranger, but he was equally unwanted.
She drew indignation around her like a suit of armor and slowly turned around. He was little more than a silhouette in the darkness, but she glared anyway, hoping he could see her angry expression. “What the fuck are you doing here? You lost the privilege of coming and going as you please when you—”
He spun her back around and pushed her arms up as he pinned her against the door. His body contoured to hers and his fingers banded her wrists, keeping her claws away from his face. “I always come when I please, but I promise to take you with me.”
Their sexual encounters had gone on for several months almost a year ago. She’d been turned-on by his bad-boy looks and badass attitude, as well as the forbidden nature of sleeping with a wolf. But he liked it fast and rough, which was fine, some of the time. She liked a good wall banger herself—some of the time. But like a restaurant that only served one entrée, he became tedious and she’d found somewhere else to eat.
“Get out!”
“I’d rather get in.” He whispered the claim in a throaty tone that had once sent her pulse racing.
She slowly counted to three then scrambled for the quickest way to get rid of him. The last thing she needed right now was a yappy dog. “Bruce, I am not playing here. I’m really not in the mood.” He rubbed his erection against her ass and ran his hands up and down her arms. If she jerked out of his grasp, he’d take it as a challenge. She had to remain calm and unaffected by his touch. “I smell like a sweaty hamburger and I’m exhausted. Your timing couldn’t be worse.” A moment passed as he humped her back. She just closed her eyes and tried to ignore him.