She stalked off to change into a pair of khaki pants and short-sleeved top. Then she grabbed her medical bag and headed out to the Kolter house.
Less than ten minutes later she slowed as she drove up the long concrete driveway, admiring the large garden that took up nearly half the right lawn. Bright and cheerful flowers of all sizes and shapes lifted their faces to the sun. A variety of green plants were blended throughout, providing a lush touch. A large bubbling fountain reigned in the middle of the circular garden. Decorative stone and wood benches were scattered throughout, inviting a passerby to come sit, take a load off and simply enjoy all the natural beauty.
Jackie exited her truck and took a deep breath. The scent of lilacs and honeysuckle tickled her senses. Several butterflies danced from one flowing bush to another and she sighed with longing. She even took one step toward the garden when the front door opened.
Slowly she turned her attention away, only to let out another sigh of longing. This one brought on by the man leaning against the door frame, watching her with piercing green eyes. He didn’t even try to hide his interest. Instead, Zan took a thorough visual examination of his own. Starting from her face down to her toes and back again, only pausing at her breasts and the junction between her thighs.
She should be upset at his blatant perusal, and she was. Really mad. Only at how her nipples tightened under his predatory gaze, and the long liquid pull of desire that swirled low in her belly.
No, she hissed at herself. It wasn’t pleasant to be scrutinized in such an obvious way. It was rude. Women didn’t stare at a man’s groin when they checked him out.
Of course that was when she realized she was looking at the front of his pants, and the subtle rise of the soft material. She jerked her attention to his face, unsurprised to find a satisfied smile on his face.
Clinical objective, she chanted silently to herself before taking a step towards Zan.
“Thanks for coming.”
I haven’t yet.
Aghast at her immediate response, and praying to God she hadn’t said that out loud, Jackie flattened her lips in a thin line. “Of course. A doctor always has time for a patient.”
A gleam of something, irritation maybe, flashed in his eyes and then was gone. “Glad to hear it. Come on in.”
Jackie followed Zan in the large house, trying desperately not to notice the breadth of his shoulders, and the way he carried his muscled body with easy grace. And his ass!
She tightened her grip on her bag to keep from reaching out to touch his butt and forced her head to look at the inanimate surroundings. “I didn’t think the place was furnished.”
“It’s not really. One bedroom is and I took that. Dean was kind enough to obtain cots for the boys.” Meaning Joe and Scott. He pointed to a room on the right. Pocket doors were slid back in their housings. Light streamed in from the large windows and filtered over a beige leather couch, two fabric chairs, black coffee table and an enchanting armoire with foldout doors, open to reveal a large television set. “The den still has furniture and the kitchen has the basics, along with a table and chairs. Other than that, it’s empty.”
He led her to the back of the house where the kitchen was. More windows opened into the backyard, giving her an unobstructed view of the enormous, lush lawn backed by the forest. Off to the left was a sparkling swimming pool and next to that was a jacuzzi.
Jackie felt that longing unfold inside her again. She loved swimming. And she was going to kill Kaylie, then Dean, and finally Zan. First, her Lupa put the idea of using the house as both Jackie’s living quarters and off-site medical arena for shifters. Jackie could push that off, especially since she not only didn’t have the funds to rent—much less buy—such a magnificent home. Then, Dean plops his brother into the house for the duration of his visit, which meant when Zan contacted her, Jackie had no choice but to make a house call. Now that she’d seen the garden, the pool, and the front part of the house, which would be ideal for a doctor’s office and waiting room, Jackie wanted it all.
Male shifter included.
Chapter Eight
“I thought the kitchen would work. Unless you want to use the bedroom.”
“What? No. I mean...” Jackie drew in a deep breath to steady her nerves. “The kitchen is fine.” She set her bag on the table, opened it, and applied some hand sanitizer. “I want to check your back first.”
“It’s fine.”
Jackie raised a brow. “Aren’t you military men supposed to obey orders?” She twirled one finger in the air. “Turn around.”
Grudgingly, though Jackie saw his lips curl up, Zan obeyed. “And take off your shirt.”