What This Wolf Wants(8)

Shaking off unprofessional thoughts of running her tongue over the strong cords in his neck, followed by a little nibbling, she handed the juice to the injured shifter. “Drink. It will help get your blood sugar back up.”

Alexander, “call-me-Zan”, accepted the glass, turning those magnificent eyes on her. “Thank you.” Jackie forgot her mental command, and stared. Zan’s eyes might be the same color as Dean’s but that was the only thing they shared. Zan’s were softer, welcoming, and held a spark of mischief. All of which made him more dangerous because of how she felt inexplicably drawn in. She forgot who she was, who he was and simply ached to tumble headlong into his warmth. All because of some stupid eyes.

Fighting the provocative pull, Jackie cleared her throat. “I need to check your wounds. You’re a fast healer, even for a shifter, and shouldn’t require the stitches much longer.” She made to touch him when her eyes caught that damn tattoo. Turning on her heel, she went to the metal counter and pulled on another pair of gloves. The precaution was ridiculous. If Zan was her mate, he’d already initiated the mating heat. Not only from a mere touch, but through his saliva by breaking the skin of her hand. Though it hadn’t been on purpose, the blood contact would only speed up the mating heat, accelerating it from a day or so to mere hours.

Or less.

While Jackie should be overjoyed at finding a mate, because it was damn near impossible, recognizing that emblem etched into his flesh and what it stood for made her want to scream in frustration.

“Doctor Chavez?”

Jackie jerked when Zan called her. “Yes?” She walked back to him and checked his wounds and bandages with deliberate professionalism.

She felt his eyes on her. “I know a General Chavez back in Virginia. Don’t suppose you’re related?”

Jackie barely kept from flinching. Ignoring his direct question, she responded, “It’s a common last name. You have three bruised ribs and one cracked one. The wound across your shoulder blades was superficial and nearly healed after you shifted.”

He made a noncommittal response, and continued to watch her with a focus that made her body hum. She adjusted the sheet to check the gash on his hips, keeping his groin covered not for his modesty but for her own rising libido. “Do you remember what caused this?” She caressed the heated flesh around the wound before she remembered the man was not only her patient and off-limits, but was so very wrong for her.

Her body didn’t agree. And when his body reacted to her touch, easily seen by the rising sheet that lay over his lap and his harsh indrawn breath, her own responded embarrassingly quick. Instantly her nipples tightened and a rush of liquid warmth swirled low in her belly, making her feel light-headed.

Hastily she straightened the sheet and took a step back.

One powerful shoulder lifted in a half shrug and Jackie nearly sighed. To her, Zan was prime-one perfection with his dark skin tone and muscled physique. Total eye candy as far as she could see.

And that’s all you’re doing. Seeing. No touching. And stop ogling!

“How I received that particular wound, no, I don’t recall. After I heard gunshots I took off running. They must have been downwind from me, otherwise I would have smelled the gun oil.”

Jackie had been watching his mouth as he spoke. His bottom lip was a tad fuller than his top and she wanted to bite them both. Then she wondered how they would feel wrapped around her....

Ogling again!

She roughly shook her head, pretending the action was for him rather then to rid herself of naughty thoughts. “You were searching for clues about your brother. I think maybe you were a little distracted.”

“Which can get a wolf killed.”

Both men replied at the same time with the same comment, causing her to blink in rapid secession. “Well. All righty then.”

“I’m sorry I hurt you.” Jackie peered back into Zan’s face, seeing the remorse in his eyes, and nearly melted. She waved it off.

“You didn’t do any permanent damage,” none that she’d admit to at any rate, “and were only acting on instinct. I’d probably bite too if I were shot.”

Zan reached down to place the empty glass between his legs. Helpless to refrain, Jackie followed the innocent motion. The wedged glass caused the sheet to tighten over his groin, every inch of him now outlined and thrusting against the thin material. Her thighs clenched as need made itself known by the throbbing between her own legs. In the next second her left hand was grasped in an unbreakable grip, her glove shifted up and off.

Before she could make a sound of protest, Zan’s lips were pressed to her bare hand. A zing of lust shot through her, startling in its intensity.