Page 46 of Dark ’N’ Deadly

Shock. Confusion. Hurt.

Her chest rose and fell, her pulse beating rapidly at her throat—the same spot he’d had his mouth pressed to only moments ago.

“Get dressed.” The words came out harsh, gravelly, and with more force than intended, but they had to be said.

“Tiger, hier.” He left her standing her in the hallway, fighting every instinct grinding inside him to turn back and kiss her and make love to her until it was time to leave.

You can’t.

Tiger led the way downstairs to the kitchen, stopping at his bowl with expectant, feed-me eyes.

Eric yanked open the refrigerator door and began prepping his dog’s breakfast of chicken and ground beef. Tiger panted, salivating, then licked his lips.

He craved Tess like a dog craved a bone. Nine months later and she still drew him in like nothing he’d ever known. The bond was like iron to a magnet. He wanted her. He’d always wanted her.

And still did.

Chapter Fifteen

“Morning.” Tess smiled as she walked into Jesse’s room, fingering her rose quartz necklace.

“Morning.” He grinned then lowered the volume on the TV. “Are Eric and Tiger here?”

She sat in the chair beside the bed. It was nine a.m., just over twelve hours since his surgery. His eyes were no longer rimmed with pain, although the nurses had told her he was still running a low fever and they planned on keeping him in the hospital until his temperature returned to normal.

“Eric’s outside waiting for Dayne. As for Tiger, I seriously doubt dogs are allowed in a hospital.”

Jesse frowned. “But they’re cops. Both of ’em.” Her brother reached for the cup of water on the table and put the straw to his mouth, taking noisy slurps.

“I don’t know what the rules are, even for K-9s. You’ll see Tiger soon enough.” A spurt of relief shot through her. If her brother was well enough to be thinking about a dog, then she had high hopes his recovery would be quick.

The sooner the better.

After Eric had left her standing in the hallway, more sexually aroused than she’d been in her entire life, she felt like a complete fool.

The man was confusing as hell. He’d thrust her from him, and the look on his face had been one of utter disgust. Her mistake, one she wouldn’t make again. Besides, given what he’d told her about his friends’ murders, he’d kick her to the curb if he knew the insidious depths of what she was hiding.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” she began, knowing her brother wouldn’t like what she was about to say. “I’m doing the controlled delivery in your place.”

Jesse released the straw from his mouth. “What? No.”

“Yes, I am,” she insisted, thinking briefly that her brother’s reaction had parroted Eric’s verbatim. “You told these people you’d make the delivery today, and we can’t put them off any longer. It’s my decision, and Eric agrees it’s the only way to make this happen, and the only way to fulfill your promise to the prosecutor. You’re in no shape to do it, so I’m doing it for you.”

“I dunno about this.” He shook his head. “It could be dangerous.”

“You know I’ll be careful.” She reached over and squeezed her brother’s hand. “Eric has a plan. He’ll explain more when he gets here.”

Scrabbling claws came to her ears, and a moment later, Tiger trotted into the room, followed by Eric.

“How you doing, kid?” He set a few magazines on the table.

“Better now.” Jesse’s eyes lit with excitement as Tiger neared the bed, and Tess was grateful for the diversion. Her brother tried sitting up, then grimaced and eased back against the mattress. “Thanks for bringin’ him.”

“You’re welcome. Brought you some K-9 magazines.” He nodded to the table.

“Cool, thanks.” Ignoring the magazines, Jesse waved Tiger closer to the bed so he could pet him. The dog’s tail whipped back and forth, smacking against the side of the bed.

The plan had been not to look at Eric any more than necessary, but his thoughtful gesture at bringing Tiger and the magazines tugged at her heart. When she nodded her thanks, the look he returned was cool and impassive.