Page 13 of Unlawful Seduction

He glanced down at my hand again before taking it. When our fingers touched, there was an instant collision of energy, thefrigid air no longer existing. I gasped, immediately sucking in the very cold breath I’d been certain no longer existed only seconds before.

His expression never changed as he pulled the card free, shoving it into his jeans pocket.

“How old is your battery?” he asked.

“Knowing my father, several years. It’s his. I mean it was his.” Great. I was stumbling over my words like an idiot.

“I hope you’re close. Not much juice.”

“Not too far.”

“I’ll follow you to your place to make sure you get there. You won’t make it out in the morning.”

He didn’t give me time to object, merely walking around me to the front of his truck. He was certainly not a big talker and I had no intention of allowing him to know where I lived.

Even if maybe he saved my life.

CHAPTER 4

Beckett

Lack of trust.

That I was used to.

Of course the woman hadn’t been honest about where she lived. I couldn’t blame her. Not when she’d faced a six-foot five-inch two-hundred-and-thirty-pound aggressive man. She’d been right to slip the mace can into her pocket just in case. I’d also realized she’d searched the cab of my truck. The weapon I always carried had been disturbed. Good for her for being cautious.

When she’d finally thought I’d left the area, she’d ventured back onto the road, going another two blocks to a long driveway, disappearing along the gravel path.

Only then had I turned around, heading deeper into the mountains to my cabin.

There was no reason to keep her on my mind, but she held the kind of natural beauty that had always attracted me. Tallwith rounded curves and long curly rich brown hair, it was the sadness in her whiskey-colored eyes that had called to me first.

They were soulful, as if she’d endured significant pain in her life. Strong and independent, I’d sensed a resolve that was rare. What the hell did it matter? I had no intention of seeing her again.

Woof.

“Hungry, boy? I don’t blame you. Let’s get inside.” As soon as I jumped out, he hopped to my side, sprinting from the truck toward the front porch, his paws sliding on the icy steps. “Careful there, boy.”

Chuckling, I grabbed both bags of supplies, heading up the stairs leading to the house. Jax was right by my side, his tail thumping against my leg. He was my constant companion. My only companion and at this point in my life, I preferred it that way.

Even the raw beauty of the woman wasn’t enough to draw me away from my privacy. I scanned both sides of the house as I slipped the keys into one lock then the other. I’d feel better if I had fingerprint scanners or facial recognition software, but the locks were all but unpickable.

Once inside, I headed into the kitchen, taking time to fill his water and food bowls before bothering to put everything away. I yanked off my jacket, tossing it over the back of a kitchen chair. I didn’t need to worry about being messy. No one was coming to visit. That would never happen.

As he chomped down on his food, I grabbed a glass and a bottle of whiskey, giving myself a nice pour. I remained where I was, unable to get my mind off her. I hadn’t seen her until recently,but since I only went to town a couple of times a month, that didn’t necessarily surprise me. Although I wondered why she was out in a storm wearing completely inappropriate clothes.

The first smile in months remained on my face as I put away the groceries. When I was finished, I leaned against the counter, pulling the card she’d given me from my pocket.

A veterinarian. No wonder Jax had taken to her so quickly. He didn’t to most people. While he’d never been an aggressive dog, I’d always been able to sense through his eyes and special sensory skills when mine weren’t working.

“Dr. Mallory McGregor, DVM,” I muttered. The name slipped off my tongue easily and suited her. “Pretty lady.”

Jax glanced up from his bowl, snuffling in agreement.

Snorting, I carried my drink into the living room, placing it on the coffee table and grabbing some pre-stacked wood I’d brought in that morning. After making a fire, I returned to my whiskey, pulling the glass into my hand and watching as the fire began to sizzle, finally roaring to life.

The drink went down easy tonight, perhaps too much so. Jax had already made himself at home on his bed near the stone fireplace. I peered down at him, offering him a silent toast. Without the dog in my life, I’d likely be lonely, although I was used to being alone.

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