Page 11 of A Mate For Matrix
Crossing the worn wooden floor, Matrix stepped into the room and froze. K-Nine was on the floor, eyes closed and lips twitching. A quick glance told Matrix that the three small heat signatures had changed their positions once again.
His eyes widened when he detected movement in his peripheral vision. “K-Nine, to your right!” Matrix called out in warning, just as another movement caught his attention to the left. “What the…?!”
Matrix twisted when a small honey-colored creature jumped from the foot of a narrow wooden table. It attached itself to his pant leg at the same time as two furry creatures, one cream and one gray, moved in on K-Nine. The wolf exploded to his feet in a blur of blue fur, sending the two creatures scurrying for cover.
Matrix was aiming his stunner at the one attached to his pant leg but paused when it looked up at him with wide, confused eyes. Matrix started to say something when he heard a shriek from behind him. He swiveled on his heel and raised the stunner. His mouth dropped open when he saw a very wet, scantily clad female staring back at him in horror.
“Who the hell are you?” Jana squeaked, her eyes wide with shock before they turned to the small device in his hand.
Matrix’s gaze moved appreciatively down over the rich, dark-wood color of her wet hair and the tiny droplets of water trailing down her body like a meandering stream, hypnotized by the curves they flowed over.
In a few brief seconds, his mind processed everything that was in front of him. The female came mid-chest on his own six-foot-two frame. The swell of her breasts peeked out from the top of the towel that inadequately covered her wet figure. The fingers of her right hand tightened while his eyes roved over her, following the long gap beneath the joined corners of the towel. Heat built inside him the lower his gaze went. Matrix licked his lips when he saw the creamy flesh of her thigh exposed by the gaping towel. If it moved just a little to the....
His eyes widened when her other hand suddenly struck out.
He blinked as the world grew hazy and tilted while his eyes slowly rolled back in his head. Three things flashed through his mind before everything went blank; first, he was thankful the creature on his leg had released him, second, the female was pretty, and, third, he should have checked both of her hands.
Chapter Six
Jana hummed under her breath as she washed her hair. She sighed with pure enjoyment. There was nothing better in the world than a nice hot shower, and she could easily live in it. She rinsed the last of the conditioner from her hair and reached for the water handle.
THUMP.
Jana froze, droplets running down her back.
Another thump, softer this time, made its way to her. It was a sound she recognized. The kitchen screen door always caught before closing all the way, and when it did close, it made that slight thumping noise which could be heard throughout the house. She shut off the water and snagged a towel from the rack
Holding onto the wall for support, Jana carefully stepped out of the old bathtub. She wrapped the towel around herself—barely—and cursed her optimism at the time of purchase.
She really should’ve splurged on the bigger towel instead of thinking she would lose enough weight to fit into the cheaper, smaller one.
She froze, her foot hovering, when the familiar loose board that ran down the hall moved before her foot touched it. That wasn’t caused by Linguine or the kittens. That was caused by something much larger. Her lips tightened in fury. If Mr. Marker had decided to pull his creepy landlord routine again, she was going to brain him.
She snatched the wooden bath brush from its hook like a warrior reclaiming her ancestral blade. Mr. Marker was about to meet his match.
Jana cursed as she tucked the towel between her breasts. When she’d taken her clothes off earlier, she had left them and her clean clothes in the bedroom down the hall. Gripping the handle of the brush, she carefully opened the door. Sure enough, she could see the shadow of someone in her living room.
She ignored the water dripping down her body. Goosebumps prickled her skin as she crept toward the noise at the end of the hallway.
She was almost to the end when she heard a deep, husky voice shout something in a language she didn’t understand. She stepped into the room, righteous fury tightening every muscle—then stopped dead. Because there was a giant, armed man in black standing in her living room… with a kitten chewing on his leg.
Her eyes widened with shock. She had been expecting Mr. Marker… not this-this… whatever he was!
She momentarily forgot about being underdressed for company when he turned to face her.
“Who the hell are you?” she squeaked.
She flushed, fear rising inside her as the danger of the situation sank in.
Alone.
Remote woods.
Unknown man.
Towel.
Jana didn’t stop to think as the words flashed like sight words through her mind.
