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you?
I said I m fine, Dirk.
Good. For a minute there, I thought%
She ground out her answer, her glare telling more than her words. Like I said. It s nothing. I was just
thinking about& the weather. She looked skyward toward the darkening horizon. We need to find shelter
again, boys.
You re right, Alex. Her gaze, firm yet tender, locked on to his and his stomach took another hit.
This time, however, he recognized the feeling as good old lust. There s a ranch not far from here. I know
the rancher and I m sure he ll put us up for the night. Besides, I could use a hot shower.
Alex lit up at the mention of a shower, her attitude returning to a friendlier mood. Oooh, hot water. I
can almost feel it running over me. Are you game, Conner?
The idea of Dirk getting his stench washed off sounds good, but not much else. Staying with
humans? I don t know.
You don t smell like a bed of roses either, furball.
Alex laughed, directing her attention to her werecat friend and wrenching Dirk s heart in the process.
A nagging idea tugged at his awareness, but he couldn t bring it to the forefront of his mind. Why was he
so hung up on this female? Sure, she was hot, but he d had his fair share of sexy females. No, it was
something more, an intuition that they were alike, sharing not only an internal unhappiness, but a hope to
see the joy in life. In short, Alex was special.
I d prefer a cave to a human s home.
Dirk opened his mouth to argue but, fortunately, Alex chimed in with her decision.
Not me. I ll take four walls and, hopefully, a bed over a cold rock any day. Her eyes sparkled,
radiating the excitement in her body. Dirk, lead the way.
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Beverly Rae
He nodded and started off at a slow trot. The two werecats followed, mucking through the mud left
from the previous night s storm until, at last, they saw the ranch nestled in the clearing below. Dirk picked
up their pace toward the main house.
An older male stepped through the front door and watched their approach. When they were close
enough for him to see them clearly, he held up a hand in greeting.
Dirk stopped them, motioning for them to stay where they were. Let me do the talking. He strode to
the house and up the porch steps to extend his hand to Bob Tally, the ranch s owner. Hey, Bob, how s it
hanging?
Bob gripped his hand, firm and hard. You tell me. Are you having any luck?
Not yet. But I ve enlisted a couple of friends to help out. He nodded toward Alex and Conner. I m
hoping you ll let us stay the night to rest up before we head out again.
Bob s knowing gaze skimmed over Alex and Conner. They don t look like Cannon Pack.
They re not. Although Dirk sensed that Bob wanted more information, he assumed the seasoned
cowboy would figure it out on his own. I ll vouch for them.
Bob studied Alex and Conner as though rethinking his decision. Well, since they re friends of
yours& He tipped his hand to Alex. We can t have a female staying in the bunkhouse so you d better
stay here in the main house. I just finished supper, but you re welcome to make yourself at home in the
kitchen.
I d appreciate that, Bob. I could use a good meal.
Bob glanced at Dirk, then at Alex and raised one eyebrow. There s plenty of spare rooms upstairs,
but I expect you won t be needing three rooms.
I m hoping you re right. Dirk kept his back to Alex and Conner, not letting them see the wink he
gave Bob.
Bob chuckled, then waved Alex and Conner forward. After brief introductions, he led the trio into the
house, then excused himself and went upstairs.
Alex turned to Dirk, resting her hand on his chest. Are you sure this is okay?
Trust me. Bob wouldn t have said yes if he didn t mean it.
But are we safe here? What will the other humans say? Conner squinted through the window and
into the settling darkness at the bunkhouse directly across from the main house.
We can leave at first light so they won t know we were here. Taking Alex s arm, Dirk led her
upstairs toward the guestrooms. Let s check out the accommodations first, then head back down for a
meal.
Dirk strode to the first bedroom door and swung it open. You can bunk in here, Conner. The
werecat peeked into the room and slowly entered. Don t be shy about taking a shower. We ll all thank you
for it. He caught Conner s scowl a second before he closed the door.
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Wild Cat
Why do you love irritating him so much?
Dirk feigned a who me? expression, but soon gave in. It s my nature, I guess. Besides, he s just so
damned easy to prod. Pushing the next door wide, he motioned for her to enter. M lady, your home for
the evening.
Alex smiled her thanks, touching his arm as she passed to enter the dimly lit room. Awareness of her
ripped through his arm at her touch and quickly found its way to his shaft.
Following her inside, Dirk searched the cozy interior and located the small lamp on the bedside table.
The lamp cast a golden glow, filling the room with warmth.
Alex turned toward him and he inhaled sharply, startled by the sight of her. The more he looked at
her, the more beautiful she became. The golden light softened her face and added dancing highlights to her
copper hair. Wrapped in the almost ethereal light, she was transformed from a worldly beauty to a
mesmerizing spirit from another land and time. You re amazing.
Appreciation lit her eyes and her lush full lips parted. Oh. Shyness overtook her, making her look
away. I, uh, don t know what to say. Shoot, I m never at a loss for words. At last she lifted her gaze to
his. Thank you.
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