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The crypticto see a plant specimen had totally thrown hi not in the least interested in a discussion of plants of any variety, especially not while he was trying to figure a way to get to Silver else bothered him about it He couldn’t decide what it was A deeper anxiety, he thought And whispered That’s what it was She’d whispered her e to him like she was in some kind of trouble So he called her to ht If her call was only about plants, he had intended to set her straight on how hly confusing that he felt as if she’d had a conversation with hiist of it Who would have bla at that silky, barely there robe and wanting to glimpse the naked flesh underneath?

When had she htand was dehydrated, but the forest was shaded He had packed two bottles of water for her because of the humidity in the air Unless she’d been so excited about the plants that she hadn’t been drinking her water

He couldn’t understand it He was ready to join her, et her back to the villa to cool down before she passed out But then he learned that Sal was there with her Bloody hell

A red haze had filled his vision, his heartbeat pounded ominously in his ears, and his blood was on fire as he tried to keep his wits about him

Why in the hell had Sal been at the reserve? Of all the places on the island, Duncan would never have worried about the bastard venturing there Now Shelley had caught his eye

She was a female wolf, un hiht, that he should stay away from the reserve until Silverman left the area But if he was still there, Duncan didn’t want hi Silver, either He worried she still et the money from the bastard, and he didn’t want her involved

Duncan was already flooring the gas pedal to reach the reserve and make sure Shelley was okay He could tell fro, capable, and deter her take part in it

She also had sounded worried--not for herself as round his teeth, then pulled his phone out and called her again As soon as she answered, he asked, "Is he alone?"

"No Which is why I said to wait to coh here"

She didn’t say who he had been with and her voice was still hushed, which made Duncan believe the bastard was still nearby, possibly listening in "Okay A guard with hi really surprised How could Silver on Shelley if he had a woman with him? Duncan suspected the wo? Girlfriend?" Duncan asked

"Yes"

Duncan cursed in Gaelic

"I love the sound of the words you just spoke, but I’ave a dark s for you Just continue your work, and when I arrive, I’ll call you and locate you"

"I can’t dissuade you?"

"No ThisFor your inforo out for drinks with hiht or any other"

He heard her take in a deep breath "Who’s paying?" she asked

He smiled "I’m sure my brother, Ian, will understand that this is a necessary expense I’ll see youthat she was alone in the forest with no protection whatsoever, and drove even faster

He still couldn’t believe the she-wolf had run into his quarry while doing her job which had nothing to do with his job He saw no sign of Sal Silverman when he parked the car at the trailhead, but he smelled the bastard as soon as he left the vehicle At least he assumed it was the bastard’s scent, male wolf, and no other like it in the area

He quickly locked the vehicle and strode down the trail, wondering just what he’d do if he ran into Silveret the clan’shis neck

He’d stalked along what see in front of a flower, ca to disturb her work When she was done, she lifted her nose a little, turned suddenly, and nearly fell on her butt when she saw hi her

He strode toward her and helped her up He hadn’tmore than that, but she threw herself into his arms One hand still clutched a notepad and pen, while the other was clinging to her camera Both arms wrapped around hiainst his chest, and instantly he was aroused

"I thought you said you didn’t want to seeher on top of her head, hugging her tight, and loving her exuberance, but suspecting she’d worried about his safety ainst his chest, she shook her head "I had too much work to do," she whispered back

"Liar," he said, his voice still hushed as he separated froreen, very worried eyes "You didn’t wantthe bastard in this special place of yours"

She choked back a little laugh, tears welling up in her eyes "You’re right So are you going to tell me what you said in Gaelic over the phone?"

"Nay, lass It isn’t so your tender ears should hear"

She smiled at him "I’m sure I’ve heard it all Are you certain you don’t want ave her whole body a tight squeeze "Are you done here?"