The Mane Squeeze
Page 6

Oh! He remembered her now. The feline hed found himself daydreaming about on more than one occasion in the two months since Jesss wedding. Andwow. She was naked. She looked really good naked
He blinked, knowing he was staring at that beautiful, strong body. Focus on something else! Anything else! Youre going to creep her out!
You have tattoos, he blurted. Bracelet tats surrounded both her biceps. A combination of black shamrocks and a dark-green Chinese symbol he didnt know the meaning of. And on her right hip she had a black Chinese dragon holding a Celtic cross in its mouth. It was beautiful work. Intricate. Are they new?
Nah. I just covered up the ones on my arms with makeup, for the wedding. With my mother, Id be noticed enough. Didnt want to add to that. She gestured at him with her hand. Now we know Im Gwen and I have tattoosso do you have a name?
Yeah, sure. Im He glanced off, racking his brain.
You dont remember your name? she asked, her eyes wide.
I know it has something to do with security. He stared at her thoughtfully, then snapped his fingers.
Lock.
Lock? Your name is Lock?
I think. Lock. LockLachlan! MacRyrie! He glanced off again. I think.
Christ.
No need to get snippy. Its my name I cant remember. He nodded. Im pretty positive its Locksomething.
MacRyrie.
Okay.
She gave a small, frustrated growl and placed the palms of her hands against her eyes. He stared at her painted nails. Are those the team colors of the Philadelphia Flyers?
Dont start, she snapped.
Again with the snippy? I was only asking.
Lock slowly pushed himself up a bit, noticing for the first time that theyd traveled to a much more shallow part of the river. The water barely came to his waist. She started to say something, but shook her head and looked away. He didnt mind. He didnt need conversation at the moment, he needed to figure out where he was.
A river, thats where he was. Unfortunately, not his dream river. The one with the honey-covered salmon that willingly leaped into his mouth. A disappointing realizationit always felt so real until he woke upbut he was still happy that hed survived the fall.
Lock used his arms to push himself up all the way so he could sit.
Be careful, she finally said. We fell from up there.
He looked at where she pointed, ignoring how much pain the slight movement caused, and flinched when he saw how far down they were.
Although we were farther upriver, I think.
Damn, he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
How bad is it?
Itll be fine. Closing his eyes, Lock bent his head to one side, then the other. The sound of cracking bones echoed and when he opened his eyes, he saw that pretty face cringing.
See? he said. Better already.
If you say so.
She took several awkward steps back so she could sit down on a large boulder.
Youre hurt, he informed her.
Yeah. I am. She extended her leg, resting it on a smaller boulder in front of her and letting out a breath, her eyes shutting. I know its healing, but, fuck, it hurts.
Let me see. Lock got to his feet, ignoring the aches and pains he felt throughout his body. By the time he made it over to her, she opened her eyes and blinked wide, leaning back.
Hey, hey! Get that thing out of my face!
His cock was right there, now wasnt it? He knelt down on one knee in front of her and said, This is the best I can manage at the moment. I dont exactly have the time to run off and kill an animal for its hide.
Fine, she muttered. Just watch where youre swinging that thing. Youre liable to break my nose.
Focusing on her leg to keep from appearing way too proud at that statement, he grasped her foot and lifted, keeping his movements slow and his fingers gentle. He didnt allow himself to wince when he saw the damage. It was bad, and she was losing blood. Probably more blood than she realized. I didnt do this, did I?
No. I got this from that She-bitch. She leaned over, trying to get a better look. Do I have any calf muscle left?
He wasnt going to answer that. At least not honestly. Instead he gave her his best reassuring
expression and calmly said, Lets get you to a hospital.
Her body jerked straight and those pretty eyes blinked rapidly. No.
That wasnt the response he expected. Panic, perhaps. Or, My God. Is it that bad? But instead she said
no. And she said it with some serious finality. In the same way hed imagine she would respond to the suggestion of cutting off her leg with a steak knife.
Its not a big deal. But you dont want an infection. Ill take you up the embankment, get us some clothes if she didnt pass out from blood loss first and then get you to the Macon River Health Center.
Its equipped for us.
No.
Ive had to go there a couple of times. Its really clean, the staff is great, and the doctors are always the best.