Dr. Becker stood and bowed. “Once I return to HQ, we’ll share some vodka.”
/>
He obviously couldn’t hide his veiled impatience to get him to leave. Lev smiled. “Let me know, if you need anything.”
“I only need you to stay away from Rachel.”
Lev’s heart hardened with wolfish rage. As grateful as he was to the doctor for saving his life, that was a request he couldn’t promise. In fact, his gratitude to the good doctor was all that stood in front of his enraged wolf, who he’d unknowingly challenged. Lev and his wolf fought for supremacy. “Don’t worry, my friend.”
“Good. Will you return to Montana then?”
“Perhaps soon. I think I’m in the mood for a vacation. Somewhere warm. A little heat will be good for me.”
Lev walked past where Rachel had fallen asleep. The temptation to steal her away and bite her soft throat to deliver healing saliva nearly overwhelmed him. Yet, once he tasted her blood there would be no going back. She’d be his forever. He quietly closed the door.
As he got in the car, his keen ears heard her ask her father where he’d gone. He waited for his answer.
“Lev went home. He won’t be back.”
Lev’s heart tugged as he pulled out of the driveway and onto the road. Not until Rachel is safe. And then I will not betray you, my friend. I will stay away.
Chapter 2
Rachel put her cell phone away and continued her hike down a popular well-travelled trail. Her muscles had made a remarkable comeback and she jogged the last two miles. She took in the fresh crisp morning air and smiled. Back to her old pre-Ebola self. Odd, her health had improved the day after her father’s enigmatic Russian friend, Lev, paid him a visit. Just thinking about him re-charged her. All the time, thinking of mysterious Lev. His rough fingers’ gentle touch, his alpha-male physique, his deep attractive Russian accent had melted her to the bone. Had he somehow sexually charged her into getting better?
At the top of the hill, she stopped to catch her breath. What am I thinking? I’m a physician. Illogical to think his presence sped up her recovery. Despite his visit, her body had already started to mend. Nonetheless, every night, she had erotic thoughts and dreams about the drop dead gorgeous mystery man she’d only met once, and for no more than thirty minutes. Thinking about having sex with him along with minimal self-stimulation had brought her to explosive orgasms. She shook her head and returned to a slow jog. Not even her ex-fiancé had driven her to sexual frenzy like Lev. Must be some repressed sexual issue. Her girlfriends bragged of being tigers in the bedroom, but not her. More like a sleepy kitten. Rachel enjoyed brief sexual sensation and then falling into a deep sleep.
Her former kitten persona now awoke as a tigress ready for action. Was Lev a secret Russian agent trained in mind control? Had he implanted some trigger before leaving? Jerk, probably didn’t even give me a second thought.
Rachel entered the cabin through the mudroom and took off her running shoes. She’d told Howard, she would be gone for a couple hours. She headed to her father’s office. She paused in front of the shut door. He only closed the office door when talking on his cell phone. Probably to that mysterious woman he never cared to talk about.
Like a cat sneaking toward a mouse, she stealthily listened.
“Don’t worry, love. I promise.”
Rachel narrowed her eyes. His lover. The woman named Selene. She’d overheard him talking to her while she rested in the hospital. At the time, he must have thought she slept, because once she reached consciousness, he never called Selene in front of her. Her heart clenched. Howard must have loved her mother like that. Her parents had married when he first entered medical school. Five months later, she’d been born. Talk about stressful.
“Yes, she’s much better. I’ll return by the end of the month,” said Howard.
Rachel smirked. Don’t stay on my account. Who knows? Based on the news her boss told her, she would be safe if she returned to her old post in West Africa. Although, he was adamant, she’d be re-assigned elsewhere.
“No. I don’t want her to stay here. Somehow, I need to convince her to move, maybe to California or even Florida. It breaks my heart, but the farther away the better.”
Breaks his heart. Yeah, right. Can’t wait to get away. No problem. Maggie said I could stay at her place. Maybe she should leave today. Not being a burden for one more second.
“Her safety comes first.”
Huh? Rachel cocked her head. Safety? It’s not like she’d return to West Africa anytime soon. Why did he think leaving her alone here in Portland unsafe? He didn’t seem worried she left to take a jog. Did he really think terrorists from West Africa would hunt her down here? In the scheme of things, she was not that important. Although, he might think so.
“No way in hell am I going to let a warden keep an eye on her. Not after the scare Lev gave me when he caught her scent.”
Warden? A game warden or a prison warden? And what did he mean by Lev catching her scent. He wanted to seduce her, which he did, though it never reached fruition. Still, he made it sound creepy. Was Howard insane or speaking in code? Tempted to open the door and ask him, she instead focused on listening.
“I came so close to losing her, I’m glad I did it. Okay. If anybody can erase our connection, Jesper and Cricket can.”
Was he talking about people or pet dogs? Code names, no doubt. Did he belong to some secret government operation? Mysterious calls, an over the top handsome Russian visitor and a rich benefactor to fly her home on a private plane confirmed her premise; Howard was a super spy. Intrigued and horrified, she understood why he’d been an absent father.
“I love you, too.”