Read Online Prey (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Mary Lou George - Free Book Online Page B

scream and tear at something, but daylight was not the best time to hunt. It would wait until nightfall. The urge to breed was all encompassing, but the opportunity had not presented itself, and the act was far too important to foul up with impatience. It snarled and bit down on its own strange flesh, relishing the swift pleasure the blood provided. It would have to do for now. The only thing that helped to ease the yearning was the taste of blood. Human blood. This time though, it would select a younger one as its prey. Perhaps the kill will be more satisfying.

Chapter 8
     
    The x-rays showed that poor brave Billy had two broken ribs and a mild concussion. He must have been in considerable pain, but he’d never let on, not a whimper. Sam gave the suffering dog a mild pain killer and settled him down for the night. He’d have to be checked on a regular basis throughout the night.
    “He’s going to be fine. That’s something at least,” Sam told Jade.
    Jade stroked the sleeping dog. “Good boy. Good boy.” She looked up at Sam. Her voice trembled. “He was so brave. Scared witless, he’d still have taken that thing on. He would have happily died for Allan Simpson. He’s not going to want to be away from the family for long.”
    Sam nodded. “I’ll get him home tomorrow morning.”
    “Thanks, Sam. You do good work here.”
    “You sound just a little surprised.” He raised an eyebrow.
    She put up a hand in defense. “It’s not that. You’ve always been good with animals. Remember how mad you got at those guys with the frogs?” She could still see Sam’s face. He’d been furious that the boys had taken the frogs out of their environment.
    He’d fumed at them. “How would you like it if a huge hand came down from the sky and took you away from everything you know? You’d never see your parents again.” The boys sat stunned, listening to Sam rant. “Animals are not on this planet for our amusement you know.” In a kinder tone he continued, “There’s nothing wrong with curiosity, but put everything back where you found it.” And he proceeded to do so.
    Standing next to him in his free veterinary clinic, Jade smiled at him with shy affection.
    “You sure were passionate that day. I was incredibly impressed. If I hadn’t already thought of you as my hero, that day would have made it so.”
    “And what about now? Am I no longer your hero?” He put a hand on her shoulder.
    “You were today.”
    “Well, I guess that’s something. I’ll just have to try harder.” He guided Jade out the door and shut the light out. He had someone in the clinic at all times and before leaving, he thanked Brian, the night attendant, handed him a sheet of instructions and said good night to him.
    Jade waited while he took care of business. She watched him. Her heart sped up just a little when he looked at her and smiled crookedly. She wondered what it would feel like to kiss him again. It would be easy to find out. She could just do it like the last time, or she could ask him to kiss her. Jade didn’t play games. Animals didn’t play psychological games with each other. She’d always preferred their rules to human ones.
    What would happen if she kissed him? Not a good idea now that she worked for him. She grinned slyly as inspiration hit her. Christmas was just around the corner. There was always mistletoe.
    “You’re looking serious. Anything I can help you with?” Sam asked.
    “That won’t be necessary…right now.” She looked up at him through her lashes.
    He walked her to his truck and held the door for her. It was dark and cold outside. She could see her breath. The unseasonably warm weather had fled as quickly as it had appeared. Jade wondered just how powerful Reggie had become. Had she ordered up a warm day for her wedding? Jade shook her head, not possible. Not possible…right?
    As he started up the truck, Sam’s New England started to show. “It could snow any day now. Can you smell it?” He