was abnormal; that had been no ordinary lion. That was a shifter and he was already being treated using Tailan. That must have been the mineral she couldn’t identify in the blood.
“Jessica, slow down,” he tried.
“Are you kidding? This validates years of my research. I’ve already sent a sample of that lion’s blood to the lab in New York, to validate my findings, and I have just sent a detailed article to my publisher.”
Theodore shot to his feet, “You. Did. What?”
Maria blanched. She had never heard Theodore Cooper raise his voice. Without another word, she slunk away, leaving Jessica to face the heat.
Jessica frowned at him, “What exactly are you yelling about?”
He stalked toward her so incensed that a vein throbbed in his neck, “Who on Earth gave you permission to take that blood in the first place, never mind to send it to some other lab? And what about this article? Do you want the media on my doorstep? Cancel it. Now!”
Jessica’s chin went up, “I didn’t realize I needed permission to do investigations. I am a scientist. Investigations are what we do. Besides, what does it matter if the media comes? The publicity can only be good for you and Exotic Rescue.”
“This is my property and you’re only here on invitation! I can rescind my offer and have you kicked out faster than you can say investigations,” he growled.
She glared right back at him, displaying a backbone he hadn’t known she possessed. “Well? Is that your decision?”
Theodore sighed. It was impossible to stay angry with her. She made him weak in more ways than one… and yet, she made him strong too. Something about her made him feel as though he could conquer the world. Well, technically, he had conquered the world and amassed a fortune that rivaled the wealth of most nations, but Jessica made him feel as though he had achieved far more than he already had, as though he could do anything.
“Jessica, please have a seat,” he said as he sank onto the chair.
“I will not.”
“Yes, you will,” he growled as he placed a firm hand on her arm and tugged her in the direction of the cushion. He planted her ass firmly onto the cushion and sat down beside her. She gave him a mutinous look for his trouble.
“I am a very private person, Jessica, and you should know that already. I don’t even have my own pictures on Exotic Rescue’s websites. I applaud your research, but I really do not want anything that would bring the media to my doorstep.”
Jessica stared at him. He seemed very earnest and determined. He meant every word, she realized. A chill crept over her skin. First, he hadn’t wanted the cops or the medics to examine him, now he didn’t want the media on his doorstep. What was he hiding?
A memory intruded and she recalled how the townsfolk had been mistrustful of his name and how Roy, in particular, had seemed to hate him.
O Lord, what had she gotten mixed up in? Had she gone and fallen in love with a criminal?
The blood drained from her face as she heard her own thoughts. Love? Was she in love with him?
The knowledge settled that somewhere between lovemaking and fighting she had fallen in love with him in the pit of her stomach like lead.
Jessica stared at him in horror. How had she allowed herself to fall for him? She had always avoided men, she thought. She had never admitted it outright to herself, but there it was. She had always avoided men and buried herself in her work, preferring to work with animals. Animals were safe: they didn’t lead one on and dump one on one’s ass; they didn’t make one feel lost without them; they didn’t betray one.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he demanded
She shook her head, staying mute.
“Jessica?”
“You’re hiding something aren’t you? There’s something deep and dark that you don’t want the world to know and that’s why you’re so afraid of my work and my findings. That’s it, isn’t it?” she asked.
It was his turn to stare at her mutely.
“Theodore, I didn’t come to Exotic Rescue looking for trouble. I came here to learn and improve and grow, and potentially find a solution to a serious problem for humans. If you stand in the way of that, I’ll mow you over,” she whispered.
As she rose to leave, her gaze fell on something on his desk. It was a scrap of fabric from