Wolf Tracks - Bianca D'Arc Page 0,32

said, but she preferred to go with the steamiest connotations. Her heart fluttered a bit in her chest because she found him scrumptious, too. Not that she could say that out loud. For one thing, she could be totally wrong in her assumptions. For another, he’d probably think she sounded silly.

Helen had dated. Of course she had. But she’d never dated a man like Jim. His masculine presence and undeniable dominance was totally outside her experience. The men she’d dated in the past had been neighbors. Farmers, for the most part. Men who worked hard and had strong principles. Jim had that, as well, but there was something absolutely wild about Jim.

The wolf looked out of his eyes at her from time to time. She could see it watching her. She wanted to get to know it better. She wanted the wolf to come out to play, and she wanted to pet its fur and scratch behind its ears. She wanted to learn how it felt to touch the beast that lived inside him, and she wanted to see just how wild he could be.

The mood shattered when he cleared his throat and turned his attention back to his flying. Another course change was imminent, and he busied himself with that for a few minutes while she tried to calm her pulse and steady her breathing. Being trapped inside such a small space with Jim was proving very…stimulating.

Helen ate her cookies and said nothing while he dealt with the technical aspects of flying. When he was finished with the latest maneuver, he turned back to her. She was startled to find he hadn’t forgotten their earlier topic of conversation.

“I’m guessing your brothers have been giving you grief about your sweet tooth. If you want, I can have a word with them when we get back. They shouldn’t pick on you,” he said in a low, serious tone that surprised her.

He did want to come to her defense. The idea floored her. Nobody had ever wanted to go up against her three brothers on her behalf. The men she’d dated had usually deferred to her brothers or, in a few memorable cases, been run off by one of them. None of her boyfriends had ever offered to be her champion.

A little warm spot erupted on her heart. A tender feeling that had Jim’s name all over it. She tried not to let him see how deeply touched she was by his offer.

“It’s very nice of you to offer,” she replied when she could find her voice, “but it’s not necessary. I try not to listen when they speak nonsense, which happens a lot more often than you’d expect, seeing how they’re all grown men now, with wives and kids of their own.”

“And they still find time to harass you?” Jim asked, smiling now.

“On occasion,” she replied, the conversation back to an easy banter. “They might have grown up, but they’re still boys at heart.”

Jim laughed out loud. “Most of us are, sweetheart, but don’t let the others know I admitted it.” He gave her a conspiratorial grin, and she laughed, as he’d no doubt intended.

“Your secret is safe with me,” she promised, crossing her heart with exaggerated motions.

They flew along in silence for a while. She yawned, feeling full with the nice meal they’d just eaten. Jim turned to her.

“I know you had a long night. If you’re tired, why don’t you nap a bit? I can handle this on my own.”

“Are you sure? I mean, I can’t help you fly or anything, but I can fetch things if you need them,” she offered.

“I’m sure. You’re tired, and we’re probably going to hit the ground running when we get where we’re going. Catch a few z’s so you’ll have the energy to meet the Alpha or whichever members of the Pack we end up dealing with.”

“If you’re sure…”

“I’m sure,” he told her. “Go in the back. Those seats recline. Buckle in and get comfy. See if you can nap. I’ll take care of the rest. Trust me.”

She stood and sidled her way out from the co-pilot’s chair but stopped with her hand on the back of the pilot’s seat. “I do trust you, Jim,” she said, wanting him to know the truth of her words.

He looked up at her, but she didn’t wait to see what he’d say. She’d seen the surprise in his eyes, and that was enough. She made her way into the small passenger compartment and slid into