Wolf Tracks - Bianca D'Arc Page 0,50

she was very sure she could easily become addicted to, if given half a chance.

“You make me feel good,” she told him, wanting to share the revelation of her post-ecstasy thoughts. Her mind drifted in bliss, and everything seemed brighter and more joyful.

He hugged her close. “You make me feel good, too, little one.” Jim bestowed a kiss to the top of her head that made her feel warm inside. As if he really cared about her.

“I mean,” she tried to explain, “this…refreshes my energy. It makes me whole.” She wasn’t saying it right. She tried again. “Sex has never felt like this before.” No, that wasn’t quite what she meant. “It doesn’t drain me. It makes me stronger. My gift, I mean.” She shook her head. “And it’s muddled my brain, too. I can’t find the right words.”

Jim chuckled and drew her close for a lingering kiss on her lips, this time. “That’s okay. It sounds like it’s a good thing, which makes me happy. For the record, I’ve never felt exactly like this before, either. You are one special, special lady, Helen.”

He kissed her again, which led to other things… Which led to another, even more intense session of lovemaking that left them both wrung out and in need of sleep.

They slept in each other’s arms, dreaming dreams of the future and letting go of things past.

Jim almost couldn’t bear to leave Helen’s bed, but he still had to do reconnaissance of that old feed mill. Such work was better done in the dark, and there were still a couple of hours left before dawn. With any luck, he could go, check out the place, and be back before she even noticed he was gone.

Jim crept from the bedroom as quietly as he could, watching Helen carefully to make certain she stayed asleep. He could hear her soft breaths and noted no change in the pattern of her sleep as he closed the door and padded, naked, to his side of the suite. Once there, he threw on some of his new clothes and equipment then headed out of the suite.

He encountered no one on his way downstairs, but Miss Felicity was in the parlor, and she saw him as he crossed its open archway heading for the front door. She signaled to him, and he stopped, going into her parlor to see what the old dear had to tell him. She held up a single key with a knowing smile.

“This will get you back in the front door. I may be old, but I’m still a wolf, and I like to prowl at night. I just got back from a little jog down the street. I can’t really run like I used to, due to my arthritis, but I still get around a bit. I’ll sit here for a little while before I go to my room, but you’ll need a way back into the house if you’re going to go out prowling.” She smiled at him as she handed him the key.

“I’ll return this to you,” he promised. “Thank you for your trust.”

“I talked with young Joseph earlier,” she said, making Jim realize just how old this lady was, if that’s what she called the Alpha. “He said you were here to help and that he knew your family. I trust his judgment, and therefore, I trust you. Plus, you’re a handsome young devil.” There was a saucy glint in her eye as she said that last. “I like the way you look out for that girl you brought with you,” she added.

“Helen is special,” he felt compelled to say, as if he was admitting to his first grade teacher that he’d failed to do his math homework.

“It’s good you think so,” Miss Felicity said primly. “She’ll come to no harm in this house. You have my word on that.”

Jim felt her words like the vow they were. “Thank you, Miss Felicity,” he said, feeling grateful enough to bend down and kiss her on the cheek. “I admit I’ve been worried about how the townsfolk would treat her. She doesn’t get out much, and she needs a protector. With you on the job while I’m doing mine, I feel much better.”

Miss Felicity smiled up at him. “Go on, now. Do your duty and rest easy. Things will be all right here while you go do dangerous things.”

He noticed, even as he left, that she didn’t bother telling him to be careful. Miss Felicity was used to