Claiming Their Cat by Maggie O'Malley Page B

surprisingly content. Her skin was soft, and she smelled so—sweet. If she hadn’t been sedated, he would have made a move on her. But she had slept peacefully which was probably what she needed instead of him keeping her awake all night.
    Relief had flooded his wolf when he heard Lucy t ell Cat she could have sex, because not being able to pleasure Cat would be the hardest thing in the world for him to do. She’d trapped his wolf with her smooth skin and sensual scent. He may not claim her, but he planned to do everything up to that point. Over and over.
    Lucy returned carrying a care-package that she kept on hand for wayward souls that included a change of clothes, flip-flops that she affectionately called Galilee gliders, and toiletries. Lucy was the best. There would be no record of this visit. Lucy would provide any necessary pills and keep her mouth shut.
    He waited impatiently. Ten minutes later, Lucy opened the door and motioned him in. Cat sat on the chair staring at the floor.
    Lucy handed him two pill bottles. “Here are some antibiotics for her shoulder and her feet. She needs to stay off those feet until they heal. Take one pill three times a day. The other one is prenatal vitamins. Take one once a day. In about five or six days, those stitches will need to come out. I can do it if you’re out this way, or you can do it for her. I’m sure they taught you that in the military. She needs to rest and eat. Can you see to that?”
    “Yes ma’am. She’ll be in good hands.” And she would be, because he planned to spoil her. Wait? Where did that come from? He’d never spoiled a woman. In fact, he avoided it. No need to ask for clinginess .
    “She’d better be.”
    Rio pulled ten one hundred dollar bills from his wallet and laid them on the counter. “Is that enough?”
    “No. It’s too much.”
    He didn’t miss Cat’s surprise at the money. She probably thought he was buying Lucy’s silence, but that was one thing he didn’t have to pay for.
    “I’ll have the results of her blood work in a few days. Just give me a call.”
    Lucy walked to Cat and stuck out her hand. Cat timidly shook it. “You take care and don’t let this brute of a man walk all over you.”
    Cat’s eyes widened.
    “Lucy, you could have gone all day without telling her that,” he said.
    “She needs to know you can’t boss her around.”
    He would boss her around in some things, like when she was in danger . She needed to obey him at those times, but that discussion could wait until later.
    “Okay, you two. Stay safe.”
    Cat stood. “Thank you for everything.”
    “My pleasure.”
    She glanced around the room. “Where’s my backpack?”
    “Your clothes and pack are in the truck.” She was extremely possessive of her pack, but there was nothing special in it, because he’d looked. It needed washing, and he was going to throw those clothes away. She needed new clothes, and that meant a trip to a mall.
    “Are you hungry?” he asked.
    She shook her head no, but her scent said otherwise.
    “Let’s go grab a bite to eat.
    He handed Cat the medicine and scooped her up in his arms.
    “What the hell are you doing?” asked Lucy.
    “Protecting her feet. Get the door for me.” Yeah, perhaps this was over the top, but he’d caught sight of her toes, and they were a mess. Cat weighed nothing as he made his way out the front door. After settling her in the seat, he went back to Lucy. “I owe you—again.”
    “You just keep her safe.”
    “That is the one thing I can do.” He kissed Lucy on the forehead and headed for his vehicle. His beast urged him to get his ass in the truck and feed Cat. She reclined against the seat in her freebie clothes and stifled a yawn. He needed to feed her fast before she slipped into sleep. He wondered if her hormones made her tired and why didn’t he ask more questions of Lucy.
    He pulled on the highway. “Let’s do a drive-through for supper. What’s your preference, McDonalds,