imply that. I meant
that dragons have terribly inflated egos. They do not like to stay hidden.”
She stared at him. “How do you know that?”
“I am somewhat of an ancient history buff.”
“You sound like there are dozens of them roaming around.”
Gavin looked down at the scorch marks. “There is at least one. I suspect we
have not seen the last of him either.” He turned and gestured. “Shall we go
inside?”
A college-aged, young lady looked up from the desk as they entered and
then her eyes widened and she flashed a dazzling smile at Gavin. “I’m Janie,
the receptionist,” she said without even noticing Chloe. “How can I help
you?”
Chloe resisted the urge to step up and wave at the girl to get her attention,
but how could she blame the kid when she had—more or less—the same
reaction to Gavin? He was wearing a simple, white t-shirt that clung to all his
hard ridges and his inky hair was wonderfully tousled from the wind. He
could have stepped out of an advertisement for Abercrombie and Fitch.
Chloe almost sighed along with little Janie.
Gavin smiled and introduced himself, showing his badge. The girl practically
hyperventilated. “I’ll be glad to answer all your questions!”
Chloe’s attention was diverted as another woman entered the waiting area.
This one could have stepped off the cover of an old bodice-ripper with a
spaghetti-strap tank that dipped scandalously low. Long, burnished copper
hair flowed down her back and flawless ivory skin was enhanced by
exotically slanted green eyes. She even moved with feline grace as she
fastened that gaze on Gavin’s face and advanced.
The effect was not lost on Gavin either for he was staring back at her, his
eyes both penetrating and bold. Chloe could practically feel him alert, much
like a wolf scenting prey—only she wasn’t really sure if it wasn’t the other
way around. Was this the kind of woman he desired?
“Hello. I’m Morgan,” she said and extended a soft, pale hand.
With fluid grace, his eyes not leaving hers, Gavin bent over and kissed her
hand. Janie looked annoyed and Chloe felt a sudden sister-like bond with the
girl. Poor thing…
“I couldn’t help overhearing,” Morgan said in breathy-sounding voice. “I
have been working public relations for the clinic since
these…incidents…began happening. Perhaps you should direct your
questions to me?”
“Of course,” Gavin responded quickly. “Would you give me your account of
what happened? I understand that the veterinarian and a friend of hers
disappeared—”
“Michael was more than a friend,” Janie interrupted.
Gavin turned his attention to her. “Were they lovers?”
“Yes,” Janie said.
“No,” Morgan said and gave Janie an annoyed look. “You don’t know that.”
Janie lifted her chin stubbornly. “Well, Michael was really protective of
Sophie. I heard him tell her once that he wouldn’t let anything bad happen
to her. Ever,” she added for emphasis.
Chloe tuned Morgan out as she started relating what had happened in that
seductive-sounding voice. What was it with these protective men? Gavin had
said his friend, Lucas, would protect Sara with his life and—if Janie weren’t
exaggerating too much—it sounded like Michael felt the same way about the
vet. Chloe had never met anyone like that—men didn’t go around in shining
armor acting like chivalrous knights these days. Not that she expected them
to—this was the 21st century and women could take care of themselves. Of
course, that was one reason she wanted to write romance novels. Those
heroes would protect their ladies—it just didn’t happen in real life. Even with
men she’d had great, super-sex with, no one had ever offered to take care
of her. Not that it mattered. Her mother had done just fine.
“And so,” Morgan was concluding, “I want to help in any way I can.”
Gavin nodded. “I may be calling on you then.”
Her lips curled,
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