What This Wolf Wants by Jennifer Dellerman Page A

her.
    Vertical once again, and feeling more like himself, Zan looked Jackie up and down, appraising. “I’m going to ask you something and please don’t get mad at me. I don’t think I could survive another put down.” And he wasn’t completely joking.
    Jackie slanted her eyes to him. “If it’s sexual in any way I will put you down again.”
    Ah. She was back in self-protection mode. Too late.
    Zan’s hands went up in mock surrender. “I have no doubt of that.” His steamy gaze swept over her, approving each delectable curve.
    Knowing exactly what lay under her casual top only made the ache pressing against the front of his jeans burn hotter.
    “What I’d like to know is how you knew to do what you did. Your reflexes are some of the fastest I’ve ever seen and that includes my team.
    You not only stopped me, you dropped me. It was quick and efficient and required little exertion on your part.”
    Jackie only shrugged. “I learned some self-defense. It’s come in handy on a few occasions. There’s no reason to make anything out of it.” Her evasion rang a bell in his head. Recalling past conversations he realized other instances where she’d dodged some questions by both his men and himself. It made him wonder. “It was a trained move, Jackie.” Again with the eye rolling. “I already said I was trained in self-defense. A lot of people are. It’s not a big deal.” This time Zan wouldn’t let the matter alone. “Who trained you?” He pushed.
    She glared. “None of your business.”
    “I’m making it my business.” He was heading into possessiveness but he couldn’t stop himself. He needed to know.
    “And businesses fail all the time. Get used to the disappointment.” Jackie swiveled on her heel and walked away from him. Again.
    Suddenly the idea of tossing her over his shoulder and taking off to some hidden lair began to make a lot of sense. It was arrogant, but honest.
    Now for his next trick.

    Chapter Ten

    Jackie placed one hand protectively over her purse as she locked her truck, glancing furtively around her neighborhood, paranoid that someone would know what she’d stashed in there before leaving work.
    Damn that Zan Sutton. This was all his fault.
    If he hadn’t come looking for his brother, he wouldn’t have been shot, brought to her in need of medical attention, wouldn’t have snatched her hand in his wolf mouth and certainly wouldn’t have initiated the mating heat. And because of her reluctance—more like adamant insistence—at refusing the connection, she would face another night full of erotic dreams, restless energy, and worry.
    A harsh breath blew out of her mouth as she headed up the concrete walkway to her little two-bedroom home. She was being a bitch, and not just in her head. Her words and actions to Zan since his arrival had been that of a cranky and snobbish brat, very unlike her normal demeanor.
    Zan had every right to seek his brother out. And getting shot wasn’t Zan’s fault either. Though knowing some wacko was out there taking potshots at shifters with silver bullets made her uncomfortable. Which only added to the sleepless nights.
    Which was why she’d taken a few samples from the clinic.
    Sleeping pills.
    She told herself it wasn’t illegal or unethical. She was a doctor after all and wouldn’t abuse them. She just needed some uninterrupted, deep sleep. Without it, she wasn’t good to anyone, especially her patients.
    As her assistant said this morning, no one has confidence in a doctor that looks like death warmed over.
    It was ironic how one split second had changed the rest of her life.
    An instinctive reaction from a confused animal coupled with her own thoughtless action. She knew shifters. Knew better than to make any sudden movements when they were hurt, whether in human or wolf form.
    While most only changed into a beast once a month, they all carried the predator at all times. Even the females.
    Now nature paired her with a man she believed