Chapter 4

 

The next day, at the wildlife health center, I did what I’ve always done so successfully—avoided what made me uncomfortable. There were lots of people around, and Shelly was more than happy to keep an eye on us when Matt did pop in for a few minutes. I went to lunch in the cafeteria, then I worked with Rick some more, helping him with tests and treatments for other animals in the clinic. It felt good to give my input and have it appreciated.

“So, will you and Matt be joining us tonight at the staff mixer?” he asked. “The hotel on campus where it’s being held is quite nice.”

I peered up from the microscope I was using to study a blood sample from a barn owl with rodenticide poisoning. “Oh? No, he didn’t mention it. I don’t expect to see Matt tonight.”

His eyes widened behind his glasses. “Oh, well then… I mean, there’s a staff mixer, dinner and dancing at the hotel ballroom. Would you like to go with me?”

“I didn’t really bring anything appropriate to wear with me.” A flutter of panic tingled through my head. What the hell? Nobody had asked me out in months, and then two guys in twenty-four hours were paying me attention? I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already four in the afternoon; I didn’t have time to shop for a dress in a city I didn’t know. Yup, perfect excuse. “Sorry.” I smiled apologetically.

Rick flushed, nodding vigorously. “Oh, sure, I understand. You didn’t come prepared for a formal dance.”

Shelly appeared at my elbow, beaming. “I have something you can borrow,” she offered.

I stared at her, wide-eyed, not having heard her come in. I suspected her offer had more to do with throwing me at any living male other than Matt, than of any desire to help me. We were of a similar build even though she was a couple inches taller, and it could work. Damnitall.

“I have a really pretty blue dress you can wear,” Shelly continued, her eyes widening.

I looked over at Rick. His posture was rigid. It must have taken a lot for him to work up the nerve to even ask me. I couldn’t have done it. He was a nice guy. It might be good to get my toes wet in the dating pool with someone like him, and, frankly, I was as anxious to steer clear of Doctor Matthew Scott Blake as Shelly was to keep him away from me.

“Thanks, I appreciate the offer,” I said to Shelly then turned back to Rick. “I accept your invitation.”

Something akin to lasers bore into the back of my neck, then Matt’s voice came from behind me, “What invitation would that be?”

I turned, and the green of his gaze had hardened to jade. I lifted my chin. “Rick just asked me to the faculty mixer at the hotel tonight, and I accepted.”

“Oh, really?” His voice was quiet, yet I felt the urge to wince at his flat tone.

“Well, maybe we’ll see you there. Pick you up at seven, Shelly?”

“What? Oh, yes, great. Okay.” She looked flustered, yet pleased.

It was my turn to scowl. If he was trying to use her to make me jealous, it wouldn’t work. He’d just end up hurting the girl.

Matt observed me with a hint of amusement, challenge clear on his face. I bit my tongue.

“We can get ready at my place,” Shelly said, linking her arm through mine. “We’d better get going.”

“But it’s only four o’clock,” I protested.

“Well, we’ve got to get you shoes. I have a dress, but you won’t fit in my shoes,” she said, all but dragging me out of the room. She looked to Rick. “Pick her up at my house.”

She had a point. I couldn’t very well wear my hiking boots. Well, I could, but then I’d have to dye my hair black, paint my nails, and go very gothic with the makeup. It wasn’t really my style anymore.

* * *

I actually ended up enjoying my time with Shelly. We had more in common than I would have thought. I probably should have suspected it since we were both in the same line of work. Rick had picked me up at six-thirty and taken me to the hotel on campus where the party was being held. The ballroom was tastefully decorated.

Now, waiting for Rick to return with our drinks, I felt something like the heat of a spotlight or sunbeam, warming me. I looked up and saw Matt near the entrance. His gaze was fixed on me. As I met his stare, a beatific smile moved across his face. My heart lurched in response. The corners of my own mouth rose as I brightened. It just felt natural. Then I realized what I was doing and scowled. No. I would not be drawn into whatever he was up to. His face went suddenly blank, then Rick touched my arm. I tore my gaze away to accept the drink Rick proffered.

The light blue gown Shelly had in mind turned out to have a conspicuous stain on it, so I borrowed a rose-colored dress which left my upper arms bare by tying over my shoulders and elbows. My long, light brown hair hung, plaited loosely, over one side of my shoulder. I was determined to have a good time and not to think about Matt. He was dangerous, in more ways than one.

When I looked around again, Matt was halfway across the room to us with a stride of fixed determination, despite the dancers he moved through. Oh Shit, this cannot be good. Where’s Shelly? I looked around; however, I didn’t see her.

A moment later, he stood next to Rick. I suddenly felt electrified. How does just being in the same room with him do more for me than all evening with Rick? I met his eyes then looked away. His gaze accused me somehow. But I haven’t done anything wrong.

“Matt,” Rick greeted him politely, though clearly less than happy to have someone joining us.

“Rick. Do you mind if I steal Ally for a dance?”

Before Rick could respond or I could protest, Matt took me by the arm and guided me to the dance floor. He lifted the drink from my hand, set it on a table as we passed, then pulled me into his arms. I stumbled at the swift pace, but he held me close, steadying me.

“What the heck?” I hissed at him. “How about asking me, rather than my date? And where’s your date?”

“Powdering her nose.” He whirled me around the dance floor, edging closer and closer to the French doors leading onto the balcony. His breath warmed my ear, and I shivered involuntarily as he said, “You may be scared, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you hide behind him just because he feels safe.”

I sputtered while he smoothly took my hand and drew me outside. I tried to yank my hand away, but he held me fast. I glared at him. “Scared of what?”

“Scared of the truth.”

He leaned back against the stones of the building and tugged me further out of sight of the doorway. I tripped over a divot in the cement and fell against him, our lips now inches apart.

Time slowed, and I could hear his heartbeat as clearly as my own as they came into sync. Our lips met, as if magnetized. My eyes slid shut; golden sparks darted across the night sky behind my eyelids. I heard the piercing shriek of an eagle. He tasted like peppermint. When he finally released me, I inhaled sharply. The spicy scent of his aftershave filled my senses. My eyes opened and I stared into his, the golden flecks dancing like light on the blue green ocean.

“That was not fair,” I gasped out.

“All’s fair in love and war,” he said lightly, then cleared his throat and leaned back to meet my eyes. “Surrender?”

What would that make me, his prisoner? I shivered at various associations that brought with it. I shook my head. “I thought you were gay.”

The right side of his mouth quirked up. “What on Earth would make you think that?”

“Excuse me, you were the one who pulled away last night.”

He laughed, a deep, rich sound. “We’d just met, technically.”

“So, what’s changed?” I asked, pushing back from him.

He shrugged. “We’ve had time to talk and get things out in the open.”

He leaned in as if to kiss me again.

This is a bad idea. I planted a hand against his chest. He let me retreat a foot, still keeping a hold of my hand.

I glowered. What was he doing? Trying to use sex to confuse me and get me to acquiesce to… whatever he wanted me to become embroiled in? “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I’m not amused.”

“Personally, I found it more than… amusing.”

I considered kicking him in the shins. Instead, I yanked my hand out of his. He let me go this time. I turned and walked back into the party.

It was as if reality had somehow shifted. I could still smell his scent, and my senses were overwhelmed by the people dancing and laughing as if nothing unusual had happened. I supposed it hadn’t for them. I kept seeing his eyes, staring into mine.

For the rest of the night, I smiled and laughed in all the right places, yet my gaze was drawn to Matt, who laughed and danced with Shelly.

“Are you okay?” Rick asked, more than once.

I just faked a smile and nodded each time. “I’m fine, just a little tired.”

The final time, I’m afraid I snapped a bit. “I’m fine.” I grimaced. “I’m sorry, I’m really not feeling well. I think I should head back to my hotel.”

* * *

He stood next to the bed where I lay. I lifted my arms to him. He leaned down and gave me one kiss, then took a step toward the railing and melted before my eyes, shrinking and swirling in on himself until a golden eagle flapped and climbed skyward. It gave a single piercing cry. I rose and watched from the open sandstone balcony. He soared over the angelic city, the sun on his back, shining on his wings. He didn’t return.

I woke, covered in sweat, my chest heaving with my breath. I felt as though I’d just surfaced from a long swim. I got up and went into the bathroom, flipped on the light switch and turned the shower on to cold, put my hand under it then wimped out. I rotated the handle to lukewarm.

What was that? It felt so real, like a memory. Did somebody put something in my drink at the party earlier? What the hell?

I stripped down and got in, trying to wash the memory of the dream away. However, every time I closed my eyes under the water, I saw him. I could still feel him against me and smell his scent on me.

I got out, dried off, and put a robe on, then went directly to my laptop on the desk and booked a flight home. I knew the eagle would be fine now when they removed the brace. It was time for me to fly the coop.