Chapter 49
Donovan leaned in and brushed his lips over TJ’s ear. He leaned back before speaking. “I’m sorry. What you went through was horrific.” Lowering his gaze, he continued. “Betrayal at the worst. A knife in your back.”
TJ grinned at Donovan’s words. “A little dramatic. You sound like Shakespeare with some guy about to commit hara-kiri because of the shame of it all.”
Donovan smiled softly, took TJ’s hand, and kissed his fingertips. “Hey, if the shoe fits.” He sobered some. “I understand why you don’t want to be with another man, to even try another relationship.”
Unable to get words past the lump in his throat, TJ simply gave a single nod.
“Maybe, just maybe, we could try a little research project of our own.” Donovan finished with TJ’s right hand and treated the left to the safe affection. “Friends with benefits.”
Amusement washed over TJ. “We’ve fucked. I think that makes us already there.”
Donovan shook his head slightly, running his tongue over TJ’s palm. “The benefits part is down pat. We can work more on being friends. If you’ll have me.” He peered over at TJ.
TJ’s heart thudded against his ribs. “I think we’ve made some big strides in that direction already.”
“Yeah, we have. So, let’s see where it might go. No pressure. No expectations. Just two friends that get together for a damn hot time.”
TJ grinned and scratched his brow. “The sex is pretty amazing.”
“Uh, huh.” Donovan smiled. “How about we rock the world again?” He leaned in and brushed his lips over TJ’s.
TJ responded for a second before pulling back slightly. “Why haven’t you given up on me? Washed your hands of me? Decide that I’m too much trouble and walk off?”
“Because.” Donovan looked bemused. “You really can’t understand what I see in you, can you?” He ran his fingers ever so gently over TJ’s cheek. “You’re kind. Caring. Uber smart. More man than just anyone I’ve ever met.” He tapped his chin with his finger. “Oh, and sexy as hell. Did I mention that?”
TJ chuckled. “I’m not sure. Remind me again.”
Donovan’s grin turned wicked. He replaced his fingers with his mouth, nibbling and licking his way over to TJ’s earlobe before sucking on it. “Sexy and tasty, too.”
“Hmmm.” TJ tilted his head to give Donovan easier access. “You have a thing for licking.”
“I do?”
“Yeah. I like it.”
Donovan laughed. “Then, you’re in for a treat, big guy.”
“Bring it on.” 11
A couple of days later and halfway home from work, TJ’s cell phone rang. He picked it up, checked the caller ID, and scowled. Jonah calling him never bode well. “Yeah?”
“Need your medical expertise.”
Knowing Jonah wouldn’t say much over the phone, TJ kept to the basics. “I was just on my way home for the day.”
“I’m here waiting at your office.”
That statement drew TJ’s curiosity. “Just you?”
“No.”
Something immersed in that clipped word set TJ’s heart to racing. He turned the vehicle on a dime, stepped on the gas, and pushed the Jeep to its limits.
Fifteen minutes later, he used his key to enter the clinic. The town pretty much shut down at five P.M., leaving the main street to resemble a ghost town, even during the extended daylight of summer months. That fact fared them well in this situation.
TJ stopped as he sensed more than just Jonah inside. How the sheriff got in didn’t bother TJ nearly as much as the other scents wafting to him. Shifters. All of them. And different varieties at that. The stench of blood nearly overwhelmed the other aromas.
Not a good sign at all.
“What’s the problem?” He spared a glance at people who surrounded a patient presently lying on an exam table. Worry and anger were both in abundance in their expressions. Grim lines and frowns told the story. TJ recognized them as different species of shifters. Local ones, just not from Forgotten. In this very rural area, local could mean anything in the surrounding fifty miles.
Jonah occupied a corner, his face pensive. TJ could almost feel the rage stemming from him.
TJ pushed his way between two men and stared down at a younger man, his face screwed up in agony. After doing a quick check, TJ focused on the man’s leg—or what was left of it. Blood, meat, and bones were all visible. “What the hell happened?”
“Shot.” One of the onlookers gritted the word out, his tone filled with hate.
TJ inspected the wound and flinched at the mess. Automatically, he checked the man’s pulse on his wrist, then lower on his leg. Who knew what was left or gone with such a mangled, gruesome wound. “My recommendation would be to amputate.”
“No,” the patient whispered. His eyes opened, brown eyes filled with sorrow and pain. “Try. Please.” He attempted to sit up, but one of the others eased him back down.