Part 8 (2/2)

”Obviously.”

Only a quick blink of her eyes betrayed her regret at Frank's pique. It had taken her almost a year and some very long lectures from James after she lost a couple of stories, but eventually she learned not to let it show how much it hurt when people were distressed or angered by questions. She didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but if she didn't ask the questions, someone else would. That didn't mean she liked it.

Taking her arm, Jon pulled her after his friend. ”Come on. I think Frank went this way. You really know how to make friends, don't you?”

She looked away and blinked again. ”Asking questions is my job, Jon. Making friends isn't.”

”In conclusion,” Bleddyn said to his rapt audience, ”crossbreeding wolves and domestic dogs is more than irresponsible. It's dangerous.”

After half an hour of questions, he cordially excused himself, declining the invitation to the c.o.c.ktail party that had been organized in his honor-much to the chagrin of the department chair's wife. Bleddyn snorted to himself. The last thing he wanted was a bored university wife trying to lure him into her bed.

Rhys led the way behind the stage. ”This way. We can avoid the crowd if we go out the back. The car's waiting.”

Bleddyn led him in the opposite direction. ”I want to check the animals and see Frank first. He's probably going to have to send Hammer to the estate.”

Rhys glanced at his companion. ”Bad?”

”Hammer won't trust any human, not even Frank. If I could only get my hands on the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds who abused him... ”

Turning a corner too quickly, he literally ran into Meredythe and the man who was with her. The man bounced off the wall and fell to his knees. She slipped and also would have fallen if Bleddyn hadn't reached out and grabbed her before she could tumble to the ground.

Grateful for the support, Meredythe pushed her hair back out of her face. ”Thanks. Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going.” When he didn't release her, she said, ”I'm okay. You can let go of me now.” Then she looked up into his face. It was the jerk from her boss's office. He'd shaved since yesterday and his hair was pulled back into a ponytail that emphasized his finely chiseled features. He was also wearing a very well cut, very expensive suit. But his eyes were the same-the same probing, smoky gray that bore into the depths of her soul.

What the h.e.l.l was he doing here?

”You!”

A s.e.xy smile slipped onto his lips. ”h.e.l.lo.”

Meredythe tried to wrench her arms free, struggling against him and the strange feelings suddenly surging through her body. ”Let me go!” She looked into his eyes and lost herself in the pa.s.sion mirrored in them.

Bleddyn reacted without thinking. Meredythe was here, in his arms, and she had stopped struggling. He tightened his grip ever so slightly and pulled her closer. Lowering his head, his lips sought hers.

A shocked gasp escaped her, but she didn't fight him. Instead, she shuddered slightly and flattened her hands against his chest.

A growl began low in Bleddyn's throat. His woman. His.

Someone grabbed his wrist and tugged. ”Hey, buddy. What do you think you're doing? Don't you understand English? She told you to let her go.”

Caught in the mesmerizing gray mist of his eyes, Meredythe leaned closer. But her bemus.e.m.e.nt and uncertainty were replaced by shock when the pa.s.sion in his eyes changed, became more dangerous, more feral.

Was that a snarl?

At her side, Jon stumbled back. ”Who is this guy, Meredythe?”

Meredythe blinked. What was she doing? She wrenched herself free and stepped back. She was tempted to slap him like she had in her office, but remembering his reaction from yesterday, she decided against it. She chose a verbal a.s.sault instead. ”Who the h.e.l.l do you think you are, you...you... cretin? I don't know you and I don't want to know you. Come on, Jon. Let's get out of here.”

Again it was Rhys' hand on his arm that kept Bleddyn from following her.

Fury burned in Bleddyn's eyes. ”She's with another man.”

”Calm yourself,” his friend soothed. ”She's with men every day. It doesn't mean anything. You heard Jim. She doesn't even date. All she's interested in is her career. I'm sure he's just a colleague.”

Slowly the tense muscles under Rhys' hand relaxed. Bleddyn unclenched his fists, but the scowl didn't leave his face. ”If he's taken her to his bed...”

Rhys shook his head. ”You're as much hers as she is yours. No one else will take your place. She won't sleep with another man even if she doesn't understand why.”

Turning abruptly, Bleddyn stalked away. He still had to see Frank about Hammer. Besides, if he went after Meredythe now, he just might do something he'd regret.

Meredythe stepped off the elevator grumbling about men and their macho att.i.tudes. Jon Bowers had been entirely too inquisitive about the guy at Columbia. Like she couldn't take care of herself! As if it was any of Jon Bowers' business anyhow! Who the h.e.l.l did Jon think he was?

Her friend Alice laughed. ”You don't even have a steady guy and you complain more about men than any other woman I know.”

Meredythe dropped her bag on a chair. ”Well, they can be such pains in the a.s.s.”

Alice grinned. ”How was lunch? Was he cute?”

Gray eyes appeared in Meredythe's mind. Cute? The guy was drop-dead gorgeous. ”Was who cute?”

”The guy you had lunch with, Kim's partner?”

Another man's face appeared in her mind. ”Who? Oh yeah, Jon. How did you know -”

”Kim called and asked if you were back yet,” Alice answered with a grin. ”He mentioned you were probably having lunch with his partner. So is he cute?”

Closing her eyes, Meredythe sighed and turned. She wouldn't get any work done if she didn't answer Alice. Planting her hands on her hips, she said, ”Around six-two, blond hair, blue eyes and dimples to die for. And very intelligent. And he offered to pay for lunch. And he cuts dead people open for a living. Anything else?”

Alice smirked. ”That will do for now. By the way, somebody sent you roses.”

”Roses? Who?”

Alice stared at her in mock amazement. ”Do you think I read the card?”

The corners of Meredythe's mouth twitched as she walked toward her desk. ”Envelope sealed?”

Alice followed her to her cubicle. ”Well, aren't you going to open the card?”

Meredythe stared at the vase of two dozen blood-red roses sitting on the corner of her desk.

”They came in that vase,” interjected Alice as she set the bag next to the desk. ”That' s real Waterford crystal. Whoever this guy is, he has great taste.”

Meredythe reached for the white envelope that was so obvious against the crimson background. Opening it, she pulled out the card.

I apologize for my actions yesterday. Please forgive me.

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