* * * *
The next morning Jade arrived at the clinic early. She hoped to visit with Billy for a bit. He wagged his tail politely, but Jade knew his heart wasn’t in it. He was still groggy from the pain killers and grieving the loss of his friend. Jade understood that some animals grieved so deeply they slipped into a depression, but she doubted Billy would be one of them. He had a family who loved him. He was anxious to get back to them and begin the healing process.
Jade went in search of Sam. She didn’t really know what he wanted her to do for the generous salary he’d offered her. She found him in the stables talking to Petra. Eavesdropping only created an odd feeling in her chest. He was wonderful with all animals, but with Petra he was even better. She could feel how much he cared about her. Petra of course had spied Jade standing in the doorway and alerted Sam to her presence by nodding her head.
He turned to look at Jade. His crooked smile creased his face. “Hey there, good morning.” He looked so happy to see her, the strange feeling in her chest grew, and she frowned in reaction.
Sam frowned with concern. “What’s wrong?” He was at her side immediately. He almost tripped over a pail on his way there, but he made it.
Jade blinked. “Nothing’s wrong. I was just wondering what you want me for.”
Speechless, he looked at her blankly for a moment. They were a rather pathetic pair this morning she thought as she clarified her question. “What are my duties and responsibilities?
“Ah. Well, I thought you could assist me with my patients. Tell me if I’m missing anything important. My abilities to heal them are hampered by my inability to communicate with them. That’s where you come in.”
Jade nodded. “That’s where I come in. What happens if we disagree about the best treatment for a patient?”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“Oh we’ll come to it, I imagine. Be prepared for my honesty. When it comes to animals, I can be very stubborn.” She was deadly serious. “I know people think I’m a mouse, and when I don’t care either way, I guess I am rather mouse-like. When it matters, I’ll stand my ground.”
Sam nodded and linked his arm with hers. “I wouldn’t expect any less from you. Come on, Mighty Mouse, let’s make the rounds.”
Every one of his patients they visited that day communicated to her that something was wrong in New Crescent. They were unable to give her any additional information, but it was inescapable and utterly unanimous. They were scared, not for themselves, but for humans. Jade knew that fact alone was significant. In Sam’s truck on the way back to the clinic, she finally told him.
“They can’t identify this thing, and that fact must scare them just as much as the creature itself.” Sam said.
“Good observation. Their senses are so much more acute than ours. They are rarely surprised by anything really. This thing has them shaken to the core. Soon, everyone in town is going to notice that they’re acting strangely.” She looked at Sam fiercely.
“That’s not good. People who don’t understand will panic.” Sam spoke without taking his eyes off the road. “I’ll bet Travis is one step ahead of us on this one, but when we get back to the clinic, I think we should call him.”
Jade agreed and sat back in her seat. “I like your bedside manner. Is it a bedside manner when you’re a vet?”
“That question keeps me awake at night, but I’m glad you approve. No dissenting opinions today then I take it.”
She shook her head. “Not so far, but there will be some, so don’t get your hopes up.”
He smiled and maneuvered the truck into the parking area next to the clinic. “Oh, trust me, Jinx, I can’t wait.”
The first thing they did when they got inside was call Travis. Sam explained what Jade had found out. He asked Travis if Reggie or Gillian had come up with anything. He listened, then shook his head. Saying goodbye, Sam hung up the phone. He started to say something and was interrupted by his cell phone. He held a finger up and answered it.
“Hi, Michelle.” He looked at Jade apologetically and walked out of the room.
Jade tried not to wonder why it bothered her so much that he needed privacy when he spoke to the beautiful woman.
Jade got tired of waiting for him to come back, so she walked into the kennel and checked on all the overnight patients. They’d taken Billy home earlier in the day between their farm visits. It was gratifying to see his tail wag with enthusiasm when he caught the scent of his home. The animals at the clinic were good company. As she waited for Sam, she communicated with them. They wanted to go home. The vet’s was never a place they wanted to hang out. She did what she could to ease their worries and looked up when Sam finally returned.
She didn’t wait for him to speak. “I didn’t know if we were done for the day, so I stuck around.”
Sam shook his head. “Sorry about that. Michelle can be labor intensive.” He walked over to her and gave her his hand to help her rise from her cross legged position. “I’m going to have to get you a pillow so you’re not always sitting on the hard floor.”
Jade dusted off the seat of her jeans. Sam watched silently. She looked up at him with a frown. “What is it?”
He snapped out of his trance. “Nothing, you caught me, I was just appreciating the grown up you.”
Jade smiled shyly, she could feel the heat as a flush rose up her neck and stained her cheeks. “I’m glad you approve.”
“What’s not to like?” His expression was serious. “I think you’re wrong to reject all romantic opportunities. I can only imagine what you went through with your father, but not all men are like that.”
“I know that. Look at Travis, Chase and you yourself. It’s not like I haven’t known good men. You’re all great catches for the right woman. I’m just happier alone.”
“You don’t know that. How can you know that? Have you ever had a long term serious relationship with a man?” He leaned a hip against the counter and folded his arms across his chest.
“No, I haven’t. Doesn’t that prove I don’t want one?” Jade smiled and shook her head. “I can assure you I’ve had opportunities. I’m just not interested.”
He hurried to clarify. “I’m not suggesting for a second that you haven’t had opportunities. You’ve probably had far more than you realize, but I’d hate to see you put limits on your life.”
“What you’re really trying to say is that you can’t understand how I can live without sex. You’re such a guy.” She could hear the irritation in her usually even toned, low pitched voice.
“Yeah.” Sam unfolded his arms and rested his hands on the counter behind him. He crossed his legs at the ankles. He looked like he was enjoying himself. Jade was enjoying herself just looking at him. Her chest tightened in that peculiar way, she took a deep breath and tried to ease the discomfort.
When she didn’t respond, he said, “I know many women who like sex just as much as men. Ask Gillian or Reggie.”
Jade shifted uncomfortably, looking away from him. “Why are we talking about this?”
“I’m concerned.” He actually sounded it.
“You’re concerned about me? Why?”
“I don’t think you’ve allowed yourself to open up and care about a man. It’s not surprising considering your relationship with your Dad. And even with Chase to an extent though it wasn’t his fault. You’ve grown up to believe that a man will never be there for you, that you’re on your own, men mean trouble.” His dark eyes looked into hers and she blinked a couple of times before she responded.
“So what? I’ve protected myself. I’m perfectly happy this way. Why fix it if it’s not broken?” Agitated with him for his outspoken and rather shrewd insight, she glared at him.
“You’re missing the very best of life.”
“How do you know? You’re not married. You’ve jumped from bed to bed for years never getting close to any one woman. What are
you
searching for?”
He didn’t speak for a long moment. When he finally responded he used a low voice. “I’m searching for my match. A woman uniquely suited to me. I see what Travis and Chase have, and I want it too. Take a good look. When they don’t think anyone else is watching them, Gillian and Reggie look at their men with a blatant sexual hunger. It’s a sight to behold, and I want it.”
That strange tightening in her chest cinched even tighter. She looked around the room at any thing that wasn’t Sam.
“I’ve never felt that. I’ve never wanted a man that way.” She spoke with honestly.
Sam shook his head. “You just haven’t been hanging out with the right men, sweetheart.” He pushed off the counter and stepped towards her. She looked at him with suspicion when he took her hands and put them around his neck. The knot in her chest pulled a little tighter when he rested his own hand on her waist and brought her body into contact with his. He cupped her chin and rubbed a thumb against her bottom lip. He didn’t take his eyes off hers when he said, “Brace yourself, Jade. I feel like taking you up on that offer you made to me when you were so young. I’m going to kiss you. And you’re going to feel it in every part of your body.”
Stunned, she stood there immobile and watched as his head moved closer.
He took his time, his lips stayed a millimeter away from hers, and he breathed her scent. He nuzzled her neck, sending shivers down her spine. When he finally kissed her he was so gentle she wasn’t entirely sure if his lips actually touched hers.
He pulled away and teased her lips again. Ruthlessly, he refused to put her out of her misery, moving in and then away again. When he finally really took her mouth with his, she wanted it so badly she almost grabbed his head and planted her lips on his. Sam could do wonderful things with those lips and tongue of his. He made love to her mouth, and she responded without even knowing she was doing it. Too gentle, he was being too gentle. She wanted more. Clutching his hair in both of her hands she pushed his head down to hers and kissed him, releasing a little of the tightness in her chest. He pulled her closer. Her back arched, and she felt his hips against hers and welcomed his hardness. She wanted to wrap her legs around him and squeeze.
Very slowly, Sam turned down the heat. The kiss that was once so passionate became softer, easier. When he was finished he lightly kissed both of her closed eyelids.
He spoke in a low whisper. “That’s what you’re missing.”
She swayed, and he steadied her. She looked up at him helpless, speechless.
“You’ve had that coming to you since that night on the beach.”
Stunned by the kiss, Jade took a second to reply, but when she did it was with spirit. “That’s not fair! I was a child then. Your experience far outweighs mine. In fact your experience outweighs just about everybody’s. You’ve turned kissing into art.” She stepped away from him, “If you kissed Ernestine like that, you’d get a response.”
He looked so utterly horrified that Jade burst out laughing and didn’t stop until her sides ached.
“But…Ernestine just likes me as a friend.” He said it so seriously that his words and expression set Jade off on another stream of laughter, and he joined her. Jade was relieved. It was a great tension breaker. She could face him again calmly, without all the heat he’d generated in her.
She moved to the hook where she’d hung her coat. She put it on so swiftly she had it buttoned before he could even offer to help her. All he could do was straighten her collar.
She faced him and took a deep breath. “Okay, Sam. So maybe you have a point. Since you’re so sure that I’m missing something important, I’ll give it a shot. I’ll go out on a date.”
He looked surprised for a moment, but before he could say anything, she turned to walk away. In a carefree voice, she called out, “See you tomorrow.” And the door closed behind her.
* * * *
Sam wasn’t sure who was more affected by their kiss, him or her. He could barely stop himself. Once he’d got a taste of her something inside him demanded more and more. Jade didn’t know it, but she’d only seen the tip of the iceberg. So much of his desire for her was hidden beneath the surface. If a kiss made her weak, what would sex do? She’d be catatonic. Damn it! She was so innocent. A man with his experience wasn’t what she deserved. Her accusation was bang on. He’d been around the block more times than he could count and was now just a step away from jaded. He laughed at the unintentional pun. He was Jaded all right.
He cursed as he walked to his office. How did a woman like Jade get to her age without getting experience? He suspected that sexually Jade was almost as naïve today as she’d been on that beach so many years ago.
His cell phone rang again. Damn it! It was Michelle. He let it go to voice mail. With his head filled with thoughts of Jade, he didn’t have the patience to deal with Michelle twice in one day. He’d already spoken to her for too long tonight. She’d become a problem. Sam knew her through his parents, never a wise move. His parents had been manipulating him ever since they’d introduced him to Michelle. He’d decided to go to Chase and Reggie’s wedding alone. There wasn’t anyone he’d wanted to bring. His father had taken full advantage of Sam’s unusual datelessness and sicked Michelle on him. An incredibly confident and assertive Michelle had decided that he couldn’t possibly go to a wedding alone. It didn’t matter to Sam particularly, so he went along with it. Michelle was intelligent and witty. It didn’t hurt that she was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen. But for Sam, it quickly became evident that no one could hold a candle to Jade.