"Of course I'm going. It's what I do." She looked up at him. "Do you think-" She forgot what she had been about to say as her eyes met Marrok's. His intensity was overwhelming and almost hypnotizing. For an instant she actually felt shaken. Safe? She suddenly had the feeling that nothing connected with this man would ever be termed safe.
Get a grip. Whether Marrok was safe or not wasn't important. He was just a man with a dog that was hurt and needed her.
She glanced away from him. "It's what I do," she repeated. She took out her phone and started to dial Ramirez. "Put on some gloves. I may need you to hold Ned in the correct position during the surgery."
CHAPTER 2
"HE SHOULD WAKE UP ANY minute now." Devon turned away and stripped off her gloves. "Ned should be fine. But you should keep him confined for two weeks. He mustn't get excited and tear out those stitches."
"I won't cage him. Ned won't tear them out. I'll have a talk with him." His hands were stroking the dog's head with exquisite gentleness. "He's smart and knows what's good for him."
She found herself staring at the hands caressing the dog. Beautiful, graceful hands, and the tenderness of the movement was mesmerizing. The first impression of barely contained violence was completely at odds with this Marrok. She tore her gaze away. "Until he sees a cat cross his path. You may be proud of your dog, but you shouldn't risk him because you have a false sense of his intelligence."
"Not false." He glanced up at her. "And he likes cats. I haven't found an animal or human being he doesn't like… except one. That's why he's such a terrific rescue dog. He never stops trying." Ned was waking up, opening his eyes. "Take it easy, buddy," Marrok said softly. "It's all over. Now all you have to do is heal."
Ned whimpered and closed his eyes again.