Carolline made her way down the hallway to the cafeteria with a spike of trepidation inching along her spine. It had been three days since she’d last set foot in there. Three days of breaking a tea habit she didn’t even know she had just to avoid running into Mister Sinfully Sexy Andersen.

Not that she thought he’d be there, or that she would run into him, it was just better to be safe rather than sorry. A repeat performance was not what she was looking for…ever. Though, from the gossip rolling through the hospital, the staff was. They wanted to see if sparks really flew between doctor McHottie and her.

Ugh! You need to stop thinking about him in those terms, Carolline. Yet, she couldn’t. He’d been on her mind constantly. A low thrum of arousal and need coursed through her veins almost non-stop since that ill-fated run-in. She ached to see him again. To feel his hands skimming over her skin. And not merely touching her damaged hand, which was completely his fault. Even her damn tigon was on edge, prowling low in her psyche wanting to get close to him.

News of her non-newsworthy confrontation with the doctor spread through the hospital like a virus. Even her work neighbor, Jessie, popped into her office and asked about it. The woman thought it was hilarious someone finally put him in his place.

Carolline had news for Jessie; she hadn’t been trying to put him in his place. She had only disagreed about it being her fault, and then tried her damnedest not to drool on the man when he refused to stop touching her.

The whole scenario wasn’t worth the attention everyone gave it; but, apparently talking back to Andersen and not bending to his will was unheard of. She refused to believe she was the only person to do so. As a matter of fact, Carolline knew MJ Poppy-now-Hart didn’t bow down to the man. She broke off the agreed-upon pre-engagement engagement she had with him and followed her heart to the man she loved more than anything in the world.

All the gossip and rampant fever of the less than impressive encounter reinforced Carolline’s idea that he could do no wrong in the hospital or around town. He may not have built the place, but he was the one putting it and Garden on the map.

His name and skill as a physician brought in other highly-skilled doctors who wanted to be in the company of a top-notch team. Members of what was rapidly becoming the premier hospital for shifters and their families. She had to admit she liked being part of it too. She felt a sense of pride when she reached out to clients and told them where she worked.

It was difficult to continue her research back East when funds dried up, or they were re-appropriated by other seemingly worthier programs. There was still resistance to hybrids, no matter how fast their numbers were growing. People didn’t want to spend the money and resources on something that had the ability to make them uncomfortable. Anything that reminded them there wasn’t pure blood running through every shifter in the world, or of the time when hybrids were hunted down and killed.

Breaching the cafeteria door, Carolline breathed a sigh of relief when she found the place nearly empty. Striding over to the beverage station, she poured a large cup of tea, then added cream and sugar. Before turning around, she looked over her shoulder to make sure no one was there. Look before you leap, she thought.

Thankfully, there wasn’t anyone there, and a sense of relief rushed through her with the knowledge she wouldn’t be repeating her mistake of the other day. Deciding to enjoy the rare opportunity to sit in the usually jam-packed cafeteria, she found a table close by and settled in. She loved people-watching, but hated crowds. Well, more precisely, being in the middle of a crowd. Too many bad memories went with situations like that.

The cramped orphanage. The screaming children. All of them wanting to know why they were abandoned by parents who should have loved them. Misinformation spread about how hybrids were easily provoked and violent, and therefore shouldn’t be treated with basic kindness and human decency. Years of emotional neglect formed her into the woman she was now.

If that happened to be defensive and a bit standoffish at times, then so be it. She was only protecting her mental health.

Carolline shook away the downward spiral her thoughts were taking, as the doors to the cafeteria opened. Just her luck. In walked Dr. Andersen and another man, causing her heart to drop. She’d been so close to an Andersen-free morning.

She studied the two of them as they entered, seeing as how she wouldn’t not be able to stare. They were polar opposites as far as physical features went. Night and Day. And both gorgeous as hell.

Devon’s darker complexion held an exotic beauty that appealed to her on a base level. She knew him to have dark hair, brown eyes, and full sensual lips. Quite honestly, she was surprised he was a tiger shifter. Based on his looks alone, she would have pegged him as a panther. The sleek, smooth gait of a predator. The quiet comportment he carried in his broad shoulders.

She had studied his profile on the hospital’s website after her run-in with him. Wanting to know more about him in case he was one of those high-on-his-ego men and decided to take action against her for a simple accident, which was clearly his fault.

While she didn’t find anything negative about him on the website, or through Internet searches, she did find she was intrigued by him more and more. Merely looking at his picture caused a deep tug within her. A yearning to be near him and learn more about him. She was quite sure it was because he was an anomaly, and it had nothing to do with her tigon sitting up at attention anytime he was around.

He did what not many shifters even thought about until they came into Dewasa. He married a human at age twenty-three, and had his first child soon after. She blamed her inherent curiosity and career choice, but she couldn’t help but wonder if he ever went through the physical or emotional changes of Dewasa, or the mating pull when he came of age. Did he react to his wife like shifters reacted to his or her mate? Was there a physical reaction within him when she died? Devon had been thrust into single parenthood almost two years ago when a drunk driver hit his wife. The death of a mate, a true mate, could bring a person to their knees. Slice through their soul like they were the ones dying as well. Carolline wanted to know if he felt her pain when it happened.

That was a topic for thought later. Her curiosity was still focused on the men before her.

The man next to Devon grinned and nodded before bumping shoulders. He chuckled as a woman walked past them and slipped something into his hand. Carolline could only guess it was a name and phone number when he slid it into the front pocket of his jeans.

She didn’t blame the woman for hitting on him either. He was light in complexion, fair-haired, and from this distance, she guessed he had brilliant green eyes. He was as tall as Devon, broad shoulders, tapered waist, and long, muscular legs. He laughed easier than his companion, exuding a laid-back manner. The kind of guy she usually went for. His entire manner said no-strings affair only. The kind she preferred when it came to the opposite sex.

The men approached the beverage station, talking to each other. Oblivious to her sitting at the table nearby.

“You’re welcome to stay with me while you’re looking for a place,” Devon said.

The other man chuckled. A nice, rich throaty sound that should drive any woman wild. She frowned when she realized it didn’t do a thing for her. “Thanks, Dev, I think I’ll stick with the bed and breakfast. I love your kids, but they are going to kill me.”

“What, Uncle Jack can’t handle a couple of kids climbing on him like he’s a jungle gym?”

“I’m too old for that shit.” The man she now knew as Jack snorted, as a fond smile swooped up the corner of his mouth. “In all seriousness, I don’t think it’ll take me long to find a place. I saw a couple in your neighborhood for sale while I was out on a run.”

“Mountain lion or human?”

“Human. I remembered what you said about the woman who lives at the end of your block. Mrs. Timmons, right?”

“Yeah, says she keeps seeing a bear walk through her yard. You’d think she’d be accustomed to the wildlife around here since most of the town are shifters. I always thought it strange that as a human, she moved here. I guess some grandparents will do anything to be near their children and grandchildren. Anyway, try to steer clear of her. She keeps a shotgun handy just in case this bear, which no one else has seen, decides to use her lawn as a bathroom.”

Carolline snorted, immediately covering her mouth with her hand. The two men turned and looked at her, surprise evident on their faces. Jack’s surprise turned into what most women would call a panty-melting grin. Carolline did a quick internal check. Nope. Her panties weren’t falling off her body or melted into a puddle.

She glanced at Devon. His surprised look quickly turned to what she thought might be annoyance. Even with him scowling at her, her heart fluttered and warmth spread through her chest. Damn the man for turning her on. She needed to get out of there.

“Sorry. I couldn’t help but overhear. I’ll be on my way so you can talk,” she looked around the cafeteria at the few people there, “in private.” Picking up her cup, she got out of her chair, and skirted around the table, hoping to make another quick getaway. Tucking tail and running was becoming a habit around the man. There was a part of her, the more animalistic part, that wasn’t fond of the action at all. It didn’t matter though. The human side needed to escape.

She heard the quick step of feet behind her, and was shocked when Jack appeared in front of her, stopping her exit. They stood in the center of the cafeteria, and she was aware of the weight of curious eyes on them. The few that were there, at least.

“Hi,” he said, holding out his hand for her to shake. “Dr. Jack Bennett.”

“Dr. Carolline Greene.” She took his hand, gave it one firm pump, and then instantly let go. The less contact the better. She didn’t need any more people talking about her behind her back. First, with the few who thought she needed to head back East and away from the good, upstanding, pure shifters of Garden. And now with the gossip floating around about her and Devon.

Jack shot her a boyish lopsided grin that, on any other day, would have made her blush and her heart flutter in her chest. Sadly, it didn’t affect her one bit. She was too aware of Devon behind her. Too aware of the heat of his stare. Too aware of the fact that it was him she’d like to have smiling charmingly at her.

“I know,” Jack declared.

Her eyebrows shot up in bewilderment. “Really? How?”

“From the other day when you ran into him.” Jack nodded his head in the direction over her shoulder where she knew Devon was standing. “I saw your name tag. It wasn’t until after you left that I realized you were the hybrid specialist.”

Carolline tried her best to ignore him and concentrate on the man before her; however, she found it difficult. There was a magnetic draw to Devon she didn’t understand. She breathed in deeply through her nose, before slowly letting it out through her mouth. It was a technique she used to focus back on task, in this case, Jack Bennett. “I’m impressed. Not a lot of people know what I do, Dr. Bennett. Most think I’m some sort of therapist.”

Jack snorted. “Please, call me Jack.”

A low rumble sounded behind them. Carolline chanced a glance back and saw Devon’s eyes narrowed and focused on his friend. At least he isn’t giving me the stink eye anymore.

“Everyone knows who you are on the East Coast. I work at Peachtree County Hospital. You made a visit or two there a couple of years ago. I sat in on one of your lectures. It was really good, very informative. It’s too bad they didn’t want to implement more of your ideas. I think they would have been able to help a lot more people.”

Carolline couldn’t help the blush rushing to paint her cheeks. Accepting compliments had never been her forte. It was nice to hear someone took something away from one of her lectures though. “Thank you. I had hoped they would be more open to treatments for hybrids; but, after my second visit, I knew they were only allowing me to speak in order to meet the federally mandated training. I was never invited back to further any of the programs.”

Jack looked over at Devon, then back to her. A grin, one she knew spelled mischief, lit his lips. “I’m only in town a couple more days. Maybe we can get together before I take off. Have dinner, maybe some drinks. I would love to hear more of what you’ve learned about hybrids. I know there are things I could learn to help more of my patients. Especially now that I’ll be moving to Garden.”

Carolline was in the process of accepting his invitation; she would love to talk about her work with someone, when Devon barreled into the conversation. He latched onto Jack’s arm and pulled him away. “We need to go, Jack. I have an appointment in ten minutes.”

Jack shook loose from Devon easily. “You go on ahead. I’ll be fine with Carolline. I can catch up with you later.” The men turned to look at her.

Devon scowled. “No. I have a guy coming in I could use your opinion on. You can’t very well help me when you’re with her.” Devon stressed the last part, making it sound like poison on his tongue. She wasn’t sure what she had done to warrant such treatment, but she was sure it wasn’t because of the mishap the other day.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Devon?” Jack hissed out.

“Don’t worry about it, Jack. It’s apparent Dr. Andersen doesn’t want you around me. He must think I’ll contaminate you somehow. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time here. Though I don’t see how that will be possible if you’re spending all of it with him,” she mumbled, brushing past the two men with a sense of déjà vu. One she wasn’t fond of repeating.