The main entrance to the veterinary office opened and she looked up from the magazine still on her lap. Good God in heaven! She licked her lips, watching as the man walked straight for the receptionist’s desk. Her conversation with Tess had her buzzing already, but this added a living, breathing visual in simmering hot color!

Broad shoulders tapered to a narrow waist and the way his white t-shirt clung to an obviously muscled torso, the effect left her staring with her mouth open. He was tall with just the right amount of dark scruff on a chiseled jaw, and when he took off his sunglasses, her breath caught in her throat. Dark hair, electric blue eyes in a gorgeous face, all wrapped in a very lickable hard body. Holy orgasm, Batman!

Izzy inhaled and his scent left her dizzy, her mind swimming with how he’d taste from his thighs to that all too prominent package behind his zipper. Ugh. Thanks, Tess. All her talk gave her sex on the brain, complete with images of a backward cowgirl ride and the buck of a lifetime staring at the hottie standing across the room from where she sat.

Giving her head a quick shake, she squeezed her eyes closed. Get it together, Izzy. Thankfully, he seemed too preoccupied to notice her obvious stare. The last thing she needed was some Hollywood hunk catching her drooling. Isn’t that how the story went? Lonely, overweight girl ogles the hotties she can only dream about? Yeah, no. Not if she could help it.

“Excuse me. I got a call someone found my dog?” he asked at the reception desk.

Of course, his voice was deep and sexy.

Maybe he’s gay.

Yeah, he’s too good-looking.

Plus, this is West Hollywood.

Then why is my Gaydar reading straight as an arrow?

The receptionist opened her mouth to reply, but before she could utter a word, Isabel stood from her chair. “Yes, I found your dog.”

He turned and to Izzy’s surprise, he seemed doubtful. “You?”

Not knowing how to take his skeptical expression, she blinked. “Is that a problem? Or maybe you’d rather I left her on the streets to fend for herself?”

His eyes widened. “No, that’s not what I meant. It’s just Jezzie doesn’t warm to strangers all that easily.”

“Jezzie?”

He nodded. “Short for Jezebel. When she was a puppy, she was such shameless flirt, no other name fit. She went missing yesterday after the groomer let her out to do her business in the yard. How she ended up on Sunset Strip is beyond me. I live in Malibu.”

Isabel’s mouth dropped. “Malibu? But that’s an hour from here.”

“Exactly.”

Before Izzy could question him further, the double doors opened and the doctor came out. “Mr.—”

“Zander—please,” he replied, interrupting the man.

“Of course.” The vet traded a quick look between him and Izzy. “Jezebel is fine. She’s a little dehydrated, though. It’s no surprise, considering. Do you have any idea how she came to be so far from home?”

Zander shook his head. “Not a clue. I left her at the house with her groomer. I’m just glad she was found safe and sound.”

Isabel sat once more watching the exchange, inhaling just enough to satisfy herself the man’s concern wasn’t just for show. The inside of her nose tickled and a warm buzz stirred in her belly. The electric feel moved with the speed of light to her crotch and she gasped.

Crossing her legs, heat crawled up her cheeks as her panties dampened. Both men heard her audible reaction and she covered her mouth, coughing against her embarrassment.

Zander slid his blue eyes to her and she swore a tiny smirk tugged at his lips. “You okay?” he asked.

Isabel nodded quickly. “Of course. It must be all the fur flying around here.”

He flashed a crooked smile. “Probably. Some people are more sensitive to fur than others.”

A frown knotted Izzy’s forehead, but before she could reply, Zander turned to talk to the doctor. Could he sense she had shifter blood? Did he as well? For the first time in her life, she wished she knew more about that side of her nature.

Not wanting another scent-inspired punch to her pussy, she didn’t dare inhale to test the theory. She turned instead and grabbed her purse from the floor by her chair. God, he was gorgeous—and he obviously loved animals. Between that and the goddamned amazing way he smelled, her mind whirled with questions and possibilities. All kinds of possibilities. She mentally squashed the X-rated thoughts. She found his dog. Nothing more.

The vet cleared his throat. “We’d like to keep Jezebel for about an hour. We’re going to give her some I.V. fluids just to perk her up and make sure she’s well-hydrated. It shouldn’t take longer than that.”

Zander pulled his eyes from Isabel and nodded. “Definitely. Do whatever you have to, Doctor, and thanks.” With a nod, the vet disappeared to the back and Zander walked to the receptionist’s desk. “Here’s my cell number. I’ll stay local until I hear from you, and please call me immediately if you find anything else wrong.”

Isabel gathered her bag and took out her car keys. “Well, I’m glad this had a happy ending.” She nodded to the receptionist and then Zander. “Take care of that little scruff.”

“Wait—” he called after her. “At least let me buy you lunch or a cup of coffee or something.”

She hesitated. Those same possibilities winging their way around her head had now found their way to her stomach. “Uhm, that’s not necessary. I did what anyone would do.”

He grinned. “You must be new to Hollywood. No one here does anything without an ulterior motive.”

Izzy met his grin and she lifted her chin with a smirk. “I’m born and bred here, and I never have ulterior motives.”

“Ouch.” He chuckled. “I apologize. Good Samaritans exist, but you have to admit they are a rare breed.”

“On that, we can agree.”

His answering smile made her knees go weak and she put her hand on the door handle for cover.

As if he knew, his smile broadened. “So, what do you say? Let me buy you lunch for helping Jezzie find her way home.”

Isabel considered him for a moment and then nodded. “When you put it that way, how can I say no?”

“Great.” Zander reached for the door handle and their hands touched for a fraction of a second. Izzy’s mouth went dry and she licked her lips, stepping back to let him open the door for her.

“So, Good Samaritan. Do you have a name?” he asked with another smirk.

“Isabel.”

“Isabel,” he repeated. “A beautiful name, for a beautiful lady.”

Heat burned both cheeks and she knew she’d pinked to her ears. “Okay, let’s can the corny. I appreciate your gratitude, but there’s no need to get carried away.”

“Got it.” With a grin, he inclined his head. “Still, corny or not, it doesn’t make it any less true. You are a pretty lady, with a pretty name.”

She inhaled again. Not a trace of anything but true gratitude, so she nodded. “Thank you, then. I appreciate the compliment.”

“So, where would you like to eat? The strip has quite a few eclectic restaurants.”

She shrugged. “You’re buying. Your choice.”

He smiled. “I’ve got the perfect spot.”