Josie took her time getting Max's food, solely for the altruistic purpose of giving Evan time to get to know his dog. It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact she was afraid he'd kick both her and Max out if she came home before he'd fallen in love with the dog. Given the mood both males were in when she left, she allowed four hours before she came home.

She snuck up the front steps. None of her belongings were sitting in the driveway. That was a good sign. Key still worked in the door, indicating he hadn't changed the locks to keep her out. She pushed the door open slowly, prepared for the utter destruction of Evan's beautiful house and a lecture.

She peered around the door. Huh. House looked intact, and there was no one shouting curses and no dog barking. Had Evan taken him out back and shot him? No. He'd never do that.

Josie pushed the door open the rest of the way, dragging the forty-pound bag of dog food behind her, along with an assortment of chew toys. It had taken her last dollars to pay for it, a fact she hadn't considered when she'd rescued Max. She was obviously going to have to persuade Evan to chip in until she could start earning enough money.

Yeah, right. She was sure he'd be so willing.

She kicked the door shut. Still no sound.

Okay, debate here. Sneak upstairs and into bed to avoid a potential thrashing. Or make sure the two of them hadn't killed each other. No decision. She liked the dog too much to go to bed without making sure he was all right. As for Evan... Nope. She didn't care remotely about him.

"Evan?"

"Ssh!"

The hissed command came from the back of the house. Leaving the bag of dog food by the front door for Evan to carry in later, she carried the rest of her things though the kitchen to the back room.

She paused outside the door to gather her courage, then she burst through the door as if she hadn't a care in the world. "Holy cow."

Evan immediately waved at her to be quiet. He was lying on her old couch, Max stretched across the length of Evan's body, using Evan's forehead as a pillow. "I had to run thirteen miles then swim him in the pool for twenty minutes to calm him down," he whispered. "He just fell asleep about ten minutes ago. Don't you dare wake him up."

So much for her worries. "Looks like you did okay, huh?"

"For someone who has three hours a day to exercise him, Max will be great." He was absently scratching Max's ear, belying the sarcasm in his voice.

She dropped the chew toys on the floor and kneeled next to the couch, rubbing Max's head, being careful not to accidentally brush against Evan. "I think you guys are a perfect match."

"We managed."

Managed indeed. She'd made the right decision in bringing Max home.

An evil hiss sounded right behind her, and she turned to find Zeus perched on a nearby chair, her tail stiff and huge, and her fangs bared. "Oh, come on, Zeus. Max won't hurt you."

"Ah, the evil witch shows her twisted face again," Evan said. "She attacked Max three times already, after which I locked her out. Forgot to tell you to shut the door."

"As if I'd lock out my sweetie." She tried to pick up her cat, but received only a solid thwack with the claws and a deep growl. "Ow!"

"She's a warrior, remember? The god of war doesn't understand peaceful resolution." Evan lifted his arm to fend off Zeus should she come flying through the air in a vicious attack.

"Just because she's a warrior doesn't mean she doesn't prefer peace," Josie snapped. "Come here, cutie."

But the cat just hissed and made herself even bigger. Josie let her hands drop away before the cat drew more blood. "I guess there will be an adjustment period."

"She better not come after him, or I'm throwing her out of the house," Evan said.

"Well, aren't you getting protective all of a sudden?" She supposed she should be glad he was bonding with Max, but she didn't exactly appreciate threats to throw Zeus out on the street. "I thought you didn't like him."

"I don't." But he kept scratching Max's ear.

"Well, too bad you don't like him, because he's going to have to sleep in your room."

Evan glanced sharply at her. "Why my room?"

"Obviously, I can't have him in my room with Zeus, and he's got to sleep with someone. If you put him somewhere alone, he'll destroy the place. Plus, after being neglected and abandoned, he's too emotionally fragile. That's why he's so crazy, you know. Because he has no stability in his life."

"He's a dog."

"So? Are you implying dogs can't tell the difference if they're chained to a cement wall or get to sleep in their owner's bed?" Evan looked so tough, with his foot up on the back, yet tender, the way he was patting the dog. And he'd stripped off his tee shirt after his run, so his bare shoulders crushed the couch cushions like heaving masses of muscle and testosterone. Imagine what it would be like to be sprawled on Evan's bare chest the way Max was, Evan's hands playing with her hair, his breath hot on her neck. Phew.

"He's not sleeping in my room."

"The fact you accepted Max was making me think maybe you had a decent side to you, and now you're making me rethink my position on you." What it would feel like to caress his muscles, the way they curved even in their relaxed state?

Evan raised an eyebrow. "Your position on me? Sounds interesting."

Josie felt her cheeks heat up. "Stop that."

"You brought it up."

"I did not. You misinterpreted."

"I'd say I interpreted correctly." Evan tilted the dog toward the back of the couch and slid out from under him without waking him up. She'd never seen Max so mellow.

Evan faced Josie. "Ever since you walked in, you've been inspecting every part of my body except my face."

"Me?" Oh, heaven help her. This was embarrassing. Could he see the neon sign flashing on her forehead announcing how hot she thought he was?

"You've been pushing the sex thing since you moved in." He took a few steps closer to her.

Hot. She felt very, very hot. "I don't like that you call me a liar. How is that pushing the sex thing?"

Evan moved closer. "How about the kiss on the couch?"

She stepped back. "Oh...um...that..."

He kept coming. "And the scene in the shower?"

"I didn't realize you would be naked." Yeah, that would exonerate her, no problem.

He was getting nearer. "You took my towel."

"It was an accident." She backed up all the way into the kitchen, pausing when she felt Zeus weave herself around her legs. Not the time to trip and fall. "And you weren't supposed to notice anyway."

"How could I not notice? I was wearing it at the time."

Oh, nice excuse. "You were just looking for an excuse to think about sex."

"Me? Not a chance. I'm still holding you ransom for Buddy."

Josie stopped, her foot landing on a soft paw. Zeus yowled and sliced Josie's calf. "Yeow!" Her leg was on fire, and she could feel blood dripping over her ankle.

"Nice cat."

Josie scowled. "I stepped on her. You'd probably be mad if I stepped on you too."

"Depends. If you had bare feet and you were massaging my back, I'd be okay with it."

What kind of comment was that? It dove straight into her libido and churned things up. Massaging Evan's naked back? Yes, she could deal with that. "See? You're doing the sex thing to me, too."

"Trust me, if I was 'doing the sex thing' to you, you'd notice. And it wouldn't be in my kitchen." He lifted an eyebrow. "Or maybe it would. That's not a bad idea."

Why was he teasing her? This was wrong. She was supposed to be doing it to him, as she tried to convince herself once again that she really didn't want to get tangled up with him. Emotionally. Physically was a whole other story...

"You're bleeding on my floor."

"So?" As if she'd fall victim to that ploy. The poor injured female must be rescued by the big strong man. And while the tender hero takes care of her, she will fall victim to his manly ways and declare herself to him for eternity.

No way.

"Josie. Look at your leg."

"No." She would not let him take care of her. She'd limp her way to the hospital on her own just fine. Besides, Zeus was current on shots. No danger of rabies.

He lifted a brow. "No? Just like that?"

She folded her arms across her chest. "You can't woo me, Mr. Dorsett."

"Woo you? How about just contain your blood to a resistant surface? It is my house, after all."

"Oh, that's right. Play that card. I have to bow to your excellence because it's your house. Well, I pay rent so I have just as much right here."

"You don't pay rent."

Ah...slight technicality. "I paid ninety thousand dollars in rent ahead of time. I think that counts."

Evan grinned. "A little feisty, aren't you?"

"That's so derogatory. If I were a man, I'd be standing firm. As a woman, I'm feisty."

"If you were a man, I wouldn't have kissed you back the other night. I, personally, don't have a problem that I respond to a woman differently than I would a man. Makes life much more interesting."

"Ah..." Um...what was she supposed to say to that? Try to pretend she wasn't a woman?

"And as much as I don't want to offend you for fear you'll sic your psycho cat on me, I did pay a lot of money for this floor." And before she knew what he was up to, he swooped in, flung her over his shoulder, and started marching through the house.