Before The Moon Rises (Ritter Werewolves #1)(5)
Author: Catherine Bybee

Oh, yeah… she hummed.

“What made you become a nurse?” Max needed a distraction. Concentrating on whether or not her panties were wet wasn’t cooling his libido.

“Job security.”

“You’re kidding? You didn’t have a Florence Nightingale complex?”

“Sorry to burst your bubble.” She laughed but kept her eyes shut. “Not every nurse or doctor is one because of their overwhelming need to save the world. Some of us have bills to pay.”

“You’re blowing my illusions out of the water, first the car, now this.”

She opened one eye, glanced his way, and then shut it. “Considering you were found naked and unconscious, I wouldn’t cast stones.”

Splashing a grin, Max agreed. “You have a point.”

The conversation stopped for a few minutes. The soothing roar of the engine was like the strings of a well-played violin. Surf pounded on the rocks of the shore along side them. Janet appeared to sink deeper into the leather seat and said, “Don’t think I’m not going to ask.”

“Ask what?”

“Why the medics found you naked.”

She wasn’t asking now, he noticed. She simply said she wasn’t going to let him off the hook. He didn’t worry, he had a thousand excuses. Although, being a nurse she could probably toss away nine hundred and eighty of them.

Saying nothing more, Max continued the drive.

Chapter Three

They arrived at an old Victorian home that someone had the good sense to convert into a restaurant years before. The warm and cozy atmosphere felt like a bed and breakfast. Seawater pounded over the rocks sending a cascade of white foam in its wake. A transom window held open by a spring filtered cool air into the room which added sound to the breathtaking views.

Janet slipped into the booth and studied the menu. She had so many questions, but didn’t really want to ask them. Admittedly, she was afraid of the answers.

Other than the fact she nicknamed Max, Mr. Naked Man, Janet could find nothing wrong with him.

Aside from the obvious physical attraction, he was polite, well-mannered and somewhat chivalrous. Janet couldn’t remember the last time someone she dated opened the door for her and he had done so twice in less than an hour. Oh, yeah, she thought. Don’t forget the rich part. He would have to be to drive a three-hundred-thousand dollar car.

That was where she kept hanging up. Mr. Naked Man, lots of money, no explanation… Damn. Who is he?

“What are you thinking about?” he asked.

She put the menu down and folded her hands on the table. “You.”

He nodded and stared her in the eye. “I don’t suppose I can put off my explanations until we get to know each other better?”

“I’m here against my better judgment, getting to know me better is completely dependent on this conversation.”

He flashed his million-dollar smile. “What if I told you I have seizures?”

“Beep… try again, seizures that put patients out as long as you were, wake up disoriented and confused.”

“But…”

“Not to mention, the DMV would have taken your license away, and I sincerely doubt you would drive that machine out there.” She waved toward the parking lot. “And risk smashing it to pieces.”

His smile wavered. “I have to admit, I have a small drug habit.”

“Beep… I had the medics give you a drug, which reverses the effects of almost everything out there. And I glanced at your tox screen. Negative. Not even alcohol.”

The waiter made an appearance.

After ordering, Janet stirred cream into her coffee, and continued. “Well?” she asked when they were alone again.

“I hit my head?” It was a question.

“Cat Scan was negative.”

“Narcolepsy?”

“Falling asleep is not the same as being unconscious. I have to admit though, you’re getting better.”

“Sleep walking!”

Janet laughed, the thought of a man walking from his home to the inner city naked flashed in her mind. “That doesn’t even deserve a comment.”

Max leaned forward and captured her hand. His fingers traced the back of it sending a tingle up her arm. “Have I told you how beautiful you are?”

“No, and you’re changing the subject.” Janet tried to ignore her body’s signals. The fast beat of her heart made her head dizzy. What had she asked him?

“All right, Miss O’Brien, if you really must know, I work for the FBI. Last night I was working undercover.”

Janet shook her head and removed her hand from his. “You really aren’t going to tell me, are you?”

“I really don’t think you’d believe me.”

Their breakfast arrived, and Max dug in. Although hungry, Janet stared at him instead of eating. “Are you into something illegal?”

He wiped his mouth and leveled his sober eyes to her. “No.”

It was the first honest answer she’d heard. Why she believed him she would question later, but for now, it was enough. He had his secrets, but hell… who didn’t? “Fine, for now.”

His dimples peeked through, his eyebrows raised. “Do you want to drive back when we’re done?”

Janet felt her mouth gape again. “You’re kidding?”

“I’ll take that as a no.”

“Oh no you won’t.” She snatched the keys he had laid on the table and stashed them in her purse. “You don’t mind if we take the long way do you?”

Max laughed and stuffed a forkful of eggs in his mouth.

****

With sunglasses shading her eyes, Max couldn’t read her thoughts. But if he had to guess, she was just this side of ecstasy. She chose a mountain road where the grace of his sports car easily handled the winding path.

It amazed him how comfortable he was while she drove. If her father drove a racecar, then the man must have shown her everything he knew. Max hated to admit it, but she almost drove the car better than he did. Almost.

“I take it you like the car.”

She removed her eyes from the road and glanced his way. “You’re brave to allow a virtual stranger to drive her.”

“You took a chance and drove me home. I’d say you’re the one with guts. This is only a car.”

Janet nodded and murmured her agreement.

Max noticed the street sign. They were a long way from his house. “Where are we going?”

“My place, to pick up a few things. I have some errands to run before I head home.”