Savage Alpha (Alpha 8) by Carole Mortimer Page A

to himself, as well as other parts of his anatomy, for more than a few minutes at a time.
    “Fine,” she finally agreed impatiently. “But if I have to pee in the woods in the middle of the night, you’re going to be the one holding the flashlight and standing guard while I do.”
    Some of the tension eased from Jonas’s shoulders as he chuckled. In the circumstances, Lily’s impression of his home being primitive, with none of the modern conveniences, was perfectly understandable. They had driven deep into woodlands for several miles, then over a mile along this rutted track that seemed to lead to nowhere, and now they had a half-mile trek on foot before they reached the house. To expect civilization at the end of it must seem improbable.
    “Just stay close behind me and don’t veer off the track.”
    Lily moved a step closer to him as she peered warily into the darkness of the woods. “Are there wild animals out here?”
    “I’ve heard the rabbits roam around in packs.”
    “Very funny.”
    Jonas could feel rather than see her glare. “The deer have vicious tempers too.”
    “Ha-bloody-ha.”
    Jonas gave another chuckle. “There are no wild animals here, City Girl. The most dangerous thing you’ll find in this forest is the savage who lives here.”
    Jonas was dangerous, as far as Lily was concerned. To her emotions and her self-control. “You’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?”
    “Immensely.”
    She snorted. “Why did you tell me not to veer off the track?”
    “Because we’re going along the edge of a valley for part of the walk, and I would hate for you to slip on the snow and fall down it. I’ve been known to turn into that savage if I’m not fed when I’m hungry, and having to rescue you would delay dinner even further.” Jonas set off at a brisk pace.
    Lily took his warning to heart, one of her hands grasping hold of the back of his coat as the two of them set off along the track Jonas had worn over time to his house.
    Jonas didn’t bother using a flashlight to guide their way through the woods. He knew the way blindfolded. Besides which, it wasn’t as dark as Lily seemed to think it was, once your eyes became accustomed to the dappled silver light of the moon and stars overhead.
    This remoteness was one of the things that had appealed to Jonas when he looked for a property in England five years ago. Somewhere he could call home when he was here, but also a place that could be locked up and left for months at a time, if necessary. And sometimes, in his job, it became necessary. But it was always there, waiting for him, a haven of peace and solitude to return to after whatever mission he had been on.
    Except he wasn’t returning alone this time, and he doubted there would be much peace involved either.

    “This is incredible.” Lily’s eyes glowed as she looked about the home she had assumed would be a log cabin but was in fact more like a one-level mansion, albeit one fashioned completely out of wood.
    From the outside, it was a huge, sprawling building, surrounded on all sides by a wooden deck and the thick forest beyond. Inside was even more of a surprise. The lights all came on with the flick of a switch, for one thing.
    It felt warmer as soon as they walked inside, and Jonas had already put a match to the log fire laid ready and waiting in the hearth, its cheery crackle and the warmth of the flames adding to the comfort of the huge, open-plan living area.
    There appeared to be several bedrooms and bathrooms down a hallway to the right, and the country-style kitchen was all mellow oak cupboards, with copper pans hanging over the worktable in the center of that area. The furnishings in the main part of the house were simplistic, even rustic, but obviously expensive and bought for comfort rather than fashion.
    The polished wooden floors were covered in brightly colored rugs, with several framed and professionally taken photographs adorning the walls. Lily had always admired Finn