Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

The roar of the plane engines changed, signalling they were about to land. Lainey Mercer shifted on the seat, holding onto the straps keeping her in as the cargo plane descended to their new home.

"We're almost there, Kali." Lainey glanced towards the back of the plane.

Although she knew the Eurasian lynx was sedated, as well as too far away to hear her, she felt better saying it. She breathed out. The last few weeks had been a rollercoaster getting herself and Kali ready for this trip. She didn't care about herself, but after the sanctuary she'd worked for had lost funding and had had to close, they'd had a hell of a time placing the animals. Kali was the last one — they'd especially struggled to find a new home for her. At first when she hadn't been able to place the cat, it had hurt her she would have been parted from the lynx she'd raised from birth. For a while there, Lainey had thought she wouldn't find anywhere for Kali to go. Thankfully, she had found her a place. Not only that but she was going with her.

"I hope this is the right thing for both of us." Lainey spoke aloud again.

She was used to talking with the animals she worked with, but she'd always favoured Kali's company. The lynx was usually silent around her, but Lainey could tell she understood what she said. At least, that's what she liked to believe. Lainey pushed away any doubts — this was the right place for them to be. They would be settled in no time and get into a new routine.

Except I'll be in charge of it all. Excitement filled Lainey at the thought. She would be the one calling the shots for what happened with the animals and everything else. It was one of the big draws to the new job and why she'd accepted — it had brought her and Kali here to New Mexico. Everyone who worked with rescuing animals knew of EASAWR — Ellis Animal Sanctuaries and Wildlife Reserve. They were the biggest and best funded organisation — the dream job most people in her field wanted to get. The EASAWR was very hard to get a job with — they had a stringent screening process, yet she had managed to get a foot in the door through a friend.

She'd used this advantage to apply for a job to work with the animals. She hadn't thought she'd have a chance and had been shocked when she'd not only got a job, but had had an offer for one she hadn't gone after. Just because they'd offered her the opportunity to be in charge didn't mean she was just going to accept it, though. She'd told them what she wanted to make her even consider the job. They had met all her criteria and her generous salary request. What she'd heard was true — Taber Ellis had funds and used them make sure his reserve was well run. The cargo plane they were on was an example — she'd been told that it was owned by the Ellis Animal Sanctuaries and Wildlife Reserve. The plane was covered with the logo of the organisation and was very well equipped for the animals' comfort. It could hold many animals and transport them where they needed to be taken. Today it was only her and the lynx. They had offered to fly her in on a private jet — also owned by Ellis — but she had turned them down, wanting to come with Kali.

"Lainey, you can deplane now," a voice said.

Lainey saw Sean Caan — who had met her and Kali at the previous sanctuary she worked at — standing before her. He looked amused.

"Thanks, Sean, but I can help you unload Kali." She unbuckled the belts and stood.

"Someone is waiting for you outside." Sean turned, then made his way back towards the animal.

Lainey wasn't sure who could possibly be waiting on her. She lifted her backpack and headed the way Sean had gone. The hatch had already been lowered. She knelt next to the cage that held the cat. Lainey was pleased to note she was still sedated. She reached in the cage and touched her as she never would have dared if Kali had been awake. Her bright, reddish-brown coat, marked with black spots, was soft and lush. On her ears were black tufts of hair, under her neck and chin was white, while on her forehead and back there were dark brown stripes. The short, bobbed tail was the same colour as her coat, except for the all-black tip.

"She made the trip fine," Sean stated.

She glanced at him standing in front of the cage.

"Yes, she did. I want to get her to her new habitat and settled." Lainey stood, hefting her backpack in one hand.

"She'll be there in a few minutes."

Lainey patted him on the shoulder as she passed him. During the long flight she had got to know Sean better. He hadn't been intimidated by her being his new boss. Sean had filled her in on the various animals they had in residence. She'd heard how much he cared in his voice when he'd described what he did at the sanctuary. That boded well for them getting along, and from what he'd said, the others working at the reserve seemed to have a deep care for the creatures too. Especially Taber Ellis. New Mexico was the newest of his many locations of the EASAWR and Mr Ellis was on site at this location. He had made this his home base. That had made Lainey unsure of taking the job — she'd dealt with bureaucratic red tape from owners of reserves too often. They wanted to be involved but had no actual clue about the day to day running of the reserve. She'd been assured that that would not be an issue here.

Lainey shielded her eyes as she stepped out of the plane. As she lowered her hand, her breath caught when she spotted the man coming towards her. He moved the way she had only seen in wild animals who were about to pounce on prey. A predatory roll of muscles that suggested he could leap and take you down in a moment. In a glance, she took in the stunning specimen of manhood. The man was very tall — she estimated he was at least five inches over her own six feet of height. Her attention was caught by his wild, shaggy curly black hair that flowed to just below the pecs of his muscular chest, which was showcased very well in a tight, pale cream T-shirt. She was a sucker for long hair. A golden chain with an oblong pendent, covered in some kind of symbols, rested against his cloth-covered chest — a chest Lainey was tempted to touch.

Please do not let his face look as good as his body. Lainey's breath stalled at the first glimpse of his golden eyes. She studied his onyx-coloured face that was all planes and angles — broad forehead, high cheeks, full nose, firm chin and full lips. He wasn't just good-looking — he was devastatingly gorgeous. The entire package of the man made him compelling. As he neared her, she became intensely aware of his presence — he had an aura of mystique that called to her even though they'd never met. Some innate instinct made her feel that he was as wild and untamed as his hair and walk. His movements had a sense of strength and somehow she knew he wouldn't be gentle. He'd be firm and slightly rough in taking what he wanted.

If he is here, he works for you. At the thought Lainey snapped out of her daze of lust.

The man reached her and nodded his head, then went past her. Lainey turned, frowning at his back. She had wanted to hear his voice. She imagined it was deep.

"Lainey," a familiar voice called.

Lainey turned and spotted the woman then, smiling, hurried over to where she was standing. Lainey dropped her backpack and hugged her.

"Candace, it's so good to see you. What are you doing here — shouldn't you be at work?" She released her and stood back.

"I'm going right back. Just came to take you to the reserve. I know you'll be busy settling in and won't have time to socialise with me for a few days. I couldn't wait to see you until then," Candace Jermaine replied, ruffling her sassy, short hairstyle.

Lainey noted it showcased her face. Candace looked very happy.

"Sorry but I'm riding along with Kali. I want to make sure she's okay."

"Ummm ... She's gone already," Candace said.

"What?" Lainey glanced back to the plane.

Taber Ellis glanced out of the back of the truck as it drove away from the two women. He was glad he was alone with the lynx. He turned and placed his hand on the cage. He could read the thoughts of the lynx — a beautiful Eurasian — although it slept. It had lived a fascinating life. All through its thoughts he could see Lainey. Taber remembered Lainey's face as she had stepped off the plane — she was enchanting. Her sienna skin was offset by her dark brown hair with red highlights, which she had pulled into a ponytail that fell to mid-back. Her eyes were intense — a sultry dark brown surrounded by full lashes. Her features came together in a mix that was captivating — broad forehead, full cheeks and nose. Her full lips were bare of lipstick just as her face had been of makeup. Her casual dark grey T-shirt and three-quarter length black cargo pants hugged her lush curves. The Lainey Mercer that was on paper — and he had seen in her photograph — in no way matched the woman he had met. The real one was sexier.

When Candace had mentioned her best friend Lainey was looking for a job as well as looking for a home for a female Eurasian lynx, he'd agreed to look over her credentials, to appease Candace. Taber had never thought he would actually hire the woman. Yet the more he read into Lainey's background and spoke with others in their profession, the more impressed he had been. Time and again people had told him of her dedication to the animals — the lynx was proof. In Kali's memories he'd seen that Lainey had saved her after her family had been slaughtered, when Kali was but a kitten. She'd nursed her by hand and had fought to make her live.

The lynx's memory only reaffirmed what had made him give her name to his staff to vet her for the job with his sanctuary and reserves. His staff had agreed with his assessment — she had been undervalued and too good at what she did for a mere subordinate role. He'd had them hire her as the director of the New Mexico locale of the EASAWR. He'd expected her to work hard and make the new reserve a success. He hadn't expected his reaction to her, yet it felt right. Fate did as it pleased.

The truck stopped, signalling they had arrived. Taber pushed aside the thoughts of the captivating woman and focused on what, for all intents and purposes, was her child. The lynx started to stir.

You are safe. And in moments you will be in your new home. He sent those thoughts to the lynx.

Anxious waves of fear bombarded him. Taber kept repeating the words mentally and out loud as they unloaded Kali. She didn't calm, getting more agitated. Taber couldn't understand why she wasn't relaxing with his words. Then it dawned on him why she was so frightened.

"Lainey is on her way. She hasn't left you. She will be with you again. This is both of your homes now. And I will protect you both."

The lynx, still half asleep, quietened. Taber mentally talked with her, filling her in about the people who worked at the sanctuary as well as the other animal residents. After the others finished unloading her, they left him alone with the lynx. It was his usual method. He spent time with every new animal resident to make them comfortable. He could quiet their fears and give them a sense of welcome. Taber watched outside the gated enclosure as the lynx lay inside its new home. She stirred, coming more fully to consciousness. Kali raised her regal head and stared at him. Suddenly, she stood and ran into the woods.

Taber chuckled. The lynx peeked out of the woods, then darted to the fence. She sat on her hind legs and watched him curiously. He could see her trying to figure out who he was. Taber sat on the ground outside the enclosure.

"I'm Taber. The owner of all this. It is quite large with lots of space for many animals just like yourself." He gestured around, then put his hand in his lap. "Now, that's enough about me. Tell me about Lainey."

Kali turned her head to the side, watching him. Suddenly a sense of love and warmth filled him. Taber smiled as the emotion of the lynx filled him in turn.

"I know you love her. But give me the good stuff. Is she involved with anyone?"

Not that it would matter — Lainey and he were destined to be. She lowered herself to the ground, relaxing. Images of being stalked and ripped up flooded Taber's mind. He mirrored her pose.

"I'm not going to hurt her," Taber assured the lynx.

He accepted the warning from the wild animal for what it was intended. A child protecting its parent from harm. The images stopped then she studied him for a bit. New images filled his mind. Taber watched closely as Kali filled him in on Lainey.

* * *

Lainey frowned at the receding tail end of a huge truck she hadn't noticed before. "How the hell did they unload her so fast? I didn't even hear them." She turned to Candace.

Candace had a weird expression on her face. It cleared so quickly Lainey believed she'd imagined it.

"They are very efficient," Candace said.

"They are. I guess I will need that ride."

"Come on, then." Candace cocked her head towards her car.

Lainey picked up her backpack and put it on the back seat before joining Candace in the front of the car. Candace got them on their way.

"Thanks again for putting in a good word with Mr Ellis for me."

"As I've told you many times, his name is Taber. He won't like you calling him Mr Ellis. Anyway, no problem about telling him about you. All I did was mention you. You did the rest. Taber wouldn't have hired you unless he thought you were the best for the job." Candace shrugged.

Candace had been Lainey's best friend since childhood. They'd always kept in touch although their careers had taken them to different parts of the world. Candace was engaged to marry Talios Ellis, who was Taber's big brother. Candace had already asked Lainey to be her maid of honour and she had been planning to come to the wedding, which was in a few months. When she had got the news that the reserve she used to work for was closing, she'd called Candace. She never thought a conversation with her best friend would have led to a place for Kali, a new job and moving to the same place Candace lived. It had all happened so fast.

"But still you got me in to even be considered. I can do this."

"You can." Candace's tone was confident.

Candace knew her so well she didn't even have to tell her she was nervous about taking on this job. She'd never worked in the capacity she had been hired for, but had worked closely with others who did. Since accepting the job she had done lots of research and had talked with many people who did what she'd been hired to do.

"I'm so glad to be here," Lainey said.

"It's good to have my best friend living so close to me again," Candace said.

Candace lived with Talios, whose property adjoined the reserve.

"I can't wait to meet this man who has swept you off your feet. He makes you glow. Oh I don't think I ever mentioned it — for some reason all the pictures you send of Talios are blurry. So I've never seen how he looks." Lainey paused then continued, "You know the strange thing is, it was the same with the pictures I found in my research of Mr Ellis."

Lainey saw the same expression as earlier on Candace's face.

"What's going on, Candace? You're hiding something," Lainey said.

"Look there's the reserve." Candace gestured.

"Don't try to dist ..." Lainey turned her head as she spoke.

Her words trailed off when she got her first view of the Ellis Animal Sanctuaries and Wildlife Reserve. It was beautiful. The massive archway they passed under had the name carved on it. Behind that was land that went farther than she could see. While they drove along the road, Lainey could hear various animals calling out, but she couldn't see them. Lainey stared at the vast lands as Candace drove for a bit then made a turn. When she strained to look, she could make out some of the habitats. They went on and she could see others better. Candace bypassed some buildings then went down a path. In moments they were before an area Lainey thought was Kali's.

"I figured you'd want to see where she will live before seeing to your own comfort. Oh, your things arrived and have been placed in your house and those stated for your office are already waiting for you, too. Also, they have a SUV for you to use when you have to go to outside the reserve. And there's a ride for you to use around the reserve," Candace said.

Lainey nodded. Housing and transport came as part of her working here. She got out of the car, moving then to the back door and retrieving her backpack. She joined Candace at the hood of the car.

"This is ..." Lainey trailed off, not having words for what she was viewing.

---

Excerpted from "Taber"
by .
Copyright © 2012 Taige Crenshaw and Aliyah Burke.
Excerpted by permission of Totally Entwined Group Limited.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---