Jaguar Pride Read Online Free PDF

bright smile. “I’m glad you like all of this traditional fare. Oliver is strictly a meat-and-potatoes guy and doesn’t like to try anything new.”
    â€œNot me. I think that’s part of the enjoyment of visiting other countries. Not eating at a hamburger joint or a fast-food fried-chicken place, but tasting the real local cuisine.”
    â€œI agree.” She took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh. “I sure wish we could have nabbed Jackson before he fled the scene of the crime.”
    â€œYeah, I hated losing the bastard. He might not end up back in the park, but I suspect he’ll be back to poaching before we know it.” Huntley helped Melissa clean up the dishes. He would have done it all, but she always wanted to help.
    Then they packed, went to bed and, early the next morning, took the bus ride to the airport. They were quiet, half dozing on the trip home, the knowledge that this was the start of their downtime kicking in. Since he had driven Melissa to the airport for the trip to Costa Rica, Huntley had to drop her off at her place, a neat little condo with a no-kids policy. Maybe she wasn’t really interested in kids.
    Before they arrived at the condo, he wondered how Oliver would act this time. When Huntley had brought Melissa home from the first mission they’d worked on, Oliver had been a real prick, acting irritated with both of them for some perceived slight. Last time Huntley was on a mission with her, the guy had been working late, and Melissa was visibly relieved. This time? Who knew.
    After half an hour, they reached the two-story, redbrick condo in the Dallas suburbs. Oliver was watching out the window, dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt. No smile. No coming out to greet Melissa. Sour-faced and looking pissed, he had his arms folded across his chest. Maybe Melissa’s relationship wasn’t going anywhere either.
    Huntley warned himself off thinking in such a way. Maybe Oliver was afraid of him. Huntley smiled a little at the notion and waved at the man anyway. Oliver didn’t acknowledge the greeting.
    That didn’t bother Huntley, but what did was the icy reception Oliver was giving Melissa. She’d risked her life in the jungle, was tired, and needed a man in her life who would welcome her home with open arms, a loving embrace, and one hell of a scorching kiss. At least, if Huntley had been her boyfriend, that’s how he would have handled the situation. He’d have shown her partner that he had what it took to be Melissa’s boyfriend—and no other jaguar shifter need apply.
    â€œSorry, he must have had a rough day,” Melissa said, but she didn’t sound like she really thought that was the problem. She sounded like she was curbing the urge to growl, ready to take Oliver to task for being so rude.
    Huntley hoped so, and he hoped that would straighten the guy out. She certainly deserved better treatment.
    After saying good-bye, Huntley drove home to his place in the Dallas suburbs ten miles away. He was ready to relax, watch a movie, kick back, and just become a mushroom for a couple of days. He called Martin to let him know that both he and Melissa had arrived safely as he unpacked his bag, dumping half his clothes in the washer.
    â€œGood. Glad to hear you’re both home all right.”
    â€œHave you learned anything more about where Jackson went?”
    â€œNothing. I’ll keep you posted.”
    Martin was good about stuff like that. Even if Huntley never had a chance to take Jackson down, Martin would keep him informed about who did.
    â€œAnything really hot going on?” Huntley asked, already feeling out of the loop.
    â€œNothing for you to do. Take it easy. Enjoy your break. You’ll be at it again soon enough.”
    â€œThanks, Martin. I’m chilling.” At least Huntley was trying to. If Genista was here, it would be a different story. Then again, maybe not.
    â€œGood. Talk