vicious laughter pouring from an open window.
Gasping, I clung to my savior. Without his werewolf reflexes, I’d be a bloody pancake on the pavement.
Not even forty-eight hours since my Monday morning commute, and my request for excitement had already been fulfilled in ways I couldn’t have predicted.
Although horrified, I’d already determined Zane’s arms provided the most excitement and protection any woman could hope to find.
***
Chapter 11
Zane paced somewhere not far behind me as I gathered the few belongings I needed for our trip. I had one sequined cocktail dress, a couple of cute skirts, and several sheer matching blouses that I hoped would be dressy enough for the infamous and always glitzy Sin City.
Dressing up was something way out of the ordinary and even further out of my comfort zone. I was a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal.
A few days ago, I couldn’t have begun to foresee my current reality. For one, taking a vacation from work was mind boggling in itself. Add traveling to another state with a man who wasn’t a man added to my new dreamlike existence.
Without the foot tapping coming from the far corner of my bedroom, where Zane now loomed, I might have been tempted to pinch myself.
“If you forget something, we’ll pick it up when we get there.” He sounded impatient, and worried.
“Can I grab my toiletries?” I didn’t have a ton of money to be splurging on new makeup.
“Can you do everything in five minutes or less?” he demanded.
“Can you stop rushing me? I’m almost finished.” His brusque manner made me more anxious than I already was. I scurried to the bathroom and tossed the essentials into a smaller bag.
“What about my car? What if someone sees it and wonders why I’m not in it or why I don’t answer the door?” I didn’t want to raise any suspicions. “Luke might figure out we’re together. That would be … uncomfortable.”
“Do you think he’ll come by?” Zane asked. “He likes you a lot.”
“I doubt it. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. He’ll think I went to visit my folks. My mom’s been known to whisk me away for a weekend.” I ignored his comment about Luke’s feelings. I had no intention of exploring that situation tonight.
“How would you feel about the two M’s staying here and keeping an eye on your place?” Zane suggested, changing the subject.
Having two werewolves as house sitters seemed a little bizarre, but they’d be closer to the animal park this way and more able to protect my property from any intruders.
“Sure,” I agreed, adding, “I think I’ll call Luke, let him know I’m with my parents. That’ll take care of the car being here with me gone.” I hated the idea of lying to Luke, but had convinced myself I’d hurt him more by revealing the truth.
“Call him from my place.” Zane lifted my heavy, old-fashioned suitcase like it weighed next to nothing.
After a quick once-over, I realized there was nothing else for me to do. I’d already preset two timers on my table lamps, and now that Zane’s friends were staying, I felt more confident leaving my personal sanctuary.
Forty minutes later, we pulled up in front of a small, rundown four-plex. The place looked deserted, creepy. Regardless, I was relieved to escape the confining Corvette. I’d never seen Zane so withdrawn. He hadn’t appreciated my attempts at scanning his thoughts either, and my enjoyment over his protectiveness had vanished, to be replaced by the nagging thought I’d become his biggest burden.
I decided to stay quiet and out of his way. Considering the limited space in his apartment, it wouldn’t be easy. Vegas sounded better by the moment.
“You can take the bedroom. I’ll stay out here and keep watch.” He placed my luggage by the front door. Grateful I’d worn sweats, I could go to bed without disturbing anything.
“I appreciate you doing all this, but I can handle things. I could go to my parents,” I said, hating how feeble I sounded.
“We’ve already been through our options. The last thing you want is your parents in a standoff with mutant werewolves. Believe me, the bad guys will find a way to locate everyone who’s important to you.”
A fist of terror punched into my gut. “What do you mean? Should I warn my family? Friends?” I thought of Melanie.
“If they don’t register your scent or find you there, they’ll move on. I don’t think anyone wants this exploding in the media. Staying undetected is still a top priority for everyone