said a lie?” I faced the window keeping my back to him. I could feel his eyes boring into me from behind, daring me to face him. I knew better than to look into those dark eyes streaked with sunshine.
“In spite of what you believe, everything I said was true. I merely failed to mention all my reasons for coming to Plum Beach.”
“How comforting. When were you planning to share this with me? From what I heard in Logan’s office, he seemed to think you’d already filled me in.” Part of me wanted to bolt from the room, but I needed to know the real reason he’d wanted to locate me.
“I’m sharing it now. I should have told you from the start. That was my intention. However, if you remember, you weren’t real thrilled about my arrival. I was trying to gain your trust, get to know you.”
I refused to admit what he said made sense. I had been pretty difficult in the beginning. Still, that didn’t give him a reason to lie. Did it?
“Logan had heard from another purebred living in Plum Beach …”
“What purebred in Plum Beach?” I wondered how many of my co-workers and acquaintances were of the supernatural affiliation. Maybe it was better if I didn’t know.
“If you’d let me finish.”
“Go on.” I forced myself to focus, pushing away my desire to pummel him with questions (or my fists) if he didn’t fess up fast.
“One of the park’s delivery drivers is part of our pack. He’s more of a loner and not involved in the casino or resort business. He mentioned a woman that could communicate with animals. I, of course, thought he was full of it. Logan, on the other hand, believed you might be able to help us by listening in on some of the board members’ dogs.”
“You wanted me to spy on someone’s pets?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Maybe he was joking. His serious expression led me to believe otherwise.
He continued without a hint of humor. “We wanted you to spy on the owners through their pets. We were hoping to bring you to an upcoming board meeting.
There are several members that bring their dogs everywhere, even to our meetings. Logan figured we’d just say you were our new secretary. He fired the last one. The board is already used to her taking notes and typing up minutes.”
Their plan sounded feasible enough, and he was right, had he blurted this all out at our first meeting I would have run the other direction thinking he was a lunatic. No questions asked.
“I don’t know, Zane. You had plenty of opportunities to tell me. I’m not sure how I feel right now.” Wasn’t that the truth? I had no idea what to feel about anything, in particular, my werewolf companion. “I need some time.”
I felt him move to stand behind me. Ignoring his distinctive scent was difficult with him so close.
“I’m safe in the hotel?” I didn’t wait for him to answer. “I’m going downstairs to the bar for a drink. Alone.”
“I don’t think …”
“Either I have some much-needed time alone to think, or I call my stepdad and tell him I’m being held hostage by some maniac that thinks he’s a Wolfman.” The idea sounded plausible considering my current dilemma.
“Have it your way,” Zane agreed, his reluctance marked by his softening tone. “Will you look at me, please?”
I turned and looked up, into his eyes, not sure what to expect.
I was shocked to see his eyes were tinged a subtle red hue. Not crimson like Jazmine’s, thank goodness, but it was obvious that he was pretty unhappy with me too. Knowing what I did about Zane’s protective nature, I could deduce how anxious the idea of my little excursion downstairs — alone — made him feel.
Pushing my concerns about his feelings aside, I marched to my suitcase and tossed it on the bed. I planned to dress up and make the most of my evening out. Maybe I’d try my luck at the slot machines.
One thing I knew for certain — I was going to do whatever it took to vanquish Zane Marshall from my mind, if only for a few hours.
“Woman preparing to dress. Would you mind showing yourself out? I’m sure there’s some secret camera or something you can use to follow my every move,” I quipped, hating to admit I’d feel safer knowing he was still keeping tabs on me from a distance.