"All the time." Because he didn't trust any woman. Not nowadays.
"So women really are just a form of release to you?"
"Yes." He looked at her again. "But you knew that. You've known from the start that I was a werewolf."
She pulled her gaze from his and stared ahead. He had a sudden feeling it was going to take an awful lot of chocolate to get back into her good graces.
They cruised on. The terrain passed by, interesting but endless, and the vibrations coming through the wheel gradually got worse. Obviously, more damage had been done than he'd originally thought.
"What do you want to eat?" he asked as they rattled into Bandon.
She shrugged. "Something hot and hearty. I need to rebuild some energy."
He cruised around, and they eventually settled for a classy-looking restaurant that was close to the beach. He stopped the car and watched her climb out, enjoying the flash of her honey-colored thighs. "Get us table and I'll be back when I can."
She nodded and slammed the door shut. He watched until she entered the building then headed off in search of a mechanic. He found one who seemed to know what he was talking about, and after a quick few minutes under the car, the mechanic came up with the news he'd feared.
"The accident has stuffed the rear axil. I usually have replacements, but I've just used my last."
"How long will it take to get parts in?"
"Got them on order already. Shouldn't be more than a day or so."
They couldn't wait that long. He plucked a business card from his wallet. "Fix it. Is there a place nearby where I can rent another?"
The mechanic took a quick glance at the card then shoved it into a greasy pocket. "Sure is. Just down the road. Tell Jim I sent you, and he'll give you a good deal."
"Thanks. Call me when the car's fixed."
"Sure thing."
He collected their bags, the condoms and his gun out of the car, but by the time he'd arranged a rental and got back to the restaurant, an hour had passed by. He glanced at his watch. They still had a two-hour drive to Rogue River. Time was slipping away too fast.
She wasn't eating when he arrived, which surprised him. She just sat at a table, sipping wine and staring out the window.
He slid into the chair opposite her. Things could have happened a whole lot quicker if he'd sat beside her and let the aura of the werewolf do its stuff, but as much as he wanted her, he also wanted her truly willing. A need that was a little disturbing and certainly something he'd never worried about before when in the midst of moon heat.
She glanced at him. There were smudges under her eyes, and her skin looked a little pale. "All set?"
"Had to rent a car. The Caddie's out of action for a couple of days."
"The Circle will reimburse all costs." Her voice still held a touch coolness.
He waved the comment away. He'd spend his entire savings if that was what it took to bring Janie home and this killer to justice.
A waitress came over and handed them both a menu. After some consideration Kat ordered a steak, and he chose the salmon. The woman gave them a cheery nod and disappeared into the kitchen.
Kat picked up the bottle of wine. "You want a glass?"
He nodded and held his glass out. He would have preferred a beer, but he couldn't be bothered calling the waitress out again. He sipped the cool liquid carefully. A little sweet for his tastes, but drinkable.
"Did you call your grandmother and tell her we're okay?"
She nodded. "She said it's important we get there by nine."
He frowned. "Why? What difference is a few minutes going to make?"
She studied him for a minute, then glanced out the window. "If we don't make our presence felt, another kid will be kidnapped."