I Kissed a Dog

chapter 14

Without Zane’s untiring confidence, the Vegas airport would have been a nightmare.

He navigated through the throngs of tourists with a level of expertise reserved for those who had a certain familiarity with Sin City. His assurance and striking good looks had women stopping to ogle. One middle-aged brunette stumbled over her carry-on as he strode past.

Zane, on the other hand, made sure to point out the number of men gawking at me. I had to admit, my count of admirers was at least equal to his. He wasn’t too pleased.

“Between the two of us, I bet we could convince someone to buy us lunch and cocktails,” I joked. I could imagine how someone like Jazmine would use her persuasive talents and exotic appearance to get everything she wanted out of Vegas.

“I don’t intend to prostitute either of us for what’s already free.” He growled, picking up the pace, and making it difficult to match his stride.

“I was just kidding!” I half-shouted. I’d take care never to mention using my looks as the means to an end again.

Even though I felt like a Plain-Jane next to Zane he failed to find a speck of humor in anything related to my appearance. For me, usually a jealous man was a major turnoff. In his case, I found it somehow exhilarating.

Changing tactics, I teased, “Can you slow down? Please? Human girl about to collapse.” I hoped to lighten the mood; something I found myself doing often around Zane. Napping on the flight had restored my energy. I wanted to enjoy my time, not spend my first day in Vegas bickering.

“Sorry. I forget how fast I am.” He slowed his gait. “You’re probably starving. You didn’t eat a thing on the plane.”

He was right. I hadn’t eaten since my morning bagel. Several hours had passed, and I needed nourishment. What I wanted more, though, was to claim our luggage and get to the hotel. “I can wait.”

“You sure?” He looked doubtful.

“I want to get out of here.” The airport and all the staring people were starting to annoy me. “Geeze, you’d think these people had never seen an attractive young couple.”

“Young couple … is that what we are?” Zane’s tension had vanished; a huge grin replaced his frown.

“Well, uh …”

“Just give up, Chloe. You and I both know there’s something between us. You can’t keep pretending it doesn’t exist …”

“Mr. Marshall! I’ve gathered your luggage!” An odd little man waved and hurried toward us. “Logan sent me with the limo. He figured you might want some help.”

“I already like Logan,” I said, relieved to be another step closer to peace and quiet — and food.

“This is Giffin, assistant to Logan Sanders. Where Logan is, you’ll find Griffin,” Zane admitted. It was clear he was well acquainted with the man.

So she’s the one. All this fuss over one little human. She may be pretty, but that’s not everything. Her talents must be vital to the pack for Logan to go through all this. Griffin broadcasted his thoughts while towing the bags, not realizing that his mental chit chat was loud enough to be considered obnoxious.

I decided to ignore my negative feelings and see what else he might reveal.

By the time we were seated in the black stretch limo, I was certain there was far more to Zane’s initial motives than he’d bothered telling me.

From what I could see in Giffin’s head, my werewolf sweetheart had traveled to Plum Beach for more than a murder investigation. I wasn’t certain, but it seemed he’d come to locate me. If what I was starting to believe had any truth to it, there was a good chance he was using my abilities for the good of his pack. Our little attraction was just an added bonus for him, unless, of course, that was an act too.

“What do you think?” Zane motioned to the tinted window. “Would you like me to open it so you can see the strip? I know it’s not as magnificent during the daylight, but you can still see some of its grandeur.”

Ignoring my suspicions, I forced myself to act normal. I leaned closer to the window.

Taking my interest as a yes, Zane insisted Griffin lower not only the side window, but also open the oversized sunroof. Warm air poured in along with the scent of spicy food, desert flora, exhaust, and something unidentifiable that I assumed was unique to Vegas.

Huge hotels, casinos, even the original Statue of Liberty’s giant replica lined the street. Las Vegas Boulevard and familiar resort names like Treasure Island, The Mirage, and Hotel Excalibur (my personal favorite) reminded me that I wasn’t in Oregon any more.

Storing my latest impressions of Zane away for later, I soaked in the wonders of Nevada’s very own “City that Never Sleeps.” From what I’d read, New York had nothing on Vegas in terms of nightlife.

The men had enough common sense to know I was enthralled by my surroundings, and left me alone until we pulled into a long drive lined with palm trees.

Fountains and tropical flowers were placed strategically between the palms with life-like animal statues scattered throughout. It was as if the animals from the wildlife park had been released to stand guard along the winding hotel entryway.

As we inched closer to the building, I positioned myself to do something I’d always dreamed about. Before either man could protest, I climbed on the center table and pulled myself up through the sunroof until everything above my waist was outside the limo.

I tilted my head back to look at the massive structure. It was a jungle-themed palace. Vines were suspended from the windows and sculpted replicas of monkeys and exotic birds either dangled or perched on the vines.

“It’s incredible,” I gasped, wishing I could pretend to be Jane and climb a vine to Tarzan’s room, knowing darn well my Tarzan’s name started with a Z.

“I’m glad you approve.” Zane slid his arm around my waist as he joined me. “Welcome to the Jungle Jamboree Family Resort,” he announced. “A place where kids play while parents gamble.”

I laughed. “That’s some tagline.”

“You think the board will like it?”

“It’s catchy.”

Griffin cleared his throat. “Can I get you two to exit the limo? There are cars waiting,” he said, sounding perturbed by our childish antics. His earlier eagerness to assist had been replaced with a condescending manner that I found offensive in light of my excitement.

“Come on!” Zane pulled me back into the limo. “Wait till you see our room.”

“Our room?” Zane’s room-comment erased my desire to chastise Griffin.

Rather than respond, Zane exploded through the limo door the minute it opened. He rushed to my side and helped me out. “Welcome to paradise, Princess.”

“I’ll send up your luggage,” Griffin said, sounding suddenly formal.

As thrilled as I was about our unfamiliar surroundings, I couldn’t let Zane off the hook. “You said something about ‘our room.’ Would you care to elaborate?”

“I’m your bodyguard; therefore, I stay close to you.”

“But …”

“Chloe, please, remember why we’re here. The suite has a huge bedroom and a smaller one. Does that make things easier for you to deal with?” He said, cutting me off.

Unable to find any reasonable argument, I nodded. “That’ll work. I guess.” I wasn’t going to admit I was more afraid of spending the night behind closed doors with him than being attacked by deranged mutants.

A stocky porter approached. “Mr. Marshall, so glad to see you. Mr. Sanders is ready to receive you in his office.” He cocked his head, studying me. “The lady’s presence is requested as well.” He backed up with a little bow than hurried the other direction.

I made a half-hearted attempt to infiltrate his thoughts, but was met with a strong barrier, signaling that he, too, was of the supernatural persuasion. I couldn’t help but wonder if the hotel even bothered hiring humans.

Zane took my hand as we approached the glass elevator centrally positioned in the enormous oval-shaped lobby.

Before I could formulate a question about the hotel’s shady hiring requirements, I was again awed by my surroundings. Covered in jungle foliage and vines, the elevator was a sight to behold. Two monkey replicas were suspended from two of the larger vines. I craned my neck to look up.

Not a fan of heights, I wasn’t happy to see how high the elevator could travel. There were other elevators off to the side of the lobby, but this amazing creation was designed to rise straight up through the grand hotel’s center. The upper floors formed a circle of doors with attached hanging bridges crisscrossing the center space at each level, one main bridge connecting to the elevator on every floor.

I’d never seen such a bizarre layout. The architect must have been on some major, mind-altering chemicals to come up with such extravagance.

“Is it safe?” I questioned, unable to tear my eyes away.

“I promise; the bridges are well crafted. They’re supposed to give guests a Swiss Family Robinson feel,” he explained. “Would I take you on something that wasn’t safe?”

“You make it sound like you’re taking me on a ride at an amusement part.”

Zane laughed his eyes full of mischief. “You’re scared of some fancy construction, but you’re okay with super naturals.”

I stepped through the yawning glass door, feigning bravado that I didn’t feel. “Fine, big boy, let’s ride.” Not entering the elevator was no longer an option.

Zane had a curious way of provoking me, making me see everything as a challenge. I pondered his comment. Why was I so reasonable when it came to vampires and werewolves, yet everyday things continued to unravel me? I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer. Maybe I was just happy to meet others who were stranger than me.

Once across the Swiss Family Robinson bridge, on our floor, I realized that I preferred teleporting over the elevator ride. My stomach felt queasy. I was worried I might do one of my fainting numbers. Zane read the signs and curled a protective arm around my waist, drawing me closer, and supporting my weight.

As usual, his touch released a collection of butterflies in my midsection and sent a wave of desire crashing over me. I was thankful to be stopping somewhere other than our private suite. Alone with Zane, right now, could prove disastrous.

My attraction for him was far from diminishing. It was as if someone was playing a cruel cosmic joke on me, making my lifeless libido go haywire around Zane.

All tempting thoughts were silenced when we entered the alpha wolf’s massive suite turned office.

My initial response to Logan Sanders was embarrassment.

I noticed right away, that just like his counterparts, the alpha werewolf was gorgeous and powerful. He, too, wore his hair long and pulled back. But unlike Zane, his hair was a chocolate brown, and streaked with gold. My embarrassment was caused by what he was thinking about me. His thoughts revealed a semi-accurate assessment of my current emotional state.

Another human with no steel. Such a weak creature. Upset by a simple elevator.

“I am not weak!” I protested. I didn’t bother arguing about the elevator.

Logan grinned, appreciative. “Good, I can see you weren’t exaggerating her abilities.” His eyes traveled over me, causing a jolt of apprehension to replace my embarrassment.

Zane noticed too. His smile dissolved into a scowl.

“Since when do I embellish?” Zane grated; unwilling to forgive his leader’s visual indulgence.

Unmoved by our reactions, Logan slid into a leather chair, positioned like a throne behind his expansive, marble-topped desk. “Sit.” He motioned toward two equally plush chairs.

Delighted to obey and put an end to my lingering dizziness, and Logan’s roaming eyes, I chose the chair nearest the floor-to-ceiling window. Prepared for a dull briefing about pack business, I could look outside if things got too boring.

“I can see she is everything we hoped.” Logan sounded pleased.

Zane shifted in his seat. “She’s much more.”

I couldn’t help wondering what Zane’s words implied. I hoped they confirmed he was falling for me as hard as I was for him.

Logan looked lost. His puzzled expression, reminded me there was more going on than I was privy to. Just like Griffin, Logan had alluded to my special skills.

Something was wrong. I could feel it. I wouldn’t like whatever was waiting to be revealed.

“She’s been briefed?” Logan questioned Zane, who responded with uncomfortable silence, which only prompted another question. “What have you shared with Ms. Carpenter?”

Zane gave me a solemn look before launching into a sporadic update. “She knows our history. As you know, she’s been stalked by Jazmine, who has mutants at her disposal, eager to do her bidding if the mating ceremony is delayed. She has come face to face with Jazmine on two occasions already; neither were positive encounters.”

“I’d say,” I muttered.

“Using her ability, Chloe recognized that a woman werewolf is the killer, however, it wasn’t Jazmine. I still suspect she’s involved somehow …”

Tired of hearing my life explained at a rate too slow for my taste, I jumped in. “I’ve learned to teleport; I had the honor of meeting Mack and his son, Michael; and I ran into my first vampire, Alcuin.” I figured that about summed things up.

“Your world has changed quite a bit in the past few days,” Logan said, his expression revealing his interest and what looked like a hint of compassion. “But what do you think of your involvement in our search?”

“Logan, can we talk — alone?” Zane asked, avoiding my gaze.

The pack leader appeared unfazed, as if anticipating Zane’s request. His answer was to send me to my room. “Chloe, your room is four doors down.” He handed me a cardkey. “Zane will make sure you get in.”

Not willing to be shut out without an explanation, I stood my ground. “If you’re planning on discussing me, I’d like to stay. Make sure you’re getting things right.”

Logan’s eyes narrowed. “Zane …”

Taking my elbow, Zane guided me toward the door. “This is personal pack business. I’ll explain. Later.” His tone gave no room for argument.

Oh, I’d let him go to his little “business” meeting, but I intended to get all the details when he returned.

When he leaned down to kiss me, I presented my cheek.

He didn’t press the issue.

I waited as he strode down the hall. He glanced back before disappearing into the pack leader’s office. Seeing the alarm written across his rugged features was unexpected and downright unnerving.

I didn’t know if he was scared for me or himself ¯ or both of us.

***