I Kissed a Dog

chapter 18

Our return trip to Oregon was uneventful. I was able to unwind on the plane and enjoy the superb service.

Our current attendant was an energetic young man. Despite his enthusiasm, I was more pleased with the empty First Class section; giving us some much-needed privacy. Zane seemed relieved that no one was kicking at the back of his seat.

“Where do we go from here?” I asked, curious how we would present ourselves at work. I’d decided to stay focused on facts and push my erratic feelings aside.

Back at the hotel, Zane had insisted we make every effort to demonstrate our commitment to each other by being candid about our elopement. I still wasn’t convinced that everyone in Plum Beach needed to know about our marital status.

Wife. Mate. Neither title suited me. I doubted that I’d ever accept either label with good grace.

Zane gave me a pointed look. “I thought we already went through this. We couldn’t ignore the whole love-at-first-sight-thing, and we followed through on those loving feelings. It happens all the time.”

“Except there’s a slight problem — everyone knows my practical personality. They know I’m not a person prone to impulsive decisions.” At least I hadn’t been impulsive prior to meeting my alleged mate.

Instead of answering, he let his gaze wander over my face and down my neck, leaving a trail of scorching desire in its wake. I trembled, imagining what our first night together must have been like. I could only imagine the pleasure he’d inflicted on my body.

Just contemplating our wedding night provoked a renewed storm of anger, slamming the door on any amorous feelings.

“You love the fact that I’m putty in your presence. It’s the power over me that excites you,” I taunted.

His lustful expression evaporated into a mask of consternation. If I wasn’t aware of his misshapen motives, I might have believed my words had wounded him. More likely, they’d stung his pride.

He shook his head and looked away.

I didn’t understand why, but I felt an overwhelming need to apologize. My emotions were more uncontrollable around Zane than they’d ever been. Taking Alcuin’s prior advice to chill out wasn’t possible, not now, maybe never.

Hoping I sounded more contrite than I felt, I forced an apology, “I’m sorry. I just can’t get over missing such an intimate experience.”

I knew I didn’t need to explain to which experience I was referring. He had what I assumed were very fresh and detailed memories of our post-wedding intimacy.

Zane straightened and faced me. “I can’t erase my mistake. You must realize, had I known the extent of your inebriation, I would never have made love to you. Maybe someday you’ll give me another opportunity, but from this point forward, I’ll wait for you.” He closed his eyes and leaned back.

His words left me speechless. I couldn’t deny the sincerity behind them. When he spoke with such tender frankness, I found myself questioning how I would survive without his tantalizing glances and heart-stopping kisses.

But this was what I wanted, right? To be left alone. And he was leaving me alone, allowing me to choose the time and place for any future encounters, and according to Misty, he was utterly, without any recourse, bonded to me.

Without my surrender, he was destined to remain alone — untouched, unloved.

Maybe it served him right.

I knew better. He couldn’t stop the mating mark from appearing any more than he could help what he’d been born to become. All I had to do was accept his love and protection, and we could have many more nights together that I would remember.

What was holding me back from what seemed inevitable?

I doubted any so-called normal man could handle my post-coma talents with Zane’s grace and admiration. My former relationship had been proof enough that my animal reading gift caused major relationship discomfort.

I’d discovered Jordon’s infidelity one evening while feeding his cat like a good girlfriend. He was away on a business trip … the infamous meet-the-other-woman-trip.

When we ended our relationship, a week later, in a storm of harsh words and accusations, Jordon made sure to let me know I was a psychotic weirdo, as well as boring because I refused to sleep with him. He was, after all, a man with needs.

When he kicked his helpless cat for tattling, I kicked him in the shin — hard.

Jordon hopping around on his uninjured leg screaming obscenities was my last memory of him.

And I’d thought he was my Knight in Shining Armor? Talk about a major misjudgment of character.

I spent the remainder of the flight plagued by one question. What would be so horrible about a man like Zane loving and protecting me?

Considering my unpleasant history with the human male, it was difficult to establish what exactly was keeping me from embracing the werewolf resting beside me.

Two hours later, we waited vigilantly with our fellow passengers at the luggage carrousel. Suitcase after suitcase rolled by, the majority of them black. Zane spotted his bags first and separated them from the sea of similar baggage. I followed suit, recognizing my old beat-up case and travel bag. Prepared to snatch mine from the circling belt, I was startled when a pale hand beat me to them.

Alcuin! I never thought I’d be so pleased to see a vampire.

“I thought you two might want to avoid six hours in a rental car,” Alcuin said, setting my bags on the floor.

Zane relaxed, smiling his approval.

His response caused my heart to do little somersaults. I hated to admit how much I disliked seeing him unhappy. I was spending so much time worried about him exerting his power over me that I’d failed to acknowledge the extent of my influence over him.

“You’re such a mind reader,” Zane joked, still grinning at his friend.

Alcuin stopped.

Standing stiffly; he looked over the rims of his dark sunglasses and focused his piercing gaze on my neck. Self-consciously, I started to reach up, and just as quickly dropped my hand, fighting not to fidget under his sudden scrutiny.

Ignoring my discomfort, he walked a slow circle around me, sniffing like a dog. “Something is different about you,” he stated without emotion.

“I’m mated to Zane now,” I said trying to sound pleasant; certain he had used his supernatural senses to detect a lingering trace of Valamir.

I glanced at Zane who appeared puzzled by his friend’s actions.

“We’re married, and I’m marked. That’s what you’re feeling,” Zane clarified, allowing his amber eyes to rake over me, sending the usual trails of heat down my spine.

Feigning indifference, I shrugged, turning my attention to my purse that I pretended to search. It was hard not to feel ruffled with the two of them intently staring.

“Where are we going when we get back in town?” I decided to change the subject while applying the lip gloss I’d managed to retrieve. We hadn’t talked about our future plans other than publicly announcing our marriage.

At last, after another endless moment of examination, Alcuin turned away. “She has a good question.”

I allowed relief to wash over me as we returned to a more normal line of conversation. I couldn’t help feeling as if I’d escaped the lion’s den without a scratch — this time, anyway.

Miraculously, Zane took the bait too. “We need to go to Chloe’s place first. We’ll figure out the next step from there.”

Finding a secluded spot away from the airport crowds, we team-teleported back to my beach house in Florence. It appeared I’d conquered all disagreeable reactions to my latest mode of traveling. On the down side, I hated to admit that I was getting quite comfortable going wherever I wanted with the blink of an eye. This was no I Dream of Genie, though. All the blinking was courtesy of my new fanged friend.

Glancing again at Alcuin, I concluded that in addition to my newfound acceptance of teleportation, I had indeed misplaced some essential memories back in Vegas.

Although different in appearance, Alcuin reminded me of the regal vampire — Valamir. I could still recall his haunting face. My neck tingled just thinking about our short time together in the bar. I wished I could confide in Alcuin, but I didn’t dare. Not now. I had no idea how he would respond, and I wanted, at all cost, to avoid the negative impact that discussing the ancient vampire would have on Zane.

Seeing Zane’s bulky form in my living room yanked me back to the moment.

To begin with, Luke would be shocked to see us strolling into work hand in hand. Just imagining the expression on his face when he heard the “good news” was enough to send me to bed for a month. Yet as anxious as I was about my boss’ reaction to my shotgun wedding, I was more concerned about Jazmine and the mutants. Considering how they’d tracked me all the way to Sin City, preparing to combat future attacks on the home front seemed prudent.

“Your bags are on your bed,” Zane said from behind.

Just the silky sound of his voice was like liquid honey to my ears, calming my jumbled thoughts. I wished he’d forget his vow and take me in his arms. Somehow, though, I understood as difficult as it was for him to resist, he meant business this time. I’d have to make the first move.

“Thanks,” I half-whispered, looking for Alcuin. “Where’d our transporter disappear to?” I was beginning to understand that vampires were prone to popping in and out at will. They didn’t seem too inclined to explain their whereabouts, and I wasn’t sure if knowing was such a good idea.

“Even though he can survive the daylight, he prefers the dark. I suspect he’s taking a vampire rest.” Zane shrugged.

I almost asked what a vampire rest entailed, but decided against it. We had more important things to deal with.

The blinking light on my archaic answering machine caught my attention. Curious, I darted around Zane’s bulky mass and hit the button.

“You have three new messages …”

“Hi, Chloe. It’s me, Luke. I know you’re out of town, but I wanted you to know it’s been real quiet since you left. No new murders. So far, no new leads either. At least, we’ve had some peace.

Zane’s friends have done a great job. They installed new security cameras, and, the even better news — they’ve agreed to stay on as additional security until we get a handle on our animal attacker. Well, I miss you.”

Before I could ponder his words, the second message was retrieved. “You little whore. So you can talk to animals. How quaint. Have they told you how you’re going to die like a slaughtered cow? You should ask around, clues can be found in the oddest places.”

Hitting the pause button, I faced Zane, surprised by my detached observation. “That voice … it’s familiar, but I can’t place it. It sounded like he was trying to disguise himself.”

“Another reason why we’ll be staying at my place until this is resolved. The M’s can remain here.” Seeing my narrowed eyes he added, “My promise of chastity extends to my bedroom. Besides, living together makes more sense in light of our recent matrimony. We are man and wife.”

More like wolf and woman, I almost said, but stopped myself. He was trying to be kind and protective.

The final message belonged to my always-anxious mother. “Honey, it’s me. Where are you? Are you in some kind of trouble? Two men stopped by yesterday asking for you. I told them you didn’t live here. They were very nice-looking, but a little on the grouchy side. Do you owe money? If you do, please don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your father and I understand how hard these economic times are. Your machine’s cutting me off …”

I sighed, dreading the next conversation with my parents. I wondered if they’d called work looking for me. If so, they’d blown my cover with Luke to smithereens. Why I still cared was a mystery. He’d know my marital status within the hour, if he didn’t already.

“I told you that not telling your folks was best,” Zane said carefully, watching for my reaction to the latest message.

Instead of snapping back at his I-told-you-so comment, I lifted the phone.

Before it was halfway to my ear, Zane took it from me. “Not now, Chloe. You can call them later. Let’s get your stuff and get out of here. We need to connect with Mack and Michael, not to mention, our boss.”

I had to agree. Home no longer felt safe. I wondered what returning to work would feel like.

I’d know soon enough.