chapter 12

I elbow the guy holding me then back up, grabbing Kayan's hand and pulling her with me toward the restrooms saying. "You're really getting fired." As my gaze connects with Wanda', who is standing near a pool table talking to some guy, his eyes sweep over me, and even from across the room, I can see anger enter his handsome features.

"Oh no," Kayan whispers, and I remind myself to start looking for a new receptionist and best friend on Monday after I have a full-face transplant.

"Run," I breathe.

"What?"

"I said run!" I cry, and we both turn and start toward the front of the bar. We get down the hall, almost to freedom when I'm suddenly pulled back into a hard body.

"What the fuck are you wearing?" is growled near my ear, making my whole body shiver.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, trying to get away.

"Z, watch her," Wanda tells a tall guy with a bald head and tattoos that run from his neck and down his arms, which you can see from the white tank and leather vest he has on. His arm muscles look even more intimidating as he stands, crossing his arms over his chest while looking down at my very petite best friend.

"That's not necessary; we were just leaving," I say as I'm walked backwards into the men's restroom through a swinging door.

"Out," Wanda growls to some guys who are standing near the urinals. They all look between Wanda and me, zip up their pants quickly, and then rush out of the room.

"That was rude," I mutter, then my breath comes out in a whoosh as my body is pressed into the wall behind me.

"What are you doing here, Lusy?" he rumbles.

I feel the vibration of his words against my chest as he speaks, and I ignore the butterflies that have erupted in my stomach since seeing him. "I wanted to learn how to line dance?" My answer sounds more like a question.

"Don't lie to me." He presses deeper into me, and I can feel every hard inch of him through the thin material of the bodysuit I have on. I hold my breath and squeeze my eyes closed, trying to get my body back under control. "There are some fucked up guys here right now, babe, and you can't be here."

I open my eyes and search his face. "Are you in trouble?" I ask, and his eyes sweep over me as he mutters, "Yes," making my insides turn liquid.

"Wanda, you're too close," I whimper, feeling like his presence is suffocating me.

"Not close enough, baby," he whispers back as his hands framing my waist press in deeper and his erection presses into my belly.

"Oh, God," I moan as his face lowers and his mouth hovers over mine, his breath brushes across my lips, making me crave him in a way I never, ever thought possible.

"Don't," I tell him, closing my eyes, and after a long moment, I open them back up and meet his eyes when I realize that he didn't kiss me like I expected him to.

"I'm gonna walk you out to your car. I want you to go right home, and don't ever come back here again," he tells me, placing his forehead to mine.

"I—"

"No, babe, you need to swear to me that you will never come back here again."

"I won't come back."

"Come on." He pulls me with him and leads me back out of the bathroom. Kayan is leaning against the wall, looking at the floor, while biker guy 'Z' stands blocking her from everyone's sight.

"I remember you," I tell Z when I realize he's the guy who picked me up like I was as light as a feather the day I tasered Wanda. He grins then looks at Wanda and shakes his head.

"Let's get the girls out of here, and then we'll come back and finish up," Wanda states.

"Sure," Z mutters, wrapping a hand around a struggling Kayan's waist and walking in front of us out of the bar. I try prying Wanda' fingers off my waist as we walk, but he only holds me tighter. My legs work double-time in the boots I have on to keep up with him, and I let out a relieved sigh once we reach my Jeep.

"You're as shy as a kitten. Don't think I've ever had shy in my bed," I hear Z say as we get into the Jeep. I look over at Kayan, who has her eyes pointed at her lap, but I can see there is dark blush covering her cheeks. "Be good, Kitten," Z rumbles, shutting her door. I start to shut my own door, when a body cages me into my seat.

"Straight home."

"Straight home," I repeat then lick my lips when I realize how close his mouth is.

"We have some shit to work out, but I'll get in there," he tells me. My eyes flutter up to meet his, and my heart starts to pound when I see the promise in his eyes. His head dips to the side and his lips brush my ear, making my core convulse. "Be good."

I nod my head as my voice box closes up. He backs up and slams my door. I start up my Jeep and pull out of the lot then look over at Kayan when I'm at the stop sign. When her eyes meet mine, a smile alights her face.

"That was scary, but oh, my God," she breathes out, making me giggle.

"No more stakeouts," I tell her, and she smiles and whispers, "No more stakeouts."

****

I call Mark on the way back to town, and he tells me he wasn't able to save the dog that was dropped off. My heart breaks yet again for another dog. I vow then that I will get to the bottom of what's happening, if it's the last thing I do.

"I'll see you Monday," Kayan mumbles solemnly when we pull up in front of my house since I got off the phone with Mark, the energy in the car has changed.

"See you Monday," I tell her, shutting down my car and heading toward the house. I watch her pull away before heading inside and closing the door.