Rescuing Their Virgin Mate(24)
She hoped so. As ridiculous as it sounded, she might be falling in love with Dirk. She was sure her friends would say it was some kind of white knight syndrome, but she disagreed. Not that she had a little black book that listed her criteria for a man, but if she had one, she could check every box in regards to him.
“How about this shoe store?” Clay’s comment jerked her back to the present.
“Too expensive. We don’t have to shop here.” Discount shoe stores were everywhere.
Clay wrapped an arm around her waist. She thought it would be strange to have another man besides Dirk hold her, but she liked it. Ever since they’d broached the idea of her being both of their mates her mind had wandered. She failed to comprehend what it would feel like to have four hands, two mouths, and two penises at her disposal. Stop it. The whole concept was too much and definitely not right.
Clay escorted her into the shop that only sold shoes. “Pick out a couple of pairs. I know Hood’s men took your luggage.”
“You’ll have to wait until I get a job to pay you back.”
He pulled her to his chest and heat raced up her face. People crowded the store, and she wasn’t used to such public affection. “You’re with us now. You don’t have to worry about money.”
His words were nice to hear, but she couldn’t take advantage of them. “I appreciate that, but I need to pay my way.”
He kissed her forehead and let her go. “Suit yourself.”
She roamed around the store and picked out a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of comfortable looking sandals. Once she tried them on, Clay paid for her purchase.
As they were leaving the store, he stopped near the entrance. “Come with me.”
“What’s going on?” Her heart spiked. This constant pressure wasn’t healthy.
He led her back to the bench. “Put on the sneakers. You’ll be more comfortable.”
He wouldn’t get an argument from her, but she didn’t like the way he was looking around as if he’d spotted something or someone. As soon as she laced up the sneakers and stashed her heels in the empty box, he took her hand.
“We need to get out of here.”
That scared her. “Why?”
“Because I’ve sensed a few Colters.”
Mother, Mary, and Joseph. “You don’t think they’re here because of me, do you?” She wasn’t that important.
“I can’t be sure.”
“I’m with you now. You bought me. They can’t say they want me back, can they?” Her pits dampened and her heart hammered.
“I wouldn’t put anything past Hood and his gang. Stay by me.”
“Trust me. I’m not letting go.”
With her packages in hand, Clay strode toward the exit one notch short of jogging. Every few steps she raced to keep up with him. With each step, her anxiety doubled. Through her entire ordeal, Clay appeared calm. Now he was rattled and so was she.
They stepped outside, and she thought he’d slow, but he didn’t. His head swiveled right and left as he led her toward his car.
Before they arrived at the row where he’d parked, growls came from nowhere. He stopped. “Fuck.”
Her nervous system short-circuited. She didn’t know if it was better to run, hide, or stay right behind him.
“They’re here?” Her voice squeaked out.
“Yes. Run back toward the mall, but keep your eyes peeled.”
“Wh-what if they come after me?”
His shoulders tensed and his hands fisted. If more than one Colter was here, and she became separated from Clay, she’d be dead meat.
“Maybe you’re right.” He slipped a hand in his pocket and tossed her the keys. “Get to the car and lock it. Now.”
She wouldn’t argue. From the direction he was staring, the animals were in front of him and his car was behind him. She took off. Her legs were still weak from weeks of being cooped up, but she ignored the burn.
Her gaze searched the cars, praying she’d find his. Press the remote, dummy. She did and his car beeped. Her rapid pulse reached the stratosphere. She tugged on the door handle, but her sweaty fingers slipped. The low growl behind her paralyzed her.
She was tempted to look but didn’t waste the time. After the second attempt, the door opened. She jumped in, drew the door shut, and locked it. Her breaths whooshed out, but her heart refused to slow. No sooner had she locked the door than three wolves appeared two parking spaces away. One had to be Clay, but she had no idea which one. As hard as it was to drag her gaze off the fight, she stuck the keys in the ignition, ready to slide over to the driver’s side in case Clay needed help.
The yelping and scraping of their claws on the asphalt jacked up her heartbeat. She had to shield her eyes after one of the wolves sunk his teeth in the other’s flank. That animal retreated and the remaining two fought. The first wolf attacked the one with the white spot on his rear. Keeping her gaze on those two, she clenched her fingers, saying a prayer to God.