Therian Prize(14)
“It wasn’t a conscious decision.” She sounded almost believable but she was still avoiding his gaze. “I found a trailer that reeked of horses and climbed in. When it stopped, I got out and started running again. I ran until I couldn’t run anymore and woke up in your sister’s bathtub.”
Heather must have been terrified and desperate, but he wasn’t that easy to find. Aspen was filled with pubs and bars, restaurants and lounges. At some point Toulouse Tavern had become a conscious destination. Why was she so reluctant to admit the fact?
“Twenty-four hours. You can crash at my place and I might even feed you, but you’re not staying more than one day.” He doubted that he’d enforce the limit. Still, he wanted the option in case she remained this secretive.
She nodded in agreement and her eyes grew watery again. “Thank you.”
He picked up the overnight bag then handed it to her. “Enya’s right. You can’t go around in her bathrobe. Get dressed.”
While Heather dressed in the bathroom, he went to Enya’s room and knocked on the door. “I’m headed home. Thanks for your help. I know you would rather have left her in the alley.”
Enya pulled the door open a crack. She’d dressed for bed. Without flashy clothes, she looked younger, yet still world-weary. The echoes of pain in her leaf-green eyes re-broke Jake’s heart every time he looked at her. She was his one regret, his biggest failure. She’d always looked up to him, respected and trusted him. Yet when she’d needed him most, he’d been unable to protect her.
“Be careful,” she said. “Nate Fitzroy is one sneaky son of a bitch. This could be a twisted setup.”
“What do they gain by Heather throwing herself on my mercy?”
“I don’t know, but you can’t trust a wolf.”
“I trust Landon.”
“Silly you.”
Her unwavering position made him smile. She might be slightly misguided but at least she was consistent. “I’ll be careful.”
“I called Toby and asked him to open the restaurant tomorrow, or actually today. Either way, you’re off the hook. Come in once you’ve gotten rid of the wolf.”
He chuckled at her phrasing. “Thank you, that was sweet.”
“Sweet.” She snorted. “We both know I’m anything but.”
“If you say so.”
“I’ll have the bathroom fumigated and you’re getting the bill.” She shut the door before he could respond so he just smiled and returned to the living room.
Heather was waiting for him, looking uncomfortable in the borrowed clothes. “Are all of her outfits this revealing or is she screwing with me?”
His gaze ran the length of her body and the irrational urge to hug Enya swept over him. Jeans rode low on Heather’s hips and clung to her rounded behind. Several inches of toned abdomen were left visible by the snug top. Her breasts, obviously unencumbered by a bra, were clearly outlined, the nipples teasing peaks against the dark-blue material. Enya was screwing with someone, he just wasn’t sure it was Heather.
“She likes to show off what she’s got, but she’s also screwing with us.” He walked to Enya’s coat closet and found a sweater. “This will have to do until I get you home.” And then he’d peel off that skintight top and explore her perky breasts before he gave her a baggy t-shirt. The unwanted thought kept his gaze firmly fixed on her flushed face. She had not come here to be seduced. She was in danger and passion was a powerful distraction. He had to stay focused if he hoped to protect her.
She slipped the cardigan on, overlapped the edges then crossed her arms. “Beggars can’t be choosers. Besides, I get the impression I’m lucky she offered me anything.”
“She has good reason to hate wolves. It’s more than the cat-and-dog thing.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset her.”
“There’s no reason to feel guilty. I involved Enya, not you.”
“There’s another change of clothes and some personal items in the bag. Should I bring it with me?” She motioned toward the overnight bag, which now rested in the chair she’d used earlier.
“Yeah. I’ll find room for it.”
She looked as if she were going to ask what he meant. Instead she just followed him out of the apartment and down the back stairs. He grabbed the spare helmet off one of the shelves in the storeroom then exited into the alley. She glanced at the dumpster and shivered, clutching the overnight bag to her chest.
He led her to his motorcycle then handed her the spare helmet. Using bungee cords, he secured the overnight bag to the small rack behind the padded backrest. He had saddlebags for the bike but he didn’t put up with the bulk unless he was hitting the road for several days.