Sawyer groaned. “Let me guess. He’s going to the logging site for an inspection, and he’s doing it alone.”
“Yep.” Logan frowned. “Not much he can do about it. Other than our gut feeling, he doesn’t have any cause to be concerned. He has to follow up, but it doesn’t warrant his boss sending someone from another county to accompany him.”
“That sucks,” Amanda said. Again, she wasn’t a shifter, nor had she ever heard of half the supernatural occurrences she’d witnessed in the last several days, but even she had a bad feeling that made her hand shake and her stomach roil.
She had to get out of this condo. She finished eating as much as she could swallow in the silence of the room and then pushed her chair back and headed for the bedroom. Before she could consider changing into something more appropriate for her second interview, both men were behind her. She could feel their presence without turning around.
“We don’t want you to go anywhere,” Logan said. “Please.” His voice was soft, gentle, pleading.
She took a deep breath and spun around. “I feel like I’m in a cage.” She smiled at them both. “Granted it’s a wonderful cage filled with the best sex a woman could ever hope for, but we can only spend so many hours a day naked.” In fact, she’d only had clothes on for about two hours in the past twenty-four.
Sawyer lifted a brow. “I beg to differ.”
She set her hands on her hips and cocked one to the side. “Ha ha.”
“Naked is good,” Logan added. “Naked keeps you distracted from wanting to get out of here.”
They both stepped toward her, forcing her to back up to keep a few feet of distance. If they got any closer, she would lose her resolve. She always did when their scents filled her nose and their hands landed on her skin. “Guys, I’m serious. I have an appointment. I’m not going to miss it. What’s the big deal? Who cares if I go to the campus and meet with Dr. Burnhart?”
Logan dropped his shoulders. “That’s the problem. I don’t have any idea who cares, but I’m not willing to risk your life to find out.”
“And we still have no way of knowing who the threats were meant for. There’s no specific indication someone doesn’t want me taking this job.”
“Baby, there’s no specific indication something illegal is happening at that logging site either, but I’m betting my last dime one of those two concerns is valid.”
“Fine.” She rolled her eyes. “One of you go with me. But I’m not flaking on this woman simply because someone may or may not be threatening me.”
“I’ll go,” Sawyer said.
“Let’s all go,” Logan added.
She shook her head. “No. You know that idea sucks. We don’t need to draw attention to ourselves. And nobody brings a boyfriend to a job interview, so you can’t get out of the car.” She pointed at Sawyer. “You go. You wait in the parking lot. I’m not going to get abducted between the car and the building.”
»»•««
Amanda made her way into the anthropology department on the second floor of McField Hall, desperately trying not to let her nerves get the better of her. She looked left and right so many times, it was a wonder her neck didn’t hurt. No matter what, she was stressed, making it difficult to keep from wobbling in her professional black pumps. She was glad she’d chosen to wear flared black dress pants instead of a skirt. That was the only thing that kept Sawyer’s hand from making direct contact with her thigh during the drive.
“Amanda…” Sawyer hadn’t stopped with the running commentary the entire time. It had taken every effort to get him to comply with her wishes and wait in the car.
“I’m fine. Geez. Her office is right in front of me. The door is open. I’m going in. Don’t bother me for a bit so I can act slightly human and not distracted.” She wasn’t good at blocking them from her thoughts yet, and she sucked at keeping them out of her head, but fortunately Sawyer cut her some slack and didn’t say another word.
“Amanda. Come in.” Lucy rose from her seat and indicated the one across from her desk. “How are you? Settling in well in the community?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Lucy smiled broadly. “Good news. I should have the grant in place by the end of the week, and the department has approved your employment.”
Amanda returned the smile. “That’s great. I’m so excited. When do you want me to start?”
“Is Monday okay?”
“Monday’s perfect.” Logan and Sawyer were going to flip, but they were going to have to get over themselves. Maybe without another spirit sighting between now and Monday, they would lighten up. Amanda truly believed the spirit had simply wanted to guide her so she would be safer in the mountains.