Christy nodded, fully intending to leave a check on the coffee table before she left. It wouldn’t do any good to argue with Milly. She pivoted and headed toward the door. Coming to the diner hadn’t gotten her anywhere.
“Christy?”
She turned back to Emma. “Yes?”
“Please. Stay inside the apartment tonight.”
She couldn’t promise that she would. As dangerous as it might be, she had to get answers. Instead of agreeing, she strode out of the diner.
* * * *
“Grant’s going to skin us alive when he finds out.”
Duncan pulled into a parking spot across from Milly’s diner. Lance was right, but at that moment, he didn’t care. “Are you backing out? If you are, that’s fine with me.”
They’d already talked about it and had made the decision to see Christy.
“’Course I’m not. I’m just saying, is all. As long as we get her back before sundown, we should be okay.”
At least that’s what they were banking on. The effect of the amber moon was still on them during the daytime, but it was less than it had been last night and less than it would be later tonight when it was at its most powerful. Since they were able to resist her last night, then they should be able to keep their hands off during the daytime.
Neither one of them mentioned the kiss in the apartment yesterday.
“As long as Grant’s occupied in Shatland with Jackson, then we’re good to go.” He didn’t like going behind their friend’s back, and if Jackson hadn’t called to enlist Grant’s help in talking to the werebears, they wouldn’t have come up with their plan to see Christy. Either that, or they would’ve included Grant in it. As it was, it seemed like the perfect opportunity.
“Get moving, man.” Duncan was out of the pickup and headed across the street to Milly’s diner. He was in a hurry to see Christy. After scaring off Gabe and Merle the previous night, they’d waited around outside in the alley until the lights had finally gone out in the apartment.
“Hey, I want to see her as much as you do.” Lance fell into step beside him.
Their excitement, however, didn’t mean that they wouldn’t stop beside her car. They’d leaned her roof and window against her car to get it out of the street.
“I wish we would’ve ripped their heads off last night.” Anger flashed through Duncan. The damn werebears hadn’t caused many problems lately so he guessed it was about time for a couple of them to stir things up, but that didn’t make it any better.
The fact that they’d chosen the time of the amber moon wasn’t a coincidence. Knowing the bears, they’d thought they could take advantage of a female werewolf while she was under the influence. Then Christy had shown up at the wrong time and the wrong place. And if there was anything a werebear liked better than hassling a female werewolf, it was troubling a human female. They’d thought they’d have easy pickings with her until Grant, Lance, and he had seen them and shifted, ready to give them the fight of their lives. If Gabe and Merle hadn’t backed down, the incident could’ve started a war. Still could, if the leaders of the werebears didn’t punish Gabe and Merle for their actions. But that was up to Jackson and Grant to sort out.
“I feel the same way, but that would’ve been a hell of a thing for her to see.”
“We should get her car out of sight.” Duncan whacked the hood of the car, making the unattached metal rattle.
Lance snorted. “That won’t do any good. She was there, remember?”
“Yeah, but why let her keep having to see it? Come on. We can move the car before she gets up and around.”
“You’re too late.”
Duncan whirled around to face Christy as she walked out of the diner. Guilt like a kid caught with his hand in his mother’s purse washed over him. The guilt was gone in a flash, however, when his gaze scanned her. His stomach tightened as his cock twinged, ready to spring into action.
“So what were you planning on doing with my car? Taking it to a junkyard?”
She knew he was checking her out, and judging by her expression, she didn’t mind one bit. Lance scooted up to her and took off his hat.
“Hey, Christy, how’re you doing? Um, we heard about last night and figured we’d better make sure you’re all right.”
“I’m fine.”
He had the distinct impression that she wanted to add, “No thanks to you.” Instead, she thrust out her chin. “And about my car?”
Lance rubbed the back of his neck, a sure sign that he wasn’t sure how to answer.
Still, he’d let Lance do most of the talking. He didn’t have an answer, either, except for the lame fact that they were just getting it out of the way. But with Lance talking, it gave him more time to soak in her beauty. She was one of those women who didn’t have to wear a lot of makeup or jewelry or fancy clothes. Her skin was flawless, radiant in the morning light even with the small patches of darkness under her eyes. Her body wasn’t the kind most men dreamed of, but the curves she had were perfect for him. He stood several feet away, but he could still feel the sizzle of attraction.