I Kissed a Dog (12 page)

Chapter
14
8

Without Zane’s untiring confidence, the Vegas airport would have been a nightmare.

He navigated through the throngs of tourists with a level of expertise reserved for
those who had a certain familiarity with Sin City. His assurance and striking good
looks had women stopping to ogle. One middle-aged brunette stumbled over her carry-on
as he strode past.

Zane, on the other hand, made sure to point out the number of men gawking at me. I
had to admit, my count of admirers was at least equal to his. He wasn’t too pleased.

“Between the two of us, I bet we could convince someone to buy us lunch and cocktails,”
I joked. I could imagine how someone like Jazmine would use her persuasive talents
and exotic appearance to get everything she wanted out of Vegas.

“I don’t intend to prostitute either of us for what’s already free.” He growled, picking
up the pace, and making it difficult to match his stride.

“I was just kidding!” I half-shouted. I’d take care never to mention using my looks
as the means to an end again.

Even though I felt like a Plain-Jane next to Zane he failed to find a speck of humor
in anything related to my appearance. For me, usually a jealous man was a major turnoff.
In his case, I found it somehow exhilarating.

Changing tactics, I teased, “Can you slow down? Please? Human girl about to collapse.”
I hoped to lighten the mood; something I found myself doing often around Zane. Napping
on the flight had restored my energy. I wanted to enjoy my time, not spend my first
day in Vegas bickering.

“Sorry. I forget how fast I am.” He slowed his gait. “You’re probably starving. You
didn’t eat a thing on the plane.”

He was right. I hadn’t eaten since my morning bagel. Several hours had passed, and
I needed nourishment. What I wanted more, though, was to claim our luggage and get
to the hotel. “I can wait.”

“You sure?” He looked doubtful.

“I want to get out of here.” The airport and all the staring people were starting
to annoy me. “Geeze, you’d think these people had never seen an attractive young couple.”

“Young couple … is that what we are?” Zane’s tension had vanished; a huge grin replaced
his frown.

“Well, uh …”

“Just give up, Chloe. You and I both know there’s something between us. You can’t
keep pretending it doesn’t exist …”

“Mr. Marshall! I’ve gathered your luggage!” An odd little man waved and hurried toward
us. “Logan sent me with the limo. He figured you might want some help.”

“I already like Logan,” I said, relieved to be another step closer to peace and quiet
— and food.

“This is Giffin, assistant to Logan Sanders. Where Logan is, you’ll find Griffin,”
Zane admitted. It was clear he was well acquainted with the man.

So she’s the one. All this fuss over one little human. She may be pretty, but that’s
not everything. Her talents must be vital to the pack for Logan to go through all
this.
Griffin broadcasted his thoughts while towing the bags, not realizing that his mental
chit chat was loud enough to be considered obnoxious.

I decided to ignore my negative feelings and see what else he might reveal.

By the time we were seated in the black stretch limo, I was certain there was far
more to Zane’s initial motives than he’d bothered telling me.

From what I could see in Giffin’s head, my werewolf sweetheart had traveled to Plum
Beach for more than a murder investigation. I wasn’t certain, but it seemed he’d come
to locate me. If what I was starting to believe had any truth to it, there was a good
chance he was using my abilities for the good of his pack. Our little attraction was
just an added bonus for him, unless, of course, that was an act too.

“What do you think?” Zane motioned to the tinted window. “Would you like me to open
it so you can see the strip? I know it’s not as magnificent during the daylight, but
you can still see some of its grandeur.”

Ignoring my suspicions, I forced myself to act normal. I leaned closer to the window.

Taking my interest as a yes, Zane insisted Griffin lower not only the side window,
but also open the oversized sunroof. Warm air poured in along with the scent of spicy
food, desert flora, exhaust, and something unidentifiable that I assumed was unique
to Vegas.

Huge hotels, casinos, even the original Statue of Liberty’s giant replica lined the
street. Las Vegas Boulevard and familiar resort names like
Treasure Island, The Mirage, and Hotel Excalibur
(my personal favorite) reminded me that I wasn’t in Oregon any more.

Storing my latest impressions of Zane away for later, I soaked in the wonders of Nevada’s
very own “City that Never Sleeps.” From what I’d read, New York had nothing on Vegas
in terms of nightlife.

The men had enough common sense to know I was enthralled by my surroundings, and left
me alone until we pulled into a long drive lined with palm trees.

Fountains and tropical flowers were placed strategically between the palms with life-like
animal statues scattered throughout. It was as if the animals from the wildlife park
had been released to stand guard along the winding hotel entryway.

As we inched closer to the building, I positioned myself to do something I’d always
dreamed about. Before either man could protest, I climbed on the center table and
pulled myself up through the sunroof until everything above my waist was outside the
limo.

I tilted my head back to look at the massive structure. It was a jungle-themed palace.
Vines were suspended from the windows and sculpted replicas of monkeys and exotic
birds either dangled or perched on the vines.

“It’s incredible,” I gasped, wishing I could pretend to be Jane and climb a vine to
Tarzan’s room, knowing darn well my Tarzan’s name started with a Z.

“I’m glad you approve.” Zane slid his arm around my waist as he joined me. “Welcome
to the Jungle Jamboree Family Resort,” he announced. “A place where kids play while
parents gamble.”

I laughed. “That’s some tagline.”

“You think the board will like it?”

“It’s catchy.”

Griffin cleared his throat. “Can I get you two to exit the limo? There are cars waiting,”
he said, sounding perturbed by our childish antics. His earlier eagerness to assist
had been replaced with a condescending manner that I found offensive in light of my
excitement.

“Come on!” Zane pulled me back into the limo. “Wait till you see our room.”

“
Our
room?” Zane’s room-comment erased my desire to chastise Griffin.

Rather than respond, Zane exploded through the limo door the minute it opened. He
rushed to my side and helped me out. “Welcome to paradise, Princess.”

“I’ll send up your luggage,” Griffin said, sounding suddenly formal.

As thrilled as I was about our unfamiliar surroundings, I couldn’t let Zane off the
hook. “You said something about ‘our room.’ Would you care to elaborate?”

“I’m your bodyguard; therefore, I stay close to you.”

“But …”

“Chloe, please, remember why we’re here. The suite has a huge bedroom and a smaller
one. Does that make things easier for you to deal with?” He said, cutting me off.

Unable to find any reasonable argument, I nodded. “That’ll work. I guess.” I wasn’t
going to admit I was more afraid of spending the night behind closed doors with him
than being attacked by deranged mutants.

A stocky porter approached. “Mr. Marshall, so glad to see you. Mr. Sanders is ready
to receive you in his office.” He cocked his head, studying me. “The lady’s presence
is requested as well.” He backed up with a little bow than hurried the other direction.

I made a half-hearted attempt to infiltrate his thoughts, but was met with a strong
barrier, signaling that he, too, was of the supernatural persuasion. I couldn’t help
but wonder if the hotel even bothered hiring humans.

Zane took my hand as we approached the glass elevator centrally positioned in the
enormous oval-shaped lobby.

Before I could formulate a question about the hotel’s shady hiring requirements, I
was again awed by my surroundings. Covered in jungle foliage and vines, the elevator
was a sight to behold. Two monkey replicas were suspended from two of the larger vines.
I craned my neck to look up.

Not a fan of heights, I wasn’t happy to see how high the elevator could travel. There
were other elevators off to the side of the lobby, but this amazing creation was designed
to rise straight up through the grand hotel’s center. The upper floors formed a circle
of doors with attached hanging bridges crisscrossing the center space at each level,
one main bridge connecting to the elevator on every floor.

I’d never seen such a bizarre layout. The architect must have been on some major,
mind-altering chemicals to come up with such extravagance.

“Is it safe?” I questioned, unable to tear my eyes away.

“I promise; the bridges are well crafted. They’re supposed to give guests a
Swiss Family Robinson
feel,” he explained. “Would I take you on something that wasn’t safe?”

“You make it sound like you’re taking me on a ride at an amusement part.”

Zane laughed his eyes full of mischief. “You’re scared of some fancy construction,
but you’re okay with super naturals.”

I stepped through the yawning glass door, feigning bravado that I didn’t feel. “Fine,
big boy, let’s ride.” Not entering the elevator was no longer an option.

Zane had a curious way of provoking me, making me see everything as a challenge. I
pondered his comment. Why was I so reasonable when it came to vampires and werewolves,
yet everyday things continued to unravel me? I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer. Maybe
I was just happy to meet others who were stranger than me.

Once across the
Swiss Family Robinson
bridge, on our floor, I realized that I preferred teleporting over the elevator ride.
My stomach felt queasy. I was worried I might do one of my fainting numbers. Zane
read the signs and curled a protective arm around my waist, drawing me closer, and
supporting my weight.

As usual, his touch released a collection of butterflies in my midsection and sent
a wave of desire crashing over me. I was thankful to be stopping somewhere other than
our private suite. Alone with Zane, right now, could prove disastrous.

My attraction for him was far from diminishing. It was as if someone was playing a
cruel cosmic joke on me, making my lifeless libido go haywire around Zane.

All tempting thoughts were silenced when we entered the alpha wolf’s massive suite
turned office.

My initial response to Logan Sanders was embarrassment.

I noticed right away, that just like his counterparts, the alpha werewolf was gorgeous
and powerful. He, too, wore his hair long and pulled back. But unlike Zane, his hair
was a chocolate brown, and streaked with gold. My embarrassment was caused by what
he was thinking about me. His thoughts revealed a semi-accurate assessment of my current
emotional state.

Another human with no steel. Such a weak creature. Upset by a simple elevator.

“I am not weak!” I protested. I didn’t bother arguing about the elevator.

Logan grinned, appreciative. “Good, I can see you weren’t exaggerating her abilities.”
His eyes traveled over me, causing a jolt of apprehension to replace my embarrassment.

Zane noticed too. His smile dissolved into a scowl.

“Since when do I embellish?” Zane grated; unwilling to forgive his leader’s visual
indulgence.

Unmoved by our reactions, Logan slid into a leather chair, positioned like a throne
behind his expansive, marble-topped desk. “Sit.” He motioned toward two equally plush
chairs.

Delighted to obey and put an end to my lingering dizziness, and Logan’s roaming eyes,
I chose the chair nearest the floor-to-ceiling window. Prepared for a dull briefing
about pack business, I could look outside if things got too boring.

“I can see she is everything we hoped.” Logan sounded pleased.

Zane shifted in his seat. “She’s much more.”

I couldn’t help wondering what Zane’s words implied. I hoped they confirmed he was
falling for me as hard as I was for him.

Logan looked lost. His puzzled expression, reminded me there was more going on than
I was privy to. Just like Griffin, Logan had alluded to my special skills.

Something was wrong. I could feel it. I wouldn’t like whatever was waiting to be revealed.

“She’s been briefed?” Logan questioned Zane, who responded with uncomfortable silence,
which only prompted another question. “What have you shared with Ms. Carpenter?”

Zane gave me a solemn look before launching into a sporadic update. “She knows our
history. As you know, she’s been stalked by Jazmine, who has mutants at her disposal,
eager to do her bidding if the mating ceremony is delayed. She has come face to face
with Jazmine on two occasions already; neither were positive encounters.”

“I’d say,” I muttered.