I Kissed a Dog (4 page)

“I don’t think so. My stomach’s still growling and there’s nothing not eating will
fix.” I hoped I didn’t sound callous, but by the twinkle in his eyes, I knew he agreed.

Avoiding any further discussion about the murders, we instead discussed park procedures
between huge bites of grilled salmon and steak, cleaning our plates like two people
ravished by an inhuman hunger. I almost choked, considering just how much I’d like
to be ravished by the man inclined over his plate.

Seeming to read my thoughts, he glanced up, running his tongue over his upper lip.
I couldn’t help imagining what his tongue would feel like gliding down me.

I scolded myself. Thoughts like those belonged to a sex-starved woman, not a twenty-four-year-old-virgin.
I had every intention of keeping my purity intact until my wedding night, but for
the first time, ever, I wondered if I’d make it.

Zane, if he uncovered my internal battle, was certain to rise to the challenge of
deflowering me. Keeping a safe distance had become more important.

Being raised a good Baptist girl made an impact on my beliefs. My religious upbringing
was like a safety net keeping me from losing control and following after what my mother
referred to as desires of the flesh. I’d never understood the whole temptation principle,
until this moment. I wished now that I’d paid closer attention in church.

“Delicious!” He reached for his water.

“Amen to that!” I agreed, sounding far more spiritual than I felt.

Zane gave me a lopsided grin. I couldn’t blame him. Typically, I didn’t shout amen
after a meal — although my steak had been flame-broiled to perfection.

“Can I tell you a secret?” His eyes twinkled with mischief.

I leaned forward, eager to learn what type of secret a man like Zane might reveal.

“I love a woman who’s not afraid to eat when she’s hungry.”

Not sure whether to feel insulted or pleased, I decided on pleased. I’d always hated
phony women who refused to eat in front of men. “Thanks, I think. I enjoy food.”

“That’s just one of many things we have in common.”

“I’m sorry. Did I miss something?” Now I was baffled. I barely knew Zane Marshall.
Although, I was beginning to hope that would change despite my internal warning system
flashing red.

“We both care about animals. We’ve determined we enjoy food,
and
we like each other.” His expression dared me to say otherwise.

“I think you’re overestimating our very short acquaintance. To be honest, earlier,
I was leaning toward the not-liking-you side. Your car caught my attention, though.
Oh, and the fact you kept me from getting mauled and crushed helped.”

“See! We both like my car!” He laughed loud enough that a few heads turned our direction.
He lowered his voice, “I do like you, Chloe. I have what you might call a sixth sense
about people. You’re a good woman, but you don’t believe it.”

Stunned by his assessment, and how close our faces were, I pulled back. No one had
ever called me a good woman, and he was right, believing it wasn’t easy for me. My
former teenage confidence had diminished after my dramatic breakup with Jordon, amongst
other things better forgotten.

Not comfortable with the emotions he’d triggered, and intending to keep my commitment
by paying my own tab, I reached for my purse.

“I don’t believe in going Dutch.” He pulled a shiny gold card from his wallet.

“Oh, I see.” My protective defenses slammed into place. “Women aren’t capable of
paying their own way. You think I’m some damsel in distress looking for a big strong
man to save me.”

My comment drew the ire of two older women seated at the table next to us. They looked
appalled by my outburst.

I had no reference point for Zane. A man who looked like a movie star, but was also
insightful, humorous, and seemed to care, was beyond comprehension.

Too good to be true was exactly that: too good to be true.

I’d been hurt by a so-called perfect man once before. It wouldn’t happen again.

“How was your lunch?” A pretty waitress accepted his card. Like every woman who came
within ten feet of Zane, she made no attempt to hide her approval.

Crossing my arms, I waited, wishing I’d driven. Oh, no; I just had to ride in the
Corvette.

When the waitress returned, she scribbled what I imagined was her phone number, before
handing over the receipt. Zane gave her a blinding smile.

What a dog!
I thought.
Typical male.

Luke was going to have to choose between his newest employee and me after all. Plum
Beach Wildlife Park wasn’t big enough for both of us. I hoped my seniority and Luke’s
long-term crush would give me the edge I needed.

We’d know soon enough.

Chapter
5
4

Managing to remain silent on our drive back to the park was more difficult than I’d
expected. Zane, on the other hand, seemed unaffected by my simmering rage. His slight
grin signaled he was enjoying life — including no significant worries about my unpredictable
emotions. He tried once to apologize. I didn’t give him a chance.

Pressed against the passenger door, I pictured myself with steam shooting out my ears
and a torrent of unladylike words pouring from my mouth. Instead, I kept my mouth
clamped shut and plotted what I’d say to Luke when I issued my ultimatum.

Zane broke the silence, his smile vanishing. “Not good.”

Startled, I peered out the window. There were three police cruisers and one unmarked
car by the wildlife park’s front entrance. People milled around, some looking dazed.

Zane parked and we waited by his car.

“Not good at all,” I agreed, wondering if one of our predators had somehow gotten
loose and attacked a visitor. A vision of a vicious Butch the Lion crossed my mind.

Spotting Zane’s car, Luke broke away from the group and jogged over. “Chloe, I don’t
know how to tell you this.” He kept his head down, unable to make eye contact.

“What?” Panic’s cold hand squeezed my windpipe. I gasped, but couldn’t catch my breath.

The last thing I saw before succumbing to darkness was Zane’s face leaning over me.

***

“She’s coming around,” a relieved voice announced.

My first thought was one of absolute embarrassment. I’d swooned in front of half the
town, a ton of tourists, law enforcement officials, and worst of all — Zane — had
once again caught me in his arms. That thought gave me a twinge of unwanted pleasure.

“What happened?” I remembered why I’d had a panic attack in the first place. Luke
had been sharing bad news. When no one answered, I pushed myself into a sitting position.
“Please, I’m fine.”

Glancing around the room, I realized I was in Luke’s office on his leather couch.
Zane, Luke, and Officer Tate from this morning, were looking down at me.

Luke pulled up a chair and took my hand.

This was getting weirder by the minute. Why couldn’t they just get it over with? I’d
already determined there’d been another murder — a person I knew on a personal level.

“Will ...” Luke looked at Officer Tate.

“Miss, I’m sorry to meet you again under these circumstances, but Will Mills was found
stabbed in his bed, about sixty minutes ago.”

“How? Who found him?” Confusion wrapped around me like a thick fog. Fearing I might
faint again, I squeezed Luke’s hand.

Not Will. It couldn’t be true. I’d dated him a few times. Nothing serious, but he
was a good friend. We worked together. I liked him.

“When he didn’t show up for work, and I couldn’t reach him, I called his brother.”
Luke shook his head, but didn’t relax his grip on my hand.

“He never misses work,” I said absently.

“That’s what concerned me,” Luke agreed.

I knew this was difficult for Luke too. He made a point of being concerned about all
his employees. As much as we all bickered, we were one big family. Will had been the
one that kept us laughing.

“I know you’re all grieving and in shock,” Officer Tate said, lowering his voice.
“But, Ms. Carpenter, your boss shared a little more about your special ability. By
the way, you were right about Barney.”

I nodded, anticipating his next words. Using my talent for police business wasn’t
something I’d ever wanted, or considered. I’d refused my stepdad’s requests for help
on cases several times.

“We’d like you to come to Will’s house, hoping you might spend some time with his
dog and …”

I groaned. Not a dog! Why couldn’t it be a parrot, maybe a goldfish?

“Are you o —?”

“Go on,” I sighed. Of course I’d have to chat with a dog. Danger and dogs, the two
things that I’d sworn off that just kept coming back to torment me.

“He had a dog and cat. Can you communicate with both?”

“Yes. Can we get this over with? I’m pretty overwhelmed right now.” That was an understatement.

“I’ll go with you,” Zane offered, extending his hand.

Stunned by his suggestion, I wasn’t sure how to respond. Last I checked I was furious
with him. And now I’d have to delay my heart-to-heart with Luke. Today wasn’t the
day for employee quarrels. Under the circumstances, I realized how petty I’d behaved
at the restaurant. A man had wanted to pay for my lunch. Like that was a crime.

Aware three men were waiting for my answer, I snapped at Zane, “If you insist.”

Ignoring his hand I stood, my legs trembling. I couldn’t handle a repeat of our earlier
electric encounter. Touching was off limits when it came to Zane Marshall, no matter
how tempted I was to test whatever it was I felt between us.

I hated to admit, despite the craziness unfolding around us, I was undeniably curious
about Zane’s motives for wanting to accompany me and was shocked by what he said next.

“I thought I might offer to care for Will’s pets, if the family doesn’t want them.”
He shrugged. “I’ve got a thing for animals.”

Every time I was ready to write Zane off, he said or did something chivalrous. Maybe
I’d find a daisy on the way back so I could play the old “he loves me; he loves me
not” game with the words changed to: “I love him; I love him not.”

Much to my relief, I rode in the squad car’s front seat with Officer Tate. Zane looked
cramped in the back. I was beginning to understand he would look confined just about
anywhere. He was an imposing man.
I love him not;
I reminded myself for the umpteenth time since we’d left work.

We pulled into Will’s gravel driveway about thirty minutes later. I could see his
treasured quads parked off to the side of the garage. He’d been a great driver, somewhat
of a daredevil, but good enough to convince me into taking a long thrill ride on the
dunes last summer. It was almost impossible for me to accept that he was dead — killed
— and would never ride again.

The police team swarming over his property like flies on a corpse is what convinced
me.

“This way,” Officer Tate directed.

Several colleagues acknowledged him but gave me cautious looks. I wondered if they
knew the reason for my presence. If so, they weren’t sold on my special skills. I
recognized the FBI agent from the news. He glanced our way without any official acknowledgment.

My arm hairs stood at full attention when his eyes met mine. He gave me what my mom
referred to as the major heebie jeebies. I decided right then I didn’t like or trust
Agent Green. Zane wasn’t the only one with good instincts.

“You ready?” Before I realized what he was doing, Zane rested his hand on my arm.
The electricity remained, but this time it felt less intense, yet no less pleasurable.
His touch provided a calm and confident feeling I was grateful for.

You are a good woman
echoed through my tumultuous thoughts. As much as I’d like to believe otherwise,
Zane was the reassuring presence I was desperate for right now.

Remembering why I was here, I nodded at Officer Tate. “Take me to talk with the animals.”
I hoped I sounded halfway pleasant — anything to slice through the gloom that hung
over the crime scene. My earlier morning cheer had been replaced by a grim sense of
duty.

Exiting Will’s house, a woman approached. “You must be Chloe Carpenter. I’m Detective
Davis. You are?” She looked at Zane with open approval.

“Dr. Marshall. I’m the new wildlife vet down at the park.” He extended his hand.

She disregarded it and jotted something in her flip pad; the evidence of her approval
gone like it’d never existed, replaced with suspicion. “I may want to talk with you
later, Dr. Marshall.”

I attempted to swallow my surprise. So, not all women were automatically under his
spell. Even more unexpected, though, was my intense desire to protect him from her
probing eyes. As if aware of my intentions, she gave a curt nod and strode away.

Inside the house, everything appeared undisturbed. A man was dusting for prints and
other law enforcement personnel were removing plastic bags of evidence.

I couldn’t begin to imagine how I’d feel right now had we been lovers. Once again,
my commitment to maintaining my virginity had saved me from additional heartache.

“Here’s Junior. The cat took off.” Another officer led a young pit bull into the room.

I confirmed the puppy’s leash was secure. I’d never forgotten or forgiven the pit
bull that had escaped with my favorite shoe.

“Hey, little guy.” I had to admit he was adorable. His stubbed-tail wiggled and he
yipped, excited by the attention. “You sure are cute.” He squirmed and pranced around
us more like a pony than a pit. I realized I’d have to hold him and get him settled
down if I was going to retrieve any information other than:
Pet me! Pet me! I like you! Pet me!

After some reassuring whispers and gentle strokes, Junior calmed; his round puppy-eyes
melting into mine. For a brief scary second, I couldn’t see or hear anything. Then
the memories roared into my mind like a tornado.
Woman. Sex. She smelled like a dog.
The pictures were beyond my wildest and most horrifying nightmares.

A redheaded woman was clinging to Will like a rider on a bucking bronco, her head
thrown back in ecstasy. Following their vigorous coupling, everything blurred. She
changed into something I couldn’t explain. Either that or she’d let a wolf the size
of a grizzly into the bedroom.

All I knew for certain was that Will hadn’t been stabbed.

He’d been ripped to shreds.

“Oh. My. God.” I couldn’t begin to barricade the pain exploding from my mouth in
waves of wailing.

Zane lifted me to my feet, pulling me against his hard chest, cradling me. He let
me sob; winding his fingers through my curls, while I released every painful memory
I’d unwittingly clung to until now. Feeling safe in his arms, I dared to wonder what
might happen next.

How would I explain what the dog had so vividly communicated? Who would believe me?