How to Date a Werewolf (19 page)

In a corner, a small lamp had been knocked onto the floor. If it still worked, I’d use that instead. I eased over, weaving through the mess, recovered it from the floor and plugged it into the wall. The lamp let off a soft glow, just enough for me to see and clean up the mess. First, I’d close the window, then gather the papers scattered about.

Jack cleared his throat. Damn. He’d found me down on all fours, my nightgown riding up my thighs. Better than finding me as a four-legged beast, though. I hoped he didn’t ask about my on-again off-again ankle injury. I should have dressed, but I hadn’t been thinking straight when I heard the noise. All my attention had been focused on finding out who was in my office. Somewhere deep inside, when I saw the mess, I thought I could clean it up before Jack or anyone else saw it. Because there was no way to explain this one away. Our date in the graveyard, combined with everything else he’d seen, and I knew he’d had enough of me. The curse had worked its magic and managed to chase the best one away, just like I told Jennifer it would.

“Sorry to interrupt. Are you okay? What the hell happened?” He stood in the doorway and ran a hand through his hair. He stared around the room at the mess before fixing his gaze on me again. I jumped up and tried to pull my nightgown down, but there just wasn’t enough fabric. I turned to face him.

Jack had a sexy glint in his eyes. He drank in the full length of my legs, and I couldn’t deny that I wanted him any longer. To hell with the curse and to hell with whatever he thought of me. So what if I was a werewolf? So what if he was human and he’d seen me in more mishaps than an all-day marathon of
I Love Lucy
reruns? I wanted to feel his chiseled abs under my tongue and his hands gliding over every inch of me.

“I’m fine. I was just cleaning up. It’s kind of a mess in here as you can see.”

“Yes, you could say the place needs tidying up. I’m afraid to ask what’s going on. Please tell me you’re doing a very late spring cleaning.” His tone was tinged with something between bewilderment and concern.

His eyes made me melt every time I looked at them. Even when I should have been embarrassed and crawled under my desk to hide, I couldn’t peel my gaze from his.

“Not exactly a spring cleaning, sorry. I heard a noise and came down to investigate. That’s when I found the mess.”

“I’m taking a wild guess, but it looks as if someone broke in,” he said as he looked around again.

Torture would have been less painful than telling him about the latest addition to my messed-up life.

“Whoever was here must have just taken off because the window was open and I didn’t leave it that way.” I pointed to the gaping window. I swallowed hard against the tightness in my throat. In that instant, I felt a terrible sense of dread. I wanted him, but surely he wouldn’t want me.

He rushed over to peer outside and scanned the darkness. After a couple of seconds, he made a dash for the front door and vanished into the night. Dressed as I was, I decided to stay put. If I heard him scream, or the sounds of a scuffle, I’d try to help, but in the meantime I wasn’t setting foot out there. I listened closely for signs of distress. Jack looked more than capable of taking care of himself, although he might be no match for a rogue werewolf.

The only sounds came from traffic and a few people talking in the distance. People were always outside no matter what time of night, but they usually remained at the front of the building on the sidewalk. Not in the back alley. I stood by the window and watched as Jack surveyed the area. After a few minutes, Jack returned, thankfully unharmed.

“There’s no one around. I didn’t see a sign of anyone or anything out there. I’m sure he or she ran off after they destroyed the place. Did they take anything?” He blew out a breath.

“Not that I can tell. But it’s hard to judge right now with things in such disarray.”

“Rylie, you want to tell me what is going on? I mean,
really
going on? It looks as if they were looking for something. Whoever
they
are. This is more than just bad luck. Breaking a mirror is misfortune, this is much more. Why would someone want to destroy your office? Do you have any idea?”

“I told you, nothing is going on. There’s nothing more I can say. I don’t have any answers.” I wanted to cry, run or something. Escape. Anything but tell Jack the truth. Although, other than being a werewolf, I wasn’t sure what the truth was. Lily had to be involved to some capacity, but had she hired thugs to chase me down and do God only knows what with me? That didn’t seem like her character, but it was the only explanation. Unless the thug looking for Uncle Ernie had returned. But he wanted Ernie. Why would he do this to my office? My temper flared at the thought.

“You need to call the police. Something should be done.”

I didn’t want the law involved, but it looked as if I had no choice this time. The expression on Jack’s face spoke volumes. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. And in my heart, I knew he was right. However, I couldn’t tell the human police the whole truth. As in: the fact that possibly a lupine was responsible for the mess.

“I guess you’re right. I’ll call,” I said softly.

Before I had barely agreed, he reached over and grabbed the phone from the floor, checked to see if it had a dial tone and punched in 911.

“I know I’m right, look around you. Now call.” He shoved the phone into my hand and I pressed the
Call
button.

After explaining to the operator what the problem was and where we were located, I hung up and avoided eye contact with Jack. We would probably have a lot of time to kill, and with him staring at me, waiting for an answer or an explanation that I didn’t want to provide, it wouldn’t be a comfortable situation.

“So you have no idea who would do this? Or why they would do something so destructive? Does someone hate you?”

My face remained turned away from Jack. I paused before answering and then said, “I think it’s the client you saw with the sign. The one picketing me on the first day we met. I’d say she hates me.”

How embarrassing. Thanks a bunch, Lily. I just had to admit I was a failure at my job.

“Oh yes, her. She seems relatively upset with you, doesn’t she? That makes sense.”

I nodded. What more could I add? He’d summed the scenario up nicely.

“I’ve never seen a customer so unhappy before. You’re definitely on her least-favorite-person list.”

Yeah, well, he’d probably never run into a werewolf with an attitude like Lily’s. If he had, he’d understand.

“I guess a disgruntled patron makes sense. What could you have possibly done to make her that upset? Did you fix her up with a dud? Or a serial killer? Someone who was married?” Jack moved closer to me, bringing his sexiness with him. Damn.

“No, he wasn’t married. I guess
dud
would be an appropriate term to describe him. The guy I set her up with didn’t pan out. She claimed to love him but the feeling isn’t mutual. So of course she blames me. I can’t make him have feelings for her.”

“That is a problem. You’re right, if he doesn’t like her, that’s not your fault.”

“I guess I underestimated her agitation with me.”

“I guess you did,” he concurred.

“Jennifer said I should talk with her. Maybe I do need to talk to her, convince her that what she’s doing is completely
loco
.” I laughed, but Jack’s mood was too serious to join me in my amusement.

“Does this sort of thing happen often? People being unhappy? I mean, do you have a lot of unhappy clients? That’s not very good for business, huh?”

He’d asked a legitimate question, I suppose, but it didn’t make me feel any better.

“No, actually, it doesn’t happen often. This was the first time.” And the last, I hoped. “I agree, though, she could be bad for business.” That was an understatement.

Jack stepped toward me again. I couldn’t avoid his eye contact any longer. “I worry about you, Rylie. You need some sort of security or bodyguard.”

Perhaps he’d like to volunteer?

“It’s not safe for you to let this continue. Don’t you worry about getting hurt? I’m not sensing that you feel as if you’re in real danger. But this is a genuine threat, Rylie. You could be injured or, even worse, killed.”

“I know--”

“I don’t think you do. Please, don’t be so blasé about what’s happened.” His brows pinched together.

Once again Jack moved closer and stopped mere inches from me. He was so close that in some cultures we’d be considered legally married. His expression was worried, as if he was mulling over his next move, and it would be the most important one he’d ever make.

I continued talking, trying not to let his proximity distract me. God, he smelled good, though. “I promise to be more careful. I’m watchful of my surroundings, honest. I told you the other night: my customers would probably end up seeing you when all is said and done. Maybe I’m not such a good matchmaker after all.”

Nervousness always made me too chatty.

He chuckled. “Don’t say such a thing. It’s only one customer. I wouldn’t throw in the towel just yet.” His drawl was more pronounced and sexier than ever. Thankfully, his mood had lightened.

“I guess you’re right. But if it happens again I may close up shop. Actually, I may be forced to close. I’ll try a less dramatic venture next time--like dog training.”

“Hmm. Dogs bite, you know.” Did I ever.

Jack’s eyes were fixed on my legs, making me even more self-conscious in my short nightgown.

“I’m sorry about my appearance. I didn’t think to dress when the racket started. All I wanted to do was catch someone in the act.”

“Don’t apologize, please.” His gaze locked with mine. “You can wear that around me anytime you want. You look amazing as usual, by the way. You look amazing in everything.”

“I need to change into
real
clothing before the police come. I don’t think they’ll be pleased with my attire.”

“Are you sure you need to?” he asked in a low, husky voice--almost a whisper.

His words made me tingle all over.

“No, er, I don’t know.” I couldn’t think straight. I moved my hips, trying to entice him. Sure things in my life were in disarray, but I was only human, er, werewolf. I had needs and desires like everyone else. And Jack defined my needs and desires.

With the way he stared at me, I didn’t think I could suppress those needs any longer. He leaned in close. My personal space had been invaded long ago, and I didn’t mind one bit. Heat emanated from his body. My pulse increased. Jack pulled me against his chest, wrapping his tanned, toned arms around me, his warmth enveloping me. Pressed against him, I felt his excitement.

“Rylie,” he whispered, “in spite of everything, I can’t seem to stay away from you. My head tells me not to get involved, but something keeps pulling me to you and I can’t help myself. Even after the crazy stunt in the graveyard.” His lips brushed against my ear. Not being able to help himself was good in this instance, but earlier had been no stunt.

All I could do was moan in response. Thank God it wasn’t a howl. He gazed into my eyes and lowered his lips to mine. My pulse quickened with every touch of his tongue. As his mouth moved to my neck, I inhaled his electrifying scent. My legs went limp like cooked pasta, and I leaned into him for support. I’d imagined a scene such as this ever since I laid eyes on him.

Jack planted tiny flutters of kisses on my neck while his fingers grazed the side of my leg. Suddenly I felt his hands move up my body, lift the silky fabric of my gown and come to rest on my hips. The feel of his skin against mine set me on fire. I was glad I wasn’t dreaming. His lips found mine again and his tongue traced my lips. I loved the feel of his skin and the touch of his hands. A warm feeling shimmied in the bottom of my stomach. As much as I hated to, however, I knew I had to make him stop. The police would be here soon, plus I didn’t know how involved I should really become with the sexy Jack Chandler.

“I need to--”

Jack stopped me with a kiss. Pressing my hands against his chest, I managed to break free from his mouth. “I--I need to dress before the police arrive,” I stammered.

Jack groaned. “I’m sure they won’t care what you’re wearing. They’ve seen it all before. I think what you’ve got on is perfect. You look beautiful.”

“All right, then, I feel uncomfortable. And you’re naughty,” I said. He gently held on to my arm until I moved farther away and he was forced to let go.

“I’ll be right back.” The police might not care, but I sure did. What kind of illegal activities would they think I was involved in with a wrecked office and dressed like this?

“If you have to...” His eyes glistened with lust. “I’ll eagerly await your return and make sure whoever broke in doesn’t come back. However, I’ll watch you go back upstairs. Purely for safety reasons, of course.” He moved to the hallway.

“Of course, safety first,” I said. “If they arrive before I return, let them know I’ll be right back.”

Jack might have thought I was into weird crap, but he couldn’t resist my body. He thought I was sexy. I liked the sound of that. In spite of my situation, I felt a little giddy at the thought. Crazy, I know.

I dashed up the stairs, aware of Jack’s eyes firmly planted on my legs and backside. Slipping into the apartment, I tiptoed toward my room, careful not to wake Jennifer. The fact she was still sleeping amazed me, but I’d let her rest. The hallway remained dark, and as I made my way through, I tried to keep from bumping into the wall.

Thud.

No such luck.

“Ouch. Damn,” I cried under my breath as my foot made contact with the wall.

After hopping up and down for a minute to ease the pain in my big toe, I jumped into jeans and a t-shirt, slipped on sneakers and headed back toward the door. As I hurried past Jennifer’s bedroom door, I noticed it was slightly ajar. It hadn’t been that way when I left. I poked my head into her room and saw she was asleep. I couldn’t believe she hadn’t roused when the crash sounded. All the noise down there had been enough to wake the dead. Snuggled in the blankets, she really could snooze. Maybe I just hadn’t noticed the door open when I went out. I’d rushed past in a tizzy.