“
Hayder didn’t bother checking the time when he left the condo. He banged on the closest door and waited with arms crossed, foot tapping. It opened a moment later on a tousled-hair Luna, who scowled. “What do you want?”
“A lifetime supply of porterhouse steaks in my freezer.” Like duh. What feline wouldn’t?
“Smartass.”
“Thank you. I knew those IQ tests I took in college were wrong. But enough of my mental greatness, I need a favor.”
“I am not lending you my eighties greatest hits CDs again to use for skeet practice,” she grumbled.
“That’s not a favor. That’s just making the world a better place. No, I need you to watch Arabella’s place while I talk to the boss about her situation.”
Obviously the rumor mill had been busy because Luna didn’t question what he meant. “You really think those wolves would be stupid enough to try something here?” Luna slapped her forehead. “Duh. Of course they are. Must be something in their processed dog food that inhibits their brain processes.”
“One, while I agree that pack is mentally defective, you might want to refrain from calling them dogs or bitches or any other nasty names in the near future.”
“Why? Aren’t you the one who coined the phrase ‘ass-licking, eau de toilette fleabags’?”
Ah yes, one of his brighter inspirations after a few too many shots of tequila. “Yeah. But that was in the past. If I’m going to be mated to a wolf—”
“Whoa there, big guy. Back up. Mated? As in”— Luna hummed the wedding march—“ dum-dum-dum-dum.”
Hayder fought not to wince. Knowing he’d found the one and admitting it in such final terms were two different things. “Yes, mated. To Arabella.”
“The girl who is allergic to you?”
Luna needed the wall to hold her up as she laughed.
And laughed.
Then cried as she laughed.
Irritated, Hayder tapped a foot and frowned. It just made her laugh all the harder. “It isn’t that funny.”
“Says you.” Luna snorted, wiping a hand across her eyes to swipe the tears. “Oh, wait until the girls hear this.”
“Could we hold off on that? It might help if I got Arabella to agree first.”
Which, given her past and state of mind, wasn’t a sure thing.
“You’re killing me here, Hayder. This is big news. Real big.”
“I’ll let you borrow my treadmill.” Damned thing was nothing more than a clothes rack in his room. Indoor running just couldn’t beat the fresh adrenaline of an outdoor sprint.
“Really big news,” she emphasized.
He sighed. “Fine. You can borrow my car. But don’t you dare leave any fast food wrappers in it like last time.”
“Who, me?” The innocent bat of her lashes didn’t fool him one bit.
”
”