And the only right I see here is to do everything I can to help seek justice and rescue any other shifters who might be in danger.
I fold my fingers together and lean forward. “Okay, so what are we looking for?”
“We?”
I sit straighter. “That’s right. These people killed the father of my child and tried to take her prisoner. Damn straight I’m going to help find them.”
Titus nods. “I have to respect that. All right. Well, all the labs have been located in remote locations-government owned wilderness areas. The actual laboratories are concrete bunkers. They are inside fenced grounds with guard towers and security cameras.
Something about that sounds familiar. I’ve heard of a place like that in the Carson Forest. Who was telling me?
My eyes fly wide. “I’ve got it!” I stand up so quickly from the picnic table I hit the tops of my thighs on the wood. “Ouch.”
“Slow down there, sunshine.” Titus catches my casted elbow and steadies me. “What is it?”
“I had a date with this guy-”
Titus growls so loud it scares me. I mean, I know he would never hurt me, but my body reacts instinctively, freezing me in my tracks. The wound on my neck throbs.
“Stop it,” I scold, recovering. “He was an idiot and I left early. You’re not listening.”
“Sorry.” Titus shakes his head as if to recover his senses. He walks around the table, picks me up by the waist and lifts me away from the picnic table like I weigh nothing. “Tell me.”
“Um… wow. I guess you have superhuman strength, too?”
“Yep. Go on.”
I lick my lips, turned on by that show of strength and momentarily losing the thread of my thoughts. “Oh yeah-he was telling me how he got lost out in the Carson National Forest and he came upon this government looking building. He was sure they were housing aliens there. Government conspiracy crap. I thought he was a total nut-job and purged the whole story until now.”
“Do you know where exactly?”
“No, but we could ask him. He works at the ski boot shop in town.”
Titus’ forehead wrinkles. “Who buys ski boots in the summer?”
I laugh. “Exactly! I don’t know why they don’t close for summer. I guess they sell enough t-shirts and other touristy stuff to make it work. Anyway, let’s go!” I quickly stack our dishes and grab the tablecloth and flowers all in one armful.
Titus promptly removes everything from my hands and carries them inside. When I see him standing at my sink washing dishes, I want to jump him, but there’s no time.
“Leave the dishes, wolf-man. Let’s find this lab!”
Titus turns and frowns, looking down the length of my body. “I hate to complain, but I think clothes might be a good idea.”
“Oh yeah!” I skitter past him and he slaps my ass, hard. “Ouch! That was shifter strength!” I toss over my shoulder as I head to the back of the Airstream to change.
“No it wasn’t.” There’s laughter in his voice. “Baby, I would never use shifter strength on you.”
“You just did!” I call out as I scramble into a pair of shorts and a halter top. “I mean outside. You picked me up.”
“I mean I would never hurt you.” He stomps down the center aisle, his brows drawn together like he’s not sure if I know.
I place my hands-well, one full hand, one half-casted hand on his chest. “I know, wolf-man. I’m teasing. You should try it some time. Brighten… I mean, lighten up.”
He’s still frowning but he drops a kiss on the bridge of my nose. “I’ve got sunshine. I got all the light I need.” He picks me up by the waist again, lifts me and sets me down on his other side.
“Now you’re just showing off.”
I love the low rumble of his chuckle. “You’re onto me.”
Titus
WE RIDE into town on the Harley, mainly because I need to keep Sunny’s body close to mine. She wraps her arms around my waist and presses her chest against my back, humming softly. At least I think she’s humming. It’s hard to hear over the roar of the motor, but that’s what it feels like. A soft reverberation that goes straight to my dick.
I’ve been riding a motorcycle since I was eight years old, but it’s totally different with Sunny on the bike. She’s a human. Fragile as fuck. One accident and she could be taken from me. I had the fear of that put into me with her crash earlier this week.
Not that I’ve ever had an accident in my life. My reflexes are sharp and my nerves steady. But I drive differently knowing I have precious cargo on the bike. Double-check my mirrors, keep my speed down.
I can’t see Sunny but I sense her enjoyment and it does something to my wolf. He’s content because she’s content. It’s crazy, but true. And there’s no denying the euphoria I feel now that he’s marked her. Like bubbles of joy that won’t stop rising.
We swing by the bar where the dickwad works, but they aren’t open yet, so we head to my place to shower and for me to change clothes. When I get out of the shower, I find fresh jars of flowers on the kitchen table, coffee table, end table and dresser.
I smile and shake my head with disbelief. Sunny. Bringing color to the world everywhere she goes. Crazy, wonderful woman.
I catch her around the waist and pull her in for a kiss. “Ready?”
She smiles up at me, looking more youthful than ever. I guess good sex will do that to a woman. “Ready, big man. Let’s go.”
I put my huge helmet on her again and we ride over, even though it’s not far. When we get in, I nearly choke when I see the douchebag she went out on a date with. Tall, skinny. Weaselly. Arrogant little prick. But it doesn’t matter. He’s not competition. She made that clear.