The Mane Event
Page 28

Mace took Dez to her sectional couch. He liked this couch. Big and roomy. He wanted to fuck her on it.
He laid her down and checked her wound again. Hed cleaned out the poison, but he didnt want the area to get infected. He took off his jacket, tossing it across the floor. Then slipped Dezs jacket off her body. He had to pull her shirt away from her wound and realized that would eventually get in his way. With a shrug, he pulled her shirt off completely. Once again, he froze.
A lacey red bra covered those beautiful breasts. The red color contrasted beautifully with her brown skin. He could nuzzle between those breasts until the end of time, if shed let him. Mace took a deep breath. This wasnt helping anything. He shook off his lust and went back to work.
Dez opened her eyes and glanced around the room. Home. Somehow, she managed to get home. The problem? She couldnt remember anything past stumbling out of the club. She looked down and realized her fathers old New York Jets blanket covered her body. She still had on clothes, except for her shoes and her shirt.
And someone had turned on Nat King Cole.
She lay there and glared up at the ceiling. What the fuck is going on?
Mace had his cell phone next to his ear, his shoulder the only thing holding it up while he went through Dezs kitchen.
The woman has nothing. I mean, Ive eaten all her chips and her crackers and she seems to have an unhealthy love of beef jerky. But other than thatthe woman has nothing.
Now see. Thats why you should get yourself a nice Southern gal. They always make sure everybodys fed and comfortable.
Really? Sowhats your sister doin tonight?
Smitty growled. That aint funny, cat.
Mace chuckled. Actually, yes it is. Mace opened the refrigerator. Well, she likes beer. He grabbed a pizza box, opened it, shut it in disgust, and put it back into her refrigerator. Clearly food purchasing will be my responsibility.
Uhtell me, Mace. Have you actually let her in on the fact shes yours now?
No. But I will. Shell simply have to deal with it.
Smitty sighed. So says the King of the Jungle.
By these fangs I rule. Mace glanced around her kitchen again. His eyes caught sight of a bag and he frowned. Smitty?
Yeah?
She has dog food.
A long pause followed his statement. How much?
Mace walked over to it and examined it closely. Its a twenty-five-pound bag.
Another long pause. Is there only one?
Mace opened up a door leading to a pantry. There were a few things on the shelves. A few human things. But on thefloor
Umshe has ten bags of twenty-five pounds of high-priced dog food. You know, the special kind you get from a vet.
Another long pause, then Smitty began to laugh hysterically. Hey, yall. Hey! he barked to his Pack. Mace is in love with a dog person!
Mace gritted his teeth as howls of laughter assaulted him. A truly humiliating moment.
Are you done?
Sorry. Sorry. Its just fun to see how the mighty cats have fallen.
Mace rolled his eyes. Well, Ive been here two hours and I havent seen hide nor hair of any dog.
Didnt you smell em when you got there?
Im wearing your jacket. So I thought that was you. You guys all smell alike.
Smitty growled again. I do not smell like a dog.
Mace smiled. Nothing pissed off a wolf more than comparing him to a dog. Smitty didnt speak to him for three months when he found Mace drunkenly talking to a German Shepherd about Mother Smiths Tennessee mud pie.
Theyre probably hidin, Smitty offered.
Hiding from what?
You, dumb ass. And what you wanna bet wherever they are, theyve pissed themselves. Your little girlfriend wont be happy when she has to clean up the stains tomorrow.
You really are enjoying this, arent you?
Oh yeah.
Mace hung up the phone and went in search of Dezs stupid dogs.
Mace crouched down and looked under the couch. Here, stupid, stupid dogs, he whispered softly in a singsong voice. Come here, you little fuckers.
He wasnt sure when he knew Dez watched him, but he knew. He raised his head and found her staring at him over the arm of her couch.
What are you doing?
Nothing.
Wheres my shirt?
He glanced at a large leather chair across the room. Over there.
And why am I not wearing it? When a woman spits that sentence out at you between her teeth, you can feel pretty assured shes good and pissed.
I can explain everything.
You better.
Mace stood up and walked around the couch to sit beside her. She pulled herself into a sitting position, her hand holding the green and white Jets blanket up to her chin. He did notice she had securely fastened back on her jeans the holstered .9mm he placed on the coffee table. She couldnt find her shirt, but she sure as hell found her gun.
How do you feel?
Okay, I guess. A little shaky maybe. What happened?