This time when she attempted to move her face away, he let her.
Reluctantly.
Very. Reluctantly.
“You’re sure?” she asked Shaw.
Shaw shrugged. “If people want to believe that crazy-ass story, that’s on them. Yeah? Now, stop stressing. It will ruin your appetite. And they really do serve the best breakfasts here.”
She gave him a small smile. “All right.”
“Now we need to have another chat,” Eli said. “Kellan rang the hotel and they told him that room was no longer occupied. So where are you staying, Arabella?”
9
Arabella stopped the words from sliding off her tongue immediately.
She didn’t know what it was about Eli Jones, but the guy didn’t shy from giving commands.
It was clear he was used to being obeyed. And for some reason she wanted to give him what he desired.
She straightened and looked over at Kellan. “I’ll need your bank details.”
“Why?” he asked.
“So I can pay you back. I don’t have enough cash.”
“Pay me back,” Kellan said slowly.
“For the hotel room. When I went to pay the next morning they said you’d already paid. For several nights.”
“Of course I had.” He said it like it was a foregone conclusion. “Where is your Horse-dog?”
“His name isn’t Horse-dog. And he’s at home. They don’t let animals into the diner.”
She felt bad about leaving him alone. But she also didn’t want him sitting in her car for ages. She’d only grabbed a few bits andpieces to tide her over at the grocery store and now she needed to get more. She couldn’t live on pizza.
Yesterday, she’d taken Horse to the local vet, a nice guy called Colin, who’d been a bit concerned with his weight and had put him on some special food. He’d also given him some shots and a flea preventative.
Horse had cried the entire time. When they’d left the examination room and walked out into the waiting area everyone had stopped what they were doing to stare at them.
So embarrassing.
Unfortunately, Horse wasn’t microchipped and the vet hadn’t heard of any animal of his description being reported as missing.
So she guessed she’d put up some social media posts. Although she felt less and less inclined to do so.
It didn’t seem like Horse’s family was searching for him so why should she waste her time looking for them?
What she needed to do was get some furniture for the house. She’d been shocked to find that the house wasn’t fully furnished. She’d slept the last two nights on a mattress on the floor.
“You won’t be paying Kellan back,” Eli said.
“Of course I will.”
“Of course you won’t,” Kellan countered. “I say who pays me back and it’s not you. I want more details on how the two of you met.” He glanced from her to Shaw. “And why one of you threatened to spank the other one.”
Arabella sighed, shaking her head and deciding not to argue about the cost of the hotel room. She’d get some money out and sneak it into his pocket or something.
