The elevator started to buzz, the doors held open too long.
When they still didn’t close, I sucked in a lungful of air.
Fortitude and courage. I steeled my reserves…
I leaned forward and swept my hands over the inner sides of the elevator doors where they would eventually connect with one another and seal. My left hand slammed against unseen warm flesh. The aches in my stiffened legs were painful while I pried one invisible finger at a time away from the door, ultimately shoving the hand back inside. I groused, “Contact Theron. I’m not lying. Good night.”
The doors slid shut. I still didn’t move.
My hands shook down by my sides.
Goose bumps pebbled my skin.
I’d entered a whole new level of fantasy—my new reality.
I grabbed the handle of my suitcase and dragged my feet all the way to my room. A steaming hot shower would calm my nerves. Since Theron had let me go, I was safe from harm. I had to keep that in mind—unless I published another article. Then I was sure all bets would be off.
My room was small but posh. I had no complaints.
It also had fantastic water pressure. Not bad at all.
What was bad was when I was contacted by management.
I tapped my bracelet and pulled the cover from over my head, having finally lain down for bed. “Yes?”
“There are no pets allowed in New City Seasons Hotel, Mrs. Harvey. Especially not wolves. If your pet does not vacate the premises immediately, you will be banned from our establishment.”
I stared up at the ceiling, the sun starting to light the room despite the heavy curtains covering the windows. “What are you talking about?”
“The wolf sleeping outside your door. Take it elsewhere.”
Fuck me.“It’ll be handled. Apologies.”
“Hmph.” The asshole ended the call.
I pulled myself out of bed in time to watch a shadow sweep by under the door of my room, the light now showing in the space between the door and the floor. The wolf was fleeing, probably, having heard my call. I opened my door and looked up and down the hallway.
No wolf in sight.
I placed my bare right foot down on the carpet just outside my door. The ground was, indeed, extremely warm where the wolf had rested. I lifted my brows, and spoke in a normal tone, knowing he could hear me if he were still lurking, “Wolfe, you’re going to get me kicked out of here. Don’t do that again.”
I shut my door and locked it.
When I flopped back down on my bed, I groaned heavily.
It appeared the wolf liked me, too.
Holy hotness. This was all kinds of fucked up.
I finally fell asleep for a blissful six hours.
* * *
Knock. Knock. Knock-knock.
That was too damn friendly of a knock. My hackles instantly rose at the intrusive sound. I lifted my gun out from under the pillow. On silent feet, I prowled to the door, and asked, “Who is it?”
“Mina Kramer,” a woman responded—far too perky. “I’ve come to apologize for my mother’s behavior. I love her dearly, but she can be too much at times.”
