Fun was a concept that Michelle missed. She turned on some music and began shoving anything in sight into a trash bag. It felt wonderful and empowering. With each bag she tied shut, she closed another chapter of her life with Jackson. With every swipe of the soapy rag, she washed away the bad memories and fear. Soon, she was dancing and laughing, bringing new life to the house. She would leave behind happier memories for the new tenants and a good vibe that was refreshing.
When all the work was done, Michelle's bruised body ached, but she was a different person. She had exorcized her demons and was ready to face the future. She declared, "I need a hotel room for the night. Tomorrow, I won't just be shopping for clothes. I need to look for a new place to live."
Kelan demanded, "You're not staying in a hotel. You're coming home with me. It's safer in the penthouse. No one gets in or out without detection."
Michelle panicked. She couldn't stay with Kelan! He was an alien, a weredragon for goodness sake. Sure, she had forgotten that during the last few hours and enjoyed their time together. Now, she was fully aware of it. Furthermore, she had an attraction to the man. She wanted to run her hands over those hard, sculpted muscles and feel their power. She wished to kiss his full lips, tasting the hint of dragon fire within the depths of his mouth. Staying in his home wasn't a viable option. "I'll be safe in a hotel. Jackson is locked up."
"The buddies you mentioned aren't. They could come after you for revenge. What if he owed some gangster money and that's why he was so desperate? You would be a prize to them. Either they would try to get money from you or use you to extricate money from me. There's no telling what Jackson had going on. You're safer with me,” Kelan argued.
"Am I? What if I make you mad? Will you turn into a dragon and attack me? Can I trust you anymore?"
Kelan understood her worry. However, it hurt him down to his very soul. He didn't want her to fear him. He promised, "I could never get that mad at you. I didn't hurt Jackson. He was only frightened. If I could control myself with him, then you have nothing to worry about. I swear, I won't change. I'm still the same man you work with every day. Yes, you can trust me, always."
Michelle listened to Kelan with her heart. She believed him. He wouldn't hurt her. He was her safety net. It was true that she had no idea what Jackson was into. Rankin World Defense was the safest place on the entire planet. She would go with Kelan. Whether or not she could control her urges to jump his bones was another matter entirely. During the last hour or so, she had undergone a transformation of her own.
