Legend of the White Wolf

by Terry Spear

Page 4

 

  After hurrying back into his room, he jerked on his jeans and threw the rest of his scattered clothes into his suitcase. Then he moved one of the two pillows he'd been using over to her side of the bed. He glanced at the door. He hadn't heard her door opening yet, so he rushed into the bathroom to pick up the wet towel he'd thrown on the floor and hung it up on the towel bar. Afterward, he tossed his toothbrush and toothpaste and shaving gear back into his shaving kit.

  Her door opened and closed. He rubbed his bare chest. Shirt? Or no?

  He stalked out of the bathroom and grabbed his flannel shirt out of the suitcase, then yanked it on, just as she knocked. He returned to the door, opened it, and smiled at Faith. "Dinner's served. "

  Wearing emerald-green velour running clothes, she looked incredibly soft and touchable, her blond curls caressing her shoulders like he wanted to do.

  She smiled a little to see his shirt hanging open. He supposed he should have buttoned it, but she didn't seem to mind.

  She raised her brows at the bed where his tray of food was sitting, and he started his salesman's pitch. "I was watching the Jack Nicholson movie in bed. It's about over. Want to see what's coming up after that one?"

  She hesitated, then took a deep breath and headed for the bed. "So what's on next?"

  "Looks like werewolf movie night. Something called The Howl of the Wolf. "

  "Ah. " She sat on the edge of the bed and slipped off a boot and already his thoughts were of seeing her take off more. But she yanked off the other boot, dropped it on the carpeted floor to join its mate, then climbed on top of the floral covers. "That's Julie Wildthorn's third book in her werewolf series. I'd heard the book was better so never went to see the movie version. "

  A woman after his own heart. "You like fantasy? Urban fantasy?"

  "Both of the above. " She took the lemon-lime soda he handed her, her legs stretched out on the bed, a whiff of her floral fragrance enticing him to take a deeper breath. "So is this a vacation or business trip for you?" she asked.

  "A little of both. " Although he hadn't planned on having any fun until she popped into his room and began stripping while he'd been in the shower. "And you?"

  "Strictly business. "

  He smiled. Yeah, strictly business. That's why she was sitting on his bed, sharing dinner with him.

  The movie version of The Howl of the Wolf began, and he couldn't help notice the way she smiled at the funny scenes, chuckling under her breath, but her cheeks grew a little flushed when the hero and heroine went beyond kissing, got naked, and ended up in bed together.

  She cleared her throat and leaned back against the pillow. He thought she was going to say something. She didn't, and then she sank lower onto the mattress, her eyes half closed, her long lashes hiding them further, her hand still clasped around the soda can.

  When her eyes closed, he reached over and slipped the drink from her hand so she wouldn't spill it, half hoping she'd spend the night. To his regret, her eyes popped open. "Oh…" She stared at the TV, then smiled. "I like the book version better. She ends up with the hunky werewolf, not the wimpy human in the story. " A small wrinkle appeared on her forehead, then she turned to Cameron. "If I fall asleep again, wake me and send me home. "

  He shook his head. "I'm enjoying the company. " And he was. The last girl he dated was only into chick flicks. Absolutely no fantasy, no sci-fi, no urban fantasy, no historical, westerns, war movies, nothing. He pulled the tray off the bed and settled back against the pillow like Faith had done, only he drew closer this time, enjoying the warmth from her body, her subtle fragrance, the companionship.

  Before long, her eyes were shut again, only this time he slipped his arm under her head. When she smiled at him, her expression quizzical, he said, "I was getting a little chilly. Weren't you?"

  She chuckled, the sound low and amused. But she played right along with him, and snuggled up nice and close. Too bad she was here strictly on business. He smiled at the notion, but it didn't take long before she closed her eyes again, and he nodded off also.

  He hadn't even realized he'd done so until Faith pulled away from him, waking him, and gave him a weary smile. "Guess we missed the end of the movie. Just remember, the werewolf gets the girl in the correct version. " Then she climbed off the bed and stretched like a sleek feline wrapped in green velvet-like duds.

  He wanted her to stay the night, but he didn't figure she'd agree. Still… he had to make the offer. "Another werewolf tale coming up. "

  "I've seen Underworld. " She checked her watch. "It's nearly one and I've got business to take care of early in the morning. Snowstorm's supposed to be coming now. "

  "Want to have breakfast with me tomorrow?"

  She didn't hesitate to respond this time, and he knew he'd hooked her for a date. "I'm an early riser. Would six be too early for you?"

  He frowned, but at the same time, he was glad she'd share another meal with him before he had to traipse off into the wilderness alone. "Uh. Sure. Pick you up at six. "

  But he could tell from her expression, she was already distancing herself from him.

  "Or we could meet down in the restaurant," she said.

  That clinched it. But he wasn't letting her go, just yet. He shook his head. "I'll knock on your door at six. "

  When she left his room, he waited at his open doorway while she unlocked her door, but then she just stared into the room. He hoped she was changing her mind about staying with him a little longer, and not that something more was wrong.

  "Faith?"

  "I think the clerk let someone else into my room. " Her voice was a little shaky.

  Cameron crossed the floor to check out her room when his door automatically shut behind him. He swore under his breath, realizing at once his room key was lying on the desk.

  She raised her brows at him. "Did you leave your key—"

  "Yeah. "

  "You could stay here and watch Underworld with me while you're waiting for another room key. "

  He chuckled and rubbed his hand over her back, but every muscle remained rigid with tension. "You've got a deal. How do you know someone came into your room?" He escorted her inside and shut the door.

  "My suitcase was open. My bathroom door was closed. And my overnight bag is on its side now, not standing upright. "

  "Check and see if anything's missing. " He stalked over to the phone and called the front desk and asked to speak with the manager.

  "Nothing's missing that I can tell. "

  A businesslike male voice responded on the phone. "Yes, this is Mr. Dodson, the manager on duty. How may I help you?"

  "The clerks on the front desk had given Ms. O'Malley the key to my room and twice, had given a key to her room to other customers. "

  "I'm so sorry for the trouble, Mister…"

  "MacPherson. "

  "May I speak with Ms. O'Malley, Mr. MacPherson?"

  Cameron handed the phone to Faith as she finished looking through her bags. "Yes, this is Faith O'Malley. "

  Cameron watched the expression on Faith's face change from annoyance to surprise as she glanced up at him. "A complimentary room for the night is fine. Thank you. And can someone send up a room key for Mr. MacPherson in Room 317? Thanks. " She hung up the phone. "They'll be right up with your key. " She motioned to the bed and turned on the TV. "Might as well get comfortable while we wait. "

  "No one stole anything, I take it?"

  "No. " But she was back to looking perturbed.

  "If you want me to, I'll spend the night. "

  That got a big smile from her, which brightened her whole expression, her eyes beaming with amusement, her glossy lips turned up in a big way. He figured she wasn't buying it.

  "I'll bolt my door after you leave. I should have done so when I was taking a shower. "

  He was glad he hadn't bolted his door when he was taking his shower.

  He was q
uick to settle in the bed with her as she turned on the television and found the channel they'd been watching. He hoped the hotel staff would forget the key, but in short order someone knocked on the door, probably trying to accommodate them after all the fiascoes tonight.

  He wanted to ignore whoever was at the door, but Faith gave him a little smile. He sighed. "We have a date for the morning," he reminded her.

  "Six a. m. sharp. "

  He leaned over and kissed her lips, just a brush of flesh against flesh, her mouth soft, warm, sweetened with lemon-lime, and way too enticing.

  Whoever was at the door knocked again. Faith almost looked hopeful the intruder would vanish as she leaned a little into the kiss, her eyes closing slightly, her breathing nearly nonexistent, her hand barely touching his thigh. But when Cameron went to do the kiss more justice, she pulled away. "Tomorrow, bright and early. "

  His hands cupped her face, brought her to him, and he pressed his lips harder against her mouth. He gave her something to remember him by, just like he'd be thinking about the enticing woman when he was alone in his room tonight, wishing for more. Then he left the bed.

  When he answered the door, a man dressed in a suit apologized profusely.

  Cameron glanced over his shoulder before he left Faith, and he thought she looked like she needed more of a kiss, her lips slightly parted, begging for more attention.

  But she quickly said, "'Night," as if that would keep her out of trouble.

  Smiling, he shook his head. "'Night, Faith. See you in the morning. " He just hoped he could wake up in time. He had better arrange for a wakeup call and hope the staff would at least get that right or he'd have somebody's head.

  Okay, so Cameron was really a dreamy hunk, but did that mean Faith was supposed to lie awake half the night thinking about his kisses? The first one as light and airy as it was promised so much more. And the second one, he was ready to stay the night for sure. She touched her lips again for the hundredth time, wondering how his kisses, as sweet as they were, made her whole body tingle, when she'd felt barely anything with Hilson's. Maybe because Cameron was new? Something unexpected?