Page 88 of Hoofin’ It

I grabbed a pair of the clear-covered aluminum pans and set them on my counter. “I’m having mine cold. Want me to warm yours up?”

“Nope. We need to eat in a hurry, then I need to properly thank you.”

“But you already did. You just said thank you.”

“In bed. We need to let them get a head start on us, don’t we? And since you’ll fall asleep if you don’t eat, which wouldn’t be good for either of us, lunch comes first. We’ll take the appetizer tray to the bedroom, if you don’t mind.”

Did she really think I was going to argue with her? “Don’t mind at all, ma’am.”

Marian smiled.

Did I really need to retrieve my parents from Ernesto’s clutches? I was enjoying dozing in bed with Marian nestled against me enough I wouldn’t complain if I stayed there for the rest of my life. Amy could keep Mom and Dad occupied for a long time. Succubi enjoyed the sort of challenge a bonded pair of lycanthropes provided.

“We should go rescue your parents before someone notices they’re gone.” Marian wiggled against me, and I tucked her closer, my nose buried in her hair. She smelled like my shampoo, and I indulged in several deep breaths. “Your phone keeps ringing. You should answer it.”

“They’ll survive until tomorrow. Probably.”

She laughed. “Let me go. I’ll fetch your eye and bring your phone in while you laze for a few more minutes.”

Although I sighed my disappointment, I released her and stretched, wiggling my toes against the sheets. “It’s probably my parents, some pests from the CPD, the lawyer trying to bother me with updates about the trial, and probably your friends from the FBI.”

“You’re popular.”

“Too popular. Unfortunately, I’m not popular for positive reasons. I was serious about running away. We could.”

Marian chuckled and sauntered out of my bedroom, returning with my cell phone, which she tossed onto the bed beside me. “I’ll take a shower while you sort that out.”

I took a nap instead, and my phone and Marian’s laughter woke me. “Shane Gibson’s phone. Marian speaking. Oh, Larry. Sorry, he conked out, and I didn’t have the heart to wake him. He left one of his cards in your cab? Hey, since I have you on the phone anyway, we’re going to need a cab in about an hour. We need to run some errands, and I have to do a bit of shopping. You free? Great. See you then. Yes, same place.”

A moment later, Marian poked me. “Wake up, sleepy. You can’t stay there all day. We have a date with Larry.”

I grumbled something incoherent and groped for my pillow, which Marian stole before I could get a good hold on it. “What does everyone have against sleep?”

“You had a five-hour nap. Up! Go take a quick shower. We have an hour.”

“I was out for that long?”

“You needed it. I was down for three hours. Your phone woke me up.”

“Sorry about that.”

“Not your fault. Now, up! Take a shower, make yourself presentable. Larry dropped a hint or two I translated to mean you should dress up.”

“I don’t even know if my suit fits anymore.”

“Do what you can. I’ll make sure everything’s cleaned up while you’re getting ready.” Marian shooed me out of my bedroom and into the bathroom, tapping her foot until I cooperated with her demands. “I’ll warm up a quick snack while you’re showering.”

“What do I have to do to make sure you never leave?”

Marian laughed. “Should you find yourself being kidnapped, as long as I’m with your kidnappers, don’t be too alarmed. You should be more worried about me deciding to take you with me. I have resources, and I’m not afraid to use them.”

“Challenge accepted.”

“That wasn’t a challenge, Shane.”

“I just made it one.”

“How is that supposed to work?”