The tension in Jim went to DEFCON 1. “Oh really?”
“Yes.” His tension was making her afraid. She glanced behind her, but there was nothing there to see. It was just another sweet summer night in her favorite town. “You don’t think…?”
“Have you sensed anything around you since you got out of the hospital?”
She shook her head. “Nope. There was the stuff with Tabby and her attacker, but nothing came of that. Not that I know of, anyway. Then Cyn was hurt, but that had more to do with Tabby than Cyn. And Hope has nothing to do with it at all.”
He took a deep breath. “We need to talk to Gabe then. I want to make sure your attackers are long gone.”
“We can do that. I know between his Hunter duties, his mate, his status as Second and being sheriff he’s been swamped. Want me to call and set something up?”
Jim stared at her, and his tone when he answered was neutral. “Sure.”
“Friends.” She pinched his cheeks. “Friends,” she drawled, hoping to get him to laugh.
He pulled away with a grunt. “I believe you, I just…”
“Can’t stand Gabe?”
He rolled his eyes. “I can take him or leave him. In a ditch. Full of fire ants.”
“You’re mean.” But she snuggled closer, secretly pleased her mate was jealous, even if it was over nothing. The fact that he hated that she’d spent time with Gabe meant there was more to his feelings than the pull of his Wolf. He’d reacted poorly to Gabe’s presence in her life long before he’d been bit. It had been getting Jim to see they were meant for each other that had been difficult.
“Don’t be too pleased with your little redheaded self. We’re still going to discuss the attack on you.” He humph’d, sounding so much like an old man she had to hold back yet another laugh. “Until we figure out who it was I consider you still in danger. If that means I have to make nice to Gabe I will.”
“I try not to think about it too much.” She sighed. This was so romantic. “Julian offered to try and help me recover memories of my attacker that might be buried, but the effort to do so would be dangerous for both of us.”
“Then no. Not unless it’s the only thing left we can try.” He stopped dead and took her face between his palms. “You’ve hurt enough, Chloe. No more.”
“No more,” she whispered back, enthralled by his golden Wolf eyes.
He nodded and took her back under his arm, right where she wanted to be. “So, what say we head back to the car. You’re looking tired, and I have work in the morning.”
“Aw.” She pouted up at him. “Really?”
Jim hugged her tight and kept walking. “Really. But as first dates go, this was the best one I’ve ever been on.”
“Liar.” She snuggled against him. “Awkward conversations, possible stalkers, pining and jealousy. Admit it. It was more like an episode of 902 No No.”
The belly laugh made it all worth it.
“Damn, I am so glad you agreed to do this.” Jim hugged the blonde tightly, so happy he could cry.
The blonde’s throaty laugh was wicked. “Yes, well, I love it when a man gets on his knees and begs.”
Jim laughed, almost giddy with relief. “What can I say? I was desperate.” He let her go and gestured toward his office. “Care to finalize everything?”
“Hell yes.” Dr. Irene Boone winked, her eyes sparkling with pleasure. She followed him enthusiastically, practically skipping along as she took in the clinic with an expert’s gaze. “I’ve been dying to move back to Halle, and now that I’ve convinced Val, I finally get to do so.”
Jim held open the door to his office, nodding to Phil, the vet tech who manned the front desk. Phil was a nice kid, but he was also something of a gossip. Hopefully word would get around that Dr. Woods had a new partner at the clinic, one who was homegrown.
He shut the door and took a seat behind his desk. “You ready for the final stages of the legal paperwork?”
She nodded and sat across from him. “I have curtains picked out and everything.”
He laughed and opened the folder on his desk. “Man, it will be sweet having a partner again.”
“I can imagine.” She leaned back and folded her legs, the picture of perfection. If he’d been single and she’d been straight, he might have been tempted to make a play for her.
But he’d long ago given his heart to his little vixen, and Irene had a fiery Italian diva waiting for her at home who’d kill anyone who looked sideways at her girl. “Speaking of partners, how is Val?”
That wicked smile came back instantly. “Spicy.”
“We need to get together for dinner so we can introduce Val—and you, of course—to Chloe.” He signed his name at the bottom of the last of the documents naming Irene as his new partner, then shoved them across the desk at her.
She picked up the pen and signed as well. “Hell, we both know that Val pretty much runs my life.” She put the pen down and closed the folder. “Don’t doubt for a single second it will be any different with you and your Chloe.”
He could hardly wait. “We’re taking it slow.”
She scowled. “Jim, can I be totally honest with you?”
“Sure.” He and Irene had become friends while she worked on convincing Valerie Forza, her personal force of nature, to move back to Irene’s hometown.
“Slow sucks. Bang her like a cheap storm door.”
“Is that what you did to win Val?” He had to bite back a laugh. For all Irene looked like she should be on the cover of Vogue, she spoke more like a guy in a bar.
“Strap-ons are God’s gift to lesbians.” She put her hands together and glanced upward, so sweet and innocent looking she’d give Hello Kitty lovers cavities.
Pfft. As if there was anything saintly about Irene Boone.
“Uh-huh. I want to hear Val’s side of this one.” It was sure to be a doozy too. He’d only met Val once, but it was enough to figure out the woman was a whirlwind of sugar and vinegar. Irene had her hands full with that one.
“Would I lie to you?”
Big, innocent blue eyes blinked at him, and he had the urge to laugh in her face. “Yes.”
There went that rogue’s smile again. Jim could understand how the volatile Val had fallen for the charming, naughty Irene. “Trust me on this one, Jimmy. If your Chloe is anything like my Val, slow won’t do at all. You need to swoop in before someone else comes along and snatches her away from you.”