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Letting out a huff, I slip down as far as I can in the back. There’s a folded up blanket next to my clothes and I throw that over myself as I work off my pants. It’s no easy feat with how suctioned they are to my skin, and I probably look like a demented worm, but I manage. My underwear pulls off with the pants and the fact I’m sprawled out here completely bare from the waist down with Zav in the front I can’t help the spike of lust that shoots through me.

Fuck! What if he can smell my arousal?

A clicking noise draws my attention and I pull down the blanket, being sure to cover my front, to meet Zav’s eyes in the rearview mirror. My gaze drops to his mouth where fangs have popped out. He runs his tongue along one of them and I gasp.

“Fangboner.” The word lisps around his teeth.

That should not be as sexy as it is.

Looking away from him, I duck beneath the blanket again and reach for the underwear hiding under the shirt on top of the pile. My jaw drops when I come away with a sexy lace pair of panties I had hidden in the back of my drawer since I refused to touch them. Ava had gotten them for me as a gift.

Not wanting to waste any more time in my remaining wet clothes I make quick work of divulging myself of the wet shirt and bra. Trying to finagle the clasp is a struggle, but I finally hook it and get the new shirt on.

Fully dressed in fresh clothes, I rip the blanket off my head and blow out a breath. I push open the door to dangle my legs out and yank on socks and my boots.

Feeling much warmer, I get back in the front seat and try to work my fingers through my wet, knotted hair the best I can.

“Ready to go, my little wet kitten?” Zavier asks from where he watches next to me.

“Strike that nickname off your list.” I fiddle with the vent so warm air blasts me in the face.

“Would you prefer sweet cheeks? Or honey bun? Or pudding pop?” He purses his lips in thought. “Oh, I know, pookie.”

“Shut up,” I groan. “I beg of you. No pet names.” He grins maniacally. “Where are we headed?”

Zavier taps his phone a few times and pulls navigation up on the car’s screen. With a mysterious smirk he simply nods toward it and mime’s zipping his lips.

I put the car in drive and leave the crime scene behind.

CHAPTER 28

ZAVIER

“Seriously, Zavier, where are we?” Celine muses as we walk up the steps to our destination.

“My sex dungeon.” I drop my voice a few octaves to answer, and she scoffs while playfully shoving me. “If I told you the truth that would take the fun out of it.”

I rest my hands on her shoulders and squeeze. We parked not far from the front door since rain has decided to start up again

“Honey, I’m home!” I shout as we walk into the building.

“Not you again,” a grumpy voice responds from around the corner. Celine shoots me a confused look, but I smile reassuringly. I see her taking in her surroundings with the curiosity of a detective’s gaze.

I knew nobody would be in the restaurant today because once a month they close for restocking and deep cleaning. It was the perfect time to introduce Celine to Tom.

“Oh, hush, you know you look forward to my visits,” I refute. “I brought a friend this time, too.” Gently pushing Celine along with a hand on her lower back we wander to the back of the restaurant.

Tom sits in his usual spot surrounded by napkins and silverware. He’s slowly folding and rolling them up so they’reready to go for patrons. A few of his family members mill about but give us space to chat.

“I thought I was your only friend,” Tom mumbles making me laugh.

“This is my special friend I’ve been telling you about.” Celine and I settle in at the same table as Tom and he puts his supplies down when I gesture to her. “This is Celine.”

“Who?” Tom shouts. “Francine?”

“Celine!” I reply. “Like Celine Dion. Why is your hearing so selective when it comes to us chatting? I swear you only hear what you want to.” My sweater stretches across my chest when I cross my arms.

A quick glance at Celine tells me she finds our bickering amusing.