Chapter Nine

She made excellent points. There were no stops until she needed gas. He got out and used the restroom before getting some waters. As he paid, he stared at her out by the pumps. She paced back and forth, her lip more prevalent.

He would admit, grudgingly she didn’t appear to let her weakness get the best of her. She finished pumping gas at the same time, he walked outside. He watched her stare at her phone, heave a sigh, then climb in.

Her voice, he easily picked up on despite her being in the car. She was stressed. Voice and body language gave that away.

Casimir frowned right before he climbed in. That scent from her town reached him. A shifter. An uncommon shifter. The scent had also been around her house after it blew. Dyana was no longer on the phone and as he shut the door behind him, she started the engine.

Casimir placed a water in each cup holder. She glanced at it then met his gaze.

“Thanks.” They got back on the road.

That was it. Even his future wife, Jetje, would have expected him to bring her more. Not this woman. In fact, it had appeared she hadn’t wished to accept anything from him.

He uncapped his and took a long drink, utilizing the time to try and figure her out. There weren’t fluffy animals in her car. Nothing hung from the rear view. The interior smelled like her. Womanly and subtly arousing.

“Anything you want to know?”

She glanced briefly at him. “You being a shifter supposed to be a secret? Or did you not tell me because we’re divorcing?” She shook her head. “Not that I still don’t think you’re crazy about claiming we’re married,” she muttered.

He scowled and faced her. “You didn’t know me but you know I’m a shifter?”

“No, I didn’t. Markus did. He informed me. I think he was hoping I would change my mind about accompanying you.” She smiled at her statement.

Casimir didn’t like the way her smile made him feel. She wasn’t the woman for him. Those types of emotions—lust included—had no place between them.

He grunted and scrubbed a hand down his face. “I’m a shifter. Wolf.”

“Congratulations.” He looked at her and she shrugged a shoulder. “What, you said it like it was a big deal.”

Well, it kinda was. “You know shifters?”

* * * *

Dyana mulled over his question as the landscape whizzed by. Know? Depends on how well he meant that by.

“I’ve met a few during my travels.”

“Your travels?”

Okay, so she wasn’t a football player, or pitching ace. Hell, she wasn’t some amazing striker either but she was well known. A bitter knot grew in her gut. He must really not give a damn at all about me. Couldn’t even look me up a little bit.

She didn’t understand why it bothered her so much. Flicking her gaze to the rearview, she spied the SUV that had been back there for the duration of the trip. Hadn’t gone all that far but given what she’d been through, color her suspicious.

“Yes, my travels,” she said depressing the accelerator a bit more. The powerful Hemi responded smoothly.

“Do you like them?”

“They were nice enough.” She reached for the bottle of water he’d put in the holder only to discover his hand below hers. Withdrawing immediately, she grabbed the wheel. “Sorry.”

Casimir didn’t respond. She heard the cracking of the seal then he offered it to her without the cap. With a nod of thanks, she accepted it and quenched her thirst. When she finished, he took the half empty bottle from her, capped it, and returned it to the cup holder.

“What type of shifters were they?”

She pursed her lips as she recalled. “Keane and his friend are leopard shifters. Shira is an eagle.”

“You met an eagle shifter?”

“Yes. Why? Don’t y’all hang out together?”

“No we tend to keep to our own. Eagles are rare. What was her last name?”

She shook her head. “Nope. If they’re rare, I’m keeping that bit of info to myself.”

“How far are we going today?” She looked at him but was unable to read any expression. “I could use some food.”

She checked the rearview and side mirrors before cutting across all lanes and zipping up the exit ramp.

“What do you want?”

His penetrating light bold blue eyes seared her and at her body’s reaction, her sexual one, she cursed herself. I don’t need to be attracted to him.

She could say it as often as she wished, it would make no difference.

No way he’s attracted to me.

“Doesn’t matter.” His voice, deeper than it had been, rolled over her and reminded her yet again, how long it had been since she’d had her itch scratched.

“Fine.”

She pulled into the first fast food place they came to and parked her car, leaving the engine on. He looked at her and she bit back her irritation.

“Go get your food.”

“What about you?”

She gazed at the sign and sneered. “Nope, not eating there.”

“Then why did you come here?”

“You were whining about being hungry. So I stopped. Hurry it up, would you? I ain’t waiting all day.”

“You need to eat.”

She clenched her hands around the wheel. “And you need to get going if you want food.”

“I will eat when you do. And I don’t whine.”

Dyana rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” She left the lot and put them back on the road once more.

Darkness had fallen when she left the interstate and parked before a motel. She was exhausted. Pushing so hard when all she wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry had come to an end. She needed to sleep.

Casimir got out and followed her into the office. He silenced her inevitable protest with nothing more than a look as he made their arrangements.

Same room.

Her heart pounded and her palms grew damp. This was probably a very stupid idea. Despite what her ovaries thought.

Keys and directions and they headed for the room, parking the car before the door. She watched him swipe his bag from the backseat as she went to the trunk. Fighting tears, she hefted the case and bag back there.

He opened the room door as she set the alarm on the car. The two beds had her breathing a bit easier. Only a bit.

“Do you have a preference?” she asked.

“One closer to the door is mine.” No room for negotiation in his tone.

“Suit yourself, hoss.” She hefted her items on the other bed.

“I’m going for food.” He glared at her until she arched brow.

“Need me to hold your hand?”

The light glinted off his eyes and she knew he wasn’t amused. The wildness and danger swirled like an unrelenting storm.

“Stay put.”

He whirled around and stormed from the room, the door reverberated behind him.

“Sure thing, hoss,” she drawled, rolling her eyes.

Taking advantage of his absence, she showered and dressed in the other set of clothing she always carried in the trunk of her car. She’d rubbed her leg and was reading a book when he returned.

Damn, he looks as happy as when he left.

Casimir placed a bag in front of her. “Eat.”