Page 65 of Big Bad Wolfe

Mia unbuckled her seatbelt. “The minute I get to the office, I’ll file the marriage certificate and the petition for you and Zane to receive custody of Casey, as well as a petition to curtail Richard’s visitation. I’ll also include the confidentiality clause about Zane’s paternity that he requested. I’ll call him when I receive a response.”

“Okay, great.”

“Jillian, if you ever need to talk—aboutanything—call meanytime.Day or night.”

“Thanks, Mia.” She and the other woman exchanged hugs. “For everything.”

Gray clouds glowered ominously over Portland, threatening a summer storm. The closer they got to the coast, the gloomier the day became. Jillian didn’t say much during the helo flight to Cape Hope or the short drive to the Center.

Major, life-altering decisions loomed ahead of her.

Zane stopped for a red light, glanced over. “You’ve been quiet.”

“I have a lot on my mind. Are we going to talk about last night?”

Dark eyes narrowed. “No.”

Yeah, there’s a newsflash.“Okay, but despite what Mia advised, I don’t think we should sleep together anymore.”

“Damned straight.”

The relief that edged his voice saddened her. “I meant sleep in the same bed at the house. Because of Casey. I don’t want to confuse him. We can move your clothes into my closet and dresser and your toiletries into the master bathroom so when the caseworker makes their surprise visit it appears we’re living as husband-and-wife. It’ll be inconvenient for you to have to fetch your stuff from there when you’re sleeping in the guestroom, but necessary.”

The light turned green, and he accelerated. “Whatever we need to do.”

“Zane.” She refastened a tendril of hair that had escaped her braid. “Ah … but … if you want to have more no-strings-attached, earthshaking sex, I’d be up for that.”

The wheel jerked beneath his big hands, and the car nearly veered into the other lane before he quickly righted it. He swore beneath his breath. “You are direct, aren’t you?”

“No reason not to be. We’re both here together for now, we both desire each other. So why not?”

“Why not?” he gritted. “A half-dozen warnings come to mind.”

She achieved a nonchalant shrug. “Well, the offer stands.”

His sensual lips pressed together and he didn’t utter another word the rest of the short drive to the Center.

Jillian used her key to gain entrance to the employees only door, and they walked to the main office.

Tala, who rotated stints at the desk as their receptionist along with other students who wanted office experience, turned from the computer behind the counter. “Hi, welcome back Ms. Ramsay.”

I’m Mrs. Wolfe now.

Jillian’s pulse tripped. But she had to drop that little bombshell on her family privately.

The pert student flashed Zane a smile brimming with undisguised female appreciation. “Andhello,Agent Wolfe. Listen dude, if you need someone to show you the ropes around here, I’m totally available.”

“I think I can manage,” Zane said wryly.

“Can I ask you something? I see Native American blood in you, right?”

“Yes. My mother was Cherokee.”

“So’s my Grandma! She’s given me a whole lotta books and stuff about our heritage since I was a little kid. If you want to borrow any of ‘em, I can bring ‘em in.”

Zane smiled at the eager girl. “Sure. That’d be nice.”

Jillian looked around the deserted office. Loucinda was certain to notice her wedding band, and starting with her would be easier. Then she’d track down her dad and tell him, and call any of her brothers who weren’t incommunicado on active missions. “Where’s Loucinda?”

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