Page 29 of Stripped

CHAPTER SIX

Zane's place was a craftsman-style home on a street of craftsman-style homes. He opened the door and ushered me inside, not letting go of me for one moment.

“Where is everyone?” I asked. I'd expected to see at least some of the dancers staying at his place.

“They wanted to stay together,” he said. “We've set up a sort of camp for them at the barn on the other end of town.”

I broke free of his embrace. “I need to see them. I need to know they're okay.”

“And they need to know you're okay. They've been really worried about you and you… You might want to shower and change clothes before you see them.”

I looked down at my clothes, rumpled and dirty and… I sniffed, yeah, not smelling so good. “Okay, a quick shower. Then I want to see them.”

“The bathroom's this way.” He didn't waste time chatting with me about my night with Leopold or ask me what our kiss had meant. He listened and he gave me what I needed. When I had a moment to think about him and what that kiss meant, I'd have to remember this moment. His support when he didn't have to give it.

He set me up with a towel and a nice clean bathroom off the master bedroom. His house was decorated simply, but warmly, with photos of friends and family everywhere I looked.

“I'll try to find you some clothes,” he said. “If I'm not here when you get out, I'll be back soon.”

“Thanks.” He nodded like it was nothing, so I grabbed his wrist to stop him. “I mean it. Thank you. For everything.”

He used my grip on his wrist to pull me closer and place a sweet kiss on my forehead. “You're welcome.”

I showered quickly, and wrapped myself up in a towel when I was done. Zane, who must have kept my purse when I left with Leopold, had placed it on the bathroom counter while I'd showered. At least, that's what I assumed, unless my purse had grown legs and walked into the bathroom. Unfortunately, my purse was tiny and contained only the necessities like my ID, phone, and ATM card. I didn't even have a comb or deodorant, much less make-up.

I finger-combed my hair, used Zane's toothpaste and his deodorant, wrapped myself up in the big, fluffy towel Zane had given me, and left the bathroom in search of him. He wasn't in the kitchen, but there was a pot of coffee brewing on the counter. I figured a pit stop wouldn't hurt anything. I was groggy and dragging and I could definitely use a pick-me-up.

I found creamer in the fridge and a mug with a wolf on it - all his mugs had wolves or yogi wisdom, some of them had both. I fixed myself a cup of coffee and sat at the table to drink it. Of course, once the coffee woke up my brain a bit, my stomach also woke up and rumbled for attention.

“I can fix you something to eat,” Zane said, walking into the kitchen, his arms piled high with clothes. “While you get dressed.”

“Something quick.” I stood, tightening the towel at my chest, and reached for the clothes.

He handed them over with a wry grin. “I borrowed something from everyone I could think of who might be about your size. It's nothing fancy, but there ought to be something you can use until we can get your own clothes.”

“Until I go back to my apartment, you mean?”

He grimaced. “Leopold's not just going to forget about you. And I can't keep you safe in Aspens Whiten by myself. We can't force you to stay here, but—”

“I get it,” I said, my heart sinking. I hated having my life dictated by fear, but I had to be realistic and admit I couldn't handle Leopold on my own. I wouldn't be the reason for a war between the wolves and the vamps. “We'll talk about it later, after we figure everything else out.”

He placed a warm hand on my arm and rubbed it, like he was warming me up. “For what it's worth,” he said. “I'm sorry. About the club and… Everything.”

“It's not your fault. I feel like I should be apologizing to you for pulling you from your pack and your life. I'm sure the last thing you want to do is babysit me.”

He grinned. “I can imagine worse jobs. Go get dressed. I'll try to throw something vegetarian together for breakfast.”

I carried the load of clothes back to the master bedroom and looked through them. I was able to push everything I knew would be too small or too big to the side, but there wasn't enough left for me to be picky about style. I settled on a pair of jeans that were a touch baggy and a fitted sweater that might have been my size but was tight across my boobs. Nothing was a perfect fit and I wasn't going to wear the sweatpants or the dress I'd been loaned.

There was no underwear but someone had thrown in a sports bra that at least ensured I wouldn't be flashing anyone more than they wanted to see in that tight sweater. I dug a hair tie out of my purse, pulled my hair up in a messy bun on top of my head and was ready to go. I checked myself one last time in the mirror before I went out. With a little motion, the jeans had slipped down my hips to reveal a glimpse of mid-riff. I might be a stripper, but when I wasn't working, I liked to dress conservatively. Not to mention bare skin in winter was cold. Baring my tummy made me feel like a teenager, but I didn't have a belt, so I'd just have to remember to pull them up regularly.

Zane turned immediately to me when I walked into the kitchen and his eyes widened. “Wow,” he said. “That worked out better than I expected.”

“I really appreciate the donations. I'd like to give back everything that doesn't—”

The back door creaked open and a tiny woman with graying auburn hair and sparkling blue eyes skipped into the kitchen. She had to be several inches shorter than me and was so petite she could probably shop in the kids' section. “Hello,” she said, her voice a happy lilt. “You must be Abigail.” She extended her hand. “I'm Zane's mother, Iris. My husband Zeke will be along soon. We've both been excited to meet you. Zane was so worried about you last night, I thought he was going to run down the mountain and rip you away from that vampire scum all on his own.”

“I'm glad he didn't do that,” I said. “I wouldn't want him to get hurt.”

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