“You aren’t going to believe what happened last night after you left,” she said.
“What?” He hoped she wasn’t totally attuned to him yet, couldn’t tell how badly he was lying.
She told the story, and he nodded and looked shocked in the appropriate places.
“I should have stuck around, Tess. I’m really sorry.”
Tessa shook her head. “No, it’s okay. You had no way of knowing.”
“I wish you’d called me.”
She looked down. “I’m sorry I didn’t, it’s just…” She met his eyes. “This is going to sound really weird, and I don’t want it to come out sounding the wrong way, but that dog was just so comforting, I didn’t even think about calling you.”
He smiled, amused. “So you’re saying I need to run around on all fours and get a flea collar?”
Tessa laughed, but knew his feelings weren’t hurt. “I think what’s weirder is you do understand what I mean.”
He caressed her cheek. “Buy him some beef jerky as a reward in case he comes back. The real stuff, not the crap for dogs.”
“Maybe I’ll do that.”
* * * *
Working was hard for her, because every time she looked up she caught Scudder’s eye and smiled. She wanted to lock their door and crawl into his lap and kiss him. By the time lunch rolled around she was more than ready to go. They lucked out in the elevator, having it all to themselves and stealing a quick kiss on the ride down.
“So I’ll pick you up tonight at seven, and we’ll go somewhere your ex won’t be, right?”
She laughed. “Right.”
He almost seemed to catch a whiff of her thinking that she wanted to say something else and gently encouraged her. “What is it, Tess?”
“Thank you for last night, for standing up to him for me.” Her eyes finally found his. “No one’s ever stood up for me like that in my whole life, and now in one night, two guys protect me.”
“Two?”
“You and my mystery dog.”
* * * *
He loved her smile, craved making her laugh. She was more relaxed today than he’d ever seen her despite the previous evening’s events. After lunch was over, he reluctantly returned to the office. He wanted to sit there in the park with her all day.
A little after two, Ron Osborne stuck his head in their doorway. “What are you guys dressing up as for the bash?”
“I’m going, but Scudder’s ducking out.”
Scudder didn’t like the way Ron’s eye gleamed at that news. “Really? Why not?”
Scudder fought to control his voice and keep the growl out of it. If he was in his canine form, his lips would be curled and his hackles up. Even Ron’s scent had changed. “I have a prior family obligation.”
Ron’s gaze focused on Tess. Scudder knew Ron was attracted to her, but the few times he’d tried to connect with her, Scudder had successfully interceded so she never knew about it. The guy was a slimy asshole.
And Scudder didn’t share well with others.
“I’m going as a witch,” Tessa said, casting a glance at Scudder. “And not the Good Witch, either.”
Damn it! She was trying to make him jealous, and it was working far more than she knew. Fortunately, she couldn’t see how he tightly gripped the arms of his chair to keep from jumping up and shoving Ron out the door and slamming it in his face.
“Do you need a ride to the party? I don’t mind,” Ron said.
Tessa glanced at Scudder. Perhaps his poorly hidden scowl clued her in. “No, that’s okay.”
“Oh, all right. See you there.”
Ron left, but Tessa’s eyes were locked on Scudder’s. “You’re jealous,” she whispered, her delicious lips curling into a sexy smile. “You’re jealous of him.”
He rolled his chair across the office, open door be damned, and crooked his finger at her.
When she leaned in, he brushed his lips across hers. “You don’t want Ron, do you?” he whispered.
She gasped and shook her head. No, she wanted only him. Her scent told him that much. If he locked the office door, she’d be in his arms in a heartbeat.
Scudder smiled. “I know I have no right to be jealous at this point, but I’ll be honest that I don’t share well with other men. I’m not jealous of friends, but that man wants to be far more than a friend to you.”
She sat back, startled. “Ron? No.”
Scudder nodded.
Tessa was quiet the rest of the afternoon, but he felt her eyes on his back.
* * * *
He picked her up, and this time their dinner wasn’t interrupted. They had a fun time, and he reluctantly took her home around eleven.
“Do you want to come in?” she whispered.
He kissed her, his tongue gently stroking hers. “Want to, yes. Should I? No. Not yet.” He stepped back. “I’ll leave early tomorrow morning. Won’t be back until late Sunday. I’ll see you Monday morning, okay?”
She nodded, her disappointment strong and sharp in the air. His heart ached that he couldn’t stay, not yet.
He stepped forward one more time and kissed her again. “Just remember,” he whispered, “I don’t share well. Well, except with your four-legged friend. But not with any other man. Have fun tomorrow night, but please, stay safe.”
She nodded and finally went inside and locked the door.
He drove to a friend’s house nearby, where he’d arranged to leave his car for the weekend. He took a few moments to get what he needed, and then made his preparations. No matter what, she couldn’t go to that party alone. Not with Ron there.
He smelled wrong.
* * * *
She watched his taillights drive down her street. God, she missed him already. Walking into the bedroom, she started undressing for bed. She went to get a glass of water in the kitchen and spied the grocery bag on the counter. She’d stopped on her way home from work and picked up two large bags of beef jerky, the good stuff for humans. Probably wouldn’t ever see the dog again, but at least it would keep. Who knows—
The scratch on the front door startled her. Cautiously, she crept to her front window and looked out. She spotted a black, furry butt and a wagging tail at her front door.
Her heart jumped at the sight. For a dog? What is wrong with me?
But she threw open the door and sank to her knees, burying her head in his fur.
“Hey, fella! I’m so glad you came back.” He licked her cheeks and nuzzled her neck, happily whining. She stood to let him in and noticed the small plastic sack on the porch next to him. “What’s this?”
His soft woof made her laugh. He pounced on it, snagged the handles, and dragged it inside.
After closing and locking her front door, she sat on the floor and went through the bag, puzzled. A leather leash and matching studded collar, a sleeveless leather doggy jacket, and a…hat? He would look like a biker.
Tessa looked at the Lab, and his lolling tongue and happy panting made her laugh. “You brought your own Halloween costume?”
He barked, his tail wagging harder.
Her boss was an avid animal lover. Well-behaved dogs were always welcomed at his big company parties. It was a family affair, not just for adults, and he usually had games for kids as well as dogs.
This was creepy though. Someone must have set her up. Dogs didn’t pack their own costumes. It had to be some sort of joke.
She cupped his large head in her palms. “You are a mystery, aren’t you?”
He softly woofed and licked her nose.
* * * *
He slept in bed with her again that night, and he loved the beef jerky. This time he didn’t wake her up early, and when she let him out to go to the bathroom in the morning, something in his demeanor told her he wouldn’t run away.
“You need a name,” she said, studying him. “I can’t just keep calling you boy.” She looked into his eyes and then it hit her. “My boyfriend’s first name is Dennis. You remind me a lot of him. You’ve g
ot the same eyes and hair, and you take good care of me. I’ll call you Den. You like that?”
He barked and happily wagged his tail.
Her new friend held still while she dressed him. Everything fit, and he drooled a little when she leaned forward in her costume, exposing her cleavage.
Tessa laughed and patted his head. “That’s against the law in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.”
He made a strange chuffing sound that sounded like a laugh.
It was strange. He wasn’t like any other dog she’d ever owned. It was like he really understood every word she said.
They left for the party. Riding in the car, he sat on the front seat, didn’t pace, didn’t drool, didn’t bark at other cars. His focus was solely on her, and she found herself talking to him.
When they arrived at the party, his leash manners were perfect. He didn’t pull or bark at the other dogs or any of the people. But when Ron walked up to her, Den placed himself between them, leaning against her shins, blocking her with his huge body.
Ron looked at him and smiled. When he reached out to pet him, Tessa felt rather than heard the low growl rumble through Den’s chest.
“I wouldn’t do that, Ron. He doesn’t like it when men get close to me. He’s very protective.”
* * * *
Scudder watched Ron through narrowed eyes. He smelled even more wrong now. He had something in store for Tessa tonight. He wasn’t sure what, but the scent of treachery was undeniable.
Ron stepped back. “He’s a very big dog,” he nervously said.
Tessa stroked the Lab’s head. “Yes, he is.”
“I didn’t know you had a dog. How long have you had him?”
“Not long.”
Good girl, Scudder thought. He smelled her hesitation, probably remembering their office discussion. She was withdrawing, trying to distance herself from Ron.
Carefully, he shifted his weight against her legs so she was forced to take a step back.
Ron wasn’t giving up. “Listen, Tess, why don’t you and I go out to eat later, after this is over?”
“No, I’m sorry. It’ll be too late, and I have plans for tomorrow morning.”
“Then how about tomorrow night?”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’ve got plans already.”
Scudder shifted his weight again, and she took another step back. Her scent had changed, shifting from anxiety to fear, probably an ingrained reaction from the years of abuse she suffered at Reuben’s hands.
“Oh,” Ron said, looking at her empty glass. “What are you drinking? I’ll go get you another one.”
“Okay, thank you.” Her relief at his departure only increased Scudder’s alarm. He wanted to drag her out of there, because now he knew. Her sexy, low-cut costume dress had caught not only his eye, but Ron’s as well, and the man fully intended to fuck her. The unmistakable odor of rut surrounded him like a thick cloak.
Scudder carefully pulled on the leash and got nowhere. Then he gently took her hand in his mouth and tried to lead her away, but Ron was too fast. He returned and handed her a new glass. Scudder knew, from the drink’s odor and from the predatory gleam in Ron’s eye, that he’d drugged it.
Damn it!
Scudder waited until she tried to drink to bolt, yanking on the leash and causing her to spill part of it, but he thought she might have still sipped some.
“Den, no! Don’t do that!” She dropped the slack in the leash and stepped on it, freeing her hand so she could drink without him pulling on her. He didn’t want to hurt or scare her, but Ron’s eyes had narrowed to a reptilian stare. Scudder knew whatever he’d used would work fast. There were plenty of secluded, wooded areas around the large property he could drag her to and rape her.
Scudder whined, pawing at her, trying to get her to dump it, but she shook him off and took a few sips.
Then she met his eyes, and he tried sending her a silent plea.
Tess, baby, please don’t drink it!
* * * *
Den went crazy. Even when she dropped the leash and stood on it, it was like he didn’t want her drinking from the cup Ron brought her.
“Den, what has gotten into you?” She took a couple of quick sips, and then the dog caught her eye. About that same time a really bad feeling swept over her, a horrible sensation of fear.
There was something in her drink.
Her eyes flicked to Ron, then back to Den, who was begging her with his eyes.
She put the drink down, and that was when she felt the first weird sensation. “Den, car. Now. Let’s go, boy.”
Ron moved to catch her arm, and suddenly, Den was between them, silently baring his teeth.
“Are you okay, Tessa?” Ron asked.
It was an act, and she knew it. Damn it, I should have listened to Scudder in the office!
“I’m fine, but I have to get home. I just remembered that I forgot to give Den his medication.”
The Lab caught her hand in his mouth and gently led her around to the front of the house where the cars were parked. She was having trouble focusing now, even walking was difficult. Whatever Ron had doped her with, it was strong and quick. She was afraid to pass out for fear of Ron doing something.
Ron still followed her a few paces behind. “Tessa, why don’t you let me drive you home?”
“No, I’m okay.”
Den whined, trying to move her along faster. “Okay, boy,” she whispered. “I know. I’m sorry. I should have paid attention to you. You tried to warn me.”
Ron kept up, but his voice had changed pitch, and even she recognized it. “Tessa, I will drive you home.”
They were now hidden from the other partygoers by a thick stand of trees. Den whirled and snarled, curling his lips and baring his teeth.
“Like hell you will.”
She gasped. She would swear she heard Den say that through his protective growl. That had to be an effect of whatever Ron doped her with. Dogs couldn’t talk.
Ron stopped and held up his hands, but he didn’t back off. Trembling, she finally got her finger on the remote and managed to unlock the car. Den stood to the side while she carefully slid behind the wheel. There was a quick movement, and then Den was snarling and barking at Ron, who’d tried to rush the car when the dog’s back was turned.
Ron backed up, an angry look on his face. “Don’t you dare drive, Tessa. You need to be taken home. I’ll take you.”
She forced her eyes to focus on Ron. “What’d you dope me with, asshole?” Den put his front feet on her lap, and she sensed he wanted her to unclip his leash. She finally managed it.
“You’re imagining things, Tessa,” Ron lied. She heard it in his voice. He darted for the car again, and Den was on him, jumping up and bouncing off his chest, knocking the man down and growling at him.
“Stay. Away. From. My. Mate.” Den didn’t do any damage, but ripped at Ron’s Joker outfit, forcing the man into a hasty, scrambling retreat.
She should get the car doors locked and call 911. That was definitely a hallucination. Imagining a dog talking was a really bad side effect.
“Den, come.” He wheeled around and leapt through the open driver door. She pulled it shut and slammed the lock button just as Ron ran up again and yanked on the door handle, beating on the window.
“Tessa! You’ll regret this, goddamn it!”
She fumbled the key into the ignition and managed to start it. Thank God it was an automatic transmission. Fortunately, she’d parked on the far end of the field, and there were no cars in her way. She drove down the winding driveway, out of sight of the house, and when her vision tripled she knew she had to pull over.
She sobbed, putting the car into park. “I can’t, Den. I’ve got to call someone. God, I wish I’d stayed home.” She felt close to passing out.
Her head felt too heavy to hold up on her neck. She closed her eyes, praying Ron hadn’t followed her.
It had to be an effect of the drug that as she finally
passed out, she swore she heard Scudder’s voice calling her name and felt his hand caress her cheek…
* * * *
She heard sirens, barking, agitated voices. Her eyelids barely budged.
Tessa heard the door locks disengage. She tried to swipe at the button to lock them again, but felt Den’s paw on her arm.
Then a strange voice. “Ma’am? Are you okay…?”
* * * *
Lights…movement…strange voices…
What felt like days later, she finally opened her eyes and realized she was in the hospital. Her boss and a deputy stood by the side of her bed.
“Den? Where is he?”
“He’s okay, Tessa,” her boss said. “My wife has him at our house. Damndest thing, they said he unlocked your car doors when the EMTs showed up.”
She licked her lips and relaxed. “Ron doped my drink.”
“We know. One of the bartenders saw him do it, and they tried to get help, but you’d disappeared by then. Then when the 911 call came in, the responders found you in the driveway. Why did you try to drive?”
“Ron was chasing me. I wanted to get away from him, but I didn’t call 911.”
“No, some guy did. From your phone.”
That broke through the leftover haze. “What?”
The deputy nodded. “That’s right, ma’am. We don’t know who he was, because when we got there, it was just you and your dog locked in the car.”
She lay back and closed her eyes. She was too tired to figure this out now.
“What did he dope me with?”
“Ketamine. He admitted it after we searched his car and found more. You’re very lucky.”
She closed her eyes. “Den tried to warn me.”
“Ma’am?”
“My dog. He tried to warn me. He kept Ron away from me when I went to the car. He protected me.”
* * * *
It was late the next afternoon when she was discharged. Her boss picked her up and took her back to his house to pick up her car and Den. The Lab happily barked and rushed out the front door, practically tackling her, vigorously licking her face, his tail wagging fast and furious.