Jodi_ByTheLight Read Online Free PDF Page B

on?”
    “Nope.” He punched in new directions on his cell phone and pulled out onto the highway. He just prayed they were far enough ahead of the red wolves to get to their new destination.
    ***
    It was after 2:00 a.m. when they drove into a small town just across the Louisiana state line. They’d been riding for what seemed like an eternity and Ava knew she wasn’t going to last much longer. Her ass hurt from riding, cold soaked down to her bones, and she desperately needed a hot shower. She had never been so miserable in her life.
    Damon finally pulled into a parking place at a low-budget motel. He climbed off the bike like he hadn’t been riding hours in the seat. She tried to follow, but her heavy legs threatened to give way under her weight.
    Damon shook his head. “Don’t get off yet. I’m not even sure it’s safe to stay here for the night.”
    “Look, as much as I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, I’m going to have to disagree with you. We’re staying here tonight.” She sighed. “I can’t go any longer. I need a shower. Not to mention my ass is numb.” She winced as she crawled off the bike.
    “It’s my job to make sure your ass is delivered back home in one piece. If it’s not safe, we’re not staying.” He stepped into her space.
    “Whatever.” Pushing past him, she stumbled to the sidewalk and sat. She eased onto her side and curled up into a ball.
    “What the hell are you doing? Get up.”
    “I’m sleeping.”
    “Ava, get your ass up now.”
    Her eyelids drifted shut. If she hadn’t been so exhausted she would have told him to go to hell. The last thing she heard as her eyes drifted shut were angry boots stomping away.
    ***
    Damon turned and glanced back at Ava. Despite his irritation, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. For someone who’d never been on a bike before, she’d hung in there like a champ. Her ass was going to be killing her in the morning that was for sure.
    After making sure the dump of a hotel was secure, he opened the office door, making sure he could still see Ava from inside. The young, skinny male with a mop of brown hair and acne-scarred face sat behind the front desk. He was too busy playing an online computer game to look up at his customer.
    “I need a room for the night.” Damon angled his body away so the clerk couldn’t get a good look at his face. The guy was human and posed no physical danger to him. But humans were greedy and willing to do anything to make a quick buck. If those rogue wolves came here, he wanted to make sure the clerk couldn’t identify him.
    “Yeah, just sign in. It’s sixty-five for one night or hundred and ten for two nights.” His fingers danced across the keyboard while his eyes remained focused on the computer game involving dwarfs, elves and a dragon.
    Damon signed in under an alias and placed the money on the desk. The guy grabbed it with one hand while typing with the other. Sticking the money in a drawer, he slid the key across to him.
    He stepped out into the frosty night and stopped, unable to tear his gaze away from the female with hair the color of midnight curled up like a kitten on the cold, hard sidewalk. The sight made his heart ache.
    He bent down and picked her up. This time she melded into his arms, which surprised him. She sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck.
    “Please don’t make me leave.” Her warm breath brushed the side of his neck. His heart pounded in his chest.
    “We’re not leaving. We’re spending the night.”
    “Thank you.” Her arms tightened around his neck and she snuggled closer.
    His muscles clenched, unable to take another step. Sweat popped out across his flesh and he struggled to breathe. “Don’t do that.” His mouth had gone dry. “Don’t touch my neck.”
    Her sleepy eyes opened and she slid her arms down to hold onto his shoulders. “I’m sorry. Here, put me down. I can walk.”
    He let her slide out of his arms as he set her gently on her feet.