“His cooking was a real draw to some of their dates.” Dixie grinned and lifted her eyebrows.
“I don’t know who wouldn’t be interested in it if it tastes half as good as the aromas teasing me now.” Chloe relaxed back into the seat, refusing to be drawn, although she did feel a pang of anger at those past women. It was irrational. Hell, she’d barely started getting to know them now, but she felt possessive of them.
“You’ll love Tony’s restaurant. Great food. And the bar. We’ve told you about it and intended to take you there, but for whatever reason never managed to click when we could.” Shonna folded her arms on the table.
“Yeah, you invited me that night you had to cancel for a meeting.” She nodded. She didn’t know if she’d have met the three men if she had gone. Tony had said he liked running the restaurant. Did he feel the same about the bar or did he leave that to a general manager?
“You didn’t bring her? We could have met her before the drugging and the chance meetings. We might have been able to ease her into our lives.” Tony turned around and frowned. He waved a set of tongs. “I’m beginning to wonder if you deserve any food.”
“There is no guarantee that you’d have been there when we went. If you were, you might not have been on the floor to meet her. You spend a good part of the nights you’re there doing the books. You could have missed her and never known she’d been close.” Dixie glanced at Chloe and shook her head. “You did meet her.”
“Yes, but I’d like to have given her a more normal courtship. Something that didn’t entail her learning our names on the same night we have sex.” Tony glanced back. “That would be a shock to most human women.”
His teasing and the concern touched her. When she’d learned they were her mates, she’d expected them to take the fast connection for granted. Although they wanted her, they had given her kindness and what time they could to become accustomed to the new relationship. To be fair, at one point, she would have pushed them down to the floor and jumped them.
When he finished cooking, he put the food on platters and brought them to the table along with a pitcher of something that had slices of fruit floating in it. He dished up the food to plates, putting hers in front of her first before serving the others.
For the next half hour, she ate and tried not to gawk at his solicitousness. Tony sat next to her. The one thing he didn’t do was spoon-feed her. She thought he might start that if she’d been willing to eat another plateful. She didn’t think he did it for show. Each of them had been caring over the past day, seeing to her needs, making sure she was comfortable, and checking in on her enough to drive her crazy.
“Have they been holding back, because it hasn’t been this pronounced before?” She looked over to Dixie, who was one of the few people who could tell her about bear matings.
“Probably. It can seem pretty strange for a human.” Dixie shrugged. “Do you mind?”
“I don’t mind at all. The food thing is nice. The touches are welcome. The only thing that might get to me is the constant checking in when I’m a room away and trying to work. It’s difficult to get anything done with the interruptions.” Chloe smiled.
She could get used to that type of attention. She didn’t know if she should let herself. What happened if they became tired of her? People might say that matings were for life, but the relationships probably had the same problems normal marriages had.
“You’ll work through that. With a little compromise here and there, you’ll find it’s not so hard.” Dixie popped a piece of chicken into her mouth.
“Your mother’s words again?” Chloe glanced over at Dixie.
“My father’s words.” Dixie grinned before she speared vegetables with her fork. “He always pointed out that you have to make an effort on most things that are worthwhile.”
That was true enough. Logan, Tony, and Jason had made a few comments about adjusting to each other. Somehow hearing it from someone else eased some of her worries. She glanced at Tony and found him looking at her.
This was as good a time as any to ask about this morning. “What meeting were Logan and Jase talking to you about this morning?”
He blinked and frowned. “They told me that there was a meeting tonight at the station about the latest drugging incidents. They might be late getting home. They thought you were still asleep and didn’t want to disturb you.”
Well, that was a lot different than what her imagination had come up with. She felt a little embarrassed about thinking the worst of them. Perhaps she should start trying not to be so suspicious of them.
“This is delicious, Tony.” She smiled. “I enjoyed it very much.”
“I’m glad, baby.” Tony drew his fingers across the back of her hand. “Relax. We’ll have time to work through the problems.”
Chapter Nine
Tony strolled along behind Chloe and Logan. Logan’s hand rested low on her hip while he led her toward the restaurant. His arm curved around her back in a possessive hold, but Logan’s body relaxed a little. With her living in their home, he’d begun to settle.
Tony, on the other hand, felt a little stressed over the last few days. He’d overheard some of what she’d been talking about to Dixie, and his bear hadn’t liked some of it. It had driven him to feed her. He’d needed to be with her and take care of her.
He understood why Chloe thought the way she did. She had a different view of relationships. It wasn’t the thinking part of him that had problems with it.
The reactive bear within him saw rejection of their mating in a couple of her answers. The bear wanted to make her see the permanence in their relationship. There wouldn’t be any walking away for either of them.
With luck, she would accept their mating soon. He couldn’t help watching for the signs and listening to every word for an indication that she felt the connection. His bear wouldn’t settle until it felt she was happy and felt she belonged with them.
They didn’t attempt to make this date formal. In order to simplify this occasion, they wouldn’t waste time driving from one place to another. Logan or Jason might be called back to work any time.
Jazzie’s had a restaurant and bar with a huge dance floor on the same premises. The red-and-black interior conveyed a bright, cheery attitude. Upbeat tunes played in the bar, and it offered a fun atmosphere that he hoped would relax her.
She strolled to the table. He followed the back and forth swing of her sweetly curved ass. Her hair hung around her shoulders in a fiery fall.
She glowed tonight in a gold-and-blue dress. The bodice dipped low, revealing the swell of her breasts. The cloth fit snug to her body to her waist where it flared out to fall to midthigh.
His cock had hardened at the first sight of her when she’d come out of the bathroom tonight, but the desperate need increased as he stared at her. He couldn’t stop looking at her though. Wouldn’t if it was possible. He enjoyed it too much to deny himself the pleasure.
“I love coming here.” Chloe turned her head and smiled at Logan.
Jason eased up to her other side. He dropped a kiss on her cheek, drawing Chloe’s attention.
“You’ve been here before?” Jason drew his hand over her bare shoulder.
“Yeah, I come here with Dixie and the girls for our girls’ night. There’s always a good band here. The food’s great. On top of that, it’s easy to find someone to dance with.” She glanced back at Tony.
“Girls’ night, huh? You do that much?” Tony tilted his head.
She’d been with Dixie, Shonna, and Leslie a lot in the past. It was surprising that they hadn’t met her before.
“About once or twice a month for the girls’ night out thing, but we get together at least once or twice a week for lunch or dinner.” Chloe took the seat Logan held out for her.
The waitress stopped at their table. They spent the next few minutes chatting and giving her their drink orders. Chloe ordered a beer made at a local brewery. Tony tilted his head and looked at her. It would take s
ome time to figure this woman out.
She caught him staring at her. “What?”
“I can’t predict you yet.” Tony shrugged.
“You want to?” She arched a brow.
“It would mean I was getting to know what you liked and what you don’t.” Tony smiled. He hoped to get to that level of familiarity with her.
“And he likes knowing what will happen or who will order what.” Logan patted her hand. “It annoys him to be wrong.”
“Enough that you and Jason do it just to annoy him?” She glanced from Logan to Jason.
“Well, yes, do you plan to join the conspiracy?” His lips turned upward in a wicked grin.
“Maybe, but he wouldn’t find it easy to predict what I’d ask for anyway. I think I’ve sampled a third of this menu and plan to make my way through the rest of it. I haven’t discovered any food allergies and like everything I’ve tried.” She traced circles on the tabletop.
“Damn, someone who’ll keep him guessing without trying.” Jase shook his head, but his eyes sparkled with good humor.
“You will keep things interesting in more ways than one.” Tony nodded. The woman was damn near perfect for them, a mix of comfort and spice all rolled into one package.
“I’ll try.” She leaned forward and her lashes lowered over her deep brown eyes.
The waitress brought their beers, placing them down on the table. She took their order for the meal and walked away. Tony turned his attention back to Chloe. She took a drink from her mug of beer. She drew back a little and frowned down at the foam-topped drink. With a shrug, she once again lifted the mug to her lips before putting it down.
“This isn’t the right beer,” she said, staring at the mug.
“Are you sure?” Jason asked.
“Yeah, I think this is Tony’s German.” She took another drink. “I think it tastes a little off.”
Tony lifted the mug in front of him and swallowed some of the dark golden liquid. He hadn’t ordered this, but it was good. It lacked the smoky aroma he expected of the German brew.
“I think this one’s yours. I don’t know if you’ve had that beer before, but it does taste a little different than what you’re accustomed to. That might be why you think it tastes strange. Do you want to switch beers?” Tony smiled across the table at her.
She nodded. “Let’s do that. It’s not the hoppy taste or the slight smoke flavor. That’s all right. Something about the taste seems wrong.”
Tony frowned. Most people who had a problem with that beer didn’t like the smoke flavor. He exchanged beers with her. She took her beer and took a long drink.
Maybe she had a problem with the distinct flavor of the beer or perhaps the beer had gone bad. He lifted the mug and tipped it up. After he swallowed some of amber liquid, he could taste something different. He’d had it in the past. This time the flavor was unusual. He didn’t find the distinct, tangy taste bad.
He ignored the difference and took a few gulps. With a sigh, he placed his mug on the table. Chloe chatted with Logan about a computer game. They discussed the characters and quests. He liked that they were finding shared interests with her.
Chloe closed her eyes. She swayed a little. After a moment, she straightened and took a deep breath.
Tony’s eyes narrowed. Was she all right? The small actions worried him. The happy glow had faded from her face. She remained still.
“I love the art and the tragic history between the brothers.” She glanced over at Logan. “They can’t seem to make peace because of all the baggage they carry.”
“The comedy between the two of them drew me first. Well, on top of the fantastic gameplay.” Logan grinned.
She laughed, but the sound cut short. Her hands gripped the edge of her table. She wavered and her eyes widened. Her mouth pursed as if she had a bad taste in it. Tony’s eyes narrowed. Something was wrong.
“Are you all right, Chloe?” Tony leaned forward, but stopped when his stomach lurched. The heaving contractions threatened to send the little it had in it up and out. His throat tightened.
“No, I feel dizzy. And nauseous.” She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. “I’ll be back. I need to go to the bathroom.”
“Let me walk you there, Chloe. If you’re not feeling good, I don’t want you to fall on the way there.” Logan stood when she rose to her feet.
She wobbled. With deliberate movements, she braced her hands on the table and closed her eyes. She drew in air in quick pants. She straightened.
She nodded. “If we go now.”
Logan went with her. Tony watched the two of them walk away. She headed for the bathroom. Tony’s nausea grew. He sat at the table, trying to control the urge throw up, and thinking fast.
She had given no indication that she felt ill. He could tell that she did now. She wasn’t the only one feeling off. He hadn’t had muscle aches before he’d sat down. The ill sensation increased. A fog grew in his mind. The nausea and dizziness rose. His balance was so bad that he’d swear the room tilted and swayed at times.
“You’re feeling off, aren’t you?” Jason asked.
“Yeah, my thoughts are muddled, and my stomach feels as if something’s trying to bust its way out,” Tony spoke slowly and tried not to move.
“I don’t think you and Chloe are the sole targets.” Jason glanced around the restaurant.
Tony let his gaze wander over the other patrons. He saw a few people heading toward the back, hands on their stomachs. One man sat with his head in his hands. He looked dazed.
Tony began to lose track of his thoughts. When he turned back to Jason, he saw him with the phone to his ear.
“What are you doing?” Tony asked.
“Calling for help. I don’t know about the others, but I’m fairly sure you and Chloe have been drugged.” Jason glanced over at him, but his eyes slid away to the other patrons in the restaurant.
Jason spoke on the phone for a few minutes, but Tony couldn’t keep track of what he said. Numbness engulfed him, a cloud separating him from others. He couldn’t fight his way out of the thick fog in his mind.
Something brushed his shoulder, drawing his attention. He tried to turn his head, but the hand on his chin brought his face around. Jase knelt beside his chair.
“Damn, you’re drugged and it’s hitting fast. Help is on the way.” Jase shook his head. “Chloe’s in a little worse condition than you. Don’t worry. We’ll take care of her.”
Adrenalin surged through Tony. It pushed away a little of the lassitude and grogginess. He shot to his feet, but his knees buckled. Jase caught him and eased him back into the seat.
“I know you’re worried about her, but take it easy. Logan’s with her. She’s all right. He’s taking care of her until help can get here. You sit before you fall.” Jase put his hand on Tony’s shoulder, holding him in place.
The urge to get up and find her pulsed through Tony, but he couldn’t move. He tried to remain conscious and aware. At some point, he must have drifted because the cold press of metal against his chest startled him.
“It’s a little different this time. He’s out of it and drugged. It also seems like he’s sedated. After he began showing symptoms, he tried to stand and almost hit the ground. He’s been in and out, sometimes muttering, but mostly half-asleep.” Jase’s voice filtered through the haze surrounding Tony.
“The bastards have to be after something. The change in effects means they’re trying new components with it. Do you think either of them were targeted, or is it random?” John Dark’s voice came from somewhere to his right.
“Well, Chloe is behind Carl Tunney being in jail. His family is pissed, but I don’t think they’d be stupid enough to tip their hand this way.” Jase sighed. “There are a lot of people drugged here. Chloe and Tony’s poisoning might have been coincidental.”
“Chloe.” Tony had to force the word out. He had to know how she was doing.
“Chloe’s being taken care of, Tony. Logan’s gone wit
h her. They’re taking her to the hospital. The effects are worse with her because she’s human.” Jase patted his shoulder. “We’ll get you to her when the medic here gets through checking your vitals.”
He wanted to be with her. The need to ensure her safety ripped at him. The nausea and weakness made it impossible to do anything.
“His BP is dropping and his pulse is decreasing. He needs to roll now. Something’s not right.” A third voice came from right in front of him, but Tony couldn’t focus on the meaning. Black edged his vision. His awareness faded as the darkness spread.
Chapter Ten
Jason sat in the lumpy brown chair at Chloe’s bedside. His hand clasped around hers. Her arm lay on the crisp white hospital sheet. From the corner of his eye, he caught the steady flash of the light on the monitor that tracked her pulse. The antiseptic smell permeating the halls and rooms of the building irritated his nose. It wouldn’t drive him from the room though. He wasn’t leaving the room without her.
She’d been unconscious since she’d been brought in. Before that really. Logan had said she’d collapsed on the way to the bathroom. He’d been able to rouse her somewhat, but she’d never been lucid.
Since he’d arrived at the hospital, she hadn’t stirred. The stillness of her body worried him. He wanted to see her face animated, full of life. At the moment, her deep brown eyes were closed and her face tranquil.
The staff monitored her condition. Her stomach had been pumped, but the drug in the beer had already made its way into her system. It was a form of the same drug used in earlier attacks. The doctors hadn’t learned what additional chemicals had been added to create the effects of this latest batch.
At least she hadn’t had the severe reaction that some of the whyr had experienced. Several of them had to be intubated because their respiration had been depressed. Tony had come close to that extreme reaction. Whatever they’d put in that drug, it had almost killed three whyr tonight.
Logan stayed with Tony. They’d switch rooms in about an hour. Jason understood that Logan would need to see Chloe. Jason felt like tearing the town apart to find out who had put that poison in his woman’s glass.
Latent Desires (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 8