Free Rescued by Larynn Ford Page A

this morning. She closed her eyes and drifted to a peaceful place free of evil. She could use more moments like that but did she dare allow herself to indulge again? She should stay alert.
    “Why not?” Marty shrugged his shoulder. “I only saw the basketball courts this morning. Why don’t you show me the rest of the festival? I’ll even buy you lunch.”
    “I already ate but I am thirsty and I guess a couple of hours down time would be okay.”
    Logan and June left to complete their own tasks. Rose and Marty admired the art on display by local artists and stopped to listen to the music from the bands stationed around the park.
    Rose sipped iced tea while she watched Marty consume two double bacon cheeseburgers, a large order of home-style fries, and a funnel cake. “Closet junk food junkie, are we?” She puffed out her cheeks and crossed her eyes.
    Marty laughed. “You know this is not my food of choice but I did work up an appetite on the courts this morning.” He wiped his mouth and reached for another fry.
    “You do remember we’re having hotdogs for supper, right?” Rose asked. Too much junk food didn’t exactly sit right with Weres. Their dietary needs were simpler, being carnivores at heart.
    “Right. Well, how ‘bout we go on a little midnight hunt and nab some normal food?” He smiled and waggled a fry dipped in ketchup in front of her.
    “A run sounds good. Let’s hope we have something to celebrate by then.” She moved the straw around in her cup, pushing the ice in circles as her thoughts slipped back to those kids and Lord knows how many others who had no idea what they had let themselves to get into.
    After they allowed time for Marty’s food to settle, they continued on their way until Rose spotted the lake. “Hey, wanna go sit by the water for a while? We could stretch out on the grass and rest there.”
    “I could use a little nap.” Marty slipped his arm around her waist and moved toward a shady spot near the water’s edge.
    A family of five walked past them toward the lake and spread a quilt on the ground. Three spunky, rambunctious boys, none of them older than six ran around the quilt playing a game of tag. Rose stared as all possibility of their quiet naptime by the lake faded from reality.
    “We could try to find a quieter spot, or we could go back to the room and rest.” Marty sported one of those high anticipation expressions.
    Rose’s smile was her sign of acceptance. With his hand in the small of her back, he guided her toward the truck.
    Marty swiped his key card and opened the door to their room. What with their late night run then accepting the fact they were indeed mates, neither cougar slept much last night. He welcomed a nap at this point, but as soon as they entered the room, Rose slipped her shirt over her head, and stepped behind the bathroom door. Any thought he’d had of a nap went right out the window. He stood and stared at the door.
    His mind envisioned Rose’s dainty hands reaching behind her back to unsnap her bra, allowing it to fall to the floor. He reached for the buttons of his shirt and pictured her sliding her jeans down over her hips, stepping out of them to stand in her panties while she brushed her teeth. The sound of water running broke the trance holding him. He covered the distance to the bathroom and tapped on the door, determined to convince her to share the shower.

Chapter 12
    “Who is it?” A teasing feminine voice sang out.
    “Funny, Rose. Want some company?”
    “Only if you bring that new bath set I bought today. It’s in a bag by the bed.”
    Marty slid behind Rose in the shower and paused to admire the view of his mate. The spray trickled down her body in ripples, her hair, slicked back from the shampoo and rinse.
    She smiled as she opened her eyes and blinked the droplets away. “You wanna get under the water? I can move aside.”
    With his eyes trained on her, he moved his head side to side. “I don’t know what I want.