Page 39 of A Mate For Matrix
He froze mid-motion at the sound of Jana’s horrified hiss behind him. Yep—too late.
Turning, he clutched the scrap of lace, its delicate fabric soft against his skin. Jana’s eyes widened, and a flush crept up her neck, turning her face beet red. Crossing over him, she snatched the panties out of his hand and quickly stuffed the sexy piece into the bag.
Matrix groaned inwardly as K-Nine lifted his nose and sniffed—twice, dramatically. He knew exactly what the cyborg wolfhound was detecting—his and Jana’s dressing room antics. Jana turned when she heard K-Nine breathing in deeply.
“What are you—?” Her eyes widened even further, and her face lit up like a supernova. “Don’t you dare?—”
K-Nine tilted his head with a grin in his voice. “It looks like you and Matrix had a good time.”
“Shut up and help me get the rest of the stuff out of the van,” Matrix growled, adding through their link. Don’t embarrass her!
K-Nine gave a long-suffering sigh but trotted off, muttering something about how Matrix had been lucky not to get caught with his pants down.
It would have been worth it, Matrix retorted as he moved past K-Nine.
You’ve been grinning like a lovesick idiot since you got back! K-Nine shot back, tail flicking as he trotted down the ramp.
“Are you two seriously mind-chatting about—” Jana stopped, blushed furiously, and threw up a hand. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. I’m going to go write Doc Wilson a note, leave him the extra money he gave me, and double check the clinic before we leave.”
“We’re almost finished unloading the van,” he said.
“Okay. Thanks,” she mumbled.
He reached out and caressed her cheek. He could feel the heat in her cheeks, and his heart twisted when he realized she wouldn’t meet his eyes. He turned her towards him and waited. It took a few seconds, but she finally looked up at him—briefly.
“Ignore K-Nine. He likes to tease,” he murmured.
Jana lifted a trembling hand to his chest. “I—this is still all new to me,” she said, her eyes lifting to his with a sheen in them.
He tenderly kissed her before he pulled her into his arms and rubbed his chin against her hair.
“I’ll talk to him. He’s excited to have a pack. He loves you and the kittens—and is happy that we are a family unit. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.”
She sniffed. “So says the guy with the superpowers,” she scoffed before she hugged him fiercely. “It won’t take me long.”
He reluctantly released her, watching as she walked back down the platform. The pep in her step was gone—and that worried him. He really needed to talk to K-Nine.
I know. I heard. I’ll behave.
Thank you, my friend. This is all overwhelming to her.
He sighed, turned and rearranged several of the bags before he walked down the platform. He had just retrieved the last two bags when the distant rumble of tires approaching caused him to frown.
“More trouble?” K-Nine asked, his gaze flicking toward the front of the platform.
“Could be. There was an incident in town with the old man who threatened Jana earlier,” he said.
K-Nine nodded and disappeared toward the front of the transport.
Matrix strode down the platform, then crossed the yard, his expression darkening. A quick scan confirmed the vehicle was coming to the closed clinic. He stood near the back corner and watched as an old internal combustion truck, poorly maintained and loud enough to rattle the windows pulled into the driveway.
Matrix swore, low and lethal.
Secure the transport. Camouflage. Stealth protocols on.
Already done, K-Nine replied dryly. Should I prepare countermeasures if I detect pitchforks?
Matrix didn’t dignify that with a response.
