Stalked (Predators MC 4)

Putting her umbrella under her arm, she hurriedly slipped her phone out of the pocket of her skirt, moving her finger nimbly over the keys and snapping a picture of the motorcycle and the rider who doused her. Satisfied that she caught him on camera, Zoey then noticed the light changed to green. Pocketing her phone, she hurried across the opposite street, mentally chanting her favorite mantra to put the irritation of the inconsiderate rider out of her mind.

Ignoring the damp swishing of her sandals, she took a sip of her lavender tea as she walked down the next street. Turning the corner, she was relieved to see her office building in sight. It would have been easier to go barefoot than wear the flimsy scraps of cardboard that was all that was left of her dainty shoes. She had known she was courting disaster when she decided to run out for the tea to pass the time until her first appointment arrived and decided to walk to the tea shop instead of driving.

Gripping the handle of her umbrella tighter against a burst of wind, she was about to push through the door when a pitiful whine caught her attention. Stopping from going inside, she instead turned toward the tiny dog that was whimpering.

“Aw… you poor baby.”

Giving her tea a regretful glance, she dropped it in the trash can beside the door. With her umbrella turned inside out, she threw that away, too, before bending down to the wet dog that whined louder when she held her hand out, trying to coax it closer.

“You’re such a pretty girl,” Zoey cooed, even though she couldn’t tell if the wet dog was male or female, and she didn’t want to be bitten trying to find out.

Hoping the soft tone of her voice would lure the dog nearer she ignored the pelting rain and waited patiently for the stray to sniff her hand before taking a step closer. After the dog warily did, Zoey slowly raised her hand to stroke her rain-coated head, running her hand through the fur and searching for a tag that would clue her in to the dog’s identity. Not finding one, she continued to croon, feeling its trembling from fear and the rain.

“Let’s get you out of the rain, and then I’ll find you something to eat.” Expecting to be bitten, she picked the stray up into her arms. The dog was lighter than the umbrella she struggled with over the last two blocks.

A sweep of a tongue on her cheek showed the sweet pooch was happy to be out of the rain as she carried it under her arm to the elevator that would take her to her office’s floor.

“You’re such a sweet girl,” she mummered. “We need to find a vet for you, see if you’re microchipped, and then get you back home.”

She tucked the dog closer to her as the wiggling stray nearly jumped out of her arms when the elevator doors closed. “Don’t be scared. It’s just an elevator,” she explained, trying to calm the shaking animal as the elevator started moving upward to her floor.

Her nose crinkled at the odor emanating from the damp fur. Not only did she need to search for a vet, but a groomer was going to be next on the list she was mentally compiling to care for the stray that was ecstatically licking her hand as if she were a treat.

The gloomy day that started off with grey skies, coupled with getting drenched by an inconsiderate motorcycle rider, had now turned brighter as she laughed and smiled at the dog’s antics.

Walking down the hall after the elevator ride, she held the dog firmly as she reached in her pocket for the key to her office.

“I didn’t know you have a dog.”

Zoey turned when a pretty blonde came out of the office behind her.

“Hi, Penni. I don’t. I found her outside. Isn’t she cute?” Turning, she showed her newfound friend off.

The woman raised a brow at her calling the dog cute, making it obvious that Penni didn’t think the dog should be described as such.

“Is that why you’re so wet?” Penni gave her a considering look before her eyes dropped to the the animal she held. “That’s a male dog by the way.”

Zoey tilted the dog up so she could stare down at the soulful eyes that were filled with unlimited pools of love. “You sure? I think she’s a girl. How can you tell?”

Penni waved her hand toward the dog. “Take my word for it. It’s a boy.”

“That’s okay. He’s still cute.” Zoey raised the small dog to place a quick kiss on its head to show she wasn’t disappointed at the sex of her new friend.

Penni grinned at the show of affection. “Yes, he is.” She reached out to pat the dog’s head, only to snatch her hand back when it started growling at her.