Galen by Tianna Xander

too?” Kendra stared at him, her eyes wide. Was he saying they had the ability to heal fast like the were-beings in the books she read? She rested her hand on top of her head. “I don’t believe this.”
    “Believe it, baby.” Galen kept looking around as they made their way into a line. “We’re going to have trouble. I don’t know what those two told the security guard, but the little man in the uniform looks as though he thinks he’s going to bust me for something.” He shook his head. “I can’t have that. They’ll take you while the man is detaining me. Whatever happens, if someone attempts to restrain me, do not leave here with anyone but me.” He stared deep into her eyes with his liquid silver gaze. “Promise me.”
    “I—I promise.” She didn’t know why, but she trusted him far more than she could ever trust the two men who must have had a hand in holding her against her will. Galen held her, as well. She realized that. She also realized he gave her the opportunity to escape him if she truly wanted to do so. There was a difference between how Galen treated her and being drugged and held in a cage—a big difference.
    The men moved closer as they approached the cashier. What was it that those men thought they had on Galen?
    Kendra mentally retraced their steps when they entered the store. Galen had touched nothing. She had been the one picking everything up while Galen stood guard. Even the sales person who watched them for a moment didn’t try to hand her anything, the woman had gotten close to Galen—she’d gotten a bit too close, now that Kendra thought about it.
    “Turn around,” she whispered. “I need to see something.”
    “My pleasure,” Galen said as he turned to face the men, giving her his back as he crossed his arms. His dark shirt pulled tight across his shoulders and she bit her lip. God, he was gorgeous. Like most pants that hunters and mercenaries wore in the movies, the pants he wore had pockets everywhere. Kendra made a face and, with a shrug, started patting him down.
    Galen turned to look at her over his shoulder, a half-smile on his face. “Hey, I’m not complaining, or anything, but is there a reason you’re patting my ass?”
    “I think those men paid the sales clerk to stuff something in your pockets to make it look as though you were shoplifting,” Kendra replied. Her face burned as she continued to pat down his back pockets from his very nice ass and down his muscular thighs. She’d gotten to the pocket near his right knee when she felt a slight bulge. Reaching into his pocket, she pulled out a bright red thong and made a face. “I found our culprit. She tossed the underwear onto the shelf next to the belt and checked the rest of his pockets. “Yep. That was it. My guess is they were trying to get the security guard to have you arrested for stealing that.”
    “Hell,” he said with a low growl, “I don’t need to steal a ten-dollar pair of underwear.” He grinned, grabbed the lacy garment and tossed it onto the belt. Turning toward the three men, he chuckled. “Thanks for the idea, guys. Do you think I can talk her into wearing them?”
    “No.” Kendra frowned. What an arrogant ass! “You can’t talk me into wearing them. I’m not wearing lingerie you pick out for me. I don’t even know you.”
    “You will, baby.” He grinned and winked. “You will.”
    Kendra stayed next to him at the register. The security guard left after Galen paid for everything and they left the building.
    “Keep your eyes open. We don’t know how many are waiting for us out here.”
    “With luck there aren’t many.” She wrung her hands together as they walked out to his truck.
    Galen unlocked the vehicle, opened the front door and tossed the bags into the back. “Get in. I’ll lock and close your door and hurry around to the other side and get in,” he said as he held the door open for her. ”I’m going to do a quick inspection first. The last thing we need