Transformation: Zombie Crusade VI by J.W. Vohs, Sandra Vohs Page A

clothes—we’re supposed to set it outside and somebody will wash our stuff and bring it back.”
    “I hope they’ll bring our clothes back—we can hardly lead the Allied Resistance wearing bathrobes, at least not until it warms up,” Luke joked playfully. He was unexpectedly and immediately distracted by the thought of Gracie without her clothes.
    “Babe, why are you just standing there? Get a move on; I’m starving.”
    Luke grunted a response and started to take a step toward the hall, but he stopped to admire how Gracie’s dark eyes sparkled as she gazed at him. He inhaled slowly and breathed in the scent of his beautiful wife, accented by soap and fresh-smelling shampoo. Even though she was still across the room, he could feel the warmth radiating from her body. He was mesmerized by the sight, smell, and sound of her.
    Gracie locked eyes with her husband, and a warm current of electricity radiated through her. Luke seemed frozen in place, so she walked towards him slowly.
    “Gracie, I . . . I . . .” Luke whispered hoarsely.
    Gracie put her finger up to Luke’s lips. “Shhh. Just listen for a minute. Tonight is perfect; you don’t have to worry. You know I trust your gut feelings without question, but now you need to trust mine. You aren’t going to hurt me; we’re meant to be together. Someday, you and I are going to have a family, but for now, we’ll use that protection Zach gave you.”
    Gracie’s proximity overpowered any remaining objections in Luke’s mind. He decided he had no choice but to trust his wife.
    Sensing that Luke wasn’t offering any argument, Gracie continued, “You are going to go take a shower, I’m gonna figure out a way to keep the food warm, and we’ll meet in the bedroom in ten minutes.” She stood on her tiptoes and pulled him close for a gentle, lingering kiss.
    Luke was intoxicated by Gracie’s sweet breath, and the soft kissing grew more urgent. Gracie pulled away, breathless. “Maybe you should skip the shower . . .”
    “Tempting,” Luke closed his eyes and took a step back as he replied, “but I’ll be too self-conscious about smelling like a barn. We’ll go with your original plan—I’ll meet you in the bedroom in ten minutes.”
    Gracie nodded and herded Luke down the short hall, “Didn’t I already tell you to get a move on?”
    “I thought that’s what I just did,” Luke teased over his shoulder.
    “Actually, I think that’s what I just did, but we can reevaluate in ten minutes,” Gracie said as she gave Luke a little shove through the bathroom doorway.
    The shower felt as luxurious as Gracie had described, but Luke had no desire to linger. He was scrubbed clean and towel dried several minutes ahead of schedule.
    The bedroom was separated from the rest of the camper by a thin curtain that Gracie had partially pulled off to one side. As soon as Luke emerged from the shower, he saw her silhouette through the fabric, and every muscle in his body began to tingle. When Gracie saw him, she smiled, slipped out of the robe, and dropped it ceremoniously on the queen-sized bed. For Luke, the rest of the world ceased to exist for the next few hours.
     
     
    “I don’t know why we had to make camp out here; we should’ve just stayed on the houseboat,” the youngest of the three men complained bitterly.
    “Stop whining, Joey, or I’ll send you out alone to gather more wood for the fire.” The stocky man spit, then took a swig from his half-empty bottle of excellent scotch. “I swear you’re the most annoying little bastard I’ve ever met.”
    “Just because I’d rather stay safe on the boat than run around trying to shoot little animals? Hunting is such a hillbilly sport . . .”
    “And just where do you think meat comes from, pretty boy? You certainly are no vegetarian.”
    The young man squirmed. “Maybe not, but you don’t need me out here. I’m no hunter.”
    The large man laughed derisively and grumbled, “And I’m not sure what use