Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103681 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103681 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
“If Remy comes back or there’s a problem, call me.” It was a rumbled order that brooked no defiance.
A lesser female might have folded under the weight of all that dominance and raw masculinity. “Careful, White Fang. You’re pushing.”
His scowl deepened, but he said nothing. Just stared.
“Yeah, that whole ‘I’ll just stare until she gets so uncomfortable she gives in’ ain’t gonna work with me.” His frown remained firmly in place, but there was the slightest touch of amusement in those dark eyes. And she couldn’t help wondering what he looked like when he smiled. Did his face light up? Did his eyes crinkle? Did he have dimples? Was it a lopsided smile or was there simply a slight curve to his mouth?
It was only right then, when his lips parted slightly, that she realized she was staring at them. She snapped her gaze to his, swallowing as the air became hot and thick. Need began to slowly spill through her veins like warm honey. To evoke this kind of need in her . . . it was power over her. Power that made her anxious. She took a step back. “See ya.”
With a grunt, he turned and left. And she indulged in a thorough inspection of his rather epic ass as he stalked down the path.
No sooner had the Chevy disappeared than Madisyn dragged Makenna aside. “I want the details on Mr. Dark and Dangerous.”
Of course she did, the nosy feline. “He’s Zac’s cousin,” Makenna replied with a nonchalant shrug. But Madisyn waved a hand, encouraging Makenna to continue. “That’s it. There’s nothing else to say.”
“Why ‘White Fang’?”
“You remember the movie, right? The wolf was fierce, morose, and a deadly fighter.”
“I guess Ryan does have a savage look about him. I have the feeling that’s part of why you’re so hot for him.”
Makenna frowned. “Who says I’m hot for him?” Madisyn just stared at her. “Okay, I’m hot for him.” She liked his hard, dangerous looks and his enigmatic nature. Mostly, though, it was his strength and air of self-possession that drew her. He seemed so solid and steadfast—wolf nip to someone who had never known stability, who had never been able to relax, who hadn’t felt safe in a very long time. “But I’m pretty sure that’s a one-way street.”
Grinning, Madisyn shook her head. “He looks at you like he wants to take a bite.”
Makenna blinked. “A good bite or a bad bite?”
“Depends how you define ‘bad.’”
“Honestly, I’m not sure I’d know what to do with him. I’ve never been around a guy as dominant as him before.” He wasn’t someone who could be handled. “Dominant males are tricky, domineering bastards. Even Colton can’t deny that.” The dominant bear—who was standing at the reception desk, totally eavesdropping—just shrugged, unoffended. They’d once had a short, casual fling, but they’d quickly realized they were better as friends, and there had never been any awkwardness between them. “Still . . . I know Ryan doesn’t talk much, but when he does”—she shivered—“I honestly have to wonder if he could talk me into an orgasm.”
Madisyn laughed. “You know, I’ve heard that the quiet ones are always the most vocal in bed. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to let him take that bite he seems to want.”
Maybe. Maybe not. But Makenna doubted she’d be put into a position where she had to decide. She was a loner, which meant he automatically wouldn’t trust her around him or his pack. Once he’d won over Zac, she’d likely never see him again. Although the Phoenix wolves seemed genuinely intent on helping with the Remy situation, there was a distinct possibility that they were simply trying to impress Zac and use it to gain his trust. Time would tell.
In the meantime . . . where was the damn chocolate?
CHAPTER FIVE
Eating dinner at the long oak table in the kitchen of Phoenix Pack territory, Taryn informed the rest of the pack of all that they had heard and seen at the shelter. Only four were absent: Roni and Marcus, who were on Mercury territory, and Gabe and Hope, a mated pair that was guarding the gate.
Taryn’s expression was pained even though her mate was soothingly massaging her nape. “I have to say, I’m seriously ashamed of myself right now. Whenever I thought the term ‘lone shifters,’ I thought ‘hired guns.’ It never occurred to me just how hard it must be for them, or all the different kind of reasons that drive shifters to become loners. It’s not always a choice.”
Jaime stroked the ugly, loudly purring ginger cat on her lap. “And not all of them have had the luck to get a place in a shelter.”
Their resident cook, mother hen, and Rhett’s mate, Grace, spoke as she fed chocolate pudding to her infant daughter in the highchair. “The shifters working there are good people for doing what they do.”