Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 125083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Hattie let out a pfft sound. “Don’t be all prudish, just tell me what it means. If I’m going to get back in the saddle again, I should know these things.”
Xavier’s mouth slowly curved into a wicked grin. “George is gonna get lucky, is he?” he asked, referring to the old woman’s ‘gentleman caller.’
“At some point, yes.” Hattie notched up her chin, looking mighty pleased with herself. “He’s a very nice man, and he’s not past his prime yet. I don’t want to embarrass myself by looking confused when he makes suggestions in bed.”
Wynter massaged her temple. “I really don’t think he’ll suggest a spit roast.”
Hattie’s brow creased. “Why not?”
Jesus Christ, she was gonna have to say it, wasn’t she? “It would mean he’s also suggesting that you include a third party.”
“Oh, I see. So would be it two men and one woman, or one man and two women?”
Wynter took a swig from her glass of water. “The first.”
“I think I can guess where each man would position himself. Does the ‘spit’ part mean she’s not supposed to swallow? I don’t know why you’re groaning at me, Wynter, it’s a perfectly logical query.”
“I hate to interrupt your wacked conversation but can we please leave soon?” Rubbing at her upper arms, Anabel glanced around the restaurant. Located on the surface of Devil’s Cradle, it served supremely good ethnic food and was highly popular. “There are too many people here.”
Hattie lifted her glass. “We said we’d come out and get some D, remember?”
Anabel did a double-take. “Dick?”
“Vitamin D.” Hattie pointed at the sky. “From the sun.”
“It’s seven p.m.; the sun has set.” Anabel again scanned the room, paranoid. “We really should go home. I’m telling you, we’re not safe.” She started clawing at her nape. “I can feel—”
Delilah pointed her chopsticks at the blonde. “Do not start harping on about death’s breath again. I’d tell you to get a handle on your neurosis, but I don’t see that ever being possible.”
Anabel scowled. “I’m not neurotic.”
“You believe death pants on your goddamn neck.”
“Because it does!” Anabel looked at Xavier. “You believe me, don’t you?”
“Of course I do,” he assured her. “Now come on, girls, we’re supposed to be relaxing. Chilling. Celebrating how good things are going for us right now.” A charming smile graced his lips as a member of staff appeared to swipe the empty glasses. He looked at her nametag. “Mona,” he drawled in a deeply Southern accent. “Pretty name. I’m Colton—” He cut off as a male hand landed on his shoulder.
“You telling lies again, boy?” asked Elias, amused.
Stiffening, Xavier twisted slightly in his chair to toss a glare at the Alpha standing behind him. “Don’t call me ‘boy.’”
“Your infractions are building up,” Elias told him, lowering his voice. He bent and put his mouth to Xavier’s ear. “But that’s okay. Daddy won’t mind paddling that ass.”
Xavier stared at him like he was crazy. “You get high a lot, don’t you? It explains so much.”
Elias let out a rumbly chuckle, squeezed Xavier’s shoulder, shot Wynter a subtle wink, and then stalked off with some of his pack members.
Xavier met Wynter’s gaze. “Can I kill him now?”
Stifling a smile, she said, “He’s just trying to unnerve you, stop letting him.”
Hattie patted her chin. “I wonder if he’s any good with a paddle. Do you think he really is a Daddy Dom? He doesn’t strike me as the type to be interested in age-play.”
“What do you know about age-play?” Delilah asked her.
“I read about it.” Hattie sipped at her water. “I find the lifestyle fascinating. I can see the appeal in it.”
Delilah tipped her head to the side. “You’re thinking about being George’s Little, are you?”
Hattie adjusted her blouse. “If he’s partial to it, well, a person should try everything at least once. And, given my age, I’ll be in diapers soon anyway.”
“I tried the Little thing once,” said Xavier.
Delilah lifted her brows. “Really?”
“No, not really,” he replied.
She flapped her arms. “Then why say it?”
“Maybe your annoyance fills the empty spots inside me.”
“People, can we go back to relaxing, please?” Wynter cut in.
It really shouldn’t have been so difficult to do that, but with Anabel panicking, Delilah and Xavier bickering, and Hattie asking Wynter one uncomfortable question after another … yeah, there was no ‘chill’ vibe at the table at all.
Wynter excused herself and headed to the restroom. She was just finished doing her business in a stall when an otherworldly breeze fluttered over her skin, humming with warning. She tensed, her pulse—
The stall door flew open, and a burst of magick—thick, cloggy, dirty—backhanded her. Pain exploded in her cheekbone, her vision swam, and the world spun around her. Oh, she was gonna hurl.
Her monster’s head snapped up, and it would have taken control if that otherworldly breeze hadn’t returned, ushering it to bide its time.