When A Lioness Snarls (A Lion's Pride Book 5) (18 page)

A
few months later
…

T
he warm rays
of the sunshine were blocked by a shadow. She opened one eye to see her body covered by Jeoff, his forearms stretched to hold him hovering above, his naked lower body pressing in a most interesting fashion.

“You’re blocking my sunshine, wolfie.” Although the heat radiating from his expression more than made up for it.

“About time you woke up. Thought we might do a little something-something before I went to work.” He made his meaning clear with a thrust of his hips.

How far he’d come in the time they’d spent together, openly admitting his lust for her in the most delightful ways. She also lusted, so it worked. They helped each other scratch an itch. She expected it would end any day now.

Snort. Okay, even she didn’t believe that one anymore.

She wiggled against his erection, loving how his eyes flared in reply. “Are you sure you have time? You might be late. Or maybe this is just an urge to pee.”

“This isn’t a need to pee. I already did that out on the balcony.”

“You what?”

“Marked your balcony.”

“What for?”

He rolled his eyes. “Because I’m a guy and we pee on things.”

“But you’re not drunk. My ex only did that when he was wasted.”

A smile pulled his lips. “So I heard, which is why you’ll either have to get rid of the chair in the living room, let me pee on it, or move in with me.”

The easy reply was to rid herself of the offensive chair. But she was too shocked by his demand for commitment. “And why should I move in with you? Why wouldn’t you move in with me? I’ve got a perfectly nice place for us to share.”

“Okay.”

She blinked. “Okay?”

“Yes, I’ll move in with you. Is that formal enough?”

“Are you serious? You really want to move in?”

“A little slow this morning, are we?”

“Just making sure.”

He grinned. “Very sure. Just like I’m very sure what day it is today.”

“What day is that?” She wrinkled her nose. Christmas had passed. As had New Year’s. She was pretty sure his birthday was in the summer. What did that leave? “Holy shit, did I forget to get you something pretty for Valentine’s?”

He sighed.

“Oh, would you stop it already and spit it out? What did I forget?”

“Remember how you once said you’d never made it past the three-month mark with a guy?”

“Yeah.” She remembered. “Is this your way to taunting me with the fact we made it to four?”

“You knew!”

“Of course I did. But if you ask me, it’s not that big of a deal.”

“Says the woman scared of commitment.”

“Don’t start, wolfie. I recall someone who wasn’t too keen on hitting it with a lioness.”

“I was wrong. I can admit it.”

“Just like I can admit maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea.”

“I love you too.” He said it without the least sarcasm, and she frowned at him.

“Just because we’re still together doesn’t mean we need to make a big deal out of it. I mean, you and me, this thing we have, maybe it was kind of meant to be. I…” She took in a deep breath. She could do this. It was just three little words. “I love you.”

“Finally she admits it.” His eyes shone. “About time.”

“Don’t expect me to admit it in public. I wouldn’t want to ruin my street cred with the crew.”

“Too late.” He held up his smart phone. “I got it on video.”

Her gaze narrowed. “Give that back.”

“Make me.”

She did. Naked. Then uploaded it herself because it seemed only fair to give the biatches yet another warning that Jeoff was taken. Paws off or face the claw.
*Snarl
*.

* * *

T
he stiletto tips
of her swanky heels clacked and Reba’s ample hips swung as she strutted past the line waiting to get through the door. Lines were for sheep. And this lioness wasn’t about to wait her turn.

Ignoring the protests of those not graced with awesomeness, she placed herself ahead of them, only to find her entrance blocked.

Lacking a certain height advantage didn’t mean Reba didn’t peer upward and grace the bouncer with a look.
The look.
The kind that said, “Move your ass, bubba.” In this case, bubba was a big ol’ human, and he was silly enough to hold a hand up, blocking her path.

“You can’t go in there.”

“I’m expected,” she announced.

“No one told me nothing about no special guests, so get to the back of the line.”

Was this human seriously getting in her way? Viper quick, she reached out, grabbed his wrist, and yanked him close, close enough for him to see the primal amber of her beast glowing in her eyes. “Don’t get in my way. I’ve made bigger men cry.”

A sharp twist of the hand and bubba hit the ground, his round face blanched in pain. She did so forget her own strength sometimes when dealing with the sheep.

Arik said to not call them that.

Arik also said they shouldn’t pounce on the pizza delivery boy until he squeaked. As if she and the crew listened. It was part of their Friday night ritual.

Spotting the earpiece the bouncer wore, she leaned close and whispered, “Ready or not, here I come,” before releasing the human. He rocked back on his haunches and shot her a sullen glare, but he didn’t try to stop her as she stepped inside. She found herself in an outer chamber with benches lining the walls and another door. A pair of gaudily dressed females—more humans—gaped at her. They hugged clipboards to their chests. They also wore earpieces. Reba blew them a kiss and laughed as they recoiled.

What was it about her appearance that made them so leery of her? Who cared? She strode to the second set of doors. Upon opening them, she noted more staff dressed in black T-shirts converging on her.

At least they showed enough respect to send more than one. A lady liked to think she was appreciated. Before she could make them sing soprano, they halted, rather abruptly, and turned around, melting back into the shadows they used to hide. Probably because a certain stealthy guy stood behind her.

“Couldn’t you have waited a few more minutes? I was hoping for some exercise,” she complained.

“If I’d known you were coming, I’d have had my staff lay out a path of rose petals and greeted you myself at the door,” said a voice that belonged on late night radio, saying dirty things when she was alone in bed with her battery operated friend.

“Why waste time?” Reba announced. Arik had given her a job to do and no time like the present to handle it.

Pivoting on her heel, she took in the svelte appearance of Gaston Charlemagne, and just like the first time she’d met him, she had to wonder what the hell everyone was talking about when they said he had no scent. He smelled perfectly fine to her. More than fine. Decadent chocolate with a hint of smoky mystery. The aroma made her taste buds water.

Wanna take a bite.

“Go ahead.” He bared his throat. “Have a nibble.”

The invitation was less freaky than the fact that—
HE
READ MY FUCKING MIND!

H
ello and thank
you so much for reading my story. I hope I kept you well entertained. As you might have noticed, I enjoy blending humor in to my romance. If you like my style then I have many other wicked stories that might intrigue you. Skip ahead for a sneak peek, or pay me a visit at
EveLanglais.com
This Canadian author and mom of three would love to hear from you so be sure to connect with me.

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