Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 128380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 514(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 514(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
His mate stood upright. “They didn’t fight.” She fist pumped. “Success.”
Deke rose to his feet. “I told you my cat wouldn’t hurt her.” The animal happened to adore the serpent and wanted only to cosset and protect her.
“I wasn’t worried that your cat would harm her. I was worried that my snake would bite him. She’s kind of a bitch.”
Looping an arm around Bailey’s waist, he tugged her close and gently tapped the tip of her nose. “You can’t call her that.”
“Why not?”
“She’s mine now, so no one gets to talk shit about her.”
Bailey snorted. “Whatever. Now move. My lady bits are getting cold.”
He released her with a chuckle, and they crossed to the bench on which they’d piled their clothes. Once they were dressed, Deke hauled her against him once more. She melted into him with a small shiver that made him smile.
Two days they’d been mates. He was impatient for imprinting to progress to the next stage, where they’d be able to feel each other’s emotions. He wanted to be that in tune with her. Wanted to feel her inside him. And, like his cat, he couldn’t fucking wait for the bond to form.
Deke wasn’t sure what currently stood in the way of it taking shape. Bailey swore she had no other secrets, and he didn’t feel that she was holding back anymore. He had no secrets of his own, and his every guard was down where she was concerned.
The pride’s overall response to the imprinting had been positive. In most people’s opinion, Deke deserved to finally have someone who put him first and made him happy. And they liked the idea that Bailey—who would probably be surprised to know that many of the pride were fond of her—finally had a special someone of her own.
But there were some people who, though not against the pairing, didn’t believe it would last. As they saw it, Bailey couldn’t be “tamed,” and they believed that Deke would eventually tire of how high-maintenance she could be. Those people didn’t realize that he felt no need or wish to tame her, or change her in any other way.
If they knew her as well as he did, they’d get it. They’d understand why her quirky ways amused rather than annoyed him. Since Deke wasn’t a person who explained himself, he hadn’t bothered enlightening the skeptics. They’d see for themselves that they were wrong in time.
Breathing in her scent, he licked along the life-giving vein in her throat. “Before we began sharing a bed, there were times I imagined using this vein as a chew toy.”
“You wanted me dead?” she asked, her hands clamped around his upper arms.
“On the verge of death—never beyond. I’m not a monster.”
“Mean.” She frowned when he swept a hand down her back to cup her ass. “Hey, watch the butt.”
He felt his lips twitch. “Still sore?”
“Don’t act like you care.”
“Of course I care. I don’t want you in pain.”
She palmed his cock through his jeans. “Then why did you happily shove that thing up my non-entry zone last night?” She lowered her hand with a sniff.
“That thing?” he echoed. “I thought you were fond of my dick. Anyway, you liked it when I fucked you there.”
“I did—I won’t deny it. I don’t see a reason to. But that does not alter that I’m sore, or that you’re pretty smug about it.”
“I like that we both have the reminder that I’ve now claimed every part of you.” He nuzzled her neck. “As soon as you’re not sore anymore, I’ll be doing it again. You’re so tight and hot up there. It makes—”
“I’m going to fart next time. Then we’ll see if you like it so much.”
He laughed, throwing back his head.
“I don’t know why you think I’m joking.”
He honestly wouldn’t put such a thing passed her.
“Now can we go inside? I don’t have a coat.”
He dabbed a kiss on her mouth. “Yeah, we can go inside.”
They retreated into the building and made their way to the elevator. As they entered the lobby, he noticed Isaiah, Farrell, and Finley outside having what appeared to be a terse conversation.
Isaiah idly swept his gaze over the complex and incidentally caught Deke’s eye through the window. The look on the enforcer’s face made Deke’s instincts stir.
He put a hand on Bailey’s back. “I want to head outside and find out what that’s about. You coming?”
She juddered. “No. Too cold. And it’s probably a boring enforcer thing. I’ll meet you upstairs. You can bring me up to speed then.”
He waited until she was in the elevator before he exited the building and crossed to the small group who stood in the lot. All three shifters turned to him, their expressions sober. “What’s going on?” asked Deke.
“Maybe nothing,” replied Farrell. “Maybe something.”
“I’m on perimeter duty today,” said Finley.