Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Kathy and Gwen took turns brushing the crumbs and bits of food that had fallen from paper plates. They also occasionally circled the large open-space, collecting disposable kitchenware and empty bottles and cans.
Casey suspected that Eli would consider it hectic. But compared to the parties she’d attended with her many, many pack mates, it was pretty tame. Still, being in such a small, crowded space never made her mink happy, and Casey wasn’t too fond of it either. She did like the guests she’d met so far, though.
The Phoenix Pack kids were a riot, especially the Alpha pair’s son, Kye. He seemed to feel compelled to try staring down Nick, which irritated the Mercury Alpha male to no end.
It was just as a Phoenix Pack she-wolf, Grace, was chatting with her in the kitchen that two unfamiliar people approached, paper cups in hand.
The elderly woman gave Casey a gracious nod. “I’ve been waiting for Eli to bring you my way, but he was taking too long. I’m Greta, Trey’s grandmother. This is a good friend of mine, Allen.”
Casey smiled at them both. “Hi, I’m Casey. It’s really nice to meet you both.”
Greta returned the smile. “My Roni and Mila told me all about you. They’re lovely girls.” She lifted her chin slightly. “They think the world of me, just as my boys do.”
“Aw, that’s nice.”
“Roni says you’re a mink. I knew a mink once. He …” Greta averted her gaze, blushing. “Well, he was a very nice man. And very sweet to me.”
Oh, so she’d once had a little fling with a mink.
Greta touched her arm. “Roni also says you’re perfect for Eli. I’m glad.”
Allen nodded. “It’s good to see him smile a real smile.”
Casey peeked up at her mate, who was staring at Greta in what looked like bemusement. “It is,” Casey agreed.
“I wish you and Eli every happiness.” Greta patted her hand. “I’m sure we’ll talk again later.” And then she and Allen were gone.
Casey turned to Eli. “She seems really nice.”
“Well, she’s not,” said Grace, frowning. “I don’t know what that was. Then again, she often puts on an act in front of Allen.”
Eli shrugged, pulled Casey closer, and tipped his chin toward the cooler. “Beer? Soda? Water?”
“I haven’t finished this beer yet.” Casey took a long swig from her bottle, noticing that Eli’s eyes—glittering with heat—were glued to her throat as it worked to swallow the beer. She spoke in a low voice as she said, “You’re thinking some really filthy things right now, aren’t you?”
“Put it this way,” he said quietly. “If we weren’t in public, you’d be on your knees with your mouth wrapped around my dick.”
“It’s my dick.”
His mouth kicked up into a smile. “Possessive little thing. I like it.”
“I know you do.” She grazed his ear with her lips as she whispered, “Just thought you should know … I’m not wearing panties.”
He groaned. “You’re going to pay for that later.”
“Oh, I do hope so.”
With her mate close behind her, Mila sidled up to them. “Hi, Casey, it’s good to see you again. Before I forget, I want to say thanks for getting me a ticket to your last game. It was awesome.”
“You’re welcome,” Casey told her.
“It was the best fun I’ve had in ages,” said Mila. “I would totally have smacked the shit out of the bitch who broke your ankle if Dominic hadn’t held me back.”
“And then you would have been banned from future games,” Dominic pointed out.
Just then, Jesse, Trick, and Marcus approached. They dug beers out of the cooler.
Jesse’s smile was somewhat impish. “Hey, Mila.” He put a hand to his chest. “Is there an airport near here or is that my heart taking off?”
“Speaking of hearts,” said Trick, “mine’s been stolen since I first saw you. Can I have yours?”
Dominic glared at them. “Ha. Fucking. Ha.”
Marcus leaned toward her. “You know, Mila, I’ve heard it said that a kiss is actually the language of love. Want to go to my lodge and have a conversation?”
Dominic’s nostrils flared. “Do we have to go through this shit every fucking time? Really?”
Marcus pursed his lips. “Honestly, I don’t foresee it stopping any time soon. If ever.”
Leaving Dominic and the other males to argue, Eli led Casey into the living area. There were no empty seats, but Jaime shuffled along the sofa to make room for Casey to fit on the end. Eli perched himself on the armrest, content so long as he was close to his mate.
Sitting on his mother’s lap, Jaime’s infant son, Hendrix, reached for Casey with both arms and grunted, “Uh.”
Jaime sighed. “He makes that sound when he wants something. Or when he doesn’t. Or when he’s hungry. Or when he likes something he sees. Basically, it’s all we get out of him.”
Casey drained her bottle, set it on the table, and then carefully took the infant and set him on her own lap. “Hey, mister. Don’t you look smart.” She blew raspberries on his neck, loving his contagious giggle.