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)
“I guess,” uttered Cassandra.
“I’m pretty sure that Sam wouldn’t like it if I took you up on your offer anyway.” Deke slid the healer a brief look. The trim Asian male was leaning against the counter, his dark eyes on Cassandra … and not looking too pleased about her sitting with Deke.
Her lips hiked up. “He’s hot, no doubt about it. And a total sweetheart. But he’s not dominant enough for my cat’s liking. She’s frustratingly picky that way, as you know.”
The bell above the door chimed.
Looking behind her, Deke saw Shay breeze inside. The very sight of the newcomer made Deke’s cat narrow his eyes and let out a rumbly growl of agitation. This had been a “thing” for months now, and Deke was damn tired of it.
Shay had been a good friend of his for years. His cat had never had a problem with the other male … until Shay first began sleeping with Bailey. Even now, despite that the pair were no longer sharing a bed, the feline bristled just looking at him.
Really, Deke’s cat could be weird where Bailey was concerned. Before becoming strangely averse to sexual intimacy, the feline had been intrigued by and attracted to her, even though she made him crazy. Though he hadn’t pushed Deke to pursue her, he also had never liked when she was with other men; never liked that she evidently saw a value in them that she didn’t seem to see in Deke or his cat. This hadn’t changed.
Shay’s gaze swept the space, pausing when it landed on Deke. His eyes widened slightly in what seemed like pleasant surprise. He began heading Deke’s way, which only made his inner cat growl again. Louder.
Cassandra stood, giving Deke a too-quick smile. “You know where to find me if you change your mind,” she quietly said.
He gave her a subtle nod, though he wouldn’t accept her offer at a later date.
Reaching them, Shay beamed. “Hey, D. Cassandra, you look gorgeous as usual.”
“Always the charmer,” she said with a playful huff.
“Any chance of a pumpkin spiced latte?” Shay asked her, skimming his fingers through his tousled brown hair as he took the seat she’d vacated.
“Give me five minutes and I’ll bring it right to you.” She then strode off.
Turning to Deke, Shay snorted at whatever he saw on his face. “Don’t look too pleased to see me,” he said, his voice dry.
Deke grunted. “I’m not in the best mood.”
“When are you ever?” Shay teased.
“Also, you’re annoying.”
The other male grinned. “God, you’re a rude bastard. Good thing I’m used to it.”
“Does that mean you’re not going to go away?”
“Yup. You’re a big boy, you can handle a little company and conversation. I can’t remember the last time we shot the shit. It was before I started dating Bailey.”
Deke felt his back teeth lock, and his cat bared a fang.
A smile pulled at Shay’s mouth. “I heard something went down between her and some dude at your dad’s party. No one seems to know exactly what got said or who he is. Care to share?”
“No.” Unlike many of his pride, Deke wasn’t one to gossip.
Shay snickered. “Fine. I’m more intrigued about something else I heard anyway. See, apparently, your body language was all kinds of protective. You didn’t seem to like seeing another dude so close to her.”
“Of course I didn’t like it. He was practically in her face.”
“Hmm. I think it was more than that, though. It might not be obvious to those who don’t know you,” he went on, lowering his voice, “but you have a little thing for the mamba. No, don’t deny it—we both know you’d be lying.”
Biting back a growl, Deke calmly took a sip of his drink.
“I have to ask …” Shay leaned forward. “Why aren’t you exploiting this opportunity you have to go after what you want without breaking your vow to Dayna?”
Deke felt his nostrils flare slightly. “Leave it, Shay.”
“But I don’t get it. It makes no sense to me—if for no other reason than it’s only logical to get something good out of being struck by touch-hunger.” Shay paused as Cassandra materialized with his drink. He cast her a grateful smile and waited for her to walk away before then refocusing on Deke. “Seriously, why not just do it?”
“This isn’t your business.”
“Since when would I let something like that bother me?”
Deke rolled his eyes.
Shay leaned away, his face scrunching up. “You’re not holding back from Bailey because you mistakenly think I’ll otherwise be hurt, are you? I like her, but I was no more serious about her than she was about me. Which made it easy to back off when I realized you had a thing for her.” Humor glimmered in his eyes. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you jealous before.”
Deke frowned. “I wasn’t jealous.”