The Beast in Him
Page 53
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Im sure there is. Well come up with something and let you know. And the second thing you came here for?
When can I expect you tonight?
Presumptuous timber wolf! Who said I was coming over tonight?
I did.
Jess folded her arms across her chest. So sorry to disappoint, but I have plans tonight.
Plans? She could see his entire body tense even though he never moved his ass from that desk. What plans?
Plans with my Pack
You should come, Phil cut in.
And all of them turned to him, shocked.
I should? Smitty asked.
Yup, definitely.
The man truly was evil. Evil incarnate.
Smitty glanced at her. Jessie Ann?
Sure, she said after clearing her throat. You should come.
No
But Sabina cut Mays plea short by slapping her hand over the womans face. Wed love for you to come, Sabina chimed in, even while she struggled with May. Yes, you will be there. Nine oclock.
Phil jotted down the club information and handed it to Smitty. Yup, nine oclock.
Smitty stared at the piece of paper. Calebs Corner? Never heard of it.
Its a nice place. Youll love it.
Were all going to hell.
Jess could tell by the look on his face that Smitty knew damn good and well they were setting him up, but he had no idea how. And Jess knew that after tonight, Smitty might actually end it all with her. He might never speak to her again. Ever.
Smitty slipped the paper into his pocket and slowly walked over to her. See you tonight, he said.
Yeah, see ya tonight.
Then his hands gently grasped her jaw, framing her face. No way. He wouldnt kiss her in front of her Pack, would he? Theyd never said anything about keeping their sexual relationship secret, but Smitty had never been an outwardly affectionate male to the women he slept with. At least not when she knew him. But before she could analyze it anymore, he was kissing her. It was a sweet kiss but, at the same time, claiming. Making it clear to anyone within a thirty-mile radius exactly whom Jess belonged to. Whom she belonged to at the moment anyway.
After hed completely melted her bones, Smitty stepped back and winked at her. He turned and headed to the elevator, glaring at Phil the entire time until the elevator doors closed.
An awkward and large silence followed his departure. Until Sabina stated the obvious, Hes worried about you and Phil?
I guess so, Jess replied, completely fascinated. It was a definite Smith this is my bone move.
Jess and Sabina stared at each other for several seconds before they burst out laughing.
Me? And Phil?
Sabina released May so she could bang on the desk. Thats hilarious!
Phil cleared his throat. I dont appreciate the humor here. Im definitely a threat to the male population.
That just pulled more laughter from his wife and best friend.
Maybe you should let it go, Danny suggested. Youre just embarrassing yourself.
Wait! May ordered. Just wait. What about Smitty? You cant have him come tonight. Its not fair!
Now all of them but May were laughing, leaving the poor She-dog to dramatically storm off on her own.
Chapter 17
Why am I here?
Smitty didnt even spare a glance at Mitch. Because Im pretty sure this is a gay bar Jessie has me coming to. And youre much more gay-friendly than I am. Youll distract them from my amazing body.
So... Im your beard?
I dont know if youre using that term correctly, but I also dont care.
Smitty grabbed Mitchs jacket and pulled him to the bar called Calebs Corner. There was a bouncer out front, but he barely looked at them. And there was no line waiting to get in. What a lame-ass gay club. Still, Jessie was here. Which meant he was going to be here.
But once they got inside, all Smitty wanted to do was turn around and run. Run for his very life. Lord in heaven, Jessica Ann Ward was the meanest female on the planet! And she should burn for this. Burn!
Wait. I thought you said this was a gay bar? Mitch sounded as horrified as Smitty felt.
I thought it was.
Well, its not, and Im out of here!
Mitch tried to make a run for it, but Smitty grabbed his jacket collar and yanked the big cat back. Youre not deserting me, Shaw.
Like hell Im not. You may have that military connection with Llewellyn, but Im from Philly. Theres some things we wont do for anyone.
The two were seconds from pulling out claws and going at it in the middle of the bar when Jessie suddenlyand literallyjumped in front of them.
Smitty! She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. And in that second he knew he wouldnt leave. She smelled too good.
When she pulled away, she looked over at Mitch. Oh... you.
And Im happy to see you, too, beautiful.
Jessie stepped back and gestured around. As you can see, weve pretty much taken over the place, but weve got some bears and a few jackals hanging out tonight, so you two shouldnt feel too out of place with all these dogs. She pointed toward an empty booth. Why dont you guys grab a table and sit back and relax.
When can I expect you tonight?
Presumptuous timber wolf! Who said I was coming over tonight?
I did.
Jess folded her arms across her chest. So sorry to disappoint, but I have plans tonight.
Plans? She could see his entire body tense even though he never moved his ass from that desk. What plans?
Plans with my Pack
You should come, Phil cut in.
And all of them turned to him, shocked.
I should? Smitty asked.
Yup, definitely.
The man truly was evil. Evil incarnate.
Smitty glanced at her. Jessie Ann?
Sure, she said after clearing her throat. You should come.
No
But Sabina cut Mays plea short by slapping her hand over the womans face. Wed love for you to come, Sabina chimed in, even while she struggled with May. Yes, you will be there. Nine oclock.
Phil jotted down the club information and handed it to Smitty. Yup, nine oclock.
Smitty stared at the piece of paper. Calebs Corner? Never heard of it.
Its a nice place. Youll love it.
Were all going to hell.
Jess could tell by the look on his face that Smitty knew damn good and well they were setting him up, but he had no idea how. And Jess knew that after tonight, Smitty might actually end it all with her. He might never speak to her again. Ever.
Smitty slipped the paper into his pocket and slowly walked over to her. See you tonight, he said.
Yeah, see ya tonight.
Then his hands gently grasped her jaw, framing her face. No way. He wouldnt kiss her in front of her Pack, would he? Theyd never said anything about keeping their sexual relationship secret, but Smitty had never been an outwardly affectionate male to the women he slept with. At least not when she knew him. But before she could analyze it anymore, he was kissing her. It was a sweet kiss but, at the same time, claiming. Making it clear to anyone within a thirty-mile radius exactly whom Jess belonged to. Whom she belonged to at the moment anyway.
After hed completely melted her bones, Smitty stepped back and winked at her. He turned and headed to the elevator, glaring at Phil the entire time until the elevator doors closed.
An awkward and large silence followed his departure. Until Sabina stated the obvious, Hes worried about you and Phil?
I guess so, Jess replied, completely fascinated. It was a definite Smith this is my bone move.
Jess and Sabina stared at each other for several seconds before they burst out laughing.
Me? And Phil?
Sabina released May so she could bang on the desk. Thats hilarious!
Phil cleared his throat. I dont appreciate the humor here. Im definitely a threat to the male population.
That just pulled more laughter from his wife and best friend.
Maybe you should let it go, Danny suggested. Youre just embarrassing yourself.
Wait! May ordered. Just wait. What about Smitty? You cant have him come tonight. Its not fair!
Now all of them but May were laughing, leaving the poor She-dog to dramatically storm off on her own.
Chapter 17
Why am I here?
Smitty didnt even spare a glance at Mitch. Because Im pretty sure this is a gay bar Jessie has me coming to. And youre much more gay-friendly than I am. Youll distract them from my amazing body.
So... Im your beard?
I dont know if youre using that term correctly, but I also dont care.
Smitty grabbed Mitchs jacket and pulled him to the bar called Calebs Corner. There was a bouncer out front, but he barely looked at them. And there was no line waiting to get in. What a lame-ass gay club. Still, Jessie was here. Which meant he was going to be here.
But once they got inside, all Smitty wanted to do was turn around and run. Run for his very life. Lord in heaven, Jessica Ann Ward was the meanest female on the planet! And she should burn for this. Burn!
Wait. I thought you said this was a gay bar? Mitch sounded as horrified as Smitty felt.
I thought it was.
Well, its not, and Im out of here!
Mitch tried to make a run for it, but Smitty grabbed his jacket collar and yanked the big cat back. Youre not deserting me, Shaw.
Like hell Im not. You may have that military connection with Llewellyn, but Im from Philly. Theres some things we wont do for anyone.
The two were seconds from pulling out claws and going at it in the middle of the bar when Jessie suddenlyand literallyjumped in front of them.
Smitty! She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. And in that second he knew he wouldnt leave. She smelled too good.
When she pulled away, she looked over at Mitch. Oh... you.
And Im happy to see you, too, beautiful.
Jessie stepped back and gestured around. As you can see, weve pretty much taken over the place, but weve got some bears and a few jackals hanging out tonight, so you two shouldnt feel too out of place with all these dogs. She pointed toward an empty booth. Why dont you guys grab a table and sit back and relax.
