The Beast in Him
Page 69
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But, to his horror, Jesss big eyes filled with tears.
Dont... dont cry. I didnt mean I didnt want you guys to adopt me.
She sniffled. Then what did you mean?
I meant no one has ever wanted to adopt me before. I figured that when I was eighteen youd expect me to leave.
No, we dont expect you to leave. We expect you to go to college. Im assuming, to get your degree in music. Which reminds me, we need to sit down and figure out what schools you want to apply to.
I... I guess wherever I get a scholarship.
Scholarships are nice and good on rsums. But if you dont get one to a favored school, weve already got your college fund set up so youre covered there. So its a matter of where you want to go.
I have a college fund?
Of course. Every one of you little brats are going to college. Even if you dont want to, she finished on a snarl. Do you understand me?
Yes, maam.
All right, then. Any other questions?
No.
Anything else youre keeping from me?
No.
Good. Thanks for coming to me now, though. Were not sure of the deal with Walt Wilson, so I needed to know this.
Youre welcome.
Johnny leaned to the side a bit, his shoulder pressing against Jesss. Hed learned to bury his emotions over the years. He definitely didnt feel comfortable with them coming back up. But he had to say something. He just prayed she didnt cry again. Thank you.
Youre welcome. Thankfully she didnt cry. But youre still losing your allowance, bub. Nice try, though. She winked at him, but her expression changed in a second as her head lifted and she scented the air.
Whats wrong? he asked, still learning to hone the skills the adults took for granted.
Jess didnt answer him, simply jumped to her feet and charged up the stairs to her apartment. Johnny followed behind her, nearly crashing into her when she stopped right in her doorway.
Hands on hips, Jess snapped, What the hell are you doing here?
Smitty folded his arms across his chest. Came to see you, my little sweet tart.
Sweet tart?
Why was there a drunken wolf in her apartment? How did he even get in? The only way to the second entrance to her apartment was to get over the Pack house fence and cut through their backyard.
A house full of dogs and no one scented a wolf wandering by? A drunk wolf?
I thought we said all that needed to be said this afternoon.
Nah. He spotted Johnnyover her shoulder. Boy.
Idiot.
Smitty took a step forward and Jess pushed Johnny out the door. Well talk more tomorrow.
The concern on Johnnys face warmed her heart. Jess, are you sure?
Yeah, itll be fine.
He didnt look happy about it, but he left anyway.
Jess closed the door and turned around to find Smitty standing mere inches away from her.
You look real pretty tonight.
Thanks.
I missed you something horrible.
Its been eight hours.
Thats too long!
Ssssh. Jess pushed Smitty away from the door. Keep it down.
I want to stay here with you tonight.
No.
Why not? Dont you care about me at all?
Smitty, this isnt fair.
Alls fair in love and fucking.
Im pretty sure thats not the exact quote. How did you even get here? Christ, she hoped he hadnt been driving.
Sissy shoved me into a cab. She said we should talk. So Im here to talk.
Damn that woman!
You pushed me away, Smitty. Thats the second time. There wont be a third.
Okay, he said way too calmly. Then added, So youll let me stay?
Jess gritted her teeth. No, Ill call you a cab.
Fine. Be evil. He took her arm and pulled her into his body. At least give me a kiss, evil woman.
Smitty
Kiss. Me. Now.
Youll leave quietly if I kiss you?
Yes.
Resigned and kind of wanting to anyway, Jess slid her hand behind Smittys neck and pulled him down so she could kiss him. He tasted like tequila, the wolf drink of choice. But, truly, tequila never tasted so damn good. His hands stroked her neck, his tongue making lazy circles around hers. The kiss seemed endless and she wished it could be. When Smitty kissed her, she could forget nearly everything else.
His hands slipped from her neck and reached for her breasts. She caught them and pulled away.
Thats enough.
Smitty licked his lips. I knew it.
Knew what?
Youre not over me.
Jess took a deep breath, looking around for something to throw at that big head when Smittys next words stopped her in her tracks.
Dont feel bad, he said, wandering into the bedroom, Im never gettin over you.
Dont... dont cry. I didnt mean I didnt want you guys to adopt me.
She sniffled. Then what did you mean?
I meant no one has ever wanted to adopt me before. I figured that when I was eighteen youd expect me to leave.
No, we dont expect you to leave. We expect you to go to college. Im assuming, to get your degree in music. Which reminds me, we need to sit down and figure out what schools you want to apply to.
I... I guess wherever I get a scholarship.
Scholarships are nice and good on rsums. But if you dont get one to a favored school, weve already got your college fund set up so youre covered there. So its a matter of where you want to go.
I have a college fund?
Of course. Every one of you little brats are going to college. Even if you dont want to, she finished on a snarl. Do you understand me?
Yes, maam.
All right, then. Any other questions?
No.
Anything else youre keeping from me?
No.
Good. Thanks for coming to me now, though. Were not sure of the deal with Walt Wilson, so I needed to know this.
Youre welcome.
Johnny leaned to the side a bit, his shoulder pressing against Jesss. Hed learned to bury his emotions over the years. He definitely didnt feel comfortable with them coming back up. But he had to say something. He just prayed she didnt cry again. Thank you.
Youre welcome. Thankfully she didnt cry. But youre still losing your allowance, bub. Nice try, though. She winked at him, but her expression changed in a second as her head lifted and she scented the air.
Whats wrong? he asked, still learning to hone the skills the adults took for granted.
Jess didnt answer him, simply jumped to her feet and charged up the stairs to her apartment. Johnny followed behind her, nearly crashing into her when she stopped right in her doorway.
Hands on hips, Jess snapped, What the hell are you doing here?
Smitty folded his arms across his chest. Came to see you, my little sweet tart.
Sweet tart?
Why was there a drunken wolf in her apartment? How did he even get in? The only way to the second entrance to her apartment was to get over the Pack house fence and cut through their backyard.
A house full of dogs and no one scented a wolf wandering by? A drunk wolf?
I thought we said all that needed to be said this afternoon.
Nah. He spotted Johnnyover her shoulder. Boy.
Idiot.
Smitty took a step forward and Jess pushed Johnny out the door. Well talk more tomorrow.
The concern on Johnnys face warmed her heart. Jess, are you sure?
Yeah, itll be fine.
He didnt look happy about it, but he left anyway.
Jess closed the door and turned around to find Smitty standing mere inches away from her.
You look real pretty tonight.
Thanks.
I missed you something horrible.
Its been eight hours.
Thats too long!
Ssssh. Jess pushed Smitty away from the door. Keep it down.
I want to stay here with you tonight.
No.
Why not? Dont you care about me at all?
Smitty, this isnt fair.
Alls fair in love and fucking.
Im pretty sure thats not the exact quote. How did you even get here? Christ, she hoped he hadnt been driving.
Sissy shoved me into a cab. She said we should talk. So Im here to talk.
Damn that woman!
You pushed me away, Smitty. Thats the second time. There wont be a third.
Okay, he said way too calmly. Then added, So youll let me stay?
Jess gritted her teeth. No, Ill call you a cab.
Fine. Be evil. He took her arm and pulled her into his body. At least give me a kiss, evil woman.
Smitty
Kiss. Me. Now.
Youll leave quietly if I kiss you?
Yes.
Resigned and kind of wanting to anyway, Jess slid her hand behind Smittys neck and pulled him down so she could kiss him. He tasted like tequila, the wolf drink of choice. But, truly, tequila never tasted so damn good. His hands stroked her neck, his tongue making lazy circles around hers. The kiss seemed endless and she wished it could be. When Smitty kissed her, she could forget nearly everything else.
His hands slipped from her neck and reached for her breasts. She caught them and pulled away.
Thats enough.
Smitty licked his lips. I knew it.
Knew what?
Youre not over me.
Jess took a deep breath, looking around for something to throw at that big head when Smittys next words stopped her in her tracks.
Dont feel bad, he said, wandering into the bedroom, Im never gettin over you.
