The Mane Squeeze
Page 89

Dammit! Gwen dropped into her chair. Now she had to go. Her mother at a party filled with predators and an open barGwen couldnt even stand to think about the damage the woman could do. And the damage would be around all of Locks friends.
If youre really not going to go, let me know now because I have to R.S.V.
Ill be there, Gwen snarled, opening drawers as if she was looking for something, but really it was simply so she could slam them shut again.
Okay.
Blayne stepped into the hallway and walked around the big pillar that blocked the view of their office from people wandering through the lobby. Jess stood at the front desk with the receptionist, Mindy. When she saw Blayne, Jess faced her.
She gave Jess a thumbs-up, then raised her brows in silent question.
Jess lifted her hand, her thumb and forefinger in a circle, her three other fingers raised, letting her know that Lock waswella lock.
They grinned at each other like goofballs and then Blayne headed back to the office. Shed only opened the door when she heard Gwen roar, Where the fuck are the receipts from the construction site?
When it came to the task of babysitting her mother, Gwen would have only one volume level until it was all over. Thankfully, Blayne only had to put up with it until Saturday night.
Jay Ross reached into his girlfriends car and yanked the keys out of the ignition. He quickly stepped away as the car door flew open and Donna stumbled out. She might be drunk off her ass, but that didnt make her any less strong.
Give me my fuckin keys! Normally he would, never in the mood to bother with her when she got like this, but he had something else in mind. The timing was perfect.
He held the keys over her head. Okay, so your mother popped you in the face again but why go storming off when I got a better idea of how to get even with the one who is really to blame for this?
Trying to reach her keys, I aint goin into Philly to get into it with a whole Pride. I aint stupid. He wasnt so sure about that, but she gave a hell of a blow job, so he was willing to overlook her major flaws.
You wanna hurt the motheryou hurt the kid.
Donna slowly lowered her arms and stared at him through the eye that wasnt swollen shut, although it was pretty glassy from all the Jack Daniels shed guzzled. What are you talking about? Beatin her up? We already did that.
Nah. Im talking about something a little morepermanent.
She turned away from him. Donna tried to pretend she didnt know what he did for cash, but she knew.
They all knew, they just liked to pretend they didnt.
Both? she finally asked, no longer sounding nearly as drunk.
Yeah. Both. He could practically feel the money in his hands. And Christ, it felt good.
Jay put his arms around her shoulders and nuzzled her ear. Trust me, baby. Theyll both get what they got comin.
How? The bitch isnt stupid. Its not like we can call her up and tell her to meet us somewhere.
Gotta start thinkin different, baby. Gotta start thinkin a little more human.
Donnas lip turned up a little at that, but then she asked, When?
He smiled, his mind already turning. Soon. Real soon.
She felt wonderful against him, all sweaty and soft, her exhausted body pressing down on his. He dragged his hand down her spine and across the curve of her ass.
Use your claws, she murmured, snuggling closer.
He did, carefully dragging them down her back and up again. He didnt know if she realized she fell asleep like that, with his claws caressing her back while they lay on his kitchen floor.
Theyd just arrived home after shed met him at the training rink and hed taken her to the diner down the block. Theyd eaten dinner but decided to have dessert back at the apartment. Hed been heading for the ice cream in his freezer when shed wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. She had his jeans unzipped and her hand inside his boxer briefs in less than five seconds. After that their clothes went flying and they ended up abusing his kitchen floor.
She only slept twenty minutes before she lifted her head from his chest, pretty eyes blinking as she looked around the room.
Ice cream? she asked.
Freezer. Ill get it.
No. Ill get it. Placing her palms flat on his chest, she levered herself up and scratched her head. Then she stretched, arms above her head, chest pushed out. Lock grew hard again and reached for her.
Ice cream, she insisted, pushing his grasping hands away. And dont pout, she ordered before she got up and walked to his freezer.
Gwen stared into Locks freezer. How much ice cream did the man eat on a daily basis? The top three shelves were filled with pints of ice cream, from the expensive brand names to the cheap store-brand versions.
He had every flavor possible.
While holding the door open, Gwen turned to ask Lock what kind he wanted, but he had his legs up in the air, his hands gripping his toes.
Enjoying yourself?
He grinned, nodded.
Did he really have to be so cute? Was that really fair to her at all?
Which ice cream do you want?
Rum raisin.