Wolf with Benefits
Page 100

We should get her out of there, Gwen suggested.
I was thinking the same thing. Blayne started to skate out when Kowalski cut in front of her. Blayne squealed at the sight of the dangerous female and quickly skated back to Gwens side.
You want me to handle Cherise? the female asked, appearing unfazed by Blaynes hysterical response.
You dont have to kill her, Blayne said, panic in her voice.
Kowalski rolled her eyes and headed out to the track. She stopped by Cherises side and whispered something. When she was done, Kowalski returned to them.
Okay, she said.
The first whistle blew and Cherise, and another girl trying out for the jammer position shot off. A second whistle sounded and the rest of the pack went after the two females. Whichever jammer got out in front first would earn points by passing the girls on the other team. It sounded easy, but trying to bypass a seven-two She-bear with mommy issues was easy for no one.
What blew Gwen away, though, was not that Cherise was screaming every time one of the players got close to her, but that Cherise was moving so fast. Unbelievably fast. While squealing and screaming and slapping bodies, hands, and anything else that came too close to her, out of her way.
It was entertaining in a really horrifying way.
What did you say to her? Gwen asked Kowalski.
The female shrugged. Shes got a thing about germs. I just pointed out that no one trying out today had bothered to wash their hands in the last two hours, not even the ones who went to the bathroom. Shes a canine who runs on fear. You just have to find ways to use that fear to your benefit.
Appalled, Blayne said, But youre like family with her.
Yeah. Thats why I know how to manipulate her. Thats what family does to each other.
And that made Gwen laughbecause the honey badger was right.
Dont encourage her, Gwenie!
I cant help it!
I think theres something we need to talk about.
Toni sat up and stared at him. Theyd somehow ended up on Rickys hotel room floor. Toni continued to surprise him, not remotely concerned about little things like having sex with him on the floor.
I told you I was sorry, Toni said. I didnt even break the skin this time.
Im not talking about that. Although the pain he was feeling all across his back suggested she had broken the skin, but he wasnt going to argue the point. It had just been her claws. It would be a different discussion if shed used her fangs. I just want something clear before we go see the bears tomorrow.
I know. I know, Toni said with a wave, stretching back out across the floor, her head landing in hissheet-covered lap. She was allowing him to play with her curls, but shed insisted, Only before I get into the shower. After that, no touching! Well, theyd see about that.
Dont put my feet on the table, she went on. Russians consider it rude. And dont stand around with my hands in my pockets. They hate that. I wonder why. Does it suggest youre hiding something when you put your hands in your pockets? I just do it because I like to have something to do with my hands other than play with my fingers. Cherise plays with her fingers and she always looks like a nervous wreck.
Im not talking about that damn meeting tomorrow.
Oh. Sorry.
I just want it to be clear that when we get back, we aint really done.
We aint? She blinked. I mean, were not?
No. Dont see why this has to be a one-night stand.
I thought thats what we agreed to.
When did we do that? I merely suggested wolves are great for the occasional one-night stand. I didnt say thats what we had here.
Toni sat up again.
I aint done with your hair, Ricky complained.
Forget the hair.
I cant. I love it.
What if it falls out tomorrow?
Why would it fall out tomorrow?
It might!
Ricky could see the panic in her pretty eyes. Knew she was just scared. Didnt blame her. He wasnt exactly sure what the hell was going on, either, but he knew he didnt want to go back to the States and pretend the last two nights had never happened.
Is this because Im a poor country boy from Tenne
Oh, shut up.
Ricky laughed, unable to keep the pathetic look on his face. Didnt matter. She always saw through that in seconds.
This has nothing to do with any of that and you know it. But we are from different worlds.
Youre Romeo and Im Juliet? Wait. Ricky thought a moment. Switch those.
Thats a stupid comparison, but its not far off. Im a jackal. Youre a wolf. I mean, she went on, can you imagine me being part of a pack? Living only for the needs and wants of othersand my God! Why didnt you tell me I sounded so idiotic?
Chuckling, Ricky admitted, I figured you were smart enough to figure that out on your own. Because her whole life had been about living for others.
Look, darlin, all Im saying is that when we get back, I dont want to pretend that we dont even know each other.