Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
She had just reached his hairline when he flipped around, grasped her wrist, and growled, “Don’t.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened in fright. It was the first genuine expression Keith had seen on her face.
Brian stomped into the house. “Living room’s to your left. Sit down and wait for me.” He quickly made his way to the kitchen, either too distracted or moving too quickly to notice Keith in the dining room to his right.
Claire remained on the porch, her chest heaving, her lips parted, and her face flushed. If they hadn’t been separated by the windows and walls, Keith was certain he’d be able to hear her heart thundering. Being reprimanded by an Alpha wasn’t pleasant, but Brian had merely said a single word, and any shifter should know better than to touch an Alpha without permission; putting her hand on his neck was completely inappropriate yet all he did was remove it. Her petrified reaction was suspicious.
“Why did he get mad?” she said to herself, her voice so quiet Keith had to strain to hear her. “They said it’d be easy to seduce him. Guess I’ll need to give him that encouragement after all.”
Well, that was interesting. He changed his position, situating himself in a spot where he’d be able to see into the living room while remaining mostly concealed himself.
Claire walked inside and peered in the direction Brian had gone before hustling into the living room and opening her purse. “At least I got some of his hair.” She let out a deep breath and then fiddled with something inside her bag. “Where is it?” she mumbled. She jerked her gaze toward the room’s entryway and then quickly upended the contents of her purse onto the sofa. She scooped up a wallet, phone, lipstick, and plastic bag and shoved them back into the purse, leaving only a small vial on the cushion, which she snatched and tucked into her shirt. Then she sat and arranged herself in a position that couldn’t have been comfortable—chest tilted too high up, shoulders pulled too far back, and torso so elongated her muscles had to be protesting.
Cringing at the absurd posture, Keith shook his head. He’d put a stop to this soon, but he needed to wait a little longer to uncover what Claire had planned.
“Here you go,” Brian said as he strode over from the kitchen and turned into the living room. He set a glass on the coffee table in front of Cringey Claire. “Drink your tea and rest here until Steve returns. I need to—”
“Do you have anything other than tea?” Cringey gazed up at Brian, opening her eyes dramatically and doing something with her lips that was between a purse and a pucker.
Was that supposed to be appealing? Keith titled his head to the side and considered Cringey Claire’s expression. No. He shook his head. Nobody could find whatever this was attractive, mated or not. Brian’s back was to him so he couldn’t see his face, but he noticed his muscles tightening and his neck stiffening.
“I’ll get you water.”
“Do you have something stronger? Vodka maybe? Wouldn’t it be fun to have a drink together?”
“You said you’re thirsty.” He flipped around and marched away. “Alcohol is dehydrating.”
As soon as he left the room, her posture crumpled to something resembling normal. She plucked the vial from her shirt, poured its contents into the iced tea, and swiveled it around. Then she put the empty container back into her purse, zipped it, and resumed her absurd position.
“Water.” Brian stomped back into the living room, hand outstretched. “I’ll be back in a few—”
“Oh, Alpha, won’t you stay with me?” She took the glass from his hand. “I’ve been so scared, and now that I’m with you, I finally feel safe. You’re so big and strong.” She inclined her head toward the iced tea. “We can have a drink together.” She patted the empty spot on the couch next to her. “There’s plenty of space here.”
Brian looked up and turned his head in the direction of his bedroom, which Keith assumed meant he was thinking of him. His mate was so sweet.
“Fine,” Brian said. He picked up the tea and walked toward the armchair perpendicular to the couch and closest to the entryway.
“Aren’t you going to sit next to me?” Cringey Claire simpered at him and bent forward, bringing even more attention to her chest.
Alright, as fun as this trainwreck was to watch, Keith couldn’t let his mate drink whatever it was she had put into that glass so he hustled over. “Hi!”
“Hey.” Brian immediately turned in his direction.
“Introduce me to our very friendly guest.” He snagged the glass from Brian’s hand and then plopped down on the couch right next to Claire. “I’m Keith.” He grinned at her and leaned into her personal space.