Big Bad Beast
Page 14
Mitch isnt rude, though. Hes justhe thought a minute and finally finishedMitch.
That dont make it right. She winked and began to amble off. Hed never met anyone who ambled in Manhattan, but Dee managed to.
Uh . . . need a lift home?
Not going home. Got that meeting with that idiot feline and Desiree early in the morning and its too far to travel.
You can stay at my place, he offered, hoping to look innocent and helpful rather than lustful and desperate.
No, but thank you kindly. Ill crash at Rory Reeds tonight. Hes staying at Brendon Shaws hotel with the rest of the Pack, so hes got room service and a real comfortable couch.
But my place has me and my waffles with blueberries.
I cant keep living off you, Van Holtz.
Its not living off me if youre going to be my wife anyway. Turning around and walking backward, she said, Huh?
Ric decided this wasnt the time. Nothing. Have a good night, Dee-Ann.
You, too. She turned back around and quickly faded into the shadows. And thanks for dinner.
He sighed, thinking about another lonely night in his bed. Anytime.
CHAPTER 4
R ory Lee Reed was lying in his bed, wondering how much longer hed have to sit here and hold this full-human female, whenfinally!his bedroom door slowly creaked open.
The full-human raised her head from his chest and, in a panicked whisper, Rory . . . She tapped his shoulder. Rory. Wake up!
He pretended to come awake, and looked across the room at Dee-Ann. She stood in his doorway, one denim-clad leg crossed over the other, Big Bettythe name he and his brothers had given her bowie knifein one hand while she cleaned under the fingernails of the other.
Dee . . . Dee-Ann? What are you doing here?
Came for my man, she growled low and turned her head a bit so the early morning light made the yellow of her eyes stand out that much more. And, if he didnt know her, hed be terrified.
Heh.
You told me you were single, the full-human accused.
Uh . . . well . . .
It doesnt matter, she said quickly and Rory stopped just short of rolling his eyes. She was one of those.
You need to roll up out of here, darlin, Dee explained in a slow drawl. Before I start gettin
cranky.
Rorys with me now, the full-human told Dee. Im sorry if that hurts, but thats the way it is. Dees eyes flicked over to his and without saying a word, he begged,Please dont leave me.
Please dont leave me.
Theyd only been on three dates! Three dates that led to one night of solid, entertaining sex.
But, as was the way with some of these full-humans, that was sometimes enough.
His daddy had warned him. Warned him but good. Stay away from the full-humans, boy.
Theyre clingy and dont know when to walk away. Theyll put up a fight. Of course, that warning came when Rory was sixteen. He was now thirty-five and, he just decided at this moment, way too old for this shit. By the time his daddy was his age, he had a mate, four healthy pups, and a decent business to keep them all going. And what his father hadnt needed at the age of thirty-five was his best friend trying to help him get rid of his latest conquest . . . who wasnt much of a conquest anyway. Shed practically dived into his bed.
You gonna take care of our six kids, too? Dee asked.
Six? Good Lord.
The full-human blinked. Six?
Tapping her knife against the tip of each finger, Dee named each imaginary offspring. Theres Benny Ray, Johnny James, Jackie Duke, Juney Peach Juney Peach?Sadie Mae, and Sassy. Shes gonna be our pageant queen, aint she, Rory Lee?
You have six children? the full-human demanded.
And each one gets child support, Dee added. A real good amount, too. And with the oldest only seven . . . thats a whole bunch of years of financial care he owes us. Aint that right, Rory Lee? Rory stared at the full-human and answered, I take care of my kids. The poor room service waiter looked absolutely terrified when an hysterically laughing Rory answered the door. And with Dee on the couch laughing so hard she had tears, he placed the tray, got the signature from Rory, and took off.
Juney Peach?
Arms around her stomach, Dee replied, Couldnt use names of my kin. Didnt know if shed met them or not.
Dropping on the couch across from her, Rory shook his head. Thats it, Dee-Ann. Im not doing it anymore.
Wiping tears from her eyes, Dee-Ann sat up. Not that again, she sighed. You always say that and I always end up rescuing your ass the morning after from clingy full-humans.
Im thinking its time for me to settle down. I got a good job. The Packs in a secure place. He looked her up and down. You busy?
Oh, thats nice.
Youre not still waiting for love are you?
When was I ever
Third grade. Rory. One day Im gonna find true luuuuuuvvv.
That dont make it right. She winked and began to amble off. Hed never met anyone who ambled in Manhattan, but Dee managed to.
Uh . . . need a lift home?
Not going home. Got that meeting with that idiot feline and Desiree early in the morning and its too far to travel.
You can stay at my place, he offered, hoping to look innocent and helpful rather than lustful and desperate.
No, but thank you kindly. Ill crash at Rory Reeds tonight. Hes staying at Brendon Shaws hotel with the rest of the Pack, so hes got room service and a real comfortable couch.
But my place has me and my waffles with blueberries.
I cant keep living off you, Van Holtz.
Its not living off me if youre going to be my wife anyway. Turning around and walking backward, she said, Huh?
Ric decided this wasnt the time. Nothing. Have a good night, Dee-Ann.
You, too. She turned back around and quickly faded into the shadows. And thanks for dinner.
He sighed, thinking about another lonely night in his bed. Anytime.
CHAPTER 4
R ory Lee Reed was lying in his bed, wondering how much longer hed have to sit here and hold this full-human female, whenfinally!his bedroom door slowly creaked open.
The full-human raised her head from his chest and, in a panicked whisper, Rory . . . She tapped his shoulder. Rory. Wake up!
He pretended to come awake, and looked across the room at Dee-Ann. She stood in his doorway, one denim-clad leg crossed over the other, Big Bettythe name he and his brothers had given her bowie knifein one hand while she cleaned under the fingernails of the other.
Dee . . . Dee-Ann? What are you doing here?
Came for my man, she growled low and turned her head a bit so the early morning light made the yellow of her eyes stand out that much more. And, if he didnt know her, hed be terrified.
Heh.
You told me you were single, the full-human accused.
Uh . . . well . . .
It doesnt matter, she said quickly and Rory stopped just short of rolling his eyes. She was one of those.
You need to roll up out of here, darlin, Dee explained in a slow drawl. Before I start gettin
cranky.
Rorys with me now, the full-human told Dee. Im sorry if that hurts, but thats the way it is. Dees eyes flicked over to his and without saying a word, he begged,Please dont leave me.
Please dont leave me.
Theyd only been on three dates! Three dates that led to one night of solid, entertaining sex.
But, as was the way with some of these full-humans, that was sometimes enough.
His daddy had warned him. Warned him but good. Stay away from the full-humans, boy.
Theyre clingy and dont know when to walk away. Theyll put up a fight. Of course, that warning came when Rory was sixteen. He was now thirty-five and, he just decided at this moment, way too old for this shit. By the time his daddy was his age, he had a mate, four healthy pups, and a decent business to keep them all going. And what his father hadnt needed at the age of thirty-five was his best friend trying to help him get rid of his latest conquest . . . who wasnt much of a conquest anyway. Shed practically dived into his bed.
You gonna take care of our six kids, too? Dee asked.
Six? Good Lord.
The full-human blinked. Six?
Tapping her knife against the tip of each finger, Dee named each imaginary offspring. Theres Benny Ray, Johnny James, Jackie Duke, Juney Peach Juney Peach?Sadie Mae, and Sassy. Shes gonna be our pageant queen, aint she, Rory Lee?
You have six children? the full-human demanded.
And each one gets child support, Dee added. A real good amount, too. And with the oldest only seven . . . thats a whole bunch of years of financial care he owes us. Aint that right, Rory Lee? Rory stared at the full-human and answered, I take care of my kids. The poor room service waiter looked absolutely terrified when an hysterically laughing Rory answered the door. And with Dee on the couch laughing so hard she had tears, he placed the tray, got the signature from Rory, and took off.
Juney Peach?
Arms around her stomach, Dee replied, Couldnt use names of my kin. Didnt know if shed met them or not.
Dropping on the couch across from her, Rory shook his head. Thats it, Dee-Ann. Im not doing it anymore.
Wiping tears from her eyes, Dee-Ann sat up. Not that again, she sighed. You always say that and I always end up rescuing your ass the morning after from clingy full-humans.
Im thinking its time for me to settle down. I got a good job. The Packs in a secure place. He looked her up and down. You busy?
Oh, thats nice.
Youre not still waiting for love are you?
When was I ever
Third grade. Rory. One day Im gonna find true luuuuuuvvv.
