The Beast in Him
Page 25
Fine, but you dont stand a chance in hell either. If memory serves, she shot your ass down like a jet over enemy territory.
Sweep. The. Area.
With one last look at Jess that almost got him popped in the face, Mitch walked off.
Smitty thought about going over there that second, if for no other reason than to throw a coat over her, but he knew better. Jessie was a runner. One of those dogs that would take off running for no real reason and suddenly find themselves in Utah. So, taking a deep breath, and with one last look at those legs, he buried himself in the crowd of people.
Jess had been listening to the conversation between Marissa Shaw and the head female of the Stark hyena Clan for the past ten minutes and she was starting to get really pissed. Her Pack knew it too. They stood around her, waiting for her to do something. True, the whole thing wasnt any of her business, but still...
So this canine your brother is living with, said Madeline Stark as she shoveled yet another pt-covered cracker in her mouth. Does she sit on command? Fetch his slippers? Roll over and beg when appropriate?
Madelines four boneheaded sisters and cousin continued snickering, sounding like that cartoon dog Muttley.
What Jess found really funny was that they were all neighbors. The Packs Long Island property butted right up against Marissa Shaws and the Stark Clans territories. Yet, they never got along. True, the Pack tolerated Marissa to a degree, but they never tolerated the Starks. Wild dogs hated hyenas.
Jesss eyes focused on the back of Madelines neck as she continued to mock the canine universe. She had her light brown hair swept up off her shoulders and in an elaborate knot on her head. Giving Jess all that long neck to play with.
Facing her Pack, Jess started coughing. Phil caught on first, grinning and turning toward the table. His wife joined him, the pair taking a small white cocktail napkin and shredding it. Still coughing, Jess stepped closer to Phil and he placed the tissue in her hand. Danny glanced around and then poured water on the shreds, getting it good and wet.
Jess turned back around, still supposedly hacking up a lung. She walked up behind Madeline and let out a cough that had Marissa tensing and looking at her. Thats when Jess let that wet, messy napkin fly. It hit the back of Madelines neck and the woman froze in mid-mock.
Oh! Jess said, clearing her throat. Oh, my God! Madeline! Im so sorry. Here, let me help you clean that off.
Horrified, the woman reached back and touched the wet tissue on her neck. Unable to see it, she could only feel it. As soon as her fingers brushed it, her body began to shake and she retched violently before she took off running toward the bathroom, her sisters and cousin following behind. Following and laughing hysterically.
Jess looked at Marissa. Well,thatll be awkward next time were all out on the Island, huh?
Marissa, who always seemed an unpleasant woman and was definitely not friendly, stared at Jess for several long seconds before her lips turned up and she grinned. Then she started laughing and couldnt stop. She quickly walked over to two lionesses from the Llewellyn Pride, Maces sisters Serita and Allie. Between bouts of hysterical laughter, she spoke to them until all three women were laughing.
May handed Jess a glass of champagne. You had way too much fun with that, sweetie.
I did, didnt I?
Could it legally be considered stalking if he watched her for her own good? She was blowing fake lugies at hyenas, on her third glass of champagne, and wearing those killer shoes. What else could Smitty do but keep an eye on her?
He would say, though, that the dogs knew how to enjoy what would otherwise be a painfully dull party. They seemed to be entertained by the simplest things, and at times, they seemed to have the sexual maturity of thirteen-year-olds based on the way they giggled over a rather well-endowed statue. Of course, that could also be the champagne.
Smitty leaned against the wall and checked in with his team. All seemed well, although he no longer found that surprising. They were becoming a well-oiled machine, and a few more jobs like this and they might actually finish out the year in less debt than they already were. In a couple more years, he might be able to come to events like this as a guest rather than as staff.
His eyes strayed back to Jessica. Once again, she hadnt noticed him. Truly. No faking that I havent seen him either. She really hadnt seen him. The woman was completely oblivious.
Some old Latin music came on and the same blond wild dog from Jessies party the week before took Jessies hand and pulled her into some rather good dance moves. Smittys eyes narrowed. What was it with that guy and dancing with Jessie? Seemed more like an excuse to get his paws on her. Although, Smitty grudgingly had to admit, the man did seem loyal to the blond female he kept hanging around. Maybe it was a dog thing.
The blonde spun Jessie out and then expertly pulled her back in, before having the nerve to dip her. Smitty briefly wondered how many of the men there were trying to look up Jessies dress.
That was it. He had to say something. The woman was a menace to herself!
Champagne in hand, Jess pulled away from her Pack and headed toward the buffet table, debating whether she felt like eating standing up or not. Youd think for ten thousand bucks a plate theyd have a sit-down dinner. Still, shed have given them the money anyway. For a kids charity, she could do nothing less. Pushing through the crowd, amazed at the turnout, Jess stopped when a male voice called her name.
Sweep. The. Area.
With one last look at Jess that almost got him popped in the face, Mitch walked off.
Smitty thought about going over there that second, if for no other reason than to throw a coat over her, but he knew better. Jessie was a runner. One of those dogs that would take off running for no real reason and suddenly find themselves in Utah. So, taking a deep breath, and with one last look at those legs, he buried himself in the crowd of people.
Jess had been listening to the conversation between Marissa Shaw and the head female of the Stark hyena Clan for the past ten minutes and she was starting to get really pissed. Her Pack knew it too. They stood around her, waiting for her to do something. True, the whole thing wasnt any of her business, but still...
So this canine your brother is living with, said Madeline Stark as she shoveled yet another pt-covered cracker in her mouth. Does she sit on command? Fetch his slippers? Roll over and beg when appropriate?
Madelines four boneheaded sisters and cousin continued snickering, sounding like that cartoon dog Muttley.
What Jess found really funny was that they were all neighbors. The Packs Long Island property butted right up against Marissa Shaws and the Stark Clans territories. Yet, they never got along. True, the Pack tolerated Marissa to a degree, but they never tolerated the Starks. Wild dogs hated hyenas.
Jesss eyes focused on the back of Madelines neck as she continued to mock the canine universe. She had her light brown hair swept up off her shoulders and in an elaborate knot on her head. Giving Jess all that long neck to play with.
Facing her Pack, Jess started coughing. Phil caught on first, grinning and turning toward the table. His wife joined him, the pair taking a small white cocktail napkin and shredding it. Still coughing, Jess stepped closer to Phil and he placed the tissue in her hand. Danny glanced around and then poured water on the shreds, getting it good and wet.
Jess turned back around, still supposedly hacking up a lung. She walked up behind Madeline and let out a cough that had Marissa tensing and looking at her. Thats when Jess let that wet, messy napkin fly. It hit the back of Madelines neck and the woman froze in mid-mock.
Oh! Jess said, clearing her throat. Oh, my God! Madeline! Im so sorry. Here, let me help you clean that off.
Horrified, the woman reached back and touched the wet tissue on her neck. Unable to see it, she could only feel it. As soon as her fingers brushed it, her body began to shake and she retched violently before she took off running toward the bathroom, her sisters and cousin following behind. Following and laughing hysterically.
Jess looked at Marissa. Well,thatll be awkward next time were all out on the Island, huh?
Marissa, who always seemed an unpleasant woman and was definitely not friendly, stared at Jess for several long seconds before her lips turned up and she grinned. Then she started laughing and couldnt stop. She quickly walked over to two lionesses from the Llewellyn Pride, Maces sisters Serita and Allie. Between bouts of hysterical laughter, she spoke to them until all three women were laughing.
May handed Jess a glass of champagne. You had way too much fun with that, sweetie.
I did, didnt I?
Could it legally be considered stalking if he watched her for her own good? She was blowing fake lugies at hyenas, on her third glass of champagne, and wearing those killer shoes. What else could Smitty do but keep an eye on her?
He would say, though, that the dogs knew how to enjoy what would otherwise be a painfully dull party. They seemed to be entertained by the simplest things, and at times, they seemed to have the sexual maturity of thirteen-year-olds based on the way they giggled over a rather well-endowed statue. Of course, that could also be the champagne.
Smitty leaned against the wall and checked in with his team. All seemed well, although he no longer found that surprising. They were becoming a well-oiled machine, and a few more jobs like this and they might actually finish out the year in less debt than they already were. In a couple more years, he might be able to come to events like this as a guest rather than as staff.
His eyes strayed back to Jessica. Once again, she hadnt noticed him. Truly. No faking that I havent seen him either. She really hadnt seen him. The woman was completely oblivious.
Some old Latin music came on and the same blond wild dog from Jessies party the week before took Jessies hand and pulled her into some rather good dance moves. Smittys eyes narrowed. What was it with that guy and dancing with Jessie? Seemed more like an excuse to get his paws on her. Although, Smitty grudgingly had to admit, the man did seem loyal to the blond female he kept hanging around. Maybe it was a dog thing.
The blonde spun Jessie out and then expertly pulled her back in, before having the nerve to dip her. Smitty briefly wondered how many of the men there were trying to look up Jessies dress.
That was it. He had to say something. The woman was a menace to herself!
Champagne in hand, Jess pulled away from her Pack and headed toward the buffet table, debating whether she felt like eating standing up or not. Youd think for ten thousand bucks a plate theyd have a sit-down dinner. Still, shed have given them the money anyway. For a kids charity, she could do nothing less. Pushing through the crowd, amazed at the turnout, Jess stopped when a male voice called her name.
