Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
‘Raging about what?’
Kerr hesitated, his expression careful. ‘Neal’s dad mentioned that CeCe has finally agreed to give his son a shot.’
Ripper went very still, his gut clenching. ‘That makes no sense. Neal’s not her type.’ She only ever went for highly dominant males, aware that – being so strong-willed – she bulldozed over others if they didn’t push back.
‘No, he’s not,’ Kerr agreed. ‘It’s why she turned him down time and time again over the years. But apparently something’s changed.’ He side-eyed Ripper. ‘What are you going to do if it is true?’
At his friend’s uncertain tone, Ripper felt his brow furrow. ‘You ask that as if you think I might beat the shit out of Neal.’
‘It wouldn’t surprise me.’
Did Ripper want to see her cozied up with another guy? No. But . . . ‘I knew when I turned down the triad suggestion that she’d eventually end up with someone else. What the hell is she supposed to do?’
Kerr narrowed his eyes. ‘You’re pissed.’
‘I’m pissed because she could do better than Neal.’
‘You’re pissed because you’re thinking what I’m thinking,’ Kerr contradicted, stepping closer. ‘You’re thinking this is a stunt; that she’s trying to spur you to come around to the triad idea.’
Ripper felt his teeth clench. He had been thinking that. Neal had crushed on her since they were teens. If she’d ever wanted him, she could have acted on it way before now. She’d always told Ripper she never would; that she’d only ever see Neal as a friend.
Kerr went on, ‘She gave you time. She was patient. She thought you’d come round, but you haven’t. So now she feels you slipping away. Alpha werewolves are extremely territorial. What better way to push you into finally claiming her than to show you that you’ll be replaced in her affections?’
‘No game or stunt or play is going to make me change my mind. She should know me well enough to know that.’
‘I think she’ll try anything at this point. She’s not devious by nature, but that doesn’t mean she can’t be devious on occasion. Even the nicest person can become a nightmare when they’re not getting something they badly want. If she’s been imagining a triad for years, she’s now being forced to let that dream go. It isn’t odd that she won’t do it without a fight. And do I think she’d resort to manipulation if it meant being able to have both you and Logan? Yeah, I do. And so do you.’
Ripper wished he could argue, aggrieved that someone he held a lot of affection for would play him this way. He cursed. ‘I don’t have time for this right now. I’ve got to get to Emberlyn’s place,’ he explained, walking toward his truck. ‘Her friend wants to go through the Change and join our clan. I said I’d speak to her.’
‘Friend?’ echoed Kerr, keeping pace with him. ‘Has to be Paisley. I don’t think Emberlyn really considers anyone other than the twins a friend – just coworkers, customers and allies. Like you, she doesn’t easily let people close.’ Kerr eyed him. ‘You really gonna keep your hands off her?’
That was the plan. But Ripper could feel it steadily crumbling. Which was why he repeatedly reminded himself . . . ‘It was only a year ago that she broke the mating tie.’
Kerr shrugged. ‘So?’
Ripper pulled open the driver’s door of his truck. ‘So some part of her might still feel mated.’
‘Yeah, but some part of her might not. You could just be making assumptions. Even if she does still have some feelings for Michael, it ain’t much different from you having lingering feelings for CeCe. Maybe you can both help the other fully move on, if nothing else. At least think about it.’
Like Ripper would be able to do anything else.
He jumped into his truck and closed the door. All things considered, with all that was going on with CeCe, his head should have been too fucked to have room for anyone else. But Emberlyn intrigued him beyond measure.
She also had some hold over his cock. It hadn’t been CeCe’s face he saw when he fisted his dick in the shower that morning, it had been Emberlyn’s.
She flitted in and out of his mind often throughout the day like a roaming butterfly. He’d push thoughts of her back out . . . but they’d return.
Ripper switched on the engine and pulled out onto the road. He didn’t drive straight to the manor. He stopped off at the bakery along the way, needing to stock up on a few things.
When he arrived at her house, he noticed an additional car parked there. It had to be her friend’s vehicle.
Shortly after he’d knocked on the door, it swung open to reveal Emberlyn. As always, she was the image of class, her peach belted jumpsuit both casual and elegant. She looked entirely too edible.