by Sadie Hart
A smile stole over her face. This was why they’d been friends for so long. “I love you,” Lennox said with a laugh. “Fine. I can’t blame them.”
“They looked at me for all of five seconds. After that, honey, they were looking at you. Why I don’t know, they break some rule and you’re toting their asses off to jail. I could care less. Shit, I’d have already fucked them both. At the same time.”
“In twenty four hours, with three murders?”
Melody grinned. “True. I’ll give you that, but I wouldn’t be on this back swing gabbing my face off if I thought I had a chance.”
She gave the sliding glass door a pointed look.
That was not going to happen. Lennox shook her head. “So what happened to Tony? Thought you two were hot and heavy. He was good looking.”
“You say that ‘cause he was a ridgeback.” Melody snorted. “But fine, he was decent.”
“I probably should have dated him.”
“No.” The harsh bite to that word startled her. Mel had never been the type to get jealous. She dated and dropped them like the latest fads. She didn’t care if Lennox made jokes about stealing them out from under her nose. Half the time Mel tried to pass them off on her.
Lennox glanced up; Mel rubbed her shoulder, staring out over the garden. Her lips were drawn back in a tight grimace. “He hurt you?”
Melody shrugged. “I left him. Gary won’t let him in the club, so I don’t really worry much. He’s leaving me alone.”
“Shit. You should have told me.” Lennox stood and wrapped her friend in a hug. “I’d have come. I’d have kicked his sorry ass.”
That drew a small laugh from Mel. “Yeah, you would have.”
Lennox squeezed her tighter. She’d have done more than kicked his ass. She’d have seen Tony out of Shifter Town Enforcement altogether. Hell, she might have even fed him to a lion pride. If she hadn’t managed to completely ruin her career by the end of this, she’d make his life miserable.
She pulled away, hands on Melody’s shoulder as she looked her friend in the eye. Mel looked okay, a little hurt still, but okay. Lennox should have known. She’d set them up. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. He was nice in public and even in private for awhile. He just didn’t like playing second fiddle to my job and didn’t enjoy me flirting elsewhere, regardless of how I earn my tips.”
He also probably hadn’t liked her strip-teasing either. It took a special kind of man to let his girl strip, but it wasn’t just a job for Mel. She loved it. Lennox gave her shoulders a soft squeeze before letting her go. “Bed?”
“Yeah. You can bunk with me or take the couch. Though the guest bed is a Queen. Bet you could fit three.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll take the couch.”
“Chicken.” Melody tossed an arm over her shoulders. “Just wait, you’ll cave.”
***
He’d lost them. He couldn’t fucking believe it. Furious, he whirled on his car, his fist denting the hood. They’d beat him back to his last victim, that much was clear. They hadn’t even informed the Hounds that time, they’d just split and ran. Cowards.
He snarled, the dog inside him scrambling to get out, to get away from him and he beat it down. They wouldn’t escape that easily. He’d worked too hard for this, and she was too good at her job. If he didn’t spook her bad enough soon, she’d find a way to scrape up clues. She’d find him.
Jerking open the car door, he snatched his cell off the dark gray passenger seat and dialed. He snarled as it rang. Restless, he paced in short, choppy strides back and forth in front of his car.
“Hey handsome,” a woman’s voice said over the phone. “You almost done out there?”
“I need you to run a number for me.”
She tsked. “Good thing you called a genius. Give me the digits.”
Just hearing her settled him, eased the anger roaring in his gut. He sighed and leaned back against the door. She wasn’t going to like this, but he relayed the number. There was a pause on the other end. “This is...”
“I know who it is.”
She wouldn’t like him tracking her. She’d think he was being disloyal, not trusting, but she didn’t have a clue. Keys clicked over the phone as she typed. “Safety, Colorado.”
Colorado? Why the fuck had they gone to Colorado?
Safety. He held back a snort.
“Details,” he snapped and snatched paper and pen out of the glove box, jotting the address down as a snarl rippled in his throat. He beat it back. No anger. Not on the phone. She’d get too curious, start asking questions, then soon the whole pack would know and everything would be fucked.
“Think she’s in trouble? You want me to tell—”
“No.” He hung up before she could say anything else, his attention glued on the address scrawled over the legal pad. So Lennox thought she was safe with the monsters. He snorted. Digging a map out of the glove box he shook it out and checked the location. Right outside Boulder Pride territory. Ballsy.
The pen tapped against the notebook on the hood of his car. This might actually work better. Kanon had been the easy Reyes to target, and now to have him just outside Boulder Pride turf... if he were careful, he could make this look a hell of a lot worse than a single lion gone wrong.
If the whole of Boulder Pride looked like they’d lost it...
Delight swirled through him, and his lips curled into a wicked, satisfied grin. Oh, this was too rich right here. The Utah Hounds barely knew what hit them; they were still trying to pick up the pieces. As for the Colorado Hounds, they barely had any standing at all in the state. Shifter Town Enforcement there was small, worthless under the sheer presence of the Reyes lions... They’d never have a chance to keep up with him. They’d be too busy chasing their goddamn tails to get a clue.
He didn’t know why he hadn’t thought of it before. Kanon had been easy prey, a fallen lion he could have milked for all it was worth and if everything had gone perfectly...completed his plan. This though, this was perfect. A delighted shiver darted down his spine as excitement curled through his gut. How many would have to die before she accepted the truth? Before the world accepted the truth?
As many as it took.
He’d have to watch the media, see how they played it. He’d need more than just the few scraps of lion mane to help build the evidence, but then again, there weren’t many other shifters around the pride’s turf, he wouldn’t have to steal it off one in the holding cells…this time he could nab himself a lion to really leave some evidence.
It was almost too perfect.
Oh, it wouldn’t be easy. But if he did it right...
Anticipation curled his lips into a predatory grin. Yes, if he did it right, the whole country would be up in arms at the beasts they’d let live loose for so long. He reached up and touched the pendant hanging around his neck.
“Soon Arianna,” he murmured. “Soon baby girl, they won’t be able to hurt anyone else. Just like I promised.”
Chapter Nine
Spread out over the couch she looked fantastic. Kanon swallowed as Lennox cuddled deeper into the sofa, the blue scrap of fabric she wore rode high over her legs, revealing a long strip of pale thigh. Damn. He had to fight the urge to walk back down the hall and kiss Tegan awake just so he could con his partner into getting rid of the morning wood.
Because this right here...fuck. Just looking at her made him ache.
Kanon shook his head. He wasn’t at his best first thing in the morning. Too many wayward thoughts that would lead to him losing a very vital organ if he didn’t rein them in real fast. Lennox wasn’t the type of woman who messed around, and as much as they tried to sway her, she always held back.
Well. Mostly.
He trailed the tip of his tongue over his lips, remembering her kisses and it was all he could do not to walk over there, bury his hand in her hair, tilt her head up and steal her mouth. Claim it. His lion rumbled his assent. She needed to be marked, f
ucked, mastered.
And there went his dick.
Lennox fisted the sheet in her hand, one pale, pink lip curved into a snarl and even sound asleep she looked ready to do battle. It made his heart beat faster. Why Lennox of all people sent his pulse racing was beyond him. It was a feeling he normally reserved for Tegan.
It was probably her no nonsense tolerance for bullshit. Or the way he could see her working over the urge to slug him just before she kissed him. Or the soft sympathy in her eyes when she’d cupped Tegan’s face. His chest squeezed at that.
Lennox gave a low moan and shifted, red hair falling over her face and Kanon rocked back so he leaned against the wall, watching her. It was her damn hair too.
“Something on your mind, lover boy?”
He jerked, startled as Melody strode into the room in a pink bathrobe and fuzzy bunny slippers. “No,” he managed, his throat so dry his voice cracked.
“Yeah.” She made a swipe at his groin and he leapt out of range. “Tell that to Mr. Happy.”
She winked, striding past him into the kitchen. Dishes clinked as she readied the coffee pot and Kanon trailed after her. It was safer than standing there watching Lennox sleep. If he’d stood there much longer, or her little gown had rode up any higher, hell.
Melody grinned at him and pulled out a second mug. “You drink coffee?”
“Nope. But I’ll start.” Pulling a stool out he forced himself to sit down, his tight jeans making his breath hiss out between his teeth.
“She’s a bit reluctant.”
Startled, he blinked at her.
“Lennie.” She gestured with an empty cup in the direction of the living room. “Give her time. She likes you.”
Melody tilted her head a little, and then added, “Both of you. That’s odd for her.”
Well, damn, he hadn’t expected this.
“Me, on the other hand? I’d have done you both by now.” Her gaze narrowed on his, but Kanon just grinned. He liked her, but he liked the woman sprawled out over her couch more.
“Good. She likes loyalty. Glad to know it’s a trait that occasionally pops up in lions.”
“Ouch.”
“Just know one thing.” Melody looked him square in the eye. A tiny scrap of a woman he could have knocked aside with one hand, but the set of her jaw told him she’d have no issues using Lennox’s gun.
He nodded. “Yeah?”
“You lure her into whatever you think you want, but you break her heart and I’ll skin your asses alive and use your pelts for new rugs, got it?”
It would have been laughable if she didn’t look fully capable of it. Kanon inclined his head. “Understood. Though I don’t think Lennox does casual.”
“Nope. I don’t think she can.” She arched a brow.
“We’re not looking for casual.” Maybe at first, not anymore.
“Good.” She wrinkled her nose up at him as the coffee maker chimed. Scooping both mugs up, she turned to fill them. “When everyone is up and fed, you boys are going shopping. You all reek. Lennie can wear my shit, but you and your boy there; well I think you’re a little big.”
She turned and flashed him a grin, the shoulder of her robe slipping down to reveal skin, and a very flimsy, pale shirt underneath. His gaze tracked it and darted away. Lennox in clothes like Melody’s was going to drive him insane.
“Maybe we should get Lennie some clothes too.”
“You call her that to her face and see how long you live.” She passed him a steaming mug, the smell of coffee making his stomach rumble and he sipped it. Awful. His lips curled back and he reached for the sugar.
He didn’t even realize she’d stepped up behind him until she slid a hand down his chest, her lips dangerously close to one ear. “But I think you’ll like her in mine. I have fashion sense.”
Kanon coughed. Not quite sure he agreed and she laughed, patting his shoulder as she stepped away. “Hey, Len, you getting up today?”
A man with brains would have stayed on the stool, unable to see the woman stirring on the couch. Kanon had never been a smart man. Slipping off the stool he followed Melody out to the living room. Lennox smelled of sleep, all soft and warm, and she groaned, rolling over. One leg slid up, propped against the back of the couch and her night gown slipped down to pool around her hips.
Shit.
Kanon froze, hot coffee spilling over the edges and over his fingertips. He let out a hiss.
He’d never in his goddamned life thought of tightie-whities as hot.But on Lennox they were damn near an invitation. Kanon groaned; sheer want ripping through him and Lennox jerked up, her hands immediately going to the hem of her gown as she tugged it down.
The motion plastered it to her breasts, the dark spots of her nipples showing through the light fabric. Kanon took a step towards her, automatic.
“Shit,” Lennox muttered and snatched the sheet off the couch, wrapping it around herself. “We are so going shopping. I’ll pay you back when this is done, Mel I swear, but these clothes so aren’t going to work.”
Oh, he begged to differ now.
They were doing incredible things for him.
“And stop looking at me like that.” Lennox shot him a glare but Kanon set his mug on the table and closed the distance between them in four strides. “Mel,” she started, but he held up a hand.
“Go,” he told Melody before she did something stupid. Like try and stop him.
Then his hands found Lennox’s waist and he dragged her up against him. One handed he yanked the sheet off and tossed it back over the couch. One small part of his brain dared to remind him that this wasn’t smart, that Lennox could knock his ass flat for this.
But it was too late to take this back, and frankly, Kanon didn’t want to. He dipped his head and captured her lips. There was nothing hard or fast about this kiss. His tongue swept over her lips, toying, begging her to open as he pressed his lips against hers. He wanted her willing, wanting, squirming against him.
He wanted her to open her mouth and beg him inside.
A whimper sounded in her throat, her legs opening a little and Kanon slipped a thigh between hers, his cock twitching as the gown rode up over his jeans and he could feel her wet against him.
“Shit,” he breathed against her lips. “Nice dreams?”
Kanon didn’t let her answer. He shoved her back against the couch and followed her down, his leg still wrapped between her thighs. His hand under her back, he lifted her up, rubbing her along his thigh and Lennox groaned, arching against him.
It was all the invitation he needed. His tongue stole inside her mouth, tasting, exploring. She buried her hands in his hair and held him there, kissing him back. She rubbed against him, her hips making small, desperate thrusts against his leg and Kanon knew he could bring her, with just her body riding against his.
His cock tightened, pulsing, and Kanon pulled back. He was too damn close. Sucking in a ragged breath he started to pull away, but the low moan from Lennox stopped him dead in his tracks. One look into her brilliant, green eyes and Kanon felt himself speeding towards the edge. A smile quirked the edge of her lips. Then she wrapped a hand in his shirt and dragged him back down.
Her choice. Her call. And the thought sent him into a tailspin as Kanon drank her in. She kissed him. Wild, hard, wanton.
Warm breath tickled the back of his neck. “Should I join in?”
Tegan’s hand found his waist and Kanon shuddered. He pulled his head back, breaking the kiss just as Tegan pressed against his ass. “Shit. If we don’t stop...”
He swallowed back a groan. He wanted to come inside her, not in his fucking jeans. Lennox groaned against him, her hands fisted at her sides as she squeezed her eyes shut and sucked in breath. “Oh, shit. Mel.”
She started to rise when Tegan caught her, flattening Kanon down across her so he could steal his good morning kiss. “Sweetheart, she done went to the bathroom. Can’t you hear the water?”
Tegan kissed her, his tongue tangling wit
h hers before he pulled back, wrapped a hand in Kanon’s hair and forced his head up to snag a kiss from him too.
“Should finish you both,” he murmured against Kanon’s lips before pulling away.
Lennox shook her head and scooted down the length of the couch. Smelling of him, sleep, and lust. Shit. The scent of her made him wild. Kanon gripped the back of the couch to keep himself from grabbing her by the hips and hauling her up against him. A bead of moisture shimmered on her thigh and Tegan’s rough growl told Kanon he’d spotted it too.
His partner leaned forward, swiping an index finger across her thigh. “Really should let us finish this.”
“Pass.” Lennox rolled off the couch and headed down the hall. “I’m stealing the second shower; you can have Mel’s when she’s done.”
Kanon watched her go, so hard he wanted nothing more than to follow her down the hall. She rounded a corner and a door clicked shut.
“Damn.” Kanon sagged, turning to flop down across the couch.
Tegan’s head tilted, listening for a second, and then a grin split his face as he dropped to his knees in front of Kanon. “Shower is still going.”
He ran a calloused fingertip down the seam of Kanon’s jeans, from his knee all the way up to his groin. Kanon’s hips came off the couch of their own accord.
“And if she comes out before you’re done?” Though at this point, Kanon wasn’t sure he gave a damn.
Let Melody see. Hell. Let Lennox come walking back out and watch. His hips jerked again and he reached for his fly, unsnapping the button. “I take it back, I don’t care.”
Tegan gave a low chuckle and knocked his hand aside. “Didn’t really think you did.”
He slid the zipper down with one hand, reaching the other inside to wrap his hand around Kanon’s cock. “Fuck,” Kanon breathed, his hips lifting as he pumped into Tegan’s hand.
“What do you want?”
