Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Mazzy’s hand covers her mouth.
“But even as pissed as Santa was, he couldn’t kill the little squirrel, so he opted for the rabies vaccination series and took the live rodent home in a box to release it back into its tree.”
“That’s so sweet,” Mazzy says, hand pressed over her heart.
Farren is nearly crying with laughter. “Oh my God, did he even get to finish delivering the presents?”
“Nope,” Willa says, grinning. “The guy’s family showed up while we were treating him, and his kids were mortified. Apparently, it’s not the first time he’s done something like this. His wife looked me dead in the eye and said, ‘This is why I told him we’re sticking with Amazon next year.’”
The table erupts into laughter, and Willa raises her glass. “So, here’s to Santa, squirrels and keeping the holiday spirit alive—even in the ER.”
The conversation shifts to horror stories from Willa’s job, Mazzy’s upcoming gigs, and King’s eternal struggles with helping coach youth hockey. Farren plays along perfectly, her teasing remarks fitting seamlessly into the group dynamic.
But under the table, her foot slides higher up my leg, and I shoot her a look that’s equal parts warning and amusement. She smirks, her expression completely innocent, and I know she’s enjoying every second of this game.
When the others finally decide to call it a night, I offer to give Farren a ride home.
“We’ll stay for another beer,” I say casually, waving off the rest of the group.
As they leave, the tension between Farren and me feels like it might snap. Moving closer, I keep my voice low. “What do you want to do after this?”
I half expect her to suggest heading back to my place. But instead, she tilts her head, a playful glint in her eye. “Let’s go to a nightclub.”
“A nightclub?” I echo, surprised.
“Yeah,” she says, twirling the straw in her drink. “It’s dark, no one will notice us, and I want to check it out for job potential.”
I narrow my eyes. “Job potential?”
She shrugs. “I’ve been thinking about trying something new. Bartending at a nightclub seems interesting.”
I hesitate, then down the rest of my beer. “All right. Let’s go.”
♦
The nightclub is a sensory overload of flashing lights, pounding bass and bodies moving in rhythm. Farren fits in effortlessly, even though she’s dressed in an Abrams Titans jersey, her confidence radiating as we grab drinks at the bar. She sips her cocktail, eyes scanning the room like she’s taking mental notes.
“Research going well?” I ask, angling myself in so she can hear me over the music.
She grins, tipping her glass in my direction. “Very well.”
When she finishes her drink, she grabs my hand and pulls me onto the dance floor. The beat slows into something deep and sultry, and she starts to move in a way that has my dick twitching and my hands eager to grab her.
She presses close, her body swaying against mine, her arms looping around my neck. It’s more than dancing—it’s a performance, and I’m the only one in the audience.
“You’re killing me,” I murmur, my hands settling on her hips.
“That’s the point,” she says, her breath warm against my ear.
The song ends, and Farren slips away, saying she’s headed to the bathroom. I watch her go, my gaze tracking her as she walks away.
And that’s when I see him.
Some guy, all swagger and too much gold jewelry, sidles up to her near the bathroom line. He moves in close, his hand brushing her arm, and I see red.
Before I realize what I’m doing, I’m across the room, grabbing the guy by the shoulder and spinning him around.
“Back off,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous.
The guy looks startled but recovers quickly, squaring up to me. “What’s your problem, man?”
“You’re my problem,” I snap, shoving him back a step.
Before things can escalate further, Farren slips between us and places a hand on my chest.
“North,” she says, her voice laced with amusement, “calm down. It’s fine.”
“He was hitting on you,” I grit out, my fists still clenched.
“And I wasn’t interested,” she replies. “Now come on. Let’s get out of here before someone recognizes you.”
She takes my hand and leads me toward the exit, her laughter bubbling over as we step into the cool night air.
“That was…” She starts, glancing at me with a grin. “Kind of hot, actually.”
I scowl. “It wasn’t supposed to be hot. That guy was a jackass.”
She shrugs, her eyes dancing. “Alpha jealous protector—it’s a good look on you.”
I glare at her, but the corners of my mouth twitch. “It could all be unnecessary if you’d just give in and date me.”
She stops, turning to face me fully. “Oh yeah? What would dating you look like?”
I bend closer, my voice dropping. “For starters, we’d go out for a nice dinner. Maybe a movie. You’d let me hold your hand in public.”