The Beast in Him Read Online Free PDF Page B

weird kinky shit you’ve started doing since you joined the Marines?”
    “The Navy, Jessie Ann. I joined the Navy.”
    “Whatever.”
    Bobby Ray looked at the door, then back at her. “Did you not know I was in here with you the entire time you were washing your hands—and mumbling to yourself like my crazy Aunt Ju-ju?”
    Dammit. She really had to work on the talking to herself thing. “I knew.”
    “But not until you turned around.”
    “Look, I’ve got a lot on my mind. I can’t be aware of everything constantly.”
    “But... ” He looked so adorably confused all she wanted to do was punch him in the face. “You’re one of us. How could you not know I was right behind you?”
    “I—”
    “You couldn’t scent me? Hear me? Are you still that oblivious?”
    How did he manage to do it again? Turn her into a sixteen-year-old? She clearly remembered getting these long lectures from him about being safe and aware of what was going on around her. “You can’t live your life in them books, Jessie Ann,” he’d always tell her. Like she’d want to spend a second of her day facing her reality. She usually received these lectures while she hid under bleachers or up in trees. The leopard family that lived near Smithtown territory thought she was “just the cutest thing” because she actually knew how to climb trees.
    But that was a very long time ago. She wasn’t that battered little girl hiding from a bunch of ravening She-pups. She was Jessica Ann Ward, CEO of Kuznetsov Security Systems and Alpha Female of the Kuznetsov Pack. And yet, here she stood, getting lectured to by this giant-headed mangy wolf.
    Sure, she could yell at him. Scream at him even. But that wouldn’t register with Bobby Ray Smith. No, there was only one way to get under a Smith’s skin. Especially this Smith.
    “Look, Bubba Ray—”
    His eyes narrowed to glowing-amber slits. “It’s Bobby Ray, as you damn well know. My daddy is Bubba.”
    “Bubba. Bobby.” She gave a dismissive wave. “Sweetie, does it really matter?” For a brief second, she though he might hit her.
    When he didn’t, she patted his shoulder. “It’s really sweet of you to care. Really. But I actually have someone waiting for me and,” she wrinkled up her nose and whispered, “not to tell you your business, but shouldn’t you be watching the front door? I wouldn’t want you to get fired.” When he stared at her with his mouth slightly open, she innocently asked, “You are restaurant security, right?” Frighteningly entertained, Jess rubbed his sweater-covered bicep a bit. “Well, I do have to go. You take care now, Bobby Joe.”
    Jess walked to the door and pulled it open. As she stepped into the hallway, she heard him growl, “It’s Bobby Ray.”
    Smiling and feeling like she’d won the lottery, Jess sauntered back to the table. Before she could sit down, her cell phone went off.
    She flipped it open. “This is Jessica?”
    “I’m calling to rescue you from a fate worse than death. Dessert with Sherman the Dull.”
    “Oh, my God. Are you sure?”
    “Yes, I’m sure he’s really dull—just like I warned you he would be,” Phil went on smugly. “You never listen to me.”
    “Okay. Okay. I understand. I’m leaving right now.”
    Jess closed her phone and gave Sherman her best pout. “I’m so sorry, Sherman. But I have to run. Trouble at the Pack house.”
    “Of course, of course.” He stood and she waved him back into his seat. “My car is waiting outside. You have dessert and I’ll talk to you later.” She thought about kissing him on the cheek, but the thought made her wince, so she patted him on the shoulder instead. “Thank you for a lovely dinner.” Then she headed for the door. The maître d’, whom she knew on a first-name basis, already had her coat on his arm. She snatched it from him, rolled her eyes at his grin, and charged out of the restaurant. Her driver already had the car door open and she practically leaped