Page 22 of Stella

“She was paid. A lot of money.” Jerrick said it so matter of factly.

My brain stopped working for a minute. “Paid?”

“When she finally realized she couldn’t get Simon to dump me and Evan, she took her money and bailed.”

I threw my arms around Jerrick. He looked startled but hugged me back.

“I’m okay.” Jerrick patted my back. “It hurt, but Simon was the worst off. It was like all his darkest fears had come to haunt him at once.”

“It was still horrible for you. I’m so sorry.” I looked up at him.

“Simon had no right to be so rude.” He cupped my face with both of his hands.

The big beta’s hands were large enough that his fingertips brushed into my hair. I looked up at him, his touch making me go soft and liquid. This was more than lust. I didn’t want some random man; I wantedhim.

“Simon hurt you, and that’s not okay. But I wanted you to know why he overacted.”

“It’s okay,” I sighed. His eyes were so blue. When he looked at me like that, the rest of the world went away. “I’ll cut him some slack. But only a little.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. “Now let’s eat.”

I grumbled at the loss of contact but sat down and piled a good selection onto my plate. I was starving even though I’d had breakfast, lunch, and three snacks. I ate until I thought I would explode, Jerrick asking me questions about my day. Lando strolled over to us as we were finishing the meal.

“If he hisses and bites, that’s just how he is,” I said. “You’re bonded to Simon, you’re used to it.”

Jerrick chuckled. “I am. Simon’s much mellower when you get to know him.”

I looked at Lando. The black and white tuxedo cat gave me a disdainful glare. “Yeah, Lando isn’t like that.”

Lando, as if to prove a point that I had no idea about men, rubbed against my date’s leg.

After dinner, I dragged Jerrick over to my giant chair. Made from wicker, I padded it with thick, plush purple pillows, like a bean bag chair in shape, but in a solid, wooden frame.

I brought my book over. As he pulled his copy out of his bag, I climbed into the chair.

He eyed it doubtfully. “I’m going to break it.”

“You won’t. Come on.” I patted next to me.

He climbed on carefully. His weight shifted the balance of the chair so that I ended up sliding against him, my evil plan falling into place. I grinned and snuggled under his arm.

“If you wanted snuggles, you could have asked,” he said, putting his arm around me.

“I want snuggles.”

It was heaven. I sighed against him, his tart scent enveloping me. His chest was as solid as I thought it would be. I rubbed my face into his shirt.

It was as relaxing as I’d hoped. As I rubbed against him, his scent grew stronger.

He stroked his hands lightly down my arms and warmth curled inside me, like I’d drunk hot chocolate on a cold winter day.

I ran my hands up his chest, desire spiraling inside me. My ladybits went straight to phase two and I wasn’t sure I could stop my desire this time.

I wanted him. I looked up into his face, loving that he was content to watch me without pressing for more.

“I don’t usually move so fast,” I said, sliding my hands over his chest. “But I crave you.”

“You can have whatever you want.” Jerrick sucked in a breath. I didn’t need the giant bulge in his pants to tell me he was aroused too, but I liked it all the same.

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