Page 58 of Pack Scratch Fever
I’m suddenly very aware of Maddox’s scent, the ginger mixing with spicy pepper.
I breathe in sharply.
“It’s our secret,” he says, and his minty breath washes over me. “It’s okay, baby, I won’t tell anyone. No one has to know that you’re my princess.”
My cunt throbs.
I clear my throat and shift in my seat, scooting away from him. “That’s not appropriate pet store talk,” I hiss, and he tilts his head back and laughs.
“You didn’t deny it, though.”
My face burns.
Thank God these new suppressants mask my scent better, because I’m positive I would have stunk up the entire pet shop by now.
Maddox is an enigma. One minute he’s making me laugh and info-dumping about cat treats, the next he’s making me soak my panties.
A throat clears, and I turn to see Gary glaring at Maddox.
“You’re going to get in trouble with Gary,” I say. “He’s protective of me, and he doesn’t trust you.”
“My intentions are good,” Maddox says, chuckling.
I give him an incredulous look.
“Ipromise,” he says. “I really did come here to help you out. Whatever you want, I’m yours.”
I roll my eyes as he laughs.
“You’re impossible,” I groan, and kick at his boot with my shoe. “Whatever I want, huh?”
“Whatever you want,” Maddox confirms.
“There are a lot of things I want,” I admit. “But what I want today is to get these cats into loving homes.”
I meet Maddox’s gaze, and he nods.
“Then let’s make it happen.”
Surprisingly,Maddox is amazing company.
At first glance, one would think he’d be closed off—but he genuinely enjoys having conversations with the volunteers.
He’s clever and charming in a different way than Avery.
And when people come to ask questions about the cats, Maddox is happy to assist me with answering them.
Gary even shoots me a look when no one else is looking and gives me a subtle thumbs-up.
Mari is enamored with him as well, and Heidi just smiles when she sees Maddox and me interact.
I watch as he feeds Darlene a treat, stretching his fingers out tentatively to extend the morsel to her. After she takes it, he gingerly rubs his palm across the top of her head.
“Good girl,” he murmurs to her, and my inner Omega growls in envy.
I amnotjealous of a damn cat.
“You’re so patient with her,” Mari sighs. “Darlene isn’t the biggest fan of men, either. You should take it as a good sign.”
