Page 56 of Just a Friend for the Lion
“Huh. You don’t look like the usual.”
“Excuse me?”
She leans forward slightly, and then she sniffs me.
No, really. Full inhale.
Like a dog.
Or, you know, aShifter.
Her eyes widen.
“Ohhhh. You’re anormal.”
My stomach drops to my toes.
“What did you just call me?”
“You smell like—um.” Her nose twitches. “Well, like the boss. But I guess that’s not unheard of. Anyway, he’s not in. And I don’t usually take messages from his women, but did you need something?”
My face goes hot.
His women?
“Hold up—what do you mean, his women?” I snap, hands on hips now. “Like plural?”
She gives me a pitying little shrug.
“Look, it’s nothing personal. But I’m not in charge of Mr. Leone’s social calendar. And between us? He’s probably off with one of hisoptions. That’s kind of a thing with, uh, guys like him.”
I blink.
I might be blacking out.
“I’m sorry—did you just sayoptions? As in he’s dating other people? While also, um—” My voice catches. “While also—optioningtime with me?”
She wrinkles her nose like it’s my hygiene at fault.
“You said you knew what he was?”
“A Shifter,” I whisper.
She nods.
“And with Lions? They’re not exactly known for being monogamous. You ever see a National Geographic documentary? An able male can service his way through a whole Pride if you catch my drift.”
I am about to climb this desk.
Before I can unleash my inner Jersey Girl, a deep voice cuts through the room like a chainsaw made of justice.
“That’s enough, Tricia.”
I whirl around to see a massive man filling the hallway entrance.
He looks big.Really big.
Like King Kong but wearing slacks.
