Page 25 of Just a Friend for the Lion
“You think you can just waltz in here, pick up a few Meat Lovers’, and ignore the fact we matched on Date to Mate?”
Shit.
I freeze mid-reach, the heat from the pizza box nothing compared to the inferno suddenly lighting up my face—and the ache in my pants.
She’s standing there with her hands on her hips, those soft brown eyes flashing with righteous fury, her cheeks pink, lips parted, curls bouncing like they’ve got an attitude of their own.
And I am one hundred percent rock hard.
“Y-you saw that?” I croak, throat dry like I just swallowed a fistful of sand.
She crosses her arms under her very distracting breasts, tilting her head like a predator zeroing in on her prey.
“I got the ping, Carter Leone,” she saysmy name, and her brows furrow. “Not niceto meet you, by the way.”
Dagger.
Straight to the chest.
“Marianne—MJ—I didn’t mean to ghost you. I swear. It’s not personal, it’s just—I’m not looking for a mate.”
“Well, that sounds pretty personal to me, doesn’t it?”
Oof. Her tone is razor-sharp, but her scent?
That’s pure sugar and heat and danger.
It hits me like a sucker punch to the soul.
She’s mad.
She’s magic.
She smells like forever.
And I am so, so screwed.
I hold up both hands like I’m trying not to spook a wild animal.
Or maybe I’m the animal, and she’s the one holding the leash.
“Shit. You’re right. I was a jerk, and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disrespect you, truly. Look—how can I make it up to you?”
Her nostrils flare, her gaze raking over me like she’s considering turning me into a calzone and stuffing me withregret.And maybe sausage.
My cock throbs at the thought.
Not helpful, brain.
“You can make it up to me by staying out of my way,” she says coolly.
Another dagger. Right through the heart.
This one twisted in tightly just for good measure.
I blink. “Wait—what does that mean?”
“It means that while you might not be interested, I am.”
