Page 57 of Just a Friend for the Lion
Shoulders for days. The kind of guy who makes drywall seem flimsy just by existing.
“I’m Tony,” he says, nodding at me. “I work for Carter. And you are?”
I swallow. “MJ. I, uh, I was just stopping by. I think there’s a misunderstanding.”
He sniffs the air.
His brow furrows.
“I can smell him on you.”
“Okay, what the actual fuck,” I whisper.
“You can’t just say stuff like that to a normal!” Tricia hisses.
“You guys are Shifters, too?” I blurt, nerves firing like popcorn in my chest. “Because I know. About the whole supernatural thing. And the magic app—the Date to Mate thing. So don’t act like I’m clueless.”
They both go still.
“You a Shifter groupie?” Tony asks.
“No! And is that like a thing?” I snap.
He crosses his massive arms, shrugs.
Tricia looks mildly panicked—but not enough for my taste.
Then she shrugs, too.
“Well, if you know about us, then you know Carter’s a Lion Shifter. So, that’s where he is. Visiting his Pride. But he’s there kind of long today, and again, I’m not surprised. The males go back to,you know, service any needy females in heat.”
I stare.
Service.
Females.
In heat.
Like he’s some kind of sexy valet with a furry dick and a punch card.
“Excuse me?” My voice goes sharp.
“Oh, Gods. Okay, so, um you didn’t know that, I take it,” she says, blinking innocently. “Yikes. Well, sorry. I thought you knew how it worked. I mean, if he didn’t explain it to you officially, then that’s on him?—”
“That’s ENOUGH, Tricia.” Tony’s voice is thunder now.
Tricia shrinks a little. “What? I didn’t lie. If she’s gonna be in his life, she should know what kind of male she’s dealing with?—”
Tony steps forward.
“You’re telling half-truths to a human about your boss’s sex life, and if he hears you said he was out servicing females? You’ll be back at that temp agency before you can say ‘unemployment benefits.’”
The room spins.
My heart is racing.
I look between them, my hands shaking now.
