Page 54 of So I Won a Werelion

Wendy’s eyes fluttered closed, but they didn’t stay that way for long. Her dreams had been stolen from her too many times. They were even more important to find than any artifact.

“For so long I wouldn’t let myself think about what it would be like to go out with Gabe. The thought of kissing him felt dirty. Shameful.” She shook her head. “Because I thought he didn’t want me. Now that Ihavekissed him, it’s all I can think about.”

“And what comes after that, I’m sure.” Hannah winked.

“Damn straight. I want to blow his mind,” she said. “Do something he’s totally not expecting. And nothing around town feels good enough.”

“He won’t care where you take him. The lion wants you.” Marissa had been quiet until now, but the ladies eyed each other after her suggestion. “Give him a lap dance.”

Wendy’s mouth dropped. “On camera?”

“We’ll cut it before things get too hot. Think of it as hot tub time without the hot tub,” Marissa waggled her brows. “You said you wanted to do unspeakable things to him. Let us see it.”

“I’m forty-two. If I dip down too low, I might never get up.” Wendy laughed.

“The lap dance is a fantastic idea.” And perfect to get this episode back on track. “You can make it as sexy as you want, we’ll get some adorable lingerie, and if you feel like your moves are a little rusty, I can put you in touch with one of the dancers at the Orchid Lounge for some lessons.”

“Okay. I’ll do it.” Wendy scraped her teeth over her bottom lip. “I wish I could tell Gabe.”

“Absolutely not.” Hannah waved her hand. “You can tell him that you’ve come up with the perfect idea and tease him a little bit. Tell him you have to go to practice. But don’t say for what.”

“Oh, it looks like we have a new host ofThe Mating Game.”

Hannah blushed. “Sorry. I’ve spent so much time in the forums talking with my online friends about what I’d do if I had a chance to be on the show, I almost feel like I’ve already been here. Gabe is smoking hot, and you’ve been waiting for this for a long time. Like Bibi said, you can’t hold back.”

“If you’re interested, we can add you to the team, but first we’ll find your mate.”

My phone buzzed on the table beside me. I was having too much fun with the ladies, and I almost ignored it. But then wolfinstinct kicked in. It could be Hugo with news about the Scepter, or those obnoxious Montana wolves.

Gabe’s name was on the screen. “Someone’s ears must have been ringing.”

Hannah and Marissa oohed, and Wendy beamed.

“Bibi, I’m in trouble and I need your help,” he said.

Oh.

“I’m sorry, I must excuse myself,” I apologized to the nail tech, and ignored the concerned expressions as I left the room.

“Tell me everything,” I said once I’d made it to my boudoir and shut the door.

It wasn’t the first time a contestant had withheld a bombshell, but that didn’t make his confession any less shocking.

“You didn’t answer any of the reporters’ questions, did you?”

“No. We left immediately. We’re in the car, headed back to Woodland Park.”

“Come to my cabin.” Tonight’s plan didn’t call for the party being crashed by three handsome lions, but we’d make it work. “Those reporters can be ruthless, and if you’re not used to them, they have a habit of catching you off guard. They’ll have the ski resort staked out by morning.”

“No, they won’t.” There was no missing his growl, even over the phone. “Listen, Wendy doesn’t know about this. I planned to tell her in my own time. Things went sideways fast, and I’m still in shock.”

“You’re in mourning,” I corrected. “They stole your career from you.”

“Yeah,” he said softly. “I don’t want Wendy to think that I’m pursuing her because I don’t have any other options. Like she’s my last resort. This made me realize how fucked up my priorities had become. That all I cared about was performance times and rankings. How to be better and faster and beat my old records.”

“We’ll work together and find the best way to tell her. But we’ll have to do it quickly before we lose control of the situation.”

“I talked to the guys who’d already been on the show before this happened. They suggested going public with it.”

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