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  I spun, headed for the door, which opened wide, revealing a totally naked Dad. "ACK!" My hand slapped over my line of vision once more. "I need therapy!"

  Meat burst out laughing. "Now I know why they don't want you teleporting. You inevitably find naked people. Like some magnet that draws you right to them. A penis magnet called Shyanne."

  Frowning, I shot him a look. "That wasn't nice. Besides, you were the one telling me about your choccy popsicle that I could lick."

  Dad coughed. "If you had arrived the first time I called, you wouldn't be so traumatized now. That's what you get for delaying my bedtime."

  "But how did you know…?"

  "Parents always know." Dad lifted his chin and winked at Andrew.

  Andrew snorted.

  "Baby Girl, I think I just might need your therapy session this week." Dad strode farther into the room, gently pushing me out the door. Meat received a heavier shove, still cackling. The bedroom door soundly shut, I breathed again, trying hard to wipe the disturbing image out of my mind.

  Meat grabbed my hand, tugging me to the steps. "Did I mention you never cease to entertain?"

  I rolled my eyes.

  Chapter 6

  The immediate family sat around the large supper table. Meat on my left. The boys demanded to sit beside their grandfather, who occupied the chair at the head of the table, flanked by Andrew.

  Delcine received Meat's most gentlemanly attention when she sat opposite him. The gray-headed elderly housekeeper slash nanny had worked for Dad and Andrew for a number of years. More than once Meat remarked over her fine cooking, the glitter in her eyes, and her obvious fortitude in order to handle not one, but two overbearing men. She agreed heartily. I noticed she dipped him an extra serving of each item as a reward. Flirting and cajoling women fell under the alpha kitty's talent list, right up there with dancing.

  Dad and Andrew refrained from much dinner conversation, at least words aimed at Meat. Annoyed looks and growls, sure, but they didn't engage him in conversation. I'd bet afterward, when small ears were tucked in bed, they would corner my boyfriend and give him an earful.

  Keeping my eyes down, I focused on my mashed potatoes, trying to ignore Meat's ever-questing hand as his fingers walked up my inner thigh. He started earlier with a game of footsie, which soon spread to the present situation as his right hand headed straight for my promised land.

  I stomped his toe and pinched his thigh, all to no avail. He simply wiggled his eyebrows at me and grinned wickedly. Maybe the hyena needed some whole milk to drink to give him the runs so he would leave me alone to eat in peace. The plan did have potential.

  "How does the meat taste?" Delcine asked.

  I quickly swallowed, focusing my attention on the remaining uneaten food. "He's yummy. Especially when dipped in chocolate syrup."

  The whole table gasped, before I realized what came out of my mouth. Heat blasted across my face. Dad spewed his tea, Andrew coughed, and Meat smiled wide.

  Dad reached over to whap Andrew on the back as he tried to catch his breath after aspirating his drink. Delcine blinked before refilling her glass, seeming to ignore the whole oopsie that popped out of my mouth. After serving so long with Dad and Andrew, I imagined not much would surprise or rattle the older woman. The light bulb finally clicked on that she really meant the new spices on the meat she prepared for the evening meal, not my boyfriend.

  My only excuse lay in the fact someone's hand reached their destination between my thighs. His thumb rubbed once, from top to bottom, making me cross-eyed, trying to keep from letting on in front of the family.

  The kids shot me a look of sheer confusion. Sasha broke the silence. "Mommy? Meat is really big. How did you dip him in chocolate?"

  Another chorus of snorting and chuckles followed. I considered that first statement. Yeah, Meat WAS really big.

  I glanced up to find all eyes centered on me, waiting for a reply. Meat tickled the inside of my knee as I pinched his thigh hard through his jeans, really close to a terribly sensitive spot of his own. He jumped in response, yanking his hand away. Maybe now I could actually think a way out of this mess without his help. Neanderthal. I swear.

  Dad and Andrew both sported small grins smacked on their faces, promising no help while sitting back and listening as I dug my own hole.

  Think. Think. "Well, Sasha." I squirmed and stalled, using my napkin to pat my mouth. "We were… at a chocolate store and they were offering free samples." Okay. This sounded reasonable. I'll go with it. "One sample was a melted chocolate…"

  "Like a glaze?" Delcine asked.

  I beamed her direction, thanking her with my eyes. "That's exactly what it was. A glaze for a dessert." Waving my hand dismissively, I continued onward. "Well, Meat dipped his finger in the chocolate and then I licked it off."

  So there, I wanted to add to the men in the room who thought I couldn't wiggle out of such a situation on my own.

  "Mom?"

  "Yes, honey?" I glanced over at Chance as he played with his fork.

  "Do you and Meat have sex?"

  I choked. Dad spewed. Andrew chuckled. Meat whapped me on the back, a face splitting grin on his face.

  Did I have the audacity to believe I could outwit a four year old? Man, was I dumber than a kindergartener.

  Chapter 7

  I slipped in the back door of the club, pinky waving at the guard. Knight, I believed they called him. He wasn't near as big as the mountain that guarded the front, but I wouldn't doubt he could take anyone short of the Marines out in a heartbeat. Something about those deep eyes and stern expression spoke of strength, power, intent, and experience. Not to mention, the whole body language shouted, 'I haven't killed today… yet.' His build whispered of real life work and activity to keep in top condition, not a daily gym workout.

  He nodded slightly, his eyebrow lifting as he glanced at my outfit.

  "Pink day," I explained. He remained silent, and I squirmed. "The boys were running amok, and I ran out of Calgon. My hair wouldn't cooperate, and there wasn't a single chunk of sanity-saving chocolate to be found. This was the best I could do." I spread my arms in order to show off my hot pink blouse. Matching jeans and shoes complemented the ensemble. I even wore pale pink socks and undies, but I wasn't about to disclose that information to Knight. Underwear color fell under the need to know category. The guard didn't need to know.

  One glance at his face told me I didn't need to worry, his Superman x-ray vision read me like a bug spot on a windshield. The corner of his mouth twitched, his arms dropped from across his chest to rest at his sides. Muscles rippled with the slight movement, accentuated by his black, body molding shirt.

  I bet if he smiled now and again, women would flock to him like a hungry bear to honey. Heck, they probably did so when he scowled as well.

  Scooting by, I headed for Meat's dressing room, intending to surprise him and perhaps admire his excellent dance abilities in person.

  Trudging down the narrow hallway, I passed a couple of other dancers fresh from the stage. Or at least, it appeared so, with each dressed in only a thin thong, money hanging out from all sides. They raked me with their gazes and rolled their eyes.

  Yeah, well, we all can't be fashion divas.

  Finding the correct door, I quickly tapped, then barged in. The sight stopped me in my tracks.

  Ducian's head swung my direction, a look of complete frustration pasted on his face. "I don't suppose you know anything about buttons?" He snarled in annoyance.

  Blinking, I took a moment to take in the situation. The vampire, dressed in black denim, stood with his fly blaringly open. Bare skin with a hint of hair contrasted with the dark material covering the other areas. His hand opened to reveal a shiny silver button, identical to the others still on the front of the pants.

  I would have smiled at his helpless expression if it weren't for those deadly fangs flashing. Instead, I dug through my matching pink bag, pulling out black thread and a needle.

  "Ac
tually, you're in luck."

  His eyes glanced from me to the needle and thread. "I have to go on in five minutes. Can you…?"

  I smiled and kneeled in front of him, holding out my palm as I met his gaze. "If you would just give me the button, I'll have you good as new in two shakes of a bunny tail."

  He handed over the offending item, and I went to work reattaching it. Scooting closer, I leaned in, my nose a fraction of an inch from his taut lower belly with the few dark wayward hairs leading downward. Of course it had to be the very bottom button, closest to Ducian's version of Mr Happy.

  I could feel his body heat as I tugged on the button side of the fly, gaining a bit of room to avoid pricking him with the sewing needle as I slipped it through the material.

  "Hey! Those are attached, you know," he grumbled down at me.

  "Sorry." I slid my finger under the fabric, making sure I created enough space as I made my first stitch through the button and down through the tough material. "Trying not to poke you." I concentrated on the next loop and tried not to think about that bulge resting directly under my chin. If I moved my finger a tad bit more to the right, the debate of real or sock would be determined.

  Glancing up, I caught Ducian watching me with interest. With a quick reassuring grin, I turned my attention back to the task at hand. I quickly made two more cycles before digging for my little scissors. Finding them, I made a quick snip, tied up the ends, and pressed on the button experimentally. "There. I think that'll last for this session. But you should get it repaired better afterward."

  "Something is rubbing…" Ducian said, looking down and tugging his pants open farther.

  "Oh, I probably left the end a bit long, let me see." Angling in, I turned my head, trying to find the problem area.

  "You have some talent."

  I jerked on his jeans to afford a bit more room and better light. At the same time my nose bumped his groin.

  He let out a muted yelp followed immediately by a low groan.

  "What's going on here?"

  I twisted toward an all too familiar voice. "I was…"

  Ducian shifted backward, only to stop short with my fingers trapped between the tight material and the warm skin of his groin. His gaze flicked from Meat's intense face down to me, before bouncing back again. His lips curled up at the corners.

  Low rumbling came from Meat's chest and throat, a warning growl if I ever heard one.

  A loud voice broke in as the MC used the microphone to announce the next dancer.

  "That's my cue." Ducian grabbed my wrist, tugged it free, and then buttoned up his pants in one fluid motion.

  One stride and he stood at the door to the dressing room. He paused, glanced back to me, then turned his attention to Meat. "She's good. Very good." His low sensual tone filled with sultry overtones. With a wink, he scooted out the door and disappeared before Meat could grab hold of him.

  I sat back on my heels, staring up at the scowling liger.

  Arms folded across his large chest as he pinned me with his eyes. To a bystander, he appeared angry. I knew better. His blue eyes sparked with mischief and a promise to yank my chain. Unfortunately, the high tides of my hormones didn't predict chain yanking as a good pastime today.

  "Would you like to explain what was that was about?"

  I sighed and slowly stood up. Leave it to the Neanderthal to have his mind in the gutter. Too bad I didn't feel up to bantering with the oversized lap kitty. "No."

  Surprise flew across his face. Although his body didn't move an inch, I could tell he never expected such an answer. "No?"

  Turning, I located my purse. "No, I don't want to explain." Opening the bag, I neatly tucked the needle and thread back into the miniature sewing kit kept for emergencies.

  We stared at one another for a long moment before a tiny smile crossed his lips.

  His amused expression did nothing for my sense of humor. "What's so funny?" I picked up my purse and wondered if there would be a mark left when I smacked him upside the head with it. Surely there was something hard enough in there to ring his bell. Besides, the customers were interested in his groin, not his noggin. Not to mention any purple bruise would blend in nicely with his black hair.

  "You're wearing pink." He crossed his arms once more, leaned back against the door.

  I looked down at my clothing, then returned his gaze. "Yeah. So?"

  His smile widened, showing off straight white teeth. "And you're cranky."

  Oh, he was asking for it. Men didn't accuse women of being cranky to their face. It simply wasn't done.

  I hefted my purse and attempted to pull on my limited geometry knowledge and nonexistent physics to plan the perfect angle to wallop him a good one.

  He grabbed my wrist before I could muster up enough strength. If that wasn't frustrating enough, his smile broadened into full fledged male amusement.

  "Ducky was all out of chocolate?"

  My mouth dropped open in confusion. "Huh?" My typical intellectual fall back response.

  Meat bent over to whisper loudly in my ear. "Let me guess. Without chocolate syrup, Ducky tastes like chicken?"

  The goon chuckled at his own joke until my heel stomped on his big toe. Heathen.

  Meat continued to stare, not even flinching at my small violent outburst.

  "I didn't touch Ducian's… penis. Well, I almost did, but I really didn't."

  "Your face was buried in his crotch."

  "I was fixing his button."

  His eyebrow arched as he stared down at me.

  I squirmed. "I was."

  "I prefer you stay out of other men's pants."

  "Ohhhhh. You're such a… cow patty! I swear."

  The MC broke in announcing Meat. His music started a second later.

  "Be here when I'm done."

  I frowned at him, my irritation level still high. "So you can torment me some more?"

  Leaning in, he sealed his lips over mine. The kiss didn't last more than a couple of seconds, but long enough for my knees to weaken and my heart to pitter patter. Shy parts sat up and begged for more. With a wicked grin, he hurried out of the room, black leathers sculpting his delicious rear with each departure step. Oh my.

  Plopping down on the beaten up old wooden single chair in the room, I tapped my toes, pondering my next option. I did drive in to watch Meat dance. Granted, he would be performing again later in the evening, too.

  A soft knock jarred my attention.

  "Is it safe to come in?" Ducian cracked the door open and peeked inside.

  "Sure. Come on in."

  He stepped forward, clad only in his black Speedo, carrying a wad of clothing. "Did the puddy cat get all huffy?"

  I rolled my eyes.

  He smiled at me, dumping the used clothing into a pile. Digging in the closet, he pulled out jeans and a t-shirt. A handful of money appeared only to be shoved into a wallet.

  "Aren't you going to take the thong off too?" After all, who would want to wear it all night after having all that germy infested money stuffed inside?

  His lips tilted up. "Can't wait to see me naked?"

  Now that he mentioned it… "Umm… well…"

  He reached over to tap me on the nose. "Yeah, it's coming off. You wanna watch?" Those eyes flashed as he grinned wickedly.

  "Well…" Sure, I wanted to see. Possibly. Maybe. But to admit such a thing might ruin my innocent image. Decisions, decisions.

  I settled for slapping my hands over my eyes. "Okay. I'm ready."

  He laughed, but I heard the slide of material over skin. "So what happened with you and the overgrown lap kitty?"

  I tried to peek between my fingers but discovered he was as quick to put on clothing as to remove them. Dropping my hands, I peered down as I recalled the event. "Let's see. He said as his girlfriend, I shouldn't be in other men's pants. I stomped his toe and called him a cow patty. Hmmm. Yeah, I believe those are the highlights."

  Ducian spun around, jeans in place, shirt just over his hea
d as he tugged it down over those well defined muscles. His mouth gaped open. "You called him a pile of shit?"

  Blinking, I shook my head. "Nope. I called him a cow patty."

  He chuckled. "Bet he's never been called that before."

  I snorted, fingering the shoulder strap of my purse. A moment later, Ducian cupped my chin with his fingers as he squatted in front of me. I met his gaze steadily.

  He pressed a gentle kiss against my forehead, but didn't release me. "You do know jealousy when you see it, don't you?"

  "Jealous? Of me sewing on a button?"

  Ducian smiled. "He's an alpha male. They are famous for jealousy driven rampages and overprotection to the nth degree. Not to mention irrational."

  I lowered my eyes, digesting the information.

  "What do you think all that marking was about?"

  I shrugged. "He's a possessive cow patty?"

  This time he threw his head back and laughed heartily. "You may be right on that." Standing, he grabbed my hand, pulling me up. "But I can say this. You should have seen his face. It spoke volumes."

  "What did it say?" I quietly asked.

  The door opened, with a next to naked Meat striding in. He glowered at Ducian, then down to me, before slapping the money on the nearby table.

  "What are you doing here?" he grumbled at the vampire.

  Ducian grinned. "Getting dressed. Or did you forget this is a dressing room?"

  That comment earned him a low growl. "Smart ass."

  "Yep, that's me." Ducian smartly saluted the shifter, flashed his fangs, then headed toward the door. He paused to glance back at me. "Call if you need me, Princess."

  I shot him a soft smile and mouthed 'thank you'.

  The door clicked shut, leaving me standing in front of one randy tomcat by the heated expression on his face and the growing tent in his undies. While I would normally avoid hanky-panky in the dressing room, after the searing hot kiss he bestowed on me before his dance, I leaned toward giving kinkiness a try.

  Just as I opened my mouth, Misha flounced in, slamming the door behind her.

  Just great. As if the evening wasn't bad enough already. Seems the witch had arrived. Too bad Misha wasn't gray headed, spindle thin, and bug-eyed. Where were those magic potions to turn her into a turtle when you needed one?