Page 38 of Claimed by the Pack

“Bull shit.”

“I felt it. I could smell it, the other night. Hell, he almost bit me over taking her out for coffee.”

Ridge growled low in his throat and said, “Well, he can't have her either.”

I felt defiant, something I'd rarely felt in my life. I like to get along, go with the flow...but in this case, I just didn't believe I could do it. With a tremor in my voice I said, “That's her decision to make, Ridge, not yours. She's not claimed and neither are we. At this point, everyone is fair game.”

I chuckled because I didn't know what else to do. Wasn't it bad enough that I had to be patient and “court” her like a human being? Now my two best friends also wanted to court her? I honestly felt like I was going to lose my mind. “So by “fair game” what does that mean? I mean, what do you plan on doing about it?”

“I'm going to ask her out.”

“She'll say no.”

Chase smiled at me and I saw that same steely determination in his eyes that I saw in my own when I looked in the mirror. He was about to give me something I'd never had before...competition.

* * *

I was furious with Gray.I kept telling myself that he was a dog and didn't know any better...but, I'd left my things out the entire time he'd been there and he hadn't chewed up a single thing.

It was just my luck that he'd choose tonight to act out. I dug frantically through my closet, finally settling on a blue and white flowered dress. I didn't care for the way it fit me in the hips, but It was close to time for Ridge to show up and I had nothing else.

I finished fixing my hair, curling it and letting it hang down my back and across my shoulders, and then I spent twice as much time on my make-up as I normally did, at last pronouncing myself as decent as I was going to get, just before I heard his knock on the door. I heard a second knock as I pulled on my shoes, and a third when I went looking for my purse. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to see Myrna sitting in the living room, idly flipping through a magazine...but I was.

“You're not going to answer the door?” I said, annoyed.

“Oh,” she said, in an “oh so casual” voice. “Was someone knocking? I didn't hear them.”

“You're an ass,” I told her.

She smiled. “I'm sorry honey. You know I just love you and don't want to see you hurt.”

I had my hand on the doorknob and I looked over my shoulder and said, “I know, but I'm a big girl and whatever happens, I'll deal with it. I just decided that if I don't at least give this a shot, I was going to wonder what if, forever.” Myrna's face softened and she said,

“I hear you. Did he at least get rid of the girlfriend?”

“Yes, they broke up two weeks ago,” I lied. She nodded and then positioned herself in front of the kitchen island, with her arms folded as I went to get the door.

Gray, who was acting out as much as she was, positioned his heavy self in front of the door.

“I'm coming, Ridge,” I said. Then I looked down at Gray and said, “What are you doing?”

He looked at the door and snarled. “I told you,” I said, thankfully, remembering Myrna was still in the room. “He's an okay guy...just a little different. I'll be fine.”

I reached down and pet him and then I pulled open the door. Ridge was clean shaven and his dark hair had been finger styled and set with gel. He smelled like a summer day in the forest...and the tight flannel shirt and jeans he wore showed off what an incredible body he had. I felt every nerve ending in my own body react to the sight of him, and then I wondered if he could smell my lust. When I looked at his face at last, I was sure he could. The look on his face was pleased, but smug.

“Hi,” he said. “You look amazing.” I didn't, but hearing him say I did made the butterflies in my belly take flight.

“Thank you,” I said, “So do you.” I glanced over at Myrna and she was rolling her eyes. Gray sat at her feet and his blue eyes looked dark as he glared at Ridge. I hoped he didn't decide to bite him. The day I'd watched Ridge shift, I had seen what a big, powerful animal he was. He could easily maul my little husky. Not that Gray was a little husky in any sense of the word...but Ridge was a giant of a man. A hot, sexy, giant.

“You ready to go?”

I picked up my purse and nodded. I turned to Myrna and said, “Can you let Gray out later, before you go to bed, if I'm not home yet?” Myrna rolled her eyes and nodded. Cheyenne looked down at Gray and said, “You be good boy and go potty when Myrna takes you out, okay? I won't be too late.” He whined and in my head I heard him say,

“I'll be good. I'll be waiting, in my spot on the bed.”

Little asshole.

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