Page 46 of A Cock and Bull Story
My hand leaves his palm to fly to my throat.
I know exactly what he means.
He’s talking about men who turn into tigers—and slash women's throats.
Yep—that’s a vagina and I’m a blinkin’ prat.
Words cannot describe how gormless1I feel for not realizing that Belle sent me a picture of her muff—not to mention how utterly gobsmacked I am that she’s human.
Oh, and wanted an actualdickpic.
I try hard to focus on the main issue here—Belle’s in danger. I listen to Jude, Arthur, and Jack explain shifters to the stunned Yank while attempting not to make any eye contact.
It’s bad enough I’m a bloody slippery dick, but this cock-up is on whole other level of brainless. I surreptitiously look at the picture Belle sent again—not because I’m a perv, but because I can’t get over my own blindness.
A cat?
I seriously thoughtthatwasa cat?
How long has it been since I’ve got my end away2to make this big of a mistake?
“Theo!” Jude shouts, and I startle.
Quickly swiping out of my picture gallery, I darken my phone and look at Jude, finally making eye-contact.
“Sorry—what did you say?”
He’s wearing a fierce scowl.
“Belle wants to help,” he repeats.
I blink in more confusion.
“Help?” I parrot.
Sucking in a breath of encouragement, I turn to look at beautiful woman. Inwardly, I cringe, prepared for her disgust with me. But, when our eyes connect, I see no censure—just the gentle acceptance that she has always given me.
“She thinks she can help us,” Jude elaborates.
“Against the Tershes?” I blurt.
The woman has a death wish.
Jude and Arthur begin lecturing Belle together, but Jack just sits back with an evil grin.
“They aren’t going to convince her to leave,” he whispers. “Even if it’s what’s best for her.”
Now, I frown.
Does she not understand the peril she is in?!
“I can’t believe she managed to fool us all—unwittingly!” Jack hoots.
“Yep, and make a fool of me, unwittingly,” I chunter3.
Jack stops laughing to angle himself closer to me.
“Nope—you’re not going to do that,” he commands.
