Her panties were wet. Not a surprise after that kiss, but how embarrassing to know he would have smelled her arousal had he not been so impatient to get away from her. And that hurt.
Finally, a man she wanted to know better, and he couldn’t leave her fast enough. Just reinforcement to the idea that she didn’t have all that much going for her besides her looks. And her wealth, she reminded herself. She had money too.
With a sigh, she moved into the back and stepped into the bathroom. There, she removed her panties—no hope for it—and tucked them into her bag. Then she straightened her appearance. A new coat of lipstick, a touch of blush and a brush through her hair. She washed her hands and dried them, then stepped away from the sink and exited the small bathroom…only to run into the broad chest of an Ac-taw who didn’t belong in Cougar Falls. At all.
Quince stared down at the arrogant feline his boss wanted back yesterday. He understood the attraction, even if he didn’t share it. His tastes ran toward feisty lions with spiky hair and spitting eyes. The resemblance was there in the eye shape and the general feminine features, but Stacey had a more classical beauty than her sister. And those blue eyes were just odd. Cold, assessing and almost wolf-like in their predatory gleam.
She took a step back and opened her mouth.
He lifted the knife he’d been holding, the one he’d used to break into her store late last night, while the town slept. The Hunter’s mist he’d used had camouflaged his scent, and he’d been quiet so as not to arouse suspicion. He hoped his knife would keep the drama queen from making a fuss.
Upon seeing the weapon, she closed her mouth. Smart girl.
“Hey there, Stacey. You’re looking good.” Quince leaned against the doorway and waited for a caustic comeback.
“Wish I could say the same,” she said with a sneer. “Shouldn’t you be rolling some kid for his lunch money? Or maybe abusing some hapless kitten so you can look big and strong?”
He had to hand it to her. She did disdainful princess like nobody’s business. It had to be that untouchable aura that had Lex’s dick in a knot. The prick couldn’t get his hands on her fast enough.
When he didn’t respond, she at least had the sense to feel nervous, though she hid it well. Only the sound of her racing heartbeat and the subtle scent of fear alerted him to her tension. Though she deserved to be scared for being so stupid, she was his future mate’s sister. No need to start off on the wrong foot with that cat—well, any more than he had already.
“Look, sweetness, you being here all by yourself is foolish. Lex hasn’t forgotten you. And he never will, not until you’re either naked and spread out beneath him or your head’s mounted to his wall,” he said bluntly, hoping to scare some sense into her.
“That’s not news, Quince. If that’s all you came out here to tell me, you can go to—”
“Shit. You’ve got balls, I’ll grant you that.” He shook his head, impressed despite himself. “I’m here with you, all alone. I outweigh you by a hundred pounds at least, and my knife is way bigger than the teeth or claws you might shift into if I didn’t gut you before you sprouted fur.”
Her fear blossomed and tasted ripe on the air. Finally.
“But I’m not here to hurt you,” he said quietly.
She blinked, and those bright blue eyes sparked with curiosity. Okay, yeah, she was hot. But still, not the right cat. Not for him.
“Lex wants you, and only you. He’ll do whatever he has to to get you back, and that includes killing your sisters. Oh, and Miles. He wants to skin Miles publicly, as a warning to everyone at home to obey.” Quince snorted. “Over-the-top and dramatic as all get-out if you asked me, but that’s Lex.”
“So I’ll leave.”
“And that’s exactly what he wants, for you to separate yourself from the safety here and be all by yourself, ripe for the plucking.”
“But you just said he wants me. If I’m gone, he’ll leave them alone.”
“I thought you were smarter than that.” He shook his head. “He sees them as leverage. You might tell him to kiss your ass, but if he has his hands on your sisters or brother, you’ll do whatever he wants to keep them safe. Won’t you?”
She didn’t respond, but the pinch to her lips answered for her. She might be spoiled, but she was loyal. And God knew he could use some loyalty right about now. Unfortunately, fidelity to the pride had been pretty rare of late.
“Here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to work with me on this.”
“You? But—”
“Me.” He stood straight and glared at her, pleased when she didn’t argue. “There are some things set in motion that need to play out. You’re going to take that pretty little ass out of town for a few days—under my watchful eye—and distract Lex. While he’s focused on you, I’m going to cut his legs out from under him.”
“My brother can—”
“You’re not going to tell anyone about this.”
“That’s stupid. The pride can help.”
The Chastells didn’t buckle under pressure or threats…and were unconventional enough to give him pause. They could definitely muck up the works. Quince didn’t even want to think about Miles Bermin added to the equation. The cat had a huge bug up his ass about Quince in particular. “We think Lex might be using a few Ac-taw in town to keep tabs on you.”
“Not from the pride,” she said quickly.
“We don’t think so. But word has come back about you all, and it’s detailed enough that we’re being ultra careful.”
“We who?”
“I ask the questions and I give the orders. Do as you’re told and this will go down without a hitch. No more Lex, no more problems.”
She bristled.
“Look, Stacey, I know it’s tough keeping that mouth shut and doing what you’re told, but you didn’t seem to have a problem with Chastell a few minutes ago. Just pretend I’m him.”
Clearly the wrong thing to say, but he’d been dying to one-up the haughty female for months.
“You son of a bitch!” She poked him in the chest with a long, sharp, manicured nail. “Look, Quince, I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I won’t let you—”
He gripped her hand in his and she froze mid-sentence. “Okay, that was out of line. But you two did look kind of chummy.” Which relieved him. Dean Chastell couldn’t have designs on Joy, not if he kissed her sister like that.
Then again, if he was stupid enough to tangle with the Bermin sisters, once they finished tearing him a new one, Quince would gut the fucker. He’d waited long enough to take what was his. He frowned down at Stacey. “You want to protect your family, you get away for the weekend. You’re bait, plain and simple.”
“Bait?” She worried her lower lip while glaring daggers at him. “Let me get this straight. You want me to set myself up for Lex, your best friend and pride leader, and trust that you’ll protect my brother and sisters while I’m gone? Are you insane?”
“You’ll do it.”
“I should just tell Miles you’re here. He can handle this.”
“If you do, I’m going to hurt him, and it’ll be your fault.” She paled, and he continued. “I don’t give a rat’s ass about you Bermins. Far as I’m concerned, you can stay out here forever. I want Lex, and he wants you. You’re the only chink in his armor, and I’m going to exploit it. Whether you’re willing or not.” He growled low.
She growled back. “You touch one hair on my brother’s head, I’ll kill you myself.” The scent of anger and fear grew thick.
“Dream on, princess.” Female cats were lethal, and Quince had learned early on never to underestimate the prettier sex. But nothing stepped in his way unless he allowed it. He’d be damned if he’d let even Joy’s sister stop him from making things right. “You refuse to play along and I’ll have no choice but to deal with Miles. If he knows I’m involved, he won’t stop until we tangle. He’s a hothead, and I don’t have time to play with him. I’ll put him out of commission, step over his broken body and finish with Lex. Now wouldn’t it be easier to keep Miles out of this until I’m done and gone?”