Page 50 of Ricochet

“Wait. You want me picking out lingerie?” Her lips curled into her mouth as she smiled. “Do you get to see her in this lingerie?”

“You can get Fruit of the Looms for Women, for all I care. I told you, she’s not my fucking girlfriend.”

“Feisty, feisty.” Lauren cocked her head to the side and glanced back at the other woman. “He seem feisty to you, Jade?”

Jade blew another plume into the air. “Feisty.”

I squeezed my eyes shut in frustration. “I’ll pick them up in a couple of days.”

“Or I could bring them to you. No biggie.”

“I’ll pick them up.” I pointed a finger at her. “Remember. Practical.”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it. Probably hit up some vintage shops downtown. Sure you don’t want me to stop at Lover’s Lane?” Her waggling brows had me groaning and wishing I’d never asked the favor. “I could get those fur-lined handcuffs. A whip.”

“Ooh! Fuck Fruit of the Looms. Edible panties!” Jade chimed in.

“That’s enough.” I stuffed my wallet back into my pocket and stroked my chin. “Look, if you don’t want to do this—”

“Awww, I’m just playin’. Chill the fuck out. Damn, you’re sensitive when it comes to pussy.” She shook her head. “Hey, what size clothes am I supposed to get?”

Fuck. I’d forgotten about that. “I’ll text you the size.”

“Don’t leave me hangin’.”

I strode toward the door, just noticing a topless picture of Jade in black lace panties plastered to the wall. Glancing back, I threw a thumb toward it, but howls of laughter kept me from asking questions. I shook my head. “I’m out.”

“Shit, I love fuckin’ with him,” I heard Lauren say, as I stepped out into the hallway.

Aubree suddenly came to mind—specifically, her black lace panties hanging in the bathroom. I rubbed a hand down my face at the thought of her sitting on the edge of the bed, panty-less under that dress.

Stay away, the voice of reason chimed inside my head.

CHAPTER 23

Aubree

With his head resting on his paws, Blue lay outside of my room. In spite of the door being propped wide open, the dog didn’t move, never once attempted to cross whatever invisible barrier kept him from wandering inside. Had I not seen him in action and gotten a taste firsthand of the speed and strength he possessed, I might’ve thought him lazy.

I approached the door, aware that his eyes were tracking every step, and stopped just short of the doorway.

His gaze shot away from me, like something had told him don’t look at her, and maybe she’ll go away.

I reached my hand beyond the doorframe, and a low, guttural growl erupted from his throat. When I retracted, it stopped. Naturally, I reached again, but quickly yanked my arm to my chest when the dog’s head lifted from his paws.

“Okay, so as long as I’m in my room, we’re on friendly terms. Is that it?”

He pushed himself to a sitting position, as though responding to my question.

“Tell me something, Blue. Is he an asshole to you, too? Because I’d be willing to treat you nicer for a little … freedom? I’m not talking … through the front door, or anything. Maybe just, you know, a shower? I’m dying here. Washing in the sink sucks.”

The dog’s mouth widened with a yawn, his gaping maw lined with sharp teeth, and I suddenly couldn’t believe I’d survived getting trapped between those unholy weapons of destruction. Damn. Like that scene in Jaws when Roy Scheider turned his back while chumming, and the big ass shark surfaced.

“Okay, so, look. The other day … when I tried to escape. You know, it was nothing personal. I’d like to start over.” I reached out a hand, careful to keep it inside of my room, wondering if he’d bite it off to the wrist. “Truce?”

The dog lifted his paw, placing it in my palm, and I shook it, chuckling. “So, you wanna come in and hang out?”

His head cocked to the side.