It was like the world was off its axis!

“I think this dress is quite complimentary,” the sales girl told them and Rory could tell his friend was real close to beating that cute little fox to death for being such a big, fat liar.

“You can’t be serious,” he argued.

The sales girl glared at Rory. “I’m trying to help.”

“You’re trying to get a commission, but you’re not going to do it by making my friend look like an idiot.”

“Well, I don’t know what you want me to do about it,” the sales girl snapped. “I’m not a miracle worker!”

Rory shot off the couch and yanked the fox out of the way of Dee-Ann’s slashing claws and snapping fangs.

“Dee-Ann!”

“She started it!”

Rory sent the sales girl off and attempted to help Dee on his own. “Maybe we should get you something shorter. You do have decent legs.”

“Thanks, Rory. That means a lot.”

“I’m trying to help.”

“Try harder!”

Rory heard a delicate throat clear and he looked over at a dark-haired Latina beauty that he was ready to give up everything he had or would ever have just for one night with her.

“Well, hello, darlin’.” He started to walk over to her, but Dee caught him by the hair and yanked him back. “Damn it, Dee-Ann!”

“Do not piss me off, Rory Lee Reed. And do not leave me to go on a pussy hunt.”

“If you’re interested,” the beauty answered, seemingly unaware of their tusslin’, “I can make a suggestion.”

“Are you actually trying to help me,” Dee asked, “or just torture me like the rest of them?”

“Don’t know you well enough to want to torture you.” She smiled at Rory. “I usually save that for my friends.”

“So, darlin’,” Rory began, “are you new in town?”

“Rory Reed!” Dee snapped.

“Sorry, sorry.” It was a hard habit to break. Beautiful woman with long legs and a curvy body and Rory was a lost wolf.

“I’m desperate,” Dee admitted to the female Rory now realized was a full-human. Surprising.

There was something so predatory about her he’d just assumed she was feline.

“Don’t panic.” The beauty walked up behind Dee and studied her in the mirror. “It’s your shoulders. They’re huge.”

“Because I need more bitchy comments about my body.”

“Just an observation. You’ve gotta work with what you’ve got.” She went to one of the racks and pulled out a sleeveless floor-length blue thing and handed it to Dee. “Try this on.” Dee looked at the price tag, her eyes wide. “Have you lostyour damn mind?”

“Look, hillbilly,” the woman snapped, “it costs money to make someone clearly raised in a holler look good. Now get your skinny ass in that room and try the damn thing on before I get testy.” Dee stormed away from them and the beauty faced Rory. He grinned. “How you doin’, darlin’?”

“I come to Manhattan and yet the hillbillies still manage to find me,” she announced to the air.

God, she was so mean. He loved mean.

“And get that look out of your eye, redneck. I’m taken.”

Man, but was she taken. The scent of the cat who’d claimed her covered her from freshly done hair to freshly painted toes. It was like the feline had rubbed himself all over her before he’d let her out the door.

“You don’t think I’m afraid of a little ol’ cat, do ya?” Rory asked.

She smiled and Rory felt his nuts tighten. “Actually, sport,” she leaned in and finished on a whisper, “you should probably be more afraid of me.”

She winked and stepped away from him. Rory was ready to fight the cat to the death for this woman when his best friend of the last thirty-five years walked out of the dressing room. Stunned, he stepped back.

“God, Dee-Ann.”

“That bad?”

He shook his head but the beauty answered, “No. I think it’s that good. See what a few extra dollars will buy you?” She nodded, clearly appreciating her own skill. “You look much less frightening.

My God, I’m good.” She looked Dee over, but stopped at her head. “You’ll have to do something about that mop on your head, though.” Dee snarled and the woman laughed at her. “Don’t bare your fangs at me, hillbilly.” She took a card out of her tiny handbag. “Here. Call this salon, tell them Angelina sent you.

They’ll take care of you.”

She glanced at the diamond-studded watch on her wrist. “Must fly. I have to go to this stupid charity auction tonight.”

Rory pointed at Dee. “Dee’s probably going to the same thing.”

“Then I’m glad I helped, otherwise I would have been forced to mock her relentlessly if she’d worn that other dress. Oh.” She pointed at Rory. “Pick out some shoes you think are sexy. Something with a heel.”

“A heel?” Dee yelped.

“Thankfully, the dress is long enough to cover up the actual size of those feet, but I’m sure your boyfriend will like them.”

She walked off. “Nice meeting you both.”

“Hot,” Rory sighed, watching the woman’s ass sashay away from him. “So very fuckin’ hot.” Without a word, Dee headed back to her dressing room.