“I’m sure there is. We’ll come up with something and let you know. And the second thing you came here for?”

“When can I expect you tonight?”

Presumptuous timber wolf! “Who said I was coming over tonight?”

“I did.”

Jess folded her arms across her chest. “So sorry to disappoint, but I have plans tonight.”

“Plans?” She could see his entire body tense even though he never moved his ass from that desk. “What plans?”

“Plans with my Pack—”

“You should come,” Phil cut in.

And all of them turned to him, shocked.

“I should?” Smitty asked.

“Yup, definitely.”

The man truly was evil. Evil incarnate.

Smitty glanced at her. “Jessie Ann?”

“Sure,” she said after clearing her throat. “You should come.”

“No—”

But Sabina cut May’s plea short by slapping her hand over the woman’s face. “We’d love for you to come,” Sabina chimed in, even while she struggled with May. “Yes, you will be there. Nine o’clock.”

Phil jotted down the club information and handed it to Smitty. “Yup, nine o’clock.”

Smitty stared at the piece of paper. “Caleb’s Corner? Never heard of it.”

“It’s a nice place. You’ll love it.”

We’re all going to hell.

Jess could tell by the look on his face that Smitty knew damn good and well they were setting him up, but he had no idea how. And Jess knew that after tonight, Smitty might actually end it all with her. He might never speak to her again. Ever.

Smitty slipped the paper into his pocket and slowly walked over to her. “See you tonight,” he said.

“Yeah, see ya tonight.”

Then his hands gently grasped her jaw, framing her face. No way. He wouldn’t kiss her in front of her Pack, would he? They’d never said anything about keeping their sexual relationship secret, but Smitty had never been an outwardly affectionate male to the women he slept with. At least not when she knew him. But before she could analyze it anymore, he was kissing her. It was a sweet kiss but, at the same time, claiming. Making it clear to anyone within a thirty-mile radius exactly whom Jess belonged to. Whom she belonged to at the moment anyway.

After he’d completely melted her bones, Smitty stepped back and winked at her. He turned and headed to the elevator, glaring at Phil the entire time until the elevator doors closed.

An awkward and large silence followed his departure. Until Sabina stated the obvious, “He’s worried about you and Phil?”

“I guess so,” Jess replied, completely fascinated. “It was a definite Smith ‘this is my bone’ move.”

Jess and Sabina stared at each other for several seconds before they burst out laughing.

“Me? And Phil?”

Sabina released May so she could bang on the desk. “That’s hilarious!”

Phil cleared his throat. “I don’t appreciate the humor here. I’m definitely a threat to the male population.”

That just pulled more laughter from his wife and best friend.

“Maybe you should let it go,” Danny suggested. “You’re just embarrassing yourself.”

“Wait!” May ordered. “Just wait. What about Smitty? You can’t have him come tonight. It’s not fair!”

Now all of them but May were laughing, leaving the poor She-dog to dramatically storm off on her own.

Chapter 17

“Why am I here?”

Smitty didn’t even spare a glance at Mitch. “Because I’m pretty sure this is a gay bar Jessie has me coming to. And you’re much more gay-friendly than I am. You’ll distract them from my amazing body.”

“So... I’m your beard?”

“I don’t know if you’re using that term correctly, but I also don’t care.”

Smitty grabbed Mitch’s jacket and pulled him to the bar called Caleb’s Corner. There was a bouncer out front, but he barely looked at them. And there was no line waiting to get in. What a lame-ass gay club. Still, Jessie was here. Which meant he was going to be here.

But once they got inside, all Smitty wanted to do was turn around and run. Run for his very life. Lord in heaven, Jessica Ann Ward was the meanest female on the planet! And she should burn for this. Burn!

“Wait. I thought you said this was a gay bar?” Mitch sounded as horrified as Smitty felt.

“I thought it was.”

“Well, it’s not, and I’m out of here!”

Mitch tried to make a run for it, but Smitty grabbed his jacket collar and yanked the big cat back. “You’re not deserting me, Shaw.”

“Like hell I’m not. You may have that military connection with Llewellyn, but I’m from Philly. There’s some things we won’t do for anyone.”

The two were seconds from pulling out claws and going at it in the middle of the bar when Jessie suddenly—and literally—jumped in front of them.

“Smitty!” She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. And in that second he knew he wouldn’t leave. She smelled too good.

When she pulled away, she looked over at Mitch. “Oh... you.”

“And I’m happy to see you, too, beautiful.”

Jessie stepped back and gestured around. “As you can see, we’ve pretty much taken over the place, but we’ve got some bears and a few jackals hanging out tonight, so you two shouldn’t feel too out of place with all these dogs.” She pointed toward an empty booth. “Why don’t you guys grab a table and sit back and relax.”