Wild Hunger (The Phoenix Pack, #7)(25)

“Don’t mind Dominic,” Taryn told Frankie. “He says cheesy lines to just about everyone.”

“I mean it, Dominic,” Lydia said sternly. “Leave her alone.”

He smiled. “Oh, I see, you’re jealous. Ah, Lydia, you know I adore you. I especially love those long legs. What time do they open?”

Taryn sighed, raising a brow at Frankie. “See what I mean?”

As a chuckling Dominic turned back to Frankie, Trick softly but firmly said, “No.”

The enforcer frowned. “But—”

“No,” Trick repeated. “Unless you’re curious about what your balls taste like.”

Dominic exhaled in frustration. “You’re no fun.”

“How do we know you’re telling the truth?” Greta asked Frankie, her mouth tight as she stared at her.

Blinking, Frankie said, “I’m sorry?”

“You say the Newmans lied to you all these years.” Greta lifted her chin in challenge. “But how do we know that’s true?”

Frankie felt her brows lower. “Why would I lie about it?”

“That’s what I’m wondering.”

Trick draped his arm over the back of Frankie’s chair. “Greta, just don’t.”

“It’s a valid question,” Greta insisted.

“It’s you looking for reasons not to like or trust Frankie,” he corrected her.

Makenna leaned into Frankie and said quietly, “Don’t take it personally. Greta doesn’t like unmated females around her precious boys. She’s very possessive of Trey, Dante, Tao, and the male enforcers. Doesn’t like any of their mates, other than Roni. She hates me most of all.” The last was said with pride.

Greta’s focus snapped back to Frankie. “I never liked your grandparents. They’re hoity-toity. Think they’re better than everyone else, especially shifters. Your grandmother has a coldness about her. When I look at you, I see that same coldness.”

Frankie licked her fork. “When I look at you, I see someone so ancient she probably has an autographed Bible.”

Taryn burst out laughing, leaning into Trey, whose shoulders were shaking with silent laughter.

Greta glowered at the Alpha female, griping, “Oh, you would find that amusing.” Greta sneered in disgust and marched out of the kitchen, her head held high.

A little while later, Frankie thanked Grace for the meal and—since it seemed kind of rude that she was immediately leaving—apologized for having to eat and run. She politely refused Lydia’s offer for her to stay the night, but she did go and say goodbye to Iris before leaving.

Trick walked her to the parking lot and over to her Audi. His fingers combed through her hair. “I’m glad you came, Frankie.”

Surprisingly . . . “Yeah, so am I.”

“Good.”

She should have seen it coming. She’d just gotten so used to him touching her without taking it too far that she’d lowered her guard, so she hadn’t been braced for the hand that slid up the back of her neck, gripped a fistful of her hair, and held her head still as he pinned her against the car.

Her heart leaped and her breath left her in a rush. He didn’t slam his mouth on hers as she’d expected. No, he skimmed his nose down her neck and breathed her in. His low growl reverberated up his chest and made her nipples bead.

“Fucking love your scent, Frankie.”

She gripped his arms as his teeth scraped over her pulse just hard enough to make her pussy clench. His tongue swirled over her skin to soothe the sting, and then he was kissing his way up her neck and over to her mouth. His tongue sank inside and lashed hers. He didn’t rush. He lingered. Explored. Savored. Devoured. Left her without any defenses.

Feel-good chemicals swam through her brain and flooded her body. The whole thing was so delicious and intoxicating that her head spun and her pussy grew unbelievably wet.

Sliding a hand under her thigh, Trick hooked her leg over his hip as he crushed her against the car, letting her feel how hard he was for her. Fuck, she tasted as sweet and tangy and perfect as she smelled. Her soft, incredibly responsive body curved into his, fitting against him just right.

He possessively closed his hand over her breast, and her hard nipple brushed his palm. He felt her raspy moan all the way down to his balls. Growling into her mouth, he slanted his head, deepening the kiss, needing more. Knowing he’d never get enough.

He’d never experienced this depth of raw need in his life. Never needed something so badly that he felt like he’d go insane without it. It was getting harder and harder to tone down his urge to claim her. He’d waited so damn long for her, needed her so fucking badly. But he wouldn’t take her right then.

Trick pulled back, panting a little, and rubbed his nose against hers. “I will have you, Frankie. But it won’t be up against a car. Not the first time, anyway. I want to lick and savor every inch of you. Can’t do that here.”

Striving to find some composure after that kiss that had all but destroyed her, Frankie licked her lower lip. The way he was looking at her, the way he spoke—so serious, so determined, so resolved—was unnerving as hell. To lighten the moment, she teased, “What if I don’t like casual sex?”

He pursed his lips. “I suppose I could dress up. Put on my best shirt.”