Maneater (The Mavens, #1)

by Morgan Elizabeth

Sometimes, I feel bad about ruining the lives of men. Sometimes, I catch glimpses of a different version and see past the carefully crafted one meant to pull unsuspecting people into his web.

“You can kiss me,” she whispers, those wide green eyes nearly begging me to do as she offers. I let out a shaky laugh, my thumb starting to swipe along her neck. “I think that’s the worst idea I could have, kissing you,” I whisper back. “Now, why is that?” I should stop, but as seems to be the case when Josie is around, I can’t seem to find my filter. “Because everything in my life is already a mess, and you seem like the kind of woman who thrives off of chaos.”

How’d you go from that to the Mavens?” She shrugs. “No one really knows how Gabriel finds us. I was about to try and enter the FBI academy after graduation, but he offered me a job first. It was the perfect opportunity to use my unique skills.” “Flirting?” “Conning men out of whatever I want them to give me.”

“No way. No boys allowed. Sorry, Rowan.” “But,” he starts, but she shakes her head once more. “I know that you two must have cracked the seal on the sexual tension that has been leaking out all week, and I already gave you the go-ahead on telling him everything, so that’s cool, but no. This is Mavens’ business, and that means no boys allowed. You can fuck him again after we have our debrief,” Rory says, looking at me with her hands on her hips.

If you want this to be a thing, you’ve gotta accept that sometimes, I’m going to take two hours to do my hair just to go to the grocery store. Sometimes, I’ll throw my hair in a ponytail and not wash it for a week, but that’s because I want to. I like doing my makeup, so if you tell me I’m prettier without it, I’m actually going to get pissed, no matter how well-intentioned you are. And sometimes, I’ll wear a tiny dress or a low-cut top: again, for my job—it can be a requirement because men are often distracted—but I still do it for myself. I’ve had men in the past not like that, not be into it, and I’ve ended things quick because of it. You will not be the exception to that rule.”

“I know, I know. It’s a lot, getting saved by a five-four hottie in heels and all, but I am going to need you to snap out of it.”

you can never be too safe. “It’s less about who saved me and more about the fact that my girlfriend is hog-tying a man with ease in front of me after tasing him and not even blinking an eye,” he says as I zip the last one in place before looking up to him and smiling wide.

“I don’t know if you know this, Rowan, but I’m kind of high maintenance. A man-eater, some would say. If you don’t give me what I need, I’ll just chew you up and spit you out.”