When He's Torn (The Olympus Pride, #5)

by Suzanne Wright

“No, stop being difficult.” “I can’t. Your frustration warms the coldest parts of my soul.”

I don’t kill those who wrong me. It’s more entertaining to break their mind.”

Giving Bailey a pitying look, Blair gently patted her on the head. “You’re so pretty.” “Don’t make me burp in your face.”

“It makes my snake want to eat your head.” “Why just my head?” “I don’t know. That’s her business.” “Her business?” Bailey shrugged. “I don’t question her motivations or interfere with her choices.”

He felt his nostrils flare. “I don’t remember asking for your advice.” “That’s because you didn’t.” “Then why give it?” “I’m a giving person.” “You give people problems and headaches—that’s about it.” She smiled. “It takes the kind of skill you’ll never master.” He clenched his jaw. “I really want to shake you right now.”

“You’re actually signing the petition to have you fired?” “I’m feeling left out.”

“Fine,” he bit out. “Fine.” “Fine.” She cast him a superior look. “You already said that.” “Felt like saying it again.”

“What I think is that you want to drive me batshit.” “Well, it is on my list.” Yeah, that had become apparent. “Any particular reason why?” “Not one that you’d understand.” “In other words, it isn’t rational.” Bailey pursed her lips. “Maybe not to you. You like things to make sense.”

“Look, I started this petition to have her fired. See how many signatures are on it.” Jarrett took it from her and scanned it. His eyes flicked up to Bailey. “You signed this yourself. Six times.”

She arched a brow at the feline. “Still intent on having ‘nobody can touch me’ tantrums like a little bitch?” Again, there was a guttural growl. “You don’t expect me to be afraid of an itty, bitty cat, do you? Come on.” A hiss sounded this time.

“Remember you said you don’t hate me?” “Yes,” he grunted. “Fuck me like you do.”

Aspen’s nostrils flared. “You want me to knock you the fuck out, don’t you? That’s what this is.” “Oh, please. Like you could get the drop on me. You and your bearcat are—” “Don’t bring her into this. Unless you want her to kick your snake’s butt.” “She couldn’t kick her own ass, let alone my mamba’s.” Aspen shifted. So did Bailey.

“Do not do that thing where you make me wait a lifetime to come.” His lips quirked. “But you like that game,” he mocked. “No one likes that game, you dick.”

“Enough with the teasing, Boy Toy.” He released the taut bud and arched a reprimanding brow. “Now that’s not my name, is it?” “Whatever. Just do me.” He skirted his warm lips up her neck and to her ear. “You’re not getting my dick until you say my name.”

He flicked her nose with his own. “Such a perfect little pout.”

“I gotta go.” “’Kay,” he mumbled. But neither of them moved an inch. “Really, I gotta go. Lift your arm.” “You lift it.”

“Stop scowling,” he told her, his eyes dancing. “Don’t wanna.”

The last thing I’ll tolerate is space between me and my female.”

“The world would be a nicer place if the only annoying person in it was me.”

and the rings on his bushy, black-tipped tail. His amber eyes landed on her; their pupils round, not vertical. There was nothing welcoming in that gaze. It said, Stay the hell back, I’m not in the mood. She smiled. “Hey, cranky pants.” He flashed a fang. “You realize you only prove my point when you snarl, right?”

“I ain’t afraid of an itty, bitty thing like you.” Rumbling yet another growl, he stalked toward her. “Yeah, come on, show me what you got.”

Bree dug into her purse and pulled out a pack of beef jerky. “Here. Stop bothering me.”

Something that suspiciously sounded like a chuckle came out of Camden. Aspen rounded on her mate, narrowing her eyes. “Did you just laugh?” The tiger shifter cleared his throat. “No.”

“Stop thinking about it,” she admonished with a huff as she rolled over to face him. He frowned. “How can I not think about the fact that someone is gunning for you?” “Easy. You focus on something else. Want me to flash you my boobs?”

Are you even listening to me?” “No. I’m wondering if I should leave two claiming brands on you. See, I want anyone who lays eyes on you to see that you’re very much taken. But I also want you to have such a mark on your inner thigh.”