The Lying, the Witch, and the Werewolf (Down & Dirty Supernatural Cleaning Services Book 4) by Kate Quinn (uplifting books for women .txt) 📗

fact, I don’t need alone time with anybody. I’ve got a broom and a Thunderstick, I’ll remind you. And loyalty in the form of my Dalmanther. So there’s nothing any man can offer—”

Nico stands there looking like a beef steak to a starving lady, reminding me that there is maybe something one man could offer...

“Wait,” I cut myself short. “That wasn't something you were going to put on the table if you drove me, right?” I feel my temper bubbling, the rage in my stomach really starting to boil. “Because if you think I’m in the market for a pity fuck—”

Suddenly, he pulls me in close. Shit issues a low growl.

“It wouldn’t be a pity, Paige,” Nico says, his breath in my ear.

Shit takes his growl up a notch, but there’s no real threat in it. He’s just reminding Nico that he’s there, and if Nico pulls anything I don’t want him to. Which…wait, does Shit subconsciously know that I’m melting a little inside right now? Does my dog know me better than I know myself?

“Toot, toot, the funky train is rolling out,” Jax yells, pushing in through the door. “What’s taking you so—oh! My bad!”

If seeing me in Nico’s arms has any effect on my former husband whatsoever, it doesn’t show at all. I push away from Nico, my skin going cold where it had been warm next to his.

“I’m ready,” I say breezily, slapping my thigh so that Shit follows along as I head for the door, pretending that my blood isn’t hot in my veins, that my heart isn’t pumping like I’d just run a marathon.

Nico catches hold of my hand and spins me around so his back is to Jax, making himself a wall between me and my ex. “Paige, don’t do anything crazy.”

“How about if I do anyone crazy? Is that okay?”

Nico’s hand tightens around me. “I thought you don’t hook up with supes?”

I shrug. “There are humans there too, or maybe…” I look up at Nico from beneath my eyelashes. “I’ll get into the spirit of the place and make an exception.”

A low growl escapes him. “Maybe I should come along to keep an eye on you.”

“Nope, you’re too recognizable, remember?” I jerk away from him.

“Paige—” I can see Nico struggling with himself, probably debating whether he can order me not to have sex. There’s no need to tell him that I have no intention of getting down with any of my fellow commune dwellers.

“Gotta go,” I chirp merrily. “You’re the one who booked me a one-way ticket on the funky train, remember?”

“Yeah, toot-toot, wolf-boy!” Jax says, happily joining in and we toot our way out the door. Jax, asshole though he may be, is always a good time.

I throw my suitcase, the broom, and Shit into the back seat and Jax gives me a wide grin.

“Hey Paige,” he says as I climb into the passenger seat. “These seats do recline, you know.”

“All cars have seats that recline, shithead,” I tell him, but I can’t stop my smile.

“Yeah, but I’m only in this one,” he says, tipping me a wink before firing up the engine, and burning rubber as he peels out of the parking lot. I look into the rearview mirror just in time to see Nico walk out of the office, shading his one good eye against the sun.

If I didn’t know better, I’d say he looks like a puppy that just got kicked. My heart does a little flip-flop. Was I too hard on him back there?

In the backseat, Shit gives me a whine, and I glance at him.

My Dalmanther is right. Nico Tralano is a grown-ass man—grown-ass werewolf man—who bangs his clients and probably has another dick where his heart is supposed to be. I turn my eyes to the road and promise myself I’m not going to think about the men in my life anymore once I’m in the compound.

Not Liam, not Brent, not Nico, not Jax.

Not even VSK.

Nope. I’m going into this sex cult a free woman.

And I don’t think I’m going to need the broom.

10

The ride out of New Jersey and into the backroads of Pennsylvania feels endless.

Jax insists on getting my opinion on what kind of ring Kimmy might like. Then he goes on and on about the perfect proposal. Seeing as how the ring he gave me came from Walmart and his proposal was, “If we get married can we do it bareback?”—it’s not a topic that I’m especially loving.

Then I make him turn on the Together We Come Podcast. I read Shauna’s research but I wanted to get a feel for the vibe. The recording has a grainy quality to it, which makes sense since supes and hippies aren’t exactly known for their technological prowess. A woman’s voice, soft and sultry, begins with the Together We Come philosophy. Then she basically talks dirty for thirty minutes. I squirm in my seat while Jax nods his head.

“This is hot,” he tells me. “You know I thought about joining up at one point. But then I met Kimmy and, well, I chose her, I guess.”

I turn down the volume. “Would you really have screwed me?” I ask.

“Should I pull over?”

“Not unless you gotta take a piss,” I say with a laugh. He joins in. “But really, would you cheat on Kimmy?”

He gets serious. “I haven’t cheated on her once. My dick hasn’t touched anyone without her approval.”

“Wow,” I say. “That’s actually huge.”

“Like my wiener!” He teehees like a little kid. Then his tone changes. “I know you think that I’m a scumbag cheater, which I am, but Paige...we were so young when we got married. I didn’t know who I was, not really. I wasn’t ready for our relationship.”

I roll my eyes. I wasn’t ready either. I was young. But I was loyal to him. I would have stayed with him. But if he’d never cheated, I’d be with Jax still. His wife. I shudder and glance at him.

“It’s better this way,” I say. “We