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

whatever spell he’s used to change his appearance, but the last thing Nico needs is Cassie giving him away during his first breakfast at the cult. Which…how did he even get in? Then I remember the boxers—while trying not to fixate on the bulge—and realize he probably shifted and snuck into the commune in wolf form.

“Let’s hang out for a bit,” I say to Cassie. “This is our last full day—we leave tomorrow afternoon.”

“Sure,” she agrees easily. But then she slants me an assessing look. “Although I think maybe I’m not the only new friend you might want to make before we leave. And from the way that guy was checking you out, I don’t think consent would be a problem.”

I force a fake laugh. “I was just looking at him because I was worried about his cholesterol levels. Did you see all that bacon he was eating?”

“Hmm,” Cassie says, clearly not buying it. “That was definitely not what had your attention. You know what I think? He reminded me of Nico, like a blonde version. Tall and muscular and with that cool rambling walk that says, I could go zero to sixty in 1.3 seconds. And I think you want to take a Nico-substitute for a test drive before making a play for the real thing.”

“Pffft,” I say, accidentally spitting all over Cassie while trying not to think about going from zero to sixty with Nico. “I don’t have the hots for Nico. We’re friends. But not really even that. He’s too arrogant. And bossy. But even if I could get beyond that, everything about him screams lone wolf!”

Cassie nods. “I get it. You’re afraid he’ll break your heart.”

“No!” I protest. “That’s not it. I’m not interested. At all. I’m just saying, if I was—it’d be crazy. In all the time I’ve known him he’s never had a real date or a girlfriend. His only relationships are with his clients that he pity screws, knowing they’re emotionally unavailable.”

“I’ve heard,” Cassie says. “Rumor has it in the supe community that some women marry a cheater just so Nico will console them with his comfort sex.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, I’ve noticed he has some repeat clients. Nasty rich ladies. They treat him like he’s a gigolo.”

Cassie touches my arm. “I know, I hate it too. They don’t see the Nico we know. The good man underneath all the sexy, growly, werewolf stuff.”

“Woah.” I pull away from Cassie. “I’m not really a member of the Nico fan club.”

“Yeah, that’s what I used to say about Mac.” She nods knowingly. “The thing you have to understand about Nico is that he so badly wants to be loved.”

I can’t hold back the snort of disbelief. I mean, Cassie is totally the type to think this about a man who presents as hard and tough on the outside. Even if there’s absolutely no evidence to prove it.

Undeterred, Cassie continues. “His mom was a real piece of work. Like sort of the werewolf version of a Nazi. So that messed Nico up. And then he fell in love with Mavis. She’s a cat shifter.”

“Seems like maybe not a great match for a dog.”

“Well, it wasn’t,” Cassie agrees. “Turns out she prefers her men to be more bear naked.” Cassie pauses and waits for my reaction with barely concealed glee. “That’s a joke. ’Cause he’s a bear shifter. But also bare is another word for not wearing clothes.” She giggles. “Edie—that’s my BFF and Mavis’s sister—had to explain that joke to me like ten times. But now I get it and it’s so funny.”

I laugh too, because who doesn’t like a pun-based joke? But then I can’t help myself...I steer the conversation back to Nico. “So what happened between him and Mavis?”

“She broke his heart,” Cassie says matter-of-factly. “It turns out she was lying about everything and when Nico found out he tried to kill her. Mavis fought back and ended up taking his eye.”

“Wow,” I say, my heart picking up a weird beat. Nico tried to kill a girl?

“Yeah, it was one of those messy break-ups.”

I stare at her, thinking that her definition of a messy break-up is way different than mine.

“Then Nico fell for Edie,” Cassie continues. “He didn’t know she was Mavis’s sister. But Edie only ever had eyes for Val, so that didn’t work out either.”

“It’s like a soap opera,” I say. “Are all supe romantic entanglements this complicated? And also, I’m kind of stuck on Nico trying to kill a girl.”

“Poor choice of words on my part; I think it was more that Mavis thought Nico would kill her,” Cassie says as if this is somehow way better. “And besides…that was old Nico. He’s made serious changes since then.”

“Yes,” I mutter. “Which have made him into the adorable puppy we all know today.”

With a gasp, Cassie cuts me off, darting into the nearest yurt and pulling me along with her.

“What?” I say.

“My high school sex-ed teacher was coming towards us,” Cassie says, looking thoroughly freaked out. “He can’t see me here! He knows my mom, for Pete’s sake!”

I peek out of the yurt to see Priapus with his wheelbarrow wandering past. Ducking back in, I turn to Cassie. “Oh yeah, I met him yesterday. He’s, uh...interesting,” I offer. “But I don’t think he’d be judgmental about you being here. Why are you so worried about seeing him?”

“Would you want to run into your high school sex-ed teacher here?” Cassie demands.

Okay, she has a point.

“Excuse me,” someone interrupts and for the first time I realize we’re not the only ones in this yurt. Instead of the cot for sleeping that’s in my room, this one has piles of blankets layered several inches thick. Now as the blankets shift, several naked bodies pop up from beneath them.

“Cassie!” one of them cries out happily and I realize it’s Mac. Geez, even after a full night with Cassie, the guy is clearly still full of juice. I glance over at her to see how she