Page 74 of Bossy Wicked Prince

“A classic.” Beau’s voice is entirely serious. “And Nala’s a fox.”

“She’s literally a lion,” Luke says.

Cat’s mouth hangs open, and I can tell she doesn’t quite know what to say. She probably wants to make a good impression on Beau, her other boss. With all my other friends ragging on him, she’s torn on whether she should play along.

I scowl at them. If they’re going to make Cat uncomfortable, I want them out of here. Besides, I have other plans for my kitten that don’t involve an audience. Like carrying her to my bedroom, stripping off her clothes, and worshiping her until she forgets what a cold snake my mother can be.

“Cat, you know Beau.” I walk around them to put my hand on her lower back. “This is James, Luke, and Ryan. They were just leaving.”

“Wait, are you kicking us out?” Ryan whines. He pouts—actuallypouts—like a little boy. “I was really looking forward to Friendsgiving. But you didn’t even remember. Don’t your best friends mean anything to you?”

Forget poker—Ryan’s real talent is the guilt trip. I’ve known him too long to ever let it work on me, but not everyone has my stone heart.

Cat turns to me, eyes wide. “I don’t want to ruin your plans. I can go. Really, I don’t mind.”

I grit my teeth. There’s no way in hell I’m letting Cat walk out of this apartment. I just convinced her to give me a second chance. I refuse to give her time to think about it and change her mind.

“You should stay, Kitten.” I glare at the guys as I say the nickname. Let them hear it. They might as well know that I’m claiming her. “I’m sure the guys will begentlemenand leave.”

“But I made stuffing.” Ryan holds up his Tupperware emphatically.

“Wait a minute,” Beau says. “There’s no reason any of us should have to leave. Cat’s not as antisocial as Nate is.”

“True. Why don’t we all have Thanksgiving dinner together?” Luke’s a terrible actor. He couldn’t make that line sound innocent no matter how hard he tried.

“Great idea.” Ryan’s grin is diabolical. “What makes a Friendsgiving better than extra friends?”

Cat looks up at me with those warm amber eyes. “I don’t mind if you don’t,” she says.

“Give us a sec,” I tell the guys, taking Cat’s arm and pulling her into the kitchen. “I’m so sorry about this, Kitten. I completely forgot Friendsgiving. They donothave to stay.”

She smiles. “It’s fine, really. It’ll feel more like Thanksgiving with a big group, anyway.”

“I feel like an idiot for forgetting. I’ve just been distracted recently. There’s this beautiful woman who’s been on my mind, making it hard to remember things.”

Cat’s cheeks turn a pretty pink. “Well, I’m sure we’ll have some alone time after they leave, right?”

Fuck, now all I want is to fast-forward right to the guys leaving. But we’ve already basically committed to host. So I’m forced to turn back to the guys and say, “Fine. Stay, but behave yourselves.”

“Hope you’re ready for shots!” Ryan says cheerfully.

“Let’s see if we can get Nate drunk enough to tell Cat about the time he stole a golf cart and drove it over my mom’s flower beds,” Luke adds.

“If Nate doesn’t tell it, I will,” says Beau.

Everyone files in to set up the food, mischievous smiles on each of their faces.

I’m having Thanksgiving dinner with Cat and my poker buddies, who are apparently fixated on humiliating me.

I’m completely and utterly fucked.

24

CAT

I’m not as disappointed as I thought I’d be.

When I first walked into Nate’s apartment and saw his guy friends—including myotherboss—my heart dropped. I was hoping for a romantic night alone with Nate. Based on the flowers and candles on the table, that’s exactly what he was planning, too.