Page 35 of Burn Bag (Owens Protective Services #31)

DAPHNE

I was on my way to drop off cat number four at Edu and Harper’s house. She’d wanted one of the kittens, and as much as I loved watching them grow, I had to do something about the cat population in my house. Bradley would never be happy with all those cats hanging around.

I was a little nervous about meeting all the wives this way, but there was nothing else for it. If Bradley wasn’t going to officially introduce us, I’d have to do it on my own. I was living here now, and until he told me this marriage wasn’t working for him, I had to make the best of it.

I put on a bright smile as the door swung open, holding the kitten in my arms as it tried to squirm out of my grasp. Harper’s eyes immediately widened to shock as she took in the little fluff ball.

“Oh my gosh! He’s adorable!”

“She,” I corrected. “And I don’t have her fixed yet. Or declawed, but she is potty trained.”

“We’re not going to declaw her,” she said, pulling the white kitten out of my hands. “Oh, she’s so precious! I don’t suppose you have five more still available. ”

My eyebrows shot up in surprise at the enthusiasm in her voice. “Are you serious?”

“Well, maybe not five,” she said as she rubbed her cheek against the kitten’s soft fur. “But a friend would not be out of the question. She’s so adorable!”

“Would your husband be okay with another?” I tried not to let the hope in my voice come out too strongly. Finding a home for a fifth kitten would be amazing.

“Well, he doesn’t have too much say in it. He’s doing everything possible right now to make me happy.”

“Oh. Are you pregnant?” I asked without thinking.

“No,” she chuckled, “but that would be a good way to get a third kitten. Let’s just say he withheld the truth from me about something, and now he’s giving me anything I want to make up for it.”

“Huh. I never thought of using cats like that.”

“Well, stick around. We’ll give you pointers. Do you want to come in?”

“Uh…sure.”

I kicked off my shoes as I entered, glancing around the house. It was beautiful, but filled with every kind of toy imaginable. These kids were spoiled rotten.

“You have two kids?”

“Technically one. We’re in the process of adopting Edu’s younger sister. He just found out about her, but she’s so precious.”

“How old is she?”

“Ten. She’s still shy. She doesn’t come out of her room very often, but I think this could really help her. My daughter isn’t old enough to really play gently with cats, but I’m sure I could convince Edu that having more than one is a good idea.”

“And one for you,” I teased.

“Exactly. So, how do you like it here?”

“Well, I don’t really know a lot of people yet. I’m sure you know that Bradley and I didn’t exactly know each other when we got married,” I blushed.

“Know each other? I heard you were strangers,” she laughed .

“Yeah. It was…odd.”

“Girl, I’m not judging. I fantasized about my husband in the grocery checkout lane until Fox convinced my grandma that we were engaged.” At my confused look, she nodded. “Yep, not the ideal way to meet or get engaged. Frankly, we’re pretty similar.”

“Well, at least you knew him. I literally met Bradley at the altar.”

“Yeah, but he’s not exactly bad to look at.”

“None of them are. Do you know, I haven’t seen like one ugly or even average man around here? How is that possible? Are they genetically grown to work here?”

She snorted in amusement as the little kitten played with her finger. “You would think so. I don’t know, something about these men makes it impossible not to jump into bed with them.”

I remembered last night how Bradley had twisted my body in knots in the tub and then promptly walked away. Just like on the counter. It was disappointing, to say the least. I wanted all of him.

“Uh-oh. Trouble in paradise?” she asked.

“Well, no, not exactly. It’s just…we haven’t exactly consummated the marriage.”

Her jaw dropped as she stared at me in awe. “What are you waiting for?”

“It’s not me. Well, it’s partially me. My cats sort of attacked him and?—”

“Right, I heard about this,” she winced. “Poor guy. How’s the recovery going?”

“I thought he was doing better. I mean, he definitely got off last night, but…” I glanced around, belatedly thinking I should check for little ears before having this conversation. “He got me off, and he got himself off, but then he walked away. It’s like he’s not interested.”

“In sex?” she shrieked.

“Well, at first, I was thinking it was because of the cat scratch. Maybe it’s uncomfortable. But then he jerked himself off while he was getting me off.”

“Maybe he’s waiting for you to initiate.”

I shook my head. “He didn’t even come to bed last night. I think…” I bit my lip, wondering how much I should tell her. It was probably wrong, but I needed a girlfriend to talk to. “I think he’s…small.”

“Small?”

“You know…down there.”

Shock and curiosity played across her face as she stared at me, gaping like a fish. “Um…Wow. Why…why do you think that?”

“Well…I know it sounds silly, but it was something I thought of at the altar. I mean, the man is insanely attractive, but he hasn’t gotten married yet.”

“He was dating someone.”

“Yeah, but…look at him. He wants to be married, but contacted a stranger to be his wife. She agreed after one date. I mean, she backed out, but that’s all it took.

He just wanted to be married. And as I was standing at the altar, it suddenly hit me.

What kind of man— who’s insanely attractive, sexy as hell, has gorgeous muscles and an ass to go with it— can’t get a wife on his own? ”

She frowned as she thought it over. “I mean, he would have married Isla.”

I cringed at the name. I didn’t like that woman, and I didn’t even really know her. “Do you know why they broke up?”

“Not really. I mean, the guys all know, but they don’t talk about it. I know there was another guy involved. IKE. She’s actually married to him now.”

“Really?” That was hard to believe based on how she cornered me at the wedding.

“Yeah, it was a mess, and I don’t know the specifics, but it was pretty terrible. Kavanaugh walked away with a broken heart, and she walked away with IKE.”

Could it have anything to do with Bradley’s inability to please a woman in the bedroom? I couldn’t see it. The way he worked those fingers, they were like magic. If he was having trouble, it could only be from his small cock. Was that really worth leaving a man over?

“This woman, Isla, what do you think of her?”

She shrugged. “In general, I like her. I don’t know much about her. Why? ”

“Well, she cornered me in the bathroom at the wedding. She was very territorial of Bradley, which I don’t understand. Not if she left him.”

“I know they knew each other growing up. Maybe it’s because of that.”

“Yeah, this seemed like a lot more than friendly protectiveness. She was like a dog pissing on her territory.”

“Hmm, I wish I knew, but she’s pretty private about everything that happened between them. And then there’s her sister. She’s with the mechanic...”

“The mechanic? Is that some kind of term for a job at OPS?”

She laughed at that. “Yes, he’s quite literally a mechanic.”

I sighed in relief, worried it meant he was some kind of killer. “Thank God.”

“Not that he’s not deadly. He’s also ex-military.”

“Of course he is. Does anyone work here who isn’t a badass?”

She pretended to think about it, but laughed. “Well, unless you consider the wives who work for the company, no. Have you met Fox yet?”

I groaned, dropping my head in my hands. “Don’t get me started on him.”

“He’s a little much.”

“What’s with the Funyuns?”

“It’s his thing. Don’t mess with them.”

“And his wife? Is she really okay with him taking women into his bedroom?”

“His movie room? Absolutely,” she grinned. “I know it sounds weird, but that’s just Fox. He’s a big teddy bear and wants to make all the women feel welcome. Training them has been his thing since Eva first arrived. She’s his protégé.”

“And she’s married to…”

“Cash.” Her face shuttered at the name. “He’s…gone.”

“Dead?” I shrieked.

“No. Just…He lost his brother. Well, it’s way more complicated than that.” She shot to her feet. “You know, I think this is a conversation fo r you to have with Kavanaugh.”

“Oh, I get it,” I said quickly, hoping she wasn’t too uncomfortable now. “I hope I wasn’t too intrusive. I just don’t know anything about the people around here or…well, anything.”

“I get it. I just don’t want to say anything I shouldn’t.”

I smiled at her, already liking her. “Well, if you’re serious about another kitten, let me know. You can stop by any time.”

“Oh, I’ll be by later with the girls to pick out another.”

I leaned forward and scratched the kitty one last time. I was really going to miss these babies. “Alright, I’ll see you later.”

She walked me out and I headed back to the house, feeling a little sad about letting go of yet another kitten. There were still plenty of cats at the house, but I rescued those babies from a life of torment. It was difficult to let go.

I had one more cat to deliver today, and then I had to get home and make dinner. I wasn’t sure if I could bring Bradley around with food, but I was sure as hell going to try.

I crashed into Bradley as I opened the door to head out. Strong arms wrapped around me, keeping me upright. A strong, masculine scent surrounded me that left me dizzy and leaning into him for another whiff.

“Mmm.”

“Are you okay?” His voice was nothing but a low rumble that I felt vibrating in my chest. God, he was so handsome. His hands tightened on me when I didn’t answer, which only sent my brain on the fritz. I really needed dick.

“Yeah, just…”

I inhaled again, moaning this time when his scent hit me like a shot to the vagina. I could still feel his fingers on me like I was in the tub and his hand was sliding up my leg. God, the things this man could do with his fingers were absolutely amazing.

“Daphne. ”