Page 79 of The Triple Threat

“He’s checking out Rodrick, my cat.” Bronte leaned in close to him. “He’s shitting for America. I’m pretty sure he could get it through the eye of a needle in one.”

Hunter grimaced and took a drink from his bottle, his gaze still on me. “Nice image.”

“Yeah. I’ve no idea what his problem is. He was fine one minute, eating some food Ellie put out for him, then the next, there’s shit everywhere.” Bronte spread her hands out to indicate how far the shit had spread from one little cat’s ass. “And the smell. Damn it was awful.”

“Ellie fed him eh?” Hunter’s eyes narrowed. “And he got the shits right after?”

“Yeah.” Bronte scrunched up her perfect little nose. “About fifteen minutes later. His food must have been an old can, but I didn’t think pet food could go off. Carter’s taking care of him now though.”

Hunter pushed up from his stool, rounded the table and grabbed me by the elbow.

“We’ll be one minute, there’s something I need Ellie’s advice on.”

Not even questioning him, Bronte nodded. “Take your time, I got my wine, so I’ll be good.”

I trailed after Hunter as he strode across the bar, only stopping when we got to a door at the back wall; a door which led to the storeroom.

“Oh no,” I said with a shake of my head. “That’s not a good idea. Carter could be here at any minute.”

Hunter looked at the door as realization sparked in his eyes. “Well unless you’ve finally decided on my incentive, I’m withholding all favors for a while. Hot sex in the storeroom included. Oh, and for the record, showing me your tits is not recompense for all my efforts. I’ve already seen them, remember.”

I nodded, the memories pretty clear in my mind, which was why Hunter being adamant nothing further would happen flooded me with disappointment. Despite his protestations, I could see the lust and want in his eyes, and I was pretty sure if I pushed it, I could persuade him otherwise. The problem with Hunter though, specifically sexual shenanigans with Hunter, was that it was addictive and I had to cut myself off if I was to survive without extraordinarily expensive rehab. All told, him withholding wasn’t a bad thing – not really; okay it damn well sucked.

“What the fuck did you do, Ellie?” he ground out, stooping to look me in the eye.

“Nothing.”

“Liar. Now tell me what the hell did you do to Bronte’s cat? Because I know you did something.”

“What do you care? It’s just a cat. Anyway, you gave me the idea when you said you’d dropped Carter some laxative at Belinda Jennings’s party.”

“I was joking, and Carter is dislikeable most of the time, so would deserve it. This is Bronte’s damn pet which she actually loves.” His nostrils flared.

“Oh, don’t be so judgy.”

“If you’ve harmed it just for this stupid plan of yours, I’ll…” He trailed off and rose to his full height, running a hand through his hair. “Shit, Ellie, you’re insane.”

He turned away from me and cursed some more.

“He’s fine,” I protested. “Carter is an incredible vet. I mean I know he’s only a couple of years out of veterinary school, but he was fast tracked his last year so he’s—”

“Enough,” he snapped as he turned back to face me. “You are certifiable, you know that? What the hell did you do to the damn cat?”

I shrank back and sucked my lips between my teeth.

“Ellie?” he growled.

“You’re pretty scary when you’re angry.”

Hunter let out a long sigh of frustration and I knew he’d reached the end of his last nerve.

“I gave it a laxative,” I replied with a wince. “I mean now I think of it, it does seem pretty bad.”

“You think so.” Hunter shook his head and stepped closer to me, lowering his mouth to my ear. “You poisoned her fucking cat just to get her in the same room as Carter. Does that not seem ridiculous to you?”

“No,” I affirmed as I took a quick glance around the bar to check we weren’t being listened to. “She had coffee with your dad in Jennings Bridge.”

“So what?” he questioned. “She’s known him since she was a baby. He’s a family friend, why wouldn’t she. I took out a book from the Library and your mom stamped it, that doesn’t mean I want to have sex with her.”