Page 95 of Ice King

In truth, hell, yes. “Back to the conversation. A bad boy in the making, huh?”

“I was, which is another reason humans don’t want to see the wolf in me.”

“I bet some do.” Why was it that he couldn’t be taken anywhere? Two girls had been ogling him from a separate table. They appeared like twins out to dinner with who I hoped was their father and not their sugar daddy.

When the big burly man left the table, the girls slipped from the booth, both with phones in their hands.

“Let’s test my theory out,” I cooed as they approached.

“What theory?” He seemed genuinely surprised until the girls were only a foot away from the table. As I’d seen so many times before, he plastered on his ‘Wolfman’ personality, complete with an infectious, almost ‘aw-shucks’ grin.

The girls were bubbling over by the time they made it to the table. As suspected, I was completely ignored as they gushed all over my dinner companion.

“Oh, Wolfman,” the first girl drawled in a sickeningly sweet southern voice that was so fake I should bottle and sell it. “Would it be alright if we took a picture with the three of us?”

To Ford’s credit, he glanced in my direction to see if I would mind. I simply folded my arms, to which he grinned.

“Why, of course, ladies. Do you like hockey?”

The second girl, also a bottled blonde, was already pulling him to his feet, caressing his hand like a hand massager would do.

“Oh, yes. My favorite sport. I do so adore the way you handle your… stick,” the second one purred and I resisted laughing. At least I was keeping my cool.

I realized not all women or even puck bunnies were so blatant. Maybe that’s why my hackles were raised. After the reporter had just stopped by, I wanted my instincts on high alert. I’d seen many men acting like complete idiots in my short time being around the team. These two women were so over the top something stuck in the back of my mind.

But Ford was on a roll and what red-blooded, furry man wouldn’t enjoy having two buxom blondes hanging all over him?

“I do my best, ladies. Now, if you don’t mind, let’s go ahead and take a picture. I am enjoying a wonderful dinner with an amazing lady.”

Okay, I’d give him a couple of points, a few more tossed in by the way he locked eyes with mine. He was even more serious tonight, which was sexy as well as terrifying.

“Party pooper,” girl number one said, but crowded his space, holding up her phone with one hand. I knew a social media photo moment when I saw one, both girls striking a pose.

When I shifted and my body stiffened, I was shocked as an instant burning sensation formed in my chest. Even a wave of sour bile slipped up from my throat. Mere seconds later, my jaw ached from how hard I was clenching my teeth.

Well, wouldn’t you know? I was jealous. For the first time in my life and around him the little green-eyed monster was flowing wild and free. Oh, this was unacceptable. We were just friends. Maybe a little more.

The girl took at least three shots, each one different and with the women draping themselves all over him.

“Thank you so much, Wolfman,” the first murmured while stroking his face. “In case you get bored, we’ll be right over there.”

“Yes, lover boy,” the second girl said, giggling as she backed away. “And we do everything together.”

The show wasn’t over for the evening, the brute who was with them appearing out of nowhere. And right on cue. This was how it was done. Only when the guy opened his mouth, I could tell by Ford’s reaction the guy wasn’t someone he knew from town.

“Get away from him, girls. He’s a fucking animal.” He pushed them away.

“Oh, come on, Ralph. That’s Ford Kendrick.” The woman lost both her southern accent and her cuddle doll appeal while glaring at him. “He’s a hockey player, not some man-eating beast.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. He’s a fucking shifter, baby girl. He’ll eat you alive.” The jerk planted his hands on the end ofthe table, leaning over as if he owned the place. “You need your daddy to protect you.”

“Oh, Daddy,” one of the girls cooed in a baby voice.

Ford bristled and I snaked my hand across the table, wrapping my fingers around his fist.

“But if you dare touch them, wolf boy, you will face your maker.Capisce?”

At least Ford sat back as he didn’t have a care in the world. “Don’t worry, bud. I wouldn’t dream of touching them. You’ve already tarnished them, given your… issues.”