Page 51 of Feral Possession

Earlier today, Dove and Celeste had lounged at the pool, sipped daiquiris, and analyzed the men in their lives. It was totally cathartic. Now here Dove was, preparing for espionage. Her life was so strange these days.

Marcus stood before the open patio doors at the back of the room. She exhaled a sigh of disappointment. The hood had returned. After this morning, she’d hoped they were beyond this. Maybe in time he’d be comfortable enough to let his proverbial hair down. She certainly wasn’t one to hide her own imperfections. Case in point, the spandex currently stretched over her ass and thighs.

She joined him at the door, looking out at the moonlit water. “How’s it going? Bishop making any progress?”

Behind them, Bishop chicken-pecked the keyboard, his thick fingers punching one letter at a time, a dark scowl on his face.

“He’s better with blunt instruments,” Marcus said.

“Heard that,” Bishop growled.

Celeste chimed in, her voice tight with unrequited lust. “Slow and steady, slow and steady.”

Bishop grumbled under his breath, head down, refusing to acknowledge his admirer. Dove and Celeste had talked about the witch’s infatuation with the lycan as they lay in the sun, slathered in coconut sunscreen. They’d analyzed it. Put it through the grinder. Forward and back. Then reassembled it as only two women could.

Bishop was playing like he wasn’t interested, but Dove had caught him looking when her friend’s back was turned. More than once. Conclusion—Celeste was totally breaking him down.

In turn, Celeste made similar observations about Marcus. Dove was certain her friend needed glasses. Any sparks that may have ignited between them were totally a product of Xavier’s kinky pheromones. More than once Marcus had made it clear their arrangement was strictly business. Which was good. Right? Or was it? Yes. Yes. It was good because Dove planned to reunite with Armond and Vivian once her contract was fulfilled. Returning to her family was everything she desired. Her heart tripped, calling her a liar.

The subject of hours of girlfriend therapy turned to face her. Dove sensed Marcus’s hooded gaze travel over her form. Her heart rose in her chest. Was it her imagination, or did his eyes linger in all the right places? She drew her shoulders back, thrusting out her boobs and sucking in her stomach. What if Celeste was right? Did she want Celeste to be right?

Marcus unleashed a low growl and shook his head, clearing his throat. “What are you wearing?” This was far from a compliment.

She held out her arms, scanning her outfit. “Something wrong? You said understated.”

“I did,” he choked out. “I should have known better.”

“But I—”

“Time to go.” He snagged her hand, tugging her in his wake. They needed to be in the hallway at the same time the spirit appeared yesterday.

On their way to the door, Bishop raised his head. “Helen spent a week here, two months ago. You get me a copy of Xavier’s backup from that time, I’m sure I can break the encryption.” Under his breath, he muttered, “Unless it’s written in ancient hieroglyphics.”

“On it,” Marcus said.

“Yeah. On it. Over and out,” Dove chirped, fluttering her fingers at her friend. “Bye, Celeste. Have fun.”

“Bye, honey,” Celeste called out. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

Dove snickered. After some of the stories Celeste shared with her today, that left a lot of moral wiggle room.

Marcus hustled Dove down the corridor, a firm grip on her hand. She skipped every other step just to keep up.

Suddenly, he stopped, spinning to face her, gaze flicking to her breasts before meeting her eyes. “Why are you… bouncing?”

She panted, out of breath. “Your legs are longer than mine.”

“You’re…” He seemed to struggle for control. “Distracting. For once, could you try to be inconspicuous?”

She frowned up at him. Did he not see her outfit? She was totally incognito. “Um, sure.”

“Someone’s coming,” he muttered.

Dove grabbed the front of his hooded jacket, spun her back to the wall, and pulled Marcus in front of her.

“What are you doing?” he hissed.

She peered beneath his hood. “Quick, let’s make out. That’s what the undercover couples do in the movies so they don’t get caught.” She puckered her lips and closed her eyes.