Ice_Reaux - Laura Wright Page 0,44

his mother. Pantera cubs, they have to have that bond. Some more than others. Sorry, my brother.”

For a second, Reaux just sat there, trying like hell to think of a way to break the news to Karen. He hadn’t even told her he was looking into it. But she deserved to know the truth, as terrible as it was. So, what did he do? Head over there right now? Wait for tonight? For their date?

He stood up. There was no good time. “I appreciate it, brother.”

“Anytime. You know that.” Irek got up too and embraced him, gave him a couple of hard knocks to the back before releasing him. “You going out the window today?”

Reaux shook his head. “No. I’m good.” He left the way he came in, this time so preoccupied with his woman and the news he’d just heard that he didn’t even hear the hungry calls of the females who bracketed him.

CHAPTER 8

“My hair looks insane,” Karen complained as she stared into the full-length mirror on the inside of her closet door.

“No it doesn’t,” Indy insisted from her self-proclaimed ‘safe’ place on the edge of the bed. She’d come over for moral support, and boy was she giving it all she had.

Unfortunately, Karen was way too nervous and excited to believe her friend’s positive feedback.

“And what color is this lipstick?” Pointing to her lips, she rounded on Indy. “Slutastic?”

Indy sprang from the bed. “Okay, you’re freaking out. And you need to not.”

“Easy for you to say. You have Angel. It’s done. You’re happy.” She stared at the woman, brows creeping together. “Right? You’re happy?”

“Blissful.” Her eyes took on an instant dreamy look. “Can’t believe it’s possible, but wow. Bliss. Full.”

Karen pushed out her bottom lip in a mock pout. “I want that.”

Quickly coming out of her love coma, Indy reached out and put her hands on her friend’s shoulders. “You’re about to have that. He’s on his way over here.”

Little tendrils of excitement exploded inside Karen. Again. “We’re just going out on a date. One date.”

“Uh huh.”

Karen laughed, and for a second, it eased some of the pressure that had been building inside her since…well, since she’d met Reaux.

“You don’t know these Pantera males like I do, hon,” Indy said, grabbing Karen’s sweater off the back of the chair. “They’re not casual daters. They see something they like, that they want, they go after it. It’s a puma thing. See a nice, juicy, female in sight? They’re claiming it.”

Karen snorted at her. “Way to paint a picture. Nice and juicy, huh?”

Indy grinned wickedly. “Oh, yeah, if he knows what he’s doing, that is. And Pantera males, going by my own, they know.”

Laughing, Karen rolled her eyes at the sexual innuendo, but inside her humming body, every muscle was clenching. She was so ready. So willing. “Okay.” She held her arms out, did a quick turnaround. “How do I look? And don’t lie because you feel sorry for me and what I went through in the lab.”

“Well if I can’t lie…” Indy began, her eyes twinkling with humor. She did a slow visual sweep. From straight, shiny hair to black strapless dress to peekaboo heels. “You look gorgeous.”

Karen let out a tiny squeal. “Swear?”

“Double swear.”

Then she sobered. “Let’s hope he thinks so.”

“Honey,” Indy started, helping Karen with her sweater. “Did you not hear what I said about Pantera males? He’s into you. He wouldn’t be—”

There was a decided rap on the front door.

Indy laughed. “On your porch right now if he didn’t want to eat you alive.” She winked. “You know what I mean.”

“Oh god.” Karen absolutely knew. In fact, as she hurried to the door, her skin was literally trembling with awareness. Yes, yes, yes, she was ready for that: dinner, conversation, and later, being eaten alive.

Her smile broke wide and excited as she pulled back the thick wood. But it faltered slightly as she saw Reaux standing there. He looked breathtakingly handsome. He was wearing black jeans, black boots, a dark green button-down shirt, and lord have mercy, he was holding a single lavender lily in his hands.

“Evening, beautiful,” he said, handing her the flower.

“Thank you,” she said, slightly breathless. “It’s so pretty.”

His gaze raked over her hungrily. “Nothing compared to you.” He whistled softly and shook his head. “Wow.”

Karen smiled. As she’d told him earlier, she’d never been on a date before. She also hadn’t been wooed. Admired. Flirted with. And the feeling was overwhelming. In the best way possible. She felt…young again. Not that