Panthers' Pleasure [Impulse 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Zara Chase Page B

works. Think about something, but keep that bad image of me in your head all the time.”
    Both he and Vilas went quiet for a moment. “Nope, you’ve tuned me out,” Rafe said. “I’ve no idea what you’re frowning about.”
    “She’s thinking about whether or not to have dessert,” Vilas said smugly.
    “Same process, darlin’,” Rafe said, shooting Vilas the finger. “But it’ll be a whole lot easier this time because you have to put Vilas in a situation that makes you angry.”
    “Damn it,” Vilas said a moment later. “Now I can’t get a thing from her, either.”
    “How do I block you both at once?” she asked.
    “She really doesn’t want to let us in, does she?” Vilas said, pulling a face. “And we’re such nice guys, too.”
    Chantal laughed. “A girl likes to have a few thoughts of her own.”
    “Just think of us both as bad guys simultaneously. That’ll do it,” Rafe said.
    “Thanks, that shouldn’t be too hard.”
    Rafe expelled a dramatic sigh. “She knows how to wound.”
    “How about that dessert, honey?” Vilas asked.
    “Nope. It looks delicious, but I couldn’t eat another thing.” She smiled at them both, feeling more at home by the minute. “How do I communicate with you if I want to get your attention?”
    “Just don’t block us,” they said together.
    “If you become our mate, then you’ll be able to do basic communication by pheromones.”
    Chantal offered them a cheeky grin. “What, I’ll be able to read your thoughts for a change?”
    “Hmm, possibly,” Vilas replied. “It depends how receptive you are.”
    “You don’t need to get inside Vilas’s head to know what he’s thinking about,” Rafe said. “Sex is never off his mind.”
    Vilas reached across Chantal and squeezed Rafe’s genitalia. “That’s because you’re such a phenomenal lover, big boy.”
    Chantal laughed. “Are you two ever serious?”
    “Only when we have to be.” Rafe looked up as someone loomed over their table. “What is it, Pascal?” he asked.
    “Sorry to interrupt, Rafe, but it’s Toby.”
    “I thought I felt a vibe,” Vilas said, “but I was distracted and didn’t pay it much attention.”
    “He’s got her in here again?” Rafe asked, sighing.
    “Yeah, you want us to deal with it?”
    “No, I’ll come.” Rafe slid out of the booth. “Excuse me for a moment please, Chantal. Vilas will keep you amused, I’m sure.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Vilas smiled at Chantal as Rafe walked away.
    “What was that all about?” she asked.
    “One of the young pumas has tried to smuggle a human in without permission.” Vilas stretched. “He’s done it before. The idiot ought to know he can’t get anything past us. Just goes to show the power of lurve. ”
    “You have to have permission to bring someone into Impulse?” Vilas didn’t like the way she frowned. “That sounds a bit like overcontrol.”
    Vilas laced his fingers with hers. “You have to understand that we’re under constant threat of infiltration.”
    “Which is why you were suspicious of me.”
    “Right. Toby met this girl locally and thinks he’s in love, but she absolutely wouldn’t make him a good mate.”
    She pulled an indignant face. “Why should you be the one the judge?”
    “Not me, babe, but the council as a whole. Apart from anything else, this girl has a large family living locally. It wouldn’t be possible for her to keep our secret.” He sighed. “A lot of the youngsters forget about the rules, especially when they’ve been living as humans for a while.”
    “Why does Rafe have to be involved? Can’t the pumas sort it between themselves?” Chantal shook her head. “I can’t believe I just said that. I’m talking about pumas sorting their own problems like it was totally normal.”
    “You’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll get used to it. And to answer your question, Rafe is the boss. He needs to get involved in important stuff like this.”
    “You and he are alpha