When A Lioness Snarls (A Lion's Pride Book 5) by Eve Langlais Page B

with another chair, leaving plenty of warning if someone chose to come crashing through. Unlike movies where heroes pulled an all-nighter keeping watch, he planned to catch some sleep because he couldn’t deny the fatigue in his body. He would do nobody any good if he didn’t get some rest.
    Rationalization had him unbuttoning the top of his pants as well as stripping off his socks and his jacket. He removed his silken shirt in favor of donning his T-shirt, the one she’d borrowed from him lying on the foot of her bed. It held her scent within the cottony fibers. A pathetic excuse for a wolf, he sniffed it. And, no, he wouldn’t hang his head in shame because no one knew but him.
    Before getting into bed with her, with his eyes averted, he tucked the comforter to a spot under her chin, ensuring she was fully covered. Only then did he dare clamber onto the mattress, keeping to the far side, lying atop the covers, not touching her at all, yet so utterly aware of her.
    What was it about Luna that made him want to forget all his promises to himself? How could one woman, one sensually sexy and frustration-inducing woman, make him want more than what they had? A part of him tired of keeping her at arm’s length. He wanted to do more than lie beside her, pretending she wasn’t inches away. Pretending he didn’t yearn to hold her.
    Show some respect. She was drugged, and despite all her invitations, she wouldn’t appreciate him manhandling her. He used those arguments to lull himself to sleep, alone, on his side.
    That was not how he woke up.

Chapter Eleven
    N othing beat waking up atop a guy, staring intently and waiting for him to rouse.
    Unlike some of her previous sleepover friends, Jeoff didn’t scream when he opened his eyes and spotted her. He also didn’t smile. But, boy oh boy, was he rock hard underneath her.
    She wiggled. “Morning, wolfie. I see someone is in the mood for a little something-something.”
    “Yup. A pee.”
    The man persisted in playing hard to get. “Is that what you’re going with?” She tickled him in the kidney, trying to get a rise.
    He stared.
    “Oh come on, stop playing hard to get and admit you want me.”
    “I want you to get off.”
    “Gee, so do I, but someone won’t help a girl out.” She winked.
    He still stared and tried to keep a cool expression, but his body couldn’t hide his rousing heat.
    “I take it you’re feeling better?”
    “If by better you mean awake.” She grimaced. “Talk about an unfair fight. I never even smelled the bastard before he was jabbing me with a needle. Utterly mortifying.”
    “You obviously didn’t make it easy for him. I noticed he didn’t get you entirely with the first dose.”
    She smiled. “A girl develops a sixth sense over time when it comes to guys putting on the moves. I wasn’t expecting the needle, though. That’s a new one. His drugs were good, but it’s not the first time someone tried to roofie me. It’s true what they say. Never put your drink down. The damned stuff made me slow. I tried to fight back.” Her lips turned down. “He got me with a cuff to the head, which was why I got knocked out the first time.”
    She wondered if he even realized just how much concern his face showed at her words. His hand reached to cup the side of her head.
    “How are you feeling now?”
    “Refreshed and ready to go.” To emphasize, she did a bit of a bounce.
    He might have uttered a small, pained moan. “Stop that.”
    “No.” She wiggled again until he stopped her with his hands on her hips, stilling her movements. “Ooh, getting physical. If you ask me, I totally deserve a spanking for that.”
    “You are not supposed to ask for a spanking.”
    “Why not?”
    “It has to be spontaneous.”
    “I will get you to spank me one day,” she threatened.
    “Probably. But in the meantime, you’ll just have to anticipate it.” He slapped her on the butt and winked, his abrupt swap from scowl to teasing grin jarring. The