The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Chapter 37: Jane Calls a Lifeline

Jane

I can’t recall ever wanting to strangle anyone as much as I want to strangle Ethan right now.

The truth is that I’m not sure I can make it three months working alongside him every day, but I’m equally afraid of the romantic schemes he might try to pull if I agree to date him. Three dates a week is simply too many, and the word date is a minefield all on its own.

Yet when he calls me that damned fake name and basically accuses me of being a chicken, I can’t help but rise to the challenge. “Define date?” | huff.

“You and I, spending quality time together in the evening or on weekends.” He shrugs, eyes twinkling with mirth. “Surely you’ve been on a date before?”

Rolling my eyes heavenward, I waver back and forth. Five boring days a week for three months, or a few heated hours? In the end I feel much more confident in my ability to rebuff him for a short period than day in and day out, and I know the sly wolf will take every advantage he can, working or not. Finally I suggest, “Two dates a week, no more than two hours long – and no funny business.”

His white teeth flash against his bronze skin, “Don’t worry little wolf, I won’t lay a hand on you until you ask me to.”

“That is never going to happen.” i grind out, giving him my best scowl.

“Then you have nothing to worry about.” He informs me huskily, his lips mere centimeters from my own, “do you?”

“No.” | insist, stubbornly tilting my chin up. “I don’t.”

“Then we have a deal.” Ethan offers me a predatory grin, and the triumph in his eyes makes me wonder if I haven’t made a terrible mistake. “Seal it with a kiss?” He suggests.

“You’re unbelievable.” I remark dryly, slipping out of his hold.

“Tomorrow then?” He says to my back, “Around noon? I’ll pick you and the pups up from Linda’s.”

“The pups?” I repeat in surprise. “Why should they come?”

“I thought we could take them on a picnic.” Ethan explains, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

date implies…” I struggle to find the right words. “I thought it would be

sorry.” I’ve never seen anyone who looks less sorry than my ex-husband in

mumble sulkily, “I

our first date will be a family picnic.” Ethan

my earlier thinking. If I wanted

I get home, my pups are clamoring at

in turn. It always amazes me how much I miss the little darlings after only a few hours apart, it makes being separated from Paisley for so long seem nearly unfathomable. “I missed

a fort!” They announce in unison, “come

our temporary room, and I’ m delighted to find every last surface covered in blankets and pillows. We crawl inside together and lie down beneath the arched cotton

the Alpha.” I answer honestly. “His little

“Paisley?” Ryder asks.

question, struck nearly dumb by the sound

quickly, though it doesn’t escape me that Parker is currently elbowing his brother’s side, as if in scolding.

going to be just fine.” I tell them, smiling when they all sigh with relief. It’s just like my pups, to care so much about a stranger’s wellbeing. They might have gotten Ethan’s knack for mischief,

taking a deep breath, “you might I get to meet

My pups exclaim, “Can we go?

for Ethan to be there witnessing it. I’m going to have to do a better job of keeping him at bay moving forward. He’s outsmarted me more than once today,

by everything going

want to!” They all

small,

a bottle of wine, I’m finally free to share all my chaotic feelings. “I think I’m in over my head, Linda.” | admit. “He knows

thinks he knows. He

why he’s suggested this deal. He’s going to try to expose me. He thinks he can romance

you left you stopped letting Ethan control you. Don’t change that now. Don’t

“the pups want to be with him. Paisley adores him. How am I ever supposed

compete?”

they’d rather have you any day. I’m sure of it.” Linda states firmly. “Pups can survive without a

with them these last few days… they all need a male role model. I don’t think I’m ever going to be enough for them