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.

to find the right words.

than my ex-husband in this moment. “Would you prefer a

mumble sulkily, “I

date will be a family picnic.” Ethan proclaims. “That way Paisley and your pups can finally

the hall, I have to amend my earlier thinking. If I wanted to strangle Ethan before, it’s nothing compared to how I’m

my pups are clamoring at the door to greet me, “Mommy, Mommy,

my babies!” | greet them enthusiastically, dropping kisses to their upturned faces and cuddling them each in turn. It always amazes me how much I miss the little darlings after only a few hours apart, it makes being

fort!” They announce in unison,

crawl inside together and lie down beneath the arched cotton ceiling, the boys

I answer honestly. “His little girl

“Paisley?” Ryder asks.

nearly dumb by the sound of her name on her brother’s

told us!” Riley shares quickly, though it doesn’t escape me that Parker is currently elbowing his brother’s side, as if in scolding.

smiling when they all sigh with relief. It’s just like my pups, to care so much about a stranger’s

to meet her very

exclaim, “Can

hesitantly. As much as I want to see all four of my pups together, the last thing I need is 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, and

off balance by everything going wrong in our

want to!” They

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

Linda reminds me, “He thinks he knows. He doesn’t

he’s going to find it.” I whisper nervously. “I know that’s why he’s suggested this deal. He’s

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

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

a