“Noelle, tell your guard dog he isn’t welcome at my reception.” Merry stared at Ridge with hate in her blue eyes.
He went from relaxed, to on alert. “Is there a reason you don’t want me at your reception, Merry? I was invited,” Ridge said, holding his hand out toward Miko who had the invitation.
Zelda swept in, her hard glare stopping Merry’s next words. “What’s going on here? Come, the limos are waiting. Noelle, you ride with Ridge and his friend. I have a surprise waiting for Merry and Carlton. You do want your surprise, yes?”
Ridge watched one red brow wing upward. Zelda was dressed as only a witch who loved expensive things could dress, to the nines. He noticed the bottom of her heels were red and would’ve thought that clashed with her pale-pink-and-black outfit, but he had been schooled on the meaning of the red-bottom shoes.
Of course, what that surprise was he didn’t know, didn’t think he wanted to know either. Hell, he was a little scared of Zelda the scary witch. Yeah, he’d keep that nickname to himself. His phone vibrated in his pocket, but he ignored it until they got to his pickup. Miko eyed him and Noelle, taking a step back like he wasn’t going to touch her. Smart kitty.
“I know you can magic yourself right on up in here, but how about I help you?” He didn’t wait for her acquiesce, putting one arm around her back, the other under her legs. She had so many damn layers to the dress she had on, it was a miracle he could find her under all the tulle.
“Oh,” she whispered, bringing her arms around his neck.
Ridge settled her onto the bench seat, shifting his arms out from under and around her. “You smell delicious, Katjie. That dress...it’s something.”
Noelle laughed, her head tossed back in happiness, purple eyes sparkling. “Yeah, that’s one way to put it. It’s atrocious.”
He ruffled some of the layers. “None of the others had quite the same dress.”
“Nope. I was the lucky one.” She wiggled to buckle in.
He knew when a conversation was over. Moving backward, he stared at Miko who was hiding a grin. He flipped him the bird before moving around the front of the truck.
The big block engine fired to life, causing several guests to turn their way. “Whoops, I guess we’re a little different than the upper crust your sister invited.” Ridge shifted the truck into reverse.
Noelle smiled. “I like that about you. My name is Noelle,” she said, turning toward Miko.
“That’s Miko.” Ridge maneuvered them onto the street, eyeing the sky as thunder rolled overhead.
“Nice to meet you, Noelle. I’ve heard a lot about you from Alpha Ridge.”
The sweet smell of happiness rolled off his mate. Fuck, he and his leopard wanted to claim her.
“Um, you’re the Alpha?” She turned in the seat, her eyes wide.
He looked over her head at Miko, daring him to open his mouth again. Some females were scared to be with an alpha for one reason or another. “I’m just Ridge, baby.”
Noelle snorted. “You’re not just anything, Ridge Jackson.”
Miko slapped his leg, laughing. “I just thought of something fucking hilarious.”
Ridge had one hand on the wheel, the other resting close to her leg, kind of. The damn dress was so voluminous, it was hard to say how close he actually was. “Remember, I can reach across this seat and slap you like an unwanted stepchild.”
His idiot friend continued to laugh, stuttering something about being sorry, Miss Jackson.
Noelle eyed Miko then Ridge then back. “Do you want me to zap him?”
Ridge opened his mouth to agree, closing it as Miko glared at him. “No, as much as I’d love to see you zap his furry ass, his mama would cry.”
“She really would, bless her heart,” Miko agreed, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I’ll be sure and tell her you said that.” Ridge lifted his hand onto Noelle’s thigh, her heat barely felt through the layers of fabric.
“This is a horrid dress.” Noelle shifted on the seat while Miko growled next to her promising dire retribution if Ridge told his mama he said anything about her.
They pulled into the parking lot where the reception was being held much too soon for his liking, knowing it meant Noelle was going to have to play some part of the wedding party. “How long do you have to stay for this shindig?” he asked.
Noelle’s hand came over his, entwining their fingers. Neither of them paid any attention to the fact that Miko got out of the vehicle, leaving them all alone, not even when the door shut.
“There’s the introduction of my sister and Carlton as man and wife. I think she plans to do a first dance right then and then they’re going to cut the monstrous cake and go straight to the head table. The groom’s best man is going to give a speech. I was saved from doing that because Merry didn’t want me to feel pressured into a public performance. I think she just didn’t want all eyes on anyone except her. Which is fine, really. I hate being the center of attention. After that we’re supposed to eat and then there’s dancing. Oh, wait, she, Merry that is, has to toss her bouquet after Carlton does the same with the garter belt.” Noelle rubbed her temple.
“Does your head hurt?” He reached around her neck with his right hand, rubbing the tense muscles.
“I would do anything to avoid going in there.” She blinked sparkling amethyst eyes up at him.
“I can put my truck in reverse and take us somewhere else,” he offered.
She shook her head, small wisps
