He nodded, still rubbing at her neck and shoulders. “Well then, we will go in and make ourselves as unnoticeable as possible. Whenever you’re ready to get the fuck out of there, you give me the signal, and we’re out.”
Her laughter was like silver bells, making his heart ache. “There is absolutely nothing unnoticeable about you, Ridge Jackson. In fact, I think everything about you shouts notice me.”
“Is that good or bad?” He stopped massaging her neck, worried he’d fucked up already.
She shifted in the seat, so she was facing him, lifting her left hand to his cheek. “It’s a good thing. Well, good for me, bad for my sister because you’ll be taking attention off her.”
Before he could say another word, she moved onto her knees, covering his lips with hers. He could tell she hadn’t been kissed a lot—hell, he was fucking happy as hell to teach her exactly how—but then all thoughts fled his brain. His little kitten licked along his lips then bit down on his bottom lip, soothing the little sting with another swipe of her tongue. His leopard rumbled beneath his skin, but he forced the animal back.
A tap on his driver’s window had him pulling away with reluctance. He’d smelled Miko approaching with a human female but had hoped his friend would have the smarts to steer clear of them. “We’ve got company, Katjie. As much as I’d love to sit here and continue what we were doing, I fear the male on the other side of the window will get stupid and then I’d have to kill him. That would lead to questions, and your sister’s wedding would be forever marred by a cat massacre.”
Her laughter was exactly what he’d hoped for. Of course, his dick was still hard, but it had gone down marginally at least.
“I just pictured FatFat and Mrs. Noseby going at it, and not like at it in a got-in-the-catnip way, but...oh Goddess, I’m shutting up.” She buried her face against his chest.
Ridge longed to bury his hand in her hair and do so much more that he couldn’t do, in the front seat of his truck. “I’m going to need to know who FatFat and Mrs. Noseby are, but that’ll be for another time. Let’s go before I change my mind.”
“Goddess, I wish. Never mind. Let’s go before I let you.” She sat back, grimacing at her dress.
He shoved his door open, hitting Miko, chuckling at the grunt coming from Miko. “Oh, my bad, brother, didn’t see you standing there.” When he turned back toward Noelle, he was a little stunned to find her dress not the same as seconds ago. “Nice,” he murmured.
“I’m sure my sister will throw a fit, but I wore the hideous thing yesterday and then all day today the frock she chose. I’m done being her whipping girl. Ready?” She held her hand out, her eyes sparkling like the richest gems.
“Damn right I’m ready. If anyone gives you any shit, point them my way.” He helped her down from his truck, admiring the way she filled out the dress. Although it was the same color as the other one, this one was form-fitting and framed her bountiful breasts perfectly. Her sister was surely going to have a fit.
“Girl, you—” Miko shook his head as Ridge glared at him. Smart cat.
“Let’s roll, and stick by my side, Miko.” He hadn’t seen Zelda or Sassy in attendance or smelled canine, but that didn’t mean they hadn’t been there. A hall full of humans could be a danger zone for them, or, in Miko’s case, a field of catnip.
“Ah, Daddy, do I gotta?”
Ridge didn’t bother with responding to the whining, not when it made Noelle smile, and the female hanging onto the younger leopard’s arm seemed to enjoy the crazy cat.
NERVES WERE DOING THE mamba in Noelle’s tummy when they entered the reception hall. Her sister had demanded their parents get the most expensive place in Assjacket. Thanks to Zelda, they were able to do so on such short notice. Her fellow witch didn’t much care for Merry and the others, but she tolerated them for Noelle.
The first people she ran into were, of course, her sister’s new in-laws. They were every bit as snooty as Carlton, but they came from money, so she did her best to pretend their digs didn’t bother her. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Joyner.”
Mrs. Joyner nodded at Noelle, pausing as she saw Ridge, and her hand went to the pearls at her throat. “Why, Noelle, who is this with you?”
Ridge pulled Noelle into his side. “Hello, ma’am, sir. I’m Ridge Jackson. Lovely wedding. Must move along. Seems there’s a good many nice folks waiting to come in.”
Noelle kept the giggle contained as she allowed Ridge to maneuver them through the hallway, expertly avoiding being stopped until they entered the beautifully decorated main room. “This is so magical,” she whispered.
“You asked me to make sure it was like a fairytale,” Zelda said.
She blinked up at the gorgeous witch. “Thank you for doing all this for my sister.” Noelle waved her hand at the twinkling lights hanging from the center of the room, cascading in waves all the way back to each corner with tulle, making the room light up.
“I didn’t do it for your sister, child. She’s a little twit who I can’t wait to see the back of when she leaves with the Joyners. Oh, did I say that out loud?” Zelda put her hand over her mouth, her red-painted lips twitching.
“You did, Zelda dear, but you’re forgiven since you only speak the truth. Goddess, we’ve put up with that twit for
