King of Rock (Lions of Pride Island Book 1) Read Online Free

shoulders, checked himself in the mirror, tucking his hair back out of the way, and felt just a little self-conscious for a second.
    Then he laughed at the absurdity of it and walked out into the night, hands in his jean pockets. He hadn’t met a woman who didn’t like him yet. He didn’t think he would now.
    He walked across the darkened grounds to the small, lit tent toward the back of the rented area. He saw two small figures standing in front of it. One was taller, slimmer, and then the other he recognized as the perfect, curvy shape of his mate. His fingers itched to pull her in and trace over every part of her, exploring her.
    But he supposed he had a lifetime for that.
    She was gaping at him, her dark eyes wide, before she shut her lips stubbornly and crossed her arms over her chest. Her friend ran forward and grabbed him with both arms, making him choke as she squeezed. He met his mate’s eyes and saw them narrow, and he gently extricated himself from the fan.
    “Thanks,” he said, putting out a hand for her to shake to keep a distance.
    “I’m Lisa,” she said breathlessly, staring at him like she’d like to eat him. A stare he was used to. “Thanks for inviting my friend.”
    “My pleasure,” he said, turning his eyes to Stacy, who was glowering at him with a look that was completely unfamiliar. “And you’re Stacy?”
    She nodded.
    A tiny niggle of doubt invaded his usually impervious ego, troubling him. Why was she holding back? Maybe she was feeling insecure or like he was teasing her.
    He stepped forward to see if she would move back, but she held her ground, looking up at him flatly even though he was so much taller. He studied her slowly, giving her a hot, head-to-toe glare he knew women loved. Mainly because he wanted to look her over, already wanted to know everything about her.
    Her eyes flashed up at him, and he felt the air heat from her response. Good, she was attracted.
    “Can I talk to your friend alone?” he asked Lisa.
    Lisa, agape, nodded and moved out of the way, ignoring Stacy’s obvious pleading stare for to stay. He grinned. His mate was shy. He liked that. He could bring her out of her shell.
    Lou stood to the side with Lisa while Beau pulled Stacy closer to the tent. She had nothing to fear. He’d be an absolute gentleman, but he had words for only her to hear.
    “Did you enjoy the show?” he asked, still catching his breath from all the singing and from the excitement of seeing his mate.
    She nodded hesitantly, her dark eyes glittering as her long eyelashes lowered and then raised so she could look at him.
    “Good,” he said, starting to feel more awkward by the moment. “Have you been to one before?”
    She shook her head.
    Crap. This girl was unexpected. He should probably get to the point so she could realize how lucky she was.
    He reached out and touched her arm lightly, stepping in closer and looking down at her. She glanced up at him, lips parting slightly in shock.
    He liked he had this effect on her. No other effect on any other woman in the world mattered right now. Just her. Just his mate.
    He touched her hair, slicked into a tight ponytail but soft all the same, and traced a finger over her ear, making her shudder as he leaned in against to whisper. “You win,” he said.
    She looked up at him. “What?”
    He snaked an arm around her, enjoying the feel of her body, the sparks already between them. “Me,” he said, lowering his lips to hers, anticipating the soft, silky feel of them as he closed his eyes.
    Instead, he felt the cold sting of a slap that rang out in the night and stood back in shock, looking into the flashing eyes of a very angry Stacy Anderson.
    He put a hand to his cheek and stared down at her in shock. Of all the things he’d expected when he went to kiss his mate for the first time, that was the last one.

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    “ W ho do you think you are?” she spat, hands clenching into fists. “I don’t know why you invited me to this stupid