LORY KEPT SNEAKING glances at Mouse. His thick forearms, were on display after he had pushed the sleeves of his thermal Henley shirt up to his elbows.

A large flowered tattoo covered his left arm and disappeared underneath his shirt. Roses in a myriad of colors were woven together with thick greenery and lurking underneath it all was the scales of a serpent.

“See something you like, Pumpkin?” Mouse had caught Lory staring. His smile was devious as he teased her.

“What do you think they are talking about?” Lory tried changing the subject.

Mouse knew full well what they were discussing and had a feeling that Lory did as well. So, he shrugged feigning innocence.

“Who knows, Angel Fish? A better question would be what two smoking hot women are doing burying themselves in a café in this part of town?”

Lory had often thought the same thing. But she wasn’t about to tolerate what she deemed an insult to her and her sister.

“None of your damn business, Cowboy! Is there a reason why you never call me by my name? Have you forgotten it already?”

The corner of Mouse’s lips tipped up, and he blatantly checked her out.

Lory felt her cheeks heat and an odd sensation in the pit of her stomach as he took in every inch of her face and body. Her nipples tightened in her corset, and she felt a pulse in her core.

“Lory,” he breathed her name, and it felt like a caress against Lory’s skin. “I know your name, Sweetness.”

Her jaw tightened, “Why are you even here? I doubt you will be any help to me.”

Mouse raised a brow, “Do you doubt me, Dumpling?”

“Prove it,” Lory challenged, “We are turning customers away by being closed. Heaven knows we need the money. Open with me, and we will see if you are up for it.”

Mouse stood up and offered Lory, his hand. She felt a jolt when their palms touched. Her eyes immediately shot to his questioning ones. Had he felt that too?

Lory quickly pulled her hand away and fought the urge to wipe it off. She knew he would only make fun of her. And she had a feeling that it would take more than that to erase the impression that was tingling up her arm.

Mouse followed Lory back into the café, and sure enough, there were two or three guests standing at the door peering inside despite the closed sign. Lory walked to the front door, unlocked it, and changed the sign once again to open.

Mouse grabbed an apron from the wall and started toward the kitchen.

“Oh, shit, you think you are cooking?” Lory’s tone was boarder line mocking. “No, Pumpkin, you take the front. That means you take the orders, deliver the plates and bus the tables.”

Mouse frowned but didn’t complain as he walked back into the seating area. He pasted a smile on his face and charm started spilling out of his ass.

Lory had never seen anything like it. He had the old ladies blushing and the guys giving him fist bumps. He messed up nearly every order, but he was so damn adorable that everyone forgave him.

Mouse earned more tips in the first two hours than Lory would in a day’s work. That only pissed her off, but Lory had to admit that Mouse had impressed her. She thought the pretty piece of man meat would throw in the towel, but he hadn’t.

“What in the fuck?” Alice’s voice cut through Lory’s thoughts, and she looked up to see her sister framed by the muscular frame of the dark man.

Lory flipped the burger in front of her before sliding a tuna sandwich on a plate.

“Order up!” she called out, and sure enough Mouse pushed through the swinging door and snatched up the plate.

“Thanks, Lover Lips!” he winked at her and Lory found a reluctant smile spreading across her face.

“Your brother is fucking crazy,” she said to Jay. “But he’s not half bad.”

Alice wanted to see for herself and walked toward the dining room to watch him. Jay stayed to speak with Lory.

“What is this really about, Jabberwocky?” Lory didn’t mince words any more than her sister did.

Jay found himself appreciating the younger woman for wanting to protect Alice.

“I wouldn’t put your sister in danger,” Jay began, “But I have been warned that if I don’t involve her, the White Pawn will die. I will protect her with my life. I promise you that.”

Lory tipped her head to the side considering him. She was quiet for a moment as if she wasn’t sure how to respond.

Finally, she spoke, “If she comes to any harm, I will rip your balls off.”

Jay knew she was serious, but he couldn’t help the sharp laugh that exploded from him.

“Deal,” he stuck his hand out for Lory to shake and she did.

Lory noted how she didn’t have the fission of awareness shaking Jay’s hand that she had with Mouse. He was every bit as handsome in a dark way, but her blood wasn’t pulsing, and he didn’t cause her legs to feel weak.

Alice pushed her way back into the kitchen, “Well, I’ll be damned. Mouse seems to have it under control. Lory, are you sure you are okay with this? I won’t leave if you don’t want me too.”

Lory shook her head, “No, Alice, you need to go and help Jay find the lost princess. Mouse and I will be fine, I swear.”

“Are you alright with him staying with you?” Jay’s deep voice had the sister’s head jerking up.

“Excuse me?” Alice bit out.

“I don’t want to leave Lory here alone. You said there was a guy named Carlos that was giving her trouble just last night.”

Lory bristled, “I can take care of myself.”

Mouse walked in and grabbed another plate, “Is this a Girl Scouts Meeting, or what?”

Alice and Lory glared at him, while Jay only rolled his eyes.

“Listen dick-for-brains. You are to stay here and protect, Lory and the café,”

Mouse’s eyes widened, “Sleep here?”

It was more than obvious the thoughts that were shuffling through his mind. Alice threw a hot pad at Mouse smacking him right in the nose. He laughed.

“Just behave yourself,” Jay muttered.

Alice sighed and went to the pantry to grab some things. Jay’s interest was intrigued, and he followed her. There were several tiny cakes and small flasks of liquid that Alice was shoving into her bag.

“What is all this?” he asked trying to pick up a tiny bottle.

Alice smacked his hand, “Nothing for you to worry about, Grabby!”

Mouse snorted, “Looks like Alice has a sweet tooth!”

Surprisingly neither sister laughed, they only looked at him like he was an idiot.

“Do you have everything that you need?” Jay filled the awkward silence.

Alice nodded, “Are we going to take the dirigible?”

Mouse burst out laughing as Jay choked on thin air.

Alice lifted her chin, “I fail to see the humor here.”

Mouse’s grin had Lory’s panties melting away, “You do realize that he is a Jabberwocky, right?”

Alice frowned at Mouse, “I am well aware.”

Jay interjected, “I can fly, why would you want to take your airship?”

“You want me to mount you?” Alice blurted out in a hysterical tone.

That brought the house down. Lory and Mouse laughed so hard that tears appeared in their eyes. Jay looked three parts aroused and one-part furious Jabberwocky.

“Is there something so terrible about that?” he demanded.

Alice gaped at him. Evidently, they were at an impasse.