Free Prey & Prejudice: Cougar Falls, Book 7 by Marie Harte

mentioned taking over the pride anymore. Instead she’d watched and learned about what was needed and what wasn’t. She had a pretty good handle on most of the females, courtesy of Joy’s intense research. Now it was time to focus on the males.
    And one male in particular.
    Joy spun away from the computer on her swivel chair. “Okay, Lady Perfect. Let’s get the hell out of this stuffy office and have our own fun. We earned it with all the work we’ve been doing lately.”
    “I’ll head over to the guest house and grab my things. I’ll meet you at the pool in a shake.”
    Joy nodded. “Okay, but please, nothing too scandalous.”
    Zoe grinned. “Me? Never.”
     
     
    Miles stretched out on the lounger and sighed. “Best idea you’ve had in a long time, Quince.”
    Next to him, Quince mumbled into the towel under his face. Like Miles, he laid in a lounger, soaking up the sun. A glance around the luxurious pool showed several other pride members doing the same. The temperature had reached eighty-nine, and they all wanted to take advantage of the cloudless sky.
    “This is why I love Miami,” Miles said aloud, having missed his home during his long travels. The smell of salt carried on the air, a tang of the ocean he could taste. Seagulls occasionally squawked by, and the warm breeze brought with it other scents. Coconut lotion, some hot wings a few of the cats were sharing on the other side of the pool on the patio. Ellis stood over the outdoor barbecue cooking up something else, while Willow stood by his side looking equally delicious.
    Her green suit brought out the sparkle in her eyes—unfortunately fixed on Ellis. Too much romantic intent there. He’d have to cross Willow off his little black book. Dana too. The once level-headed female had succumbed to a lovesickness whenever she was around Jace. And Jace was just as bad. Miles found all of it more than disturbing—especially since he had a hard time forcing himself to ignore Zoe.
    Not thinking about her. No. Not today. Just sun and water and a nap.
    Quince, at least, wasn’t acting like an idiot about his mate. Then again, his sister didn’t tolerate fools.
    “So you’re really going to marry her?” he asked Quince.
    Without missing a beat, Quince turned his head and answered with a resounding “Yes”.
    More pleased than he could say, Miles nodded and kept his cool. “Your funeral.” His sunglasses masked his eyes, but Quince likely scented his pleasure.
    “Yup. My funeral, my mate. But you know, she’ll always be your sister.”
    “That’s cruel, Quince.”
    They snickered at each other and sighed under the balmy breeze.
    “You know, life just doesn’t get much better than this.” Miles spoke true. Though he wanted nothing more than to turn the pride over to someone else, he was starting to finally get the hang of managing his time wisely. His logistics companies and growing chain of Cuban cuisine restaurants were doing well under their current management. A few solid investments he could relax about.
    Just as he closed his eyes and decided he could afford a short nap, that scent hit him. Fuck. Miles opened his eyes and looked around. The stillness that settled over the pool must have struck Quince too, because he turned over and sat up, awake and aware.
    “What’s wrong?” He spotted Joy and smiled. “Hey, baby. And— shit. Really, Zoe?”
    Miles’s mouth dried, and his throat seemed to swell, because he had a hard time swallowing. Like every other guy currently breathing.
    Behind Joy, Zoe Castille strutted over the concrete toward them wearing what appeared to be three tiny triangles of black silk held together by black dental floss.
    “Jesus Christ.” He sat up, swung his legs over the side of the lounger and braced his elbows on his legs, leaning over to hide his sudden, telling erection.
    Quince groaned. “Damn, it’s like she’s fourteen all over again, and I have to go beat on my friends to stop ogling my sister.” He