by Kiera West
With a shake of her head, she pushed the Dillon cousins to the back of her mind and turned toward her office. She had some new information to tabulate if she was going to make it to dinner on time.
Chapter Two
“Just couldn’t wait, could you?” Irritation treaded Ethan’s voice, but Noah ignored him. He wasn’t in the mood to explain his actions. And, as Alpha, he didn’t have to. If it was childish to think that, he didn’t care. He just wanted to enjoy the pleasant hum streaming through his blood. He could still smell her.
From the moment he met Eve months ago, he’d always felt it. Even during their phone interview, he had the same reaction. It grew each time he was in her presence.
“Noah?”
He spared his brother a glance and then looked out at the snow. “I don’t think we need to wait. She’s ready. I can see it there clicking in the back of her head.”
Ethan growled. “You have no idea. You’re not thinking straight, haven’t been since you decided to hire her. I’ve never seen you like this before.”
That much was true. He was usually the most patient of the group. It was a joke amongst the cousins that he was the best suited to the job of running the family. Hot tempers ran amongst their kind, but Noah had learned to keep his under wraps, except in extreme cases. It was one of the reasons he had become a Dom.
“What’s your point? You want to let her go? Maybe we should just forget about it and let her go back to the lower forty-eight after she’s done?”
Another growl vibrated in Ethan’s chest, and Noah smiled. “Fuck no. Hell, I can’t talk to her more than five minutes, or I’ll lose my ability to think straight. She’s our mate, I agree. But, pushing her might not be the smartest thing. People around here know about us, what we do. Someone like her might not.”
“Either way, I wanted to see her. I was worried.”
Silence filled the cab of the pickup. “The murders.”
Noah nodded and glanced at his brother. “She spends a lot of time out in the wild. I worry she might become a target.”
“We know why they are doing it.”
Noah nodded. “Yes, but not who.”
“The fucking refinery has something to do with it.”
Noah acknowledged that with another nod.
“So, you couldn’t call the doctor?” Ethan asked a little too carefully.
He slid his brother a glance. Noah was oldest and had always called the shots. For both of them, and the pack. But, he usually discussed major moves like the one he planned for tonight. There was something there, something that was telling him it was time to bring Eve in the fold. He couldn’t explain it to anyone, even himself.
“First of all, there’s nothing wrong with asking her to dinner. We’ve done it before.”
“In person?” Ethan’s tone was skeptical.
Noah resisted the urge to shift in his seat, barely. He didn’t like being questioned, had rarely had a problem with the other cousins and his brother questioning his decisions. But from the moment he had gotten the request from Eve to research on their land, he had caught the looks, the jokes, he didn’t care. When he had read the e-mail, he knew she was for them. He had always seen ahead, knew what the future held for all of them. And with Eve, he had known she would fit into their lives. After four long months, he was going to convince her she was theirs.
“If you had a problem with the doctor, you would have said something before now.”
His brother said nothing for a few moments. The silence hummed between them. “I don’t have a problem with her. You do.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
Ethan didn’t even try to hold back the laugh. “Lord, you are getting testy without sex. You don’t seem your usual self, that’s all.”
He wanted to run. Needed it. Four months of celibacy was just not going well for him, for any of them. They all had been controlling their need by nightly runs. It kept their primal desires at bay. But he hadn’t let loose his wolf for a few days, mainly because of work. Their sanctuary would only stay that way if he could keep the money coming in and fight the legal battles for the mineral rights in court. But sometime last night, he had decided they had waited long enough. Sure, it was going to be hard to convince the woman she should take them all on. Eve seemed frightened of her own shadow, except when she was working with wolves or talking about them. Her whole personality seemed to light up, her body becoming more animated. Any woman who would get that excited over wolves would definitely go for him and his cousins.
There was no doubt in his mind she was for them. She might be small, petite, but she had a fire in her that he knew she hid from the world. He would catch glimpses of it now and then. And, she was attracted to all of them. He could see it in the way she interacted with them.
“You don’t think you’re rushing it, do you?” Ethan’s tone was worried.
Noah shook his head. “She’s supposed to be here for only a year. We’ve wasted four months already.”
Before her, they had shared women but not all together. Usually, amongst the six of them, they had different tastes in women. But when Eve showed up, every one of the Dillon men was attracted to her.
She was small, delicate. Green eyes without a hint of blue, dark red hair that reached the middle of her back. And her skin...God, her skin. He had never known a woman to have such skin. It was pure ivory, except for the freckles that danced over her nose.
He shifted in his seat again, trying to ease the pressure between his legs. He had never lost his control fantasizing about a woman. From the start, he had little to no restraint with Eve. Tonight, though, he would take her. He was positive that was all it would take. Once he knew she was theirs, his ability to handle her and everything else going on would become easier.
He was sure of it.
* * * *
Ethan watched Eve as she shed her gear in their mudroom.
“I guess this is all new to you.”
She looked up, peeling off her insulated pants. The smile she gave him made his heart dance.
“I kind of like it. Plus, I am pretty good at acclimating to my surroundings.”
“You did move around a lot as a child.”
She nodded. “I lived a lot of different places.”
He hated the tone he heard when she mentioned anything to do with her childhood. His wolf wanted to soothe her. She was their mate, and it was his job to make her happy. But, he wasn’t allowed to do that, not even on a friendly level. He couldn’t touch her, not unless he was taking her to bed.
“Ethan?”
He shook his head and tried to push that thought away. According to his brother, they would not be a problem after tonight.
“Sorry. It’s been a long day.”
Her frown dissolved as her eyes softened. It took every bit of his control not to respond to her sympathy.
“You didn’t find any more wolves, did you?”
Of course, she was worried about the killings.
“No. Nothing since yesterday.”
She reached toward him but hesitated for a second before patting his forearm. The brief touch sent a wave of heat rushing through his blood. The wolf in him came to full life and clawed to get out. He coughed, trying to cover the beast that very nearly took complete control.
“I understand that it is really hard for you. I mean all of you, but for people like us, it hurts more seeing them like that.”
Her quiet voice almost undid him.
“Yes. It was bad.”
He felt, rather than saw, her nod.
“I guess we better get in there. I forgot to eat lunch.”
He looked at her then. Everything in him told him to kiss her, to take those full, sensual lips and taste her. But it wasn’t the right moment.
“You shouldn’t skip lunch.”
“I always skip lunch when I’m having dinner here. I’d start gaining too much weight if I didn’t.”
She walked up the stairs out of the mudroo
m and into the kitchen. He drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes. He could still smell her, that unique scent of her that called to him, even from miles away.
Once he’d talked himself out of walking in there and taking her on the table, damn the consequences, he followed her up the stairs.
It was going to be one long fucking night.
* * * *
Eve took a drink of her merlot and studied the activity around the table. The Dillons were a completely different kind of a family than her own. Growing up, there had been no joking at the table. There were discussions on approved topics, usually dealing with anthropology or biology, her parents’ fields of study. Her first night for a dinner at the Dillons’ house had stunned and amazed her. They constantly talked, joked, and put each other down. Throughout the meal, though, there was an ease of conversation, of love.
Sadly, she never felt this comfortable around her own family. Funny that she’d think she fit in so well with a family that seemed so different from what she was. Reserved, quiet, studious.
They weren’t stupid, nor were they rude. The Dillons were a group of men that knew how to play hard and work harder. Noah, of course, took center stage opposite the table of her. He was the oldest, and he showed it in his authority, in his tone, in his seriousness. There was part of her who always wanted to try and make the grave man laugh, but she held back. He had dark eyes, almost black, that took in everything around the table, ready to step in if an argument should arise. He’d showered since she’d seen him. She wasn’t sure how she could tell, but there was the way his hair looked, and when she had stood close to him, she had sworn she could smell his soap on his skin.
She had a feeling all of them had a little Native American in them from their high cheekbones. When Noah brushed his hair back, it gave his face a lean, sculpted look.
Ethan made a comment in a discussion with Jason and Shane. She sighed. She’d thought she and Ethan would get along better, being the two scientists of the bunch. While he was self-trained, he was highly regarded as one of the best Alaskan animal behaviorists in the biz. She had also heard of his way with women, but apparently something about her set him off. She got a definitely-hands-off feeling from him. Except the few minutes they had shared in the mudroom, she hadn’t really had a conversation with him. Still, it was hard not to be attracted to him. Tall, as all the Dillons were, he was long-limbed. He had blue eyes like his brother, but they were lighter and not as vigilant. His hair was shaggy, which she was sure was because of absentmindedness and not design. It made him even more appealing to her.
Next to him sat Shane, the quiet one of the bunch. He took in everything, watching, waiting to add his thoughts. They all had a genial manner, but Shane was different. It was as if he held back part of himself from the bunch. He had black hair that touched his collar and he had to brush away from his eyes every time it fell forward. His dark blue eyes were almost black, and as with his cousins, he took in everything in the vicinity.
Next to him sat his brother, Max, but they were as different as two brothers could be. He was the youngest and had a set of green eyes that turned her knees to Jell-O every time he looked at her. His brown hair was as shaggy as his brothers, but there seemed to be no style involved. It was more that he hadn’t had time to get it cut. Max’s hair was short she sensed more because it would keep it out of his way. While Shane was quiet, Max was outgoing. An EMT by training, he wasn’t more gregarious than any of the others, but there was something about him, something that told her that she could trust him. He was a nurturer by nature. She could tell by the way he talked and handled people that he would never hurt anyone.
Jason said something then laughed, drawing her attention. She had always been drawn to him because of his manner. He was flirty, yes, but also very easy to talk to. She had never been able to tell a decent joke, so she was always drawn to people who could. It amazed her that he could easily tell stories that could enthrall everyone. No matter when she ran into him, his dark green eyes would sparkle with some kind of mischief. His hair was black like Shane’s, but darker. She always had the feeling that he could see beyond the person she showed everyone. Then, there was Rand.
Rand was the adventurer, the one who was never around. He was always out hiking, taking groups to see the wonders of Alaska. He was in charge of the tours they allowed on the preserve. He was the tallest of the bunch, reminding her a bit of a mountain man. He was quiet, although not shy. That same nose they all shared was slightly crooked, telling her he had broken it more than once. She was sure it was in some kind of adventure and not a fight. His eyes were the lightest of the bunch, light blue. She had been to Hawaii once, and they reminded her of the Pacific Ocean off Oahu. He wore his dark brown hair the longest of all the cousins.
“Do you plan on going to the lower forty-eight while you’re here?”
She glanced at Ethan with a smile. “No. It takes so long, and I never really know when my parents will be home.”
He frowned. “Are they going to visit?”
She shook her head. They weren’t a close family, and it was hard to explain it to someone who couldn’t comprehend her relationship with her parents. Seeing how they were with each other, it was a little humiliating to have such a dysfunctional family.
“They have a full schedule.”
She could see from Ethan’s expression he knew it wasn’t that. She looked away, embarrassed again. Truth was, her parents didn’t agree with her choice to come to Alaska. They saw it as a rebellion on her part. And a rejection of their suggestion she accept an offer to be on their team in South America. She didn’t want to study what they wanted to, and they saw her as a failure because of it.
She brushed those thoughts away. Tonight had been too much fun, and she refused to let her parents’ behavior ruin it.
“How about some dessert?” Jason asked. “I do believe we have some homemade ice cream.”
She couldn’t help but smile. Ever since Jason had found out she had a weakness for ice cream, even in the depths of an Alaskan winter, he had made sure to have it on hand when she came to visit. In fact, they all seemed to be like that. If they discovered something she liked, they always seemed to have it on hand. She didn’t think that any group of men kept a never-ending supply of garbanzo beans or lemon for water.
She knew from her past visits that they would end up in the living room. That was unusual for her, too. A MacMillan never ate outside of the dining area, but Dillons did what they wanted. And she really liked that about them. She settled on the couch right before Ethan sat down on her right and Noah on her left. She felt dwarfed between the two men. She rarely felt that way despite her size. At five foot four inches, she had learned long ago to project a bigger image so people would take her seriously. With the Dillons it didn’t seem to matter.
Heat rushed through her as Ethan shifted and his thigh rubbed against hers. Before she could calm the beating of her heart, Noah stretched his arm behind her on the back of the couch and moved closer. If he got any closer, she would be on his lap. She wanted to bolt, get up, get out of there away from them, but that would be rude. And there was a part of her that enjoyed the heat of their bodies warming her on both sides.
She cleared her throat and dipped her spoon into the ice cream. “Do you have any leads on the person who harmed the wolves?”
“No,” Rand said. It made sense he would be in charge since he was the one who knew every nook and cranny in the area. “We have our own ideas.”
“The refinery?”
He nodded. “I can’t see any of our locals wanting to do that.”
She shook her head. “I agree. They are so protective of the wolves, I can’t see one of them even thinking of hurting them, let alone killing them. There haven’t been any strangers?”
“No,” Noah said, drawing her attention. When she turned to face him, she found his face very close to her. “You know people have to have permits to come on the preserve.”
“That�
�s true. But, I guess someone could sneak on.”
Lost in thought, she slipped the spoon into her mouth, enjoying the cool confection and the sugar that danced over her taste buds. She hummed a little and then caught herself. But apparently, it had not gone unnoticed. Every one of the men was staring at her, their focus on her lips.
“Something wrong?”
Nobody said anything for a second or two. “You, uh, have some ice cream left on your bottom lip,” Noah said. His voice had deepened, his gaze still on her lips.
She wanted to wipe it away, but she didn’t have a napkin. So, she slipped her tongue out over her lip. Her face turned red when one of them groaned. She was pretty sure it was Jason.
“Listen,” she said, setting her bowl on the coffee table. “I think I better head out.”
Again, none of them said anything, but they looked toward Noah. In some secret agreement, they started to rise.
“I have some lab tests to run,” Ethan said. Each one of his cousins followed him out of the room. None of their excuses sounded truthful, either. But, as usual, they all thanked her for coming to dinner. When they were finally alone, her nerves were bouncing, her body singing. She had to resist the urge to fidget.
“Are you going to tell me what this is about? You’re not going to kick me off your land, are you?”
He shook his head as he slipped his arm around her shoulders. “No. Actually, what I wanted to ask you was...well, hell.”
Without another word, he pulled her toward him and slammed his mouth down on hers.
Chapter Three
Every thought flew out of his head the moment Noah tasted Eve. He had been waiting so long. He dreamed of her nightly, needed her in his bed, in his house, in his pack. She had no idea just how much restraint he had been using to keep from attacking her anytime he caught her scent.
She made a little muffled sound of surprise, but after a second, she started to respond. He didn’t hesitate, dragging his tongue over the seam of her lips then invading her mouth. Everything in him wanted, needed her here. He turned her more toward him so that he could feel her breasts against him. He wanted to feel her flesh against his, know the way her breasts felt as they rubbed against his chest.
