by Jodi Vaugn
Braxton sat up. “What?”
“The women were discussing alcohol and roofies.”
“Jesus. Why?”
Damon shrugged and pulled the cookie platter closer. “They said it’s for their book.” Damon took a bite and lowered his voice. “But I don’t think so. I think they’re planning to roofie my ass.”
Braxton choked back a laugh. “Don’t be so paranoid. They’re writers. It’s their job to make shit up.”
“Yeah, well. Just so you know, I had to throw you under the bus.”
Braxton leaned closer. “What do you mean, Damon?”
“I told them you were a bartender and could answer all their alcohol questions.”
Braxton closed his eyes and slowly let out a breath. “You think maybe I could get them drunk until they pass out?”
Damon gave a thoughtful look. “I don’t know, man. That one woman, Myrtis? She’s mean as a snake and looks pretty hardy. Think it’ll take a lot of alcohol to take that one out.”
“What are you two talking about?” Kate scowled at Damon and pulled the plate away. “These are for my paying guests.”
“I am a paying guest,” Damon argued.
“Yeah, but you’ve already eaten two plates today.” Kate frowned. “You don’t happen to have a tapeworm, do you?”
Braxton snorted.
Damon’s expression grew somber. “Nope. No tapeworm.”
Kate nodded as some unspoken communication passed between her and Damon. Kate gave Damon’s arm a squeeze before heading outside.
Envy pinged Braxton in the gut. He glared at Damon, but Damon was too busy staring into his glass of soda. What the hell was that about? Pushing off the island, he went in search of Kate.
His heart warmed when he spotted her dragging heavy limbs from the woods toward the backyard.
“Here, let me. It’s too heavy for you.” Braxton hefted the limb over his shoulder. “Where do you want this?”
“Over there. It’s for the fire pit.” Kate picked up the ax off the ground to cut the limb into manageable firewood.
Braxton shook his head. Positioning the limb between his hands, he brought it down on his leg and snapped the wood in half.
Her eyes widened at his strength.
Damn. He kept forgetting she wasn’t like him. She wasn’t a werewolf. She wasn’t used to seeing physical strength like his.
He cast a quick glance at her and froze.
Her gaze dilated as her lips parted. Her tongue swiped across her beautiful lips in a slow, torturous motion.
She wasn’t looking at him in fear. She was looking at him like she wanted to rip his clothes off and fuck him to death.
His cock hardened.
Dropping the wood, he yanked her against him. Despite the heavy coat she wore, he could feel her body yielding to him. He growled before bending his head. Her cold lips quivered and opened under his mouth. His tongue tangled with hers, tasting her sweet mouth until he was dizzy with lust.
Her hands slid down his back to cup his ass and squeeze. He groaned.
She was going to fucking kill him.
They couldn’t do this right now. The guests were probably standing at the window, gawking and taking notes. He pulled away, brushing his knuckles across the cold satin of her cheeks as he stared into her dewy gaze.
“What was that back there?” He nodded across his shoulder.
“My hand on your ass.”
He grinned. “No, I mean back in the kitchen. That interchange with Damon.”
Kate blushed. “Oh.” She shook her head, her blonde hair brushing the soft curve of her breasts. “Damon’s missing Ava. I feel bad for him.” She shrugged. “I know how he feels.”
He stiffened under the assault of the words. “Are you missing your ex?”
She grimaced. “God, no.” Her eyes met his. “But I know I’m going to miss you when you go.”
Warmth spread through his chest, blossoming into a feeling so wonderful he couldn’t describe it with words. He needed this woman, more than he could ever express.
It scared the shit out of him.
He gave her a tight hug and turned her toward the firewood. “So what’s with the fire pit?”
Her face fell in disappointment that he didn’t reciprocate but she quickly recovered her composure. “I thought the girls would like their wine around the campfire.”
“It’s pretty cold. I don’t think they’ll last very long out here.”
“I overheard them talking at breakfast about wanting to experience Eureka Springs in the winter. Wine around the fire pit has long been a tradition at the Bella Luna.” Kate shivered and crossed her arms as a gust of winter wind played with her hair. “I remember when I turned sixteen, my mom let me have my first glass of wine.” She grinned, staring at the cold fire pit as if seeing a past memory come to life again. “We had a full house, and that night we sat around the fire and had cocktails.”
“Your mom sounds like she was pretty special.”
A sad smile touched her lips. “She was. She was my best friend.”
“Sounds like you had the perfect life.” Quite the opposite of what Braxton had grown up with.
“It was until…” Kate bit her lip.
“Until what?”
“Until I met Tom. I brought him home and Mom immediately didn’t like him.” Kate let out a rueful laugh. “I didn’t understand why. Tom was charming the entire time. I thought my mom would adore him. Boy, was I wrong. After he left, she told me that there was something about him she didn’t trust.”
Braxton listened. As a bartender, he was used to having intoxicated women confide their secrets to him. More often than not, he would half-heartedly listen while trying to make sure they had a designated driver to haul them home.
Not with Kate. He wanted to know every detail about her life. He couldn’t stop listening to her if he tried.
“What happened?”
Kate winced. “I got into an argument with my mom. I couldn’t believe that she wasn’t happy that I’d found someone who adored me.” She bit her lip and glanced away. “I was such a bitch to her that night.”
Braxton took her hand between his palms. “I can’t ever imagine you being a bitch.”
Misery fell across her face and she shook her head. “I was definitely a bitch.” She blew out a breath. “I continued seeing Tom—against my mother’s wishes, of course. Our relationship was never the same.” She cleared her throat. “We were arguing about Tom the night of the accident. She lost control of the car and ran off the cliff. I lived and she died.”
“Oh, God, Kate.” He pulled her into his arms. She could have been killed. Just the thought tipped at his heart. He ached for the pain she still carried. She melted into him as if soaking up his strength. He wanted to take away every painful memory and give her a life of happiness and joy, but he knew that was impossible.
They were impossible.
Weres only mated other Weres. Sure, they could date or have sex with humans, but they never mated humans. Never.
When Damon met Ava, he didn’t know she was a Were. Maybe Kate was a Were, too, and she just didn’t know. If Kate were a werewolf, he would be able to smell it now that the silver had left his system.
He inhaled deep. Her sweet scent of snow covered evergreen filled his head. His heart dropped in his stomach, his last thread of hope snapped. She didn’t carry the scent of wolf. No, Kate definitely wasn’t a Were. There could never be a future for them.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you all this.” She smiled a little as she swiped the silent tears off her cheeks with the pads of her fingers, unaware how his heart had just fractured into irreparable shards.
“Don’t be. I’m glad you shared that.” His throat tightened. “I wish I’d had that kind of relationship with my mom. Sounds like your mom loved you fiercely.”
She nodded. “She did. All mothers do.”
Braxton snorted and released her. Bleak childhood memories settled
on his shoulders. “Not all.” He cleared his throat, embarrassed that he hadn’t been raised in the kind of love that Kate had grown up with.
Her hand brushed his arm. “All mothers love their children, Braxton.”
Braxton swallowed. This was one topic he wasn’t ready to discuss with anyone, let alone Kate.
“I need to go see what Damon’s up to. I think those writers are making him nervous.” He made his way toward the house.
“Braxton?”
He stopped and looked over his shoulder. “Yeah?”
“We’re not finished with this conversation.” She cocked her head. “And just so you know, my mom would have loved you.”
Warmth exploded in his chest as his eyes widened. The concept of someone’s mother loving him hit him like a ton of bricks. He’d learned to live half a life, not expecting love. Kate’s words humbled him and made his eyes ache.
He nodded once, shoved his hands in his pockets, and headed for the safety of the house.
***
That night, after having wine by the fire pit for the women, Kate managed to usher everyone inside. The ladies didn’t want to leave, insisting they needed to experience the full effects of standing in the snow. She told them the only thing they were going to experience was frostbite and hypothermia, which would lead to amputation of important lady parts. That finally got the writers moving.
Braxton stood in the kitchen, looking through her liquor cabinet. She’d promised that Braxton would make cocktails for everyone if they came out of the cold. She cut her eyes over at Braxton’s broad back and smiled as she lined up the martini glasses on the kitchen counter.
“I can’t find the shaker.” Braxton turned to her.
“I’ve got one.” Myrtis tossed the silver canister to Braxton. Braxton caught it one-handed.
He arched an eyebrow. “You always carry this?”
“To all my writing retreats, I do.” Myrtis lifted her chin. “With all these bitches, I’m always in need of a drink.”
Barbara walked up behind Myrtis, shaking her head. “Goodness, Myrtis. You shouldn’t be so blunt.”
Myrtis turned. “Why not? You know every one of you get under my skin after a day of plotting and critiquing.” Myrtis crossed her arms and scowled. “I feel like you’ve eaten me alive.”
Felicity walked in with a large brown paper bag. “Okay, Braxton. Here’s what I brought.”
He peered in and his eyes widened. “Damn, you come prepared.”
Felicity shrugged. “Danielle drove into town to get the rest of the stuff to make chocolate martinis.”
Braxton chuckled and began unloading the bottles of vodka, rum, and tequila. “Well, while the rest of you are waiting, I could make a Long Island Iced Tea.”
“Perfect.” Felicity rubbed her hands together and headed back into the living room with the rest of the ladies.
Kate cocked her head as Damon entered the kitchen. “Do you think they drink like this all the time?”
“I don’t know. But they are starting to scare me.” Damon eased onto the kitchen stool and watched Braxton pour the different alcohols into the mixer. “Especially that Myrtis one.”
Kate wrinkled her nose and poured herself a glass of chardonnay. “Myrtis? She has to be at least sixty-five.”
Braxton poured a shot of tequila and shoved it toward Damon. Damon tossed it back without flinching. “I see the way she keeps looking at me.”
“Yeah, how’s that?” Braxton smirked, as he mixed the liquors in the silver canister.
“Like she knows what I look like naked.”
“Yikes.” Braxton shuddered.
“What are y’all talking about?” Myrtis walked into the kitchen.
Kate choked on her wine.
Myrtis slapped her on the back. “You okay?”
Kate nodded and cleared her throat. “Just went down the wrong way.”
Myrtis turned her attention to Damon, let her gaze drift down his body, and smiled. “Hate it when something in your mouth goes down the wrong way.”
“I’ve got to go check on something.” Damon jumped up from the kitchen stool and hauled ass out the back door.
Myrtis frowned and joined her friends in the living room.
“Are those ready yet, Braxton?” Felicity walked over and rested her arms on the back of an empty kitchen chair. “The natives are getting restless.”
Braxton finished pouring the bourbon-colored drink into a highball glass he’d pulled from the cabinet. “Long Island Iced Tea.” He held out the glass to Felicity, who cradled it between her palms.
She took a sip and closed her eyes. “Mmm. This is really good. The best I’ve ever had, actually.”
“Thanks.” Braxton tossed the kitchen towel across his shoulder and held out a second drink for Kate.
Kate shook her head and waved her hands in protest. “I better not. I lost count of how many liquors you put in there.”
Amusement lit his eyes. “Are you afraid?”
Her stomach tilted.
He grinned and held out the glass. “Go on. You’ve worked really hard today. You deserve a little happy hour.”
“What happens if I start making a fool out of myself in front of my guests?” She raised an eyebrow.
“You won’t do that. I’ll take care of you.”
Yep, she definitely wanted Braxton to take care of her. In the most carnal way possible.
Kate swallowed and pulled at the neck of her sweater as her body heated.
She reached for the glass, her fingers brushing against his. Sweet awareness shot across her skin. She looked up into his heated gaze. Apparently he was feeling the same way.
She studied the drink before taking a sip. The liquid slid down her throat and warmed her stomach in a comforting way. She closed her eyes and moaned. “Oh God, that’s good.”
She opened her eyes and her heart stuttered. Braxton gripped the countertop, his arms flexing under the tight black T-shirt as his breathing increased.
The women were in the next room and Damon was somewhere outside, trying to stay out of sight.
For right now, they were alone in the kitchen.
Braxton crooked his finger at her. “Come here.”
She set the glass down and shook her head slowly.
“Kate. Now.” His voice was raspy and commanding and it made her panties wet. She knew without a doubt what would happen if she went to him. He’d take her right there, her jeans pushed down and her sweater pulled up, on the kitchen table. He wouldn’t care about the numerous set of eyes watching while he ravished her body.
“I don’t think so.”
“Why not?” He scorched her with those stormy gray eyes. She tried to step back, but her stubborn body wouldn’t obey.
“I’m afraid.”
“Of me?” A brief flicker of hurt coursed through his eyes.
“No. I’m afraid of losing my shirt.” She would have blushed if she wasn’t already so damned over heated. What the hell was wrong with her? She never would have said something like that to her ex. But then again, Braxton was nothing like her ex. Even though he was a werewolf, he was a far better man than Tom would ever be.
“You should be more worried about losing your panties, Kate.”
***
Braxton pushed off the counter and stalked around the obstacle until he was inches from Kate.
Mine!
Maybe he would have thought twice about what he was about to do if she hadn’t been standing there looking all flushed and licking her lips, like she was starving. He could smell her arousal from where he stood.
She wanted this as much as he did.
He pulled her into his arms, devouring her mouth with his. She went limp and sighed. He went hard and groaned.
If he kept her in bed for the next forty years, he still didn’t think he’d get enough of her.
He pulled away roughly, holding her face between his palms. “Where.”
It was more of a statement than a quest
ion.
“My room.”
He swung her up into his arms before she could change her mind and hurried to her bedroom. He kicked the door shut and set her on her feet.
“Lock it.” Kate’s husky voice made him want to rip her clothes off and thrust into her tight little body. He clenched his jaw as she gripped his T-shirt in her hands and pulled it up over his head.
He fumbled for the lock just as her hot mouth closed over his nipple. He sucked in a breath and wrapped his fingers around the back of her neck, urging her on. “Damn, baby, that feels good.”
She sucked hard, sending shivers through his veins. He tried not to plunge his fingers down her jeans and into her wet panties.
“Your turn.” He kicked off his jeans and growled. She had too many fucking clothes on.
He slipped her sweater over her head and tugged her jeans down, his finger sliding over her silky skin. He groaned in appreciation. She stood before him in nothing but a lacy peach bra and matching panties.
She blushed.
“I like it when you do that.” He gathered her into his chest and whispered against her neck. Reaching around, he unhooked her bra.
“When I do what?” she asked breathlessly.
“When you blush. Makes me feel like the big bad wolf.”
She nipped his shoulder. “You are the big bad wolf.”
Braxton quickly stripped off her bra and tossed it to the floor. His mouth closed around her taut nipple. She moaned as he teased and sucked the bud into his mouth. She tasted so fucking sweet. She arched under his mouth, pulling his head closer.
“More,” she moaned, her words shooting straight to his dick.
He swept her up into his arms and laid her across the bed. He liked the way her gaze drifted down his body and rested on his hardened erection.
“Big bad wolves are insatiable.”
Kate sucked in a breath and dragged her gaze back to his. “Thank God for that.”
Braxton knelt between her legs and hooked his thumbs in her panties. She rose up on her elbows to watch as he tugged them off.
He bent his head and licked at her sweet core.
“Braxton.” She fisted her fingers into his hair. “Don’t stop.”
“I won’t stop. I won’t ever stop.” That’s how he fucking felt. .
