On the other hand, Dick wouldn’t stop calling. The night she was out in the grass with Caleb, he rang three times. Each ring of the phone ground on her father’s nerves. She came home to find a square of the front window taped off and the telephone sitting in the yard—cord and all. He was having a time-out on the stairs when she got in while her mother fumed about glass all over the floor.
Kerry stared at the ceiling, throwing a ball back and forth between the surface above and her hands. The phone rang again. Kerry groaned, watching the extension in her room wobble in its cradle and the light flash indicating her answer machine picked it up.
“Kerry,” screamed her other best friend. Kerry smiled from ear to ear and picked up the receiver.
“Hey, Paulie,” she said, beaming. She could hear the music beating from the stereo in the car he was in. “Tell me you’re not driving and calling.”
“Of course not. Would I do that?” She could hear the grin in his voice telling her he would do exactly that.
“Don’t panic. I’m driving.” Kerry clearly heard Susan’s voice over the music.
“Hey, Susan.” Kerry turned up the volume on the phone to hear them more clearly over the blaring stereo in the car.
“I hear over the grape vine that somebody’s a gloomy Gus,so we’re coming to rescue you. Get your gear on, girl. We are going out and will not take ‘no’ for an answer.”
Kerry sat up on the edge of her bed and looked at the clock. It was eight o’clock.
“We’ll be at yours in fifteen minutes. Chop, chop.” Paulie hung up the phone.
Kerry rushed to her closet, looking for something to wear in a hurry. She pulled on a pair denim cutoffs, a battered old pair of brown cowboy boots, a red halter, and a yellow straw Stetson. She fluffed her hair and did a quick round with some make up at her dresser.
The door bell rang. Kerry shot from her room, grabbing her purse and flew down the stairs.
“It’s for me. I’m going out. Be back late,” she called to whomever was listening.
She threw open the door to get a face full of flowers. Kerry reversed back onto her heels and pushed the bouquet aside.
Caleb stood there, dressed in navy blue shirt that was strategically unbuttoned to show his masculine chest and the tightest pair of black jeans she’d ever seen. She could put a nickel in his pocket and tell if it were heads or tails. Kerry blinked several times.
“Caleb? What are you doing here?” she asked, unhappy with the way the uneasy fluttering in her stomach eased at his presence.
He gave her a rueful smile and then sighed.
“You were right. I did jump full steam ahead with the whole mated for life issue. Following tradition when frankly, there isn’t that much traditional about us. I wanted to start from the beginning and…”
He paused, looking at her outfit. “You’re going out.” He wanted to say, “and you’re wearing that” but curbed himself. That statement would have been a step backwards. He imagined men leering at her wherever she was headed and it made his head spin with jealousy—not just possessiveness but actual jealousy.
“I am.”
A little yellow Mazda pulled up behind them with music blaring from the speakers and the horn honked twice. Caleb looked over his shoulder to see two other men in the car, both wolves too, and the brunette he met at the bookstore.
“That would be my ride.” Kerry stepped out onto the porch, closing the front door behind her.
Caleb looked sadly between her and the flowers. Kerry crumpled; she took the flowers and inhaled their rich scent.
“Thank you. They’re beautiful and you can come along if you want. I’m sure the guys won’t mind.” She raised her voice so her friends could hear and no one objected. “I don’t think there is room in Susan’s car but if you follow in yours.” Kerry scanned the small dirt track in front of her house and spotted a Benz—all German engineering and sleek silver curves.
Paulie climbed out of the front seat. He eyed Caleb with a very territorial look. Kerry smiled at him to reassure him that she was okay and waved to Susan who was leaned back over her seat, talking to Luka. Luka was a silver wolf just like Paulie. He and Susan were promised. He was quiet and shy, which complimented Susan who was brash and loud to a tee. He didn’t speak much to anyone and when he did, he talked a little like Boomhower from King of the Hill.
“Are you coming or what?” he called.
Caleb looked at the man who stood waiting with one hand on the door and the other on the seat to pull it forward so Kerry could climb in back. He was roughly the same height as Caleb but he had a whip-thin build, like a runner. He was clad in blue jeans, work boots, and a white T-shirt which made his skin look really red in comparison.
“Yeah, but I’m going to ride with Caleb. Don’t go too fast or we’ll lose you.”
Paulie gave a dazzling white and ferocious smile. “So, this is Caleb?” Paulie did an assessment of him from head to toe and shrugged.
“He gonna be able to keep up with us?” Paulie asked, focusing solely on Kerry.
“Of course. Whatever makes you think he can’t?”
Paulie gave Caleb another look. “I don’t know. He just looks so prim.”
Caleb felt a growl start in the back of his throat. Kerry stepped forward, taking his hand.
“You just wish you could look so good. Get your butt back in the car so we can get moving.”
“Why, yes ma’am!” he said with a cheeky grin. Paulie slotted his wiry frame back into the little car. He slammed the door, leaning out of the open window to smack the roof. “Quit stalling or we’re gonna leave y’all behind.”
Caleb led Kerry to his car, where he opened the door for her. Once she was in, he walked around the hood before climbing in behind the wheel and starting the car. The Mazda sped off down the driveway. Caleb slammed his foot on the gas to catch up.
“These people are your friends?” asked Caleb, watching Paulie as he leaned right out the window his tongue lolling out like a dogs in the wind. “Yeah. Paulie and Susan and I grew up together; we all went to high school together. We’re close. Luka, however, is a new initiate. He’s Susan’s intended. They’ve got their ceremony month after next.”
“And Paulie?” Caleb asked, trying not to grind his teeth as Paulie mooned them without falling out of the open car window. Kerry laughed.
“His is next month. He’s all set to do the dance with Margery Wallis.” Caleb blinked.
“I know Margery. She’s a year younger than me. Our families are friends. She’s so…stern and sensible.” Kerry smiled.
“I’ve only met her once but those would be the words for her. Both my friends are really lucky, they have landed partners who compliment them. Paulie is brash, silly, and impulsive and he gets the sensible down-to-Earth girl who will keep him from getting too crazy. Susan is loud and in charge while Luka is quiet and likes taking orders. Margery won’t come out with us though.”
“Where are we going anyway?” Kerry smiled at him and flicked the brim of her hat so that it sat further back on her head.
“You’ll see when we get there, won’t you?” Caleb kept his eyes on the tail lights of the Mazda. He followed them out onto the interstate and off again, just before the next town over. They pulled into a packed lot of a bar inside a converted warehouse. A neon cowboy rode a bronco in shades of blue, red and yellow flashed above a sign that read Red Bills, except the B kept flashing off and on.
Caleb arched a brow, staring out the window at the place. Kerry was already climbing out the car joining her friends. She shot a look back at Caleb, challenging him with her eyes. Paulie gave him a look too and slipped his arm around Kerry’s waist. He whispered something into her ear that made her laugh.
Caleb got out of his car, hitting the pad to lock it and followed in behind them.
Inside the building there were four bars—one at each end of the room. In the middle was a huge wooden dance floor with a stage at one end against the back wall where a band
thrummed out country music.
“Oh, yeah,” cried Kerry. “Cover band night. Let’s dance.”
Kerry grabbed Susan by the hand and dragged her, laughing, onto the floor. They joined the end of a line and quickly fell into step.
Paulie smacked Caleb on the back. “You ever been here before?” he asked, arching his arms out to encompass the entirety of the building.
Caleb shook his head, taking in all the women in tight jeans and short skirts and the men in Stetsons.
“It’s intense.”
Paulie laughed and smacked him harshly in the shoulder again. “You could call it that. Come on, let’s get a couple of beers in you and you’ll be fine.”
* * * *
Caleb stayed on the side of the dance floor, watching them. Luka sat next to him with a beer in one hand and picking at some barbeque chicken wings with the other. Luka was a very quiet companion. Paulie was out of the dance floor with the two girls, keeping up with them as they stomped, clapped, and twirled to the thrumming music the band belted out. Susan ran over, fanning herself with her hat. She picked up Luka’s beer and took a swig from it.
“It’s hotter than the six shades of hell out there. Oh, yum—chicken wings.” Susan grabbed one of the wings, devouring it in one gulp and pulling the bone out clean.
Caleb blinked as she tossed it down, licking sauce off her bottom lip. Luka’s eyes were a little glazed over watching her.
She took his hand. “Come dance.”
Luka shook his head and swigged his beer.
She pulled at his hand and pouted. “Come on—please.”
“Nobabyyoudancejustfineonyourown.” It was the first time Caleb heard Luka speak. He spoke so fast with no spaces between his words, not breathing until he was done speaking.
Susan stomped her little foot and ran back into the crowd of people. As if in exchange, it spat Kerry out. Sweat beaded on her forehead and her hair stuck to her face. Caleb smiled at her and watched a line of perspiration run down her neck, sliding over her breast and down between them. Caleb held out her light beer. Kerry took it and necked it.
She grinned at him. “I didn’t expect you to be a wall flower. Come show me your moves.”
“I honestly wouldn’t know how to keep up. I’m more of a formal dancing kind of guy.”
Kerry smirked at him. She rolled her hips as she swiveled in a circle, showing his just how tight her cutoffs were against her body. Caleb gulped.
“Now, I’ve seen you work your hips. Don’t you lie to me, boy,” she challenged him.
Before Caleb could say anything in reply, Paulie appeared. He grabbed Kerry’s arm, spinning her, and dropping her back against his arm. Her hat went tumbling to the floor and she barked out a laugh.
“There you are. I wasn’t done with you darlin’,” he said, flipping her back
Kerry’s knee bent and she caught it on his hip. They ground together, which made Caleb growl. Paulie pulled her back into the dancers and kept his body within an inch of hers as they moved together.
Caleb turned and grabbed one of the waitresses by the arm. He held out a ten between his fingers and whispered his request in her ear.
“Sure. No problem, handsome. I’ll ask him right now.” She took the tip he offered her and stuffed it into her push up bra.
Caleb spun around watching the waitress’ progress before heading out onto the dance floor. He tapped Paulie hard on the shoulder with a meaty finger. Paulie’s glance was hostile at first but then he straightened it out into a grin.
“Look who’s crawled out from the wall,” he said in his good ole homeboy drawl.
“Can I cut in?”
Kerry looked at Caleb, smiling.
“Sure, sure,” said Paulie, backing away with his hands up. “Your girl.”
Caleb pulled Kerry into his arms.
“I thought you said you couldn’t…”
The band switched to a romantic ballad, pushing singles from the floor and allowing couples to wrap themselves around each other. The waitress coming back from the stage gave Caleb a little wink.
Kerry smiled, watching the exchange. “Smart; very smart.”
Caleb wrapped his arms around her waist, sliding his hands over her denim covered ass and pulling her closer to him. In her boots she was just tall enough to reach her arms up over his shoulders.
“I wanted my turn for a little of that hip action,” he said, grinding her against him.
Kerry’s cheeks flushed. She buried her face against the warmth of his chest, letting her breathing speed a little.
Susan, Paulie, and Luka were all stood watching them. Luka fanned Susan with his napkin as she panted, taking a much needed breather.
“They’re cute together,” she said after sipping her beer. “I never thought I would see it.”
“See what?” grumbled Paulie as he necked his bottle.
“Kerrywithoneofourownkind. Makesachange.” Luka said in his speedy way.
Paulie rolled his shoulder where Caleb had poked him with a little more force than was necessary.
“Possessive though, ain’t he?”
Both Susan and Luka looked over at him with big eyes.
“Did your fur just fall out or did you really just say that?” asked Susan with a laugh. “All of y’all men—especially pack men—are territorial bastards. He’s gone and claimed her good and proper. I say, ‘good for her’. Maybe now she won’t be treated like such an outsider and…” Dick walked in through the door. Susan’s voice died in her throat and she spat beer as she saw him. “Oh hell, trouble comes in threes. Paulie…”
Paulie saw him and slammed his beer down. “Intercepting.”
Paulie made several quick strides through the crowd, shoving people out of his way with some quick apologies. Paulie reached Dick before he got to the edge of the dance floor. He put his hand on the other man’s chest.
“This isn’t a good idea,” he said to Dick in his firmest, but kindest, voice.
Dick looked up at Paulie, he had to and glared.
Paulie saw that his eyes were red-rimmed.“Where is she, ?” he asked.
“If I refuse to tell you, will you just go home?” Dick glared at him.
Paulie did a quick flick of his eye to see if Kerry was still on the dance floor but Dick caught it and turned his gaze that way. He saw her with Caleb, pressed up against him with his hands gripping her buttocks. Dick balled his hands into fists. He made to step around Paulie but Paulie got in his way again.
“No man; not a good idea,” he said seriously. “Dude will kill you.”
“Get out of my way!” Dick shoved him aside.
Paulie stared after him, yelling, “Come on, Dick—don’t be as your name suggests.”
Chapter Seven
Kerry enjoyed being close to Caleb. Slow dancing with him was nice and, in a way, showed he did know how to be romantic. The flowers he’d brought were also a plus in his column. It would have been perfect if it wasn’t for the tight grip he had on her ass. It was almost painful but she recognized it as possessive. He didn’t like her dancing with Paulie, not in the least little bit. She raised her head to look up at him.
“Ease up a bit or you’re going to have to explain bruises on my heinie to my daddy.”
Caleb looked down at her, giving her a very brilliant smile. He flexed his fingers in slightly before releasing her. His hands slid back up to her waist.
“That’s better.”
A commotion behind her made Kerry turn. She backed out of Caleb’s arms so she could look to see what was happening.
Dick took two paces forward and socked Caleb in the jaw. Caleb’s head swung back. He staggered but he didn’t go down. Dick swore and cradled his punching hand, shaking it back and forth while continuing to glare at the bigger man.
Kerry squealed like a little girl and turned to Dick. “What the hell did you do that for? What are you doing here? Did you hurt your hand?”
Dick blinked, looking at Kerry and letting some of h
is mad fall away.
“Family friend, my ass. We just broke up and you’re already pelvicly pressed against this douche. How long has it been going on Kerry? Before we broke up?”
Kerry shot a look over her shoulder as Caleb worked his jaw from the punch. She turned back to Dick.
“It’s not like that. Please Dick; this isn’t the time or the place.”
“Kerry,” said Caleb, interrupting them. “The men in your life need to stop slugging me or I’m going to lose my temper. You said you were finished with him.”
Kerry looked torn between the two of them.
“We broke up,” she said, defending herself. “What more do you want from me?”
Dick looked at Caleb, shooting hate-filled arrows at him.
“You made her break up with me? Why?” Dick took his eyes off Caleb to take Kerry’s hands. “What power does he have over you that you would put aside everything we have?”
Kerry’s lip trembled and she was unable to answer him for a minute.
“You wouldn’t understand,” she said, but her voice was barely a whisper. “Please just go.”
“No, that’s not an answer.” Dick gripped Kerry tighter and she flinched.
Caleb growled low and drew back his fist. “My turn.”
Caleb delivered a blow to Dick’s gut, bending the smaller man in two at the middle and knocking all the air out of him. He let go of Kerry, stumbling back.
Kerry stood in front of him with her hands up. “No Caleb. Don’t you dare.”
“Stand aside Kerry. He wants to challenge my dominance, my possession of you—let him.”
He used his arm to brush Kerry to one side. This was a mistake because Dick could breathe again. Without Kerry in the way, he rushed Caleb and threw his weight into his solar plexus. It sent him tumbling to the dance floor.
“You don’t own her like a piece of meat, asshole.”
Caleb got back to his feet.
It was Paulie this time who stepped between them. “Take it outside fellas. Your scaring the other patrons.”
Both Caleb and Dick scanned the eyes around them. Everyone in the room watched the fight with panic, wondering if it would spill over into their direction. Caleb grabbed Dick by the collar of his T-shirt and dragged him towards the nearest exit.
Mistakenly Mated Page 5
