“Quit thinking.” Ford’s tone soothed some of her ruffled feathers. He grabbed a towel from the hook and wound the fluffy cotton around her body.
“I’ll be out in a minute, have to wash my hair.” He dropped a soft, chaste kiss on her lips and swatted her ass. “Move out of the shower. If you need more space for your things, let me know.”
“Okay.” She stepped out of the enclosure and stared through the glass doors while he finished up, her body aching over what he refused to give her yet.
“Go get dressed.”
“You’re so damn bossy.” She left the bathroom and closed the door.
After shrugging into jeans and a tank, she realized she felt better. The man possessed magic hands. Her head no longer hurt, and the tension riddling her body waned, leaving her relaxed. Yeah, she had tingles of awareness, arousal surging through her, but it was more of a receding feeling than overwhelming—probably due to the barrier of the door between them.
Dropping onto the bed, she sat cross-legged and dragged the wire brush through her hair, wincing when she hit a knot. The bathroom door opened, and out came her mate wrapped in nothing but a towel. Water dripped from his messy black hair, rolling down his face and trailing down his chest. He grinned at her with Q-Tips in his ears.
“You use my toothbrush?”
“Uh, yeah. I didn’t see a spare one.”
“All right. I did pack yours. It’s in your makeup thingy.” He chuckled and sat on the edge of the bed. “You know we need to talk about last night.”
“The mountain lion came out of nowhere. I was not hunting, just out for a run, relaxing, enjoying all of the elements.”
“Yeah? We believe she has a den of kittens near the area, and you stepped right into her territory. When we closed ranks, she backed off. Otherwise, we’d have had to fight her to the death.”
“I didn’t realize. Bet your bottom dollar, I won’t be just traipsing around anymore.” She stretched her body and favored her still tender ribs.
“Good. You hungry?”
“Yeah, a little.” Her stomach chose the perfect time to growl.
Ford grabbed a pair of jeans and slid into them, leaving the top button undone. He grabbed her hand. “Let’s go get you fed, then.”
“You gonna leave those in your ears?”
“Nah. Had water lodged in them.” He pulled them out and dropped them in the trash as he led her out of his room. “I’ll give you a full tour after lunch.”
Caress took in every detail of Ford’s home. In the months they’d been neighbors, she’d never once set foot inside. He gave off the no need to invade my space vibe. She noticed subtle feminine touches. His house gave off a warm, welcoming aura—definite feminine décor job.
Whitewashed walls upstairs and soft beige downstairs. The entryway and kitchen area with recessed lighting had been painted a warm gray. She’d expected more family-oriented pictures scattered about—like she and her brothers had in their home—but, instead, abstract canvases graced the walls.
Ford led her to his bar-height table and stools. She took a seat while he retrieved a platter of meats, cheese, and garnishes. After he set the food in front of her, he grabbed a package of sub sandwich rolls.
“Thought we’d have this and chips.”
“Looks so good.” Caress laughed, her mouth watering for a fully loaded Italian sub with vinegar and oil on it.
Ford brought over two bottles of water and a big bag of barbeque chips. He had no qualms with eating in front of her and made himself a double decker sandwich, slathering it with vinegar, oil, mayo, lettuce, tomato, jalapenos, and every type of meat. Growls tore from her stomach, and her Wolf whined, wanting double meat instead of the light meat and cheese with mayo one she’d made.
“Why are you starving your Wolf? I can feel her agitation. You aren’t eating what your body needs. I don’t get how you can shift without eating more meat.” Ford shoved his food into her face. “Take a bite.”
She leaned forward, closing her lips around the soft bread, and moaned as her taste buds exploded in a flavorful orgasm. The jalapenos brought out the sweet mayo.
“I said one bite. Make your own,” he teased, and pushed the tray of food in her direction.
“If you insist.” Slicing a roll in half down the side, she set about building a bigger one than his. On the bottom, she piled meat upon meat, added the rest of the goodies then topped that with two layers of chips. Setting the other half of the roll on top, she pressed down, some of the yumminess squeezing out the sides. One bite later, she let out a ragged moan. “I forgot how good carbs were.”
“You put chips in yours like your brother.”
“Yeah, well, you are an old man, you know. My generation does this.” She winked.
Ford built a second one, this time adding chips to his as well. Caress enjoyed how his face lit up when he took his first bite.
“See how good it is?”
“I’m not old.” Ford snorted and polished off his food.
“Excuse me, wasn’t it you who said the age gap between us is too gigantic to consummate in the near future? I mean whether we mate tonight or next year, you’ll always be nine years older than I am. I think you need to loosen up and live a bit. Fucking sucks that your scent is all over me but mine is not all over you. Women will continue to stare and approach you, you know.”
“They don’t interest me.” Ford pushed his stool away from the table and strode to the fridge, returning with a tray of peanut butter-covered brownies. “I never thanked you for these. I’ve had to hide a stash for myself from Luck.”
“You’re welcome. I enjoy cooking and baking. Every time Luck comes by, he cleans out my fridge. You’re smart to hide a stash from him.” With her food baby satiated, she needed a nice long nap to make day even better.
“So, you’re close to Luck. Know where he went last night? He came in after pack curfew.”
Caress stole the brownie in his hand and demolished it. “That’s low even for a mate. Try to use my friendship with my nephew-in-law to your advantage. Ask him. I don’t know, and I’m not a snitch, even if I did. You know the saying, snitches get stitches and all. But”—she lifted a finger to shush him—“if I learned anyone was in some sort of danger, I’d snitch.”
Ford plucked a treat from the plate and chewed. Caress noticed the burning in his gaze, the slope of his eyes changing as he fought to contain his beast. Men disliked being challenged or put in their place. She had no qualms telling him about overstepping boundaries.
“So,” she said, drawing out the vowel, “I like your décor. Did you have a female interior decorator fix this place up? I didn’t expect such a warm, fuzzy welcoming place. I figured it’d be more…cold, distant. Not unwelcoming but closed off…a bit like your personality.”
“Damn. Tell me what you really think of me.” Ford snorted.
“You’re a hard man to read. I can’t begin to figure out what goes on in your head. I’ve never met someone so private.”
“Nothing to figure out.” He polished off the brownie. “Now, let’s get back to your agenda. You plan on going back to teaching soon?”
Ford changed the direction of their conversation like a pro. Her Wolf whined at the concrete walls they couldn’t penetrate. Instead of feeding into his sudden distance, she shrugged it off.
“Perhaps. I have to meet Adrie in a bit to go over my schedule, plus I have to make up some work from my online courses.”
“Yeah? I’m sure she needs your assistance. Crystelle filled in for you a few days and Myanna the rest. Those girls have their own responsibilities in the pack and can’t continue to for cover you and still do their jobs as well.”
“So, is this your polite way of saying I need to contribute to the pack as soon as possible?”
“I’m saying you can’t run and hide forever. Getting back on routine will be good for you and your Wolf.”
“On that note, I’m going
to go. You can do whatever it is you do while I’m gone. Don’t worry about when I’ll be back.”
Ford chuckled. “Enjoy your break. I’ll be around.”
Chapter Six
Caress enjoyed her quiet walk to Meara’s Place, a quaint little bakery situated on the main street of Los Lobos. Recently opened, it was a place where she could go in and grab a cup of tea or coffee and have a sweet treat.
As she stepped inside, she salivated over the aromatic smell of roasted coffee beans and a variety of goodies. Small round tables made from slices of fat tree trunks—their glossy lacquered tops preserving the age of the tree when it died—sat scattered around the room. Wicker chairs with plush, forest-green cushions offered patrons a comfy place to sit down.
“Caress darlin’, it’s been awhile since you’ve come in. What can I get for you? More bread for those brothers of yours, or perhaps some treats for the school?” Meara wiped her hands dry with her apron and stepped from behind her counter.
Caress smiled as the woman gave her a motherly hug. The striking widow didn’t look a day over twenty-five. Caress hoped one day she’d allow love back in her life.
“Ms. McAllister. How are you today?” She returned the hug then straightened. “Crystelle is working out great with the greenhouse. Her sense of smell is amazing.”
“I’ll bet that girl is just happy to help out. Thank you for organizing your personal area for her to help. I know she gets tired of helping me and enjoys being around wolves her age.”
“It’s no problem really. She knows this land so well, she’s quite helpful.”
“Take a seat, dear, and let me know what you’d like.”
The bell over the door chimed. Gee the Were-bear strode inside, his attention focused on the cake sitting on the counter.
“Impatient man, I got your honey-butter cake waiting for you. Just don’t go eating it all in one sitting,” the widow chided.
Gee pulled out his money and paid her then leaned over and, in his low, rumbling voice, asked, “Do you have any fresh honeybuns?”
“Only for you.” She handed him a wax bag, and his cake box wrapped in twine. “The buns are on the house. Now, take your sweets and enjoy the beautiful day.”
“You make tasty honey treats.”
His words caused titters to escape her mouth.
Caress tried to hide behind her menu. A large shadow loomed over her, followed by a big hand pulling the menu down.
“Good to see you laughing.” He patted her head like she was an errant child. “Proud of you, baby Wolf.” Then, to her astonishment, he pulled out one of his beloved honey buns and handed it to her.
“Uh, thank you.” Slack-jawed, she accepted the gift.
She devoured the treat in two bites, waiting for the bear to change his mind and come charging back inside. When nothing happened, she turned to read the daily specials from the painted chalkboard. “Everything smells so good. Do you have the sweet caraway bread today?”
“Today, I have Irish coffee cake. Sorry, darlin’.”
“Hmm. I’ll have a slice of that and a cup of coffee.”
The door jangled, allowing in raucous teens who ambled to the counter.
“Manners,” Caress snapped at her students.
“We’re not in class, Ms. Caress.”
“Manners follow you everywhere you go. Would you enter your home with this much noise?”
“No.”
“Well, then. Be respectful.” She motioned to other tables occupied by pack members enjoying their time away with a treat, a few reading books.
In hushed tones, the teens formed a single file line and quietly placed their orders. Adrie entered the small bakery and slipped into the seat next to her.
“Hey, I just ordered a slice of Irish coffee cake and coffee,” Caress greeted.
“I’ve been dying for a sticky bun or four.” Adrie grinned. Together, they observed their students pay for their goods and leave the shop quieter than when they’d arrived.
“What was that all about?”
“Oh, they came in like stampeding elephants.”
“Adrie darlin’, I got your sticky buns and hot tea with milk.” Meara moved around the counter with their treats.
“I love the smells of your bakery. I just want to inhale every single carb you have here.” Adrie smiled at the older woman. “I’m grateful you chose to return home where you belong after Magnum’s death. So very, very glad.”
“Feels right to be pack…. Never thought I’d get to say that again.” She gestured toward a display case. “Make sure to grab a few loaves of bread and other things for yourself and that mate of yours.”
“I just may. The Galveston men are going to eat me out of house and home.”
Caress bit into her cake and entered Nirvana. “Sooo good. So, so good.” She licked the back of the fork.
Adrie stole a bite and sighed. “You’re right. It’s great.”
“Hey, order your own slice.” She edged her plate away from her sister-in-law.
“How are things going with Ford?”
“Okay, I suppose. He’s as overbearing as my brothers. Feels like I’ve traded one prison for another. I mean we’re supposed to be mates, but he hasn’t made a move yet, and I’m living in his home.”
Adrie laughed. “For all of like what, a week? Let nature take its course. He’s all Wolf that one, and he can only deny himself what he wants for so long before he’s forced to let the beast out.”
“He bathed me in the shower. I thought for sure I’d finally get past first and second base.” She shoveled another bite into her mouth. “The man is in total control at all times. A shield of steel. Always saying it’s not the right time. Getting tired of hearing the particular phrase from his lips.”
“Yeah, I bet he’s trying to be honorable.” She sipped her tea. “Did you ever stop to think, just maybe, his making you wait is setting you apart from the women in his past? Trust and believe….” She eyed Caress’s plate and licked her lips. “Ravage wasn’t happy with how he basically strong-armed him into letting you live with him before the mating ceremony your brothers wanted you to have. I don’t know what all was said, but your mate pretty much stole you away from them.”
“Poor Ravage.” Caress doused her coffee with eight packets of sugar and a dollop of fresh cream. “One thing I don’t miss is Raze and his gaggle of lovers in and out of the place. Who knew so many gay or bi men lived in this pack? It’s like he has a smorgasbord of choices.”
“He’s calmed it down some. Ravage put him in a headlock and demanded he quit being such a male whore with me around. Like I care.”
“Yeah.” She sighed and rolled her eyes just as Ford’s addictive scent filled the air. “What is he doing? Spying on me?”
Ford chuckled. “Babe, I’m your mate. I don’t spy. I ensure you’re safe and have what you need. My presence here, however, isn’t about you.”
He kissed the top of her head like she was a kid and walked to the counter. Meara’s face lit up when he leaned over to whisper something in her ear.
The floor vibrated under Caress’s feet. She looked down and jumped out of the way from Ford’s cell phone jangling like a jumping bean. What the…? She bent down and picked up his phone. How come he gets such great reception and I pretty much get nothing?
A female’s name flashed across the screen. Jealousy gripped her as it shook again and again. The same name flashing across the screen. Forget his sexy mussed-up hair and gorgeous eyes. The way his ass looked in tight jeans, the way his broad chest filled out a simple black or gray tee. No wonder he hadn’t had sex with her. No woman texted or repeatedly called so many times unless something was going on.
Caress leaned toward Adrie. “Who the fuck is Amber?” she whispered.
Adrie shrugged as Ford, in all his glory, swaggered back to them with a bag of bakery goods.
“You dropped this.” She held the phone up for him to s
ee, the chick’s face still on the screen. “Your lover is blowing up your phone. You might want to get back to her. She’s only sent a pic of her big boobs and cooch with trampy little captions. I have to ask…have you slept with every available female Wolf in the pack except me?”
“What? Fuck no.” Ford set the bag of goods on the table and took the phone. He scrolled to his missed messages, his jaw clenching in irritation. “I’m not fucking anyone. Haven’t since your sexy ass set foot on pack land. Now, give me a kiss from your delicious lips.”
Caress snorted. “Not happening, Romeo. I bet Amber would love a kiss. Better yet, why don’t you go find her and give her what she wants, since clearly you won’t indulge and give me what I need.”
“There is no one else, Caress.” He jabbed his finger at the cell screen. “Look at the date stamp. This is old, really old. Six months old.” He lifted his gaze to hers, his brow creased. “I promise you I haven’t looked at another female since I set eyes on you. Don’t want to, either. Babe, you’re it for me.”
“All right you two, to separate corners,” Adrie cut in. “Ford, if you’re smart, you’ll get a new number and lose your past lovers as contacts.” She turned to Caress. “Don’t rile his Wolf too much. Could be dangerous for you, girlie. And on that note, I’m going to go see my mate about a horse. This tension you two are brewing is supernova hot.”
Caress rolled her eyes. “Keep it up, and you’ll be preggers in no time soon.”
“Yeah, yeah, anyhoo, I’ll see you back at work on Monday. No fighting in the bakery. Meara’s watching you both like a hawk.”
Caress sighed as her partner in crime left, leaving her with an incensed male. No longer did she smell the aroma of yeasty dough and various breads and pastries. Even the other patrons moved their conversations outdoors, barely pausing to throw their trash out. Her heart thrummed in her ears, beating a wicked beat, fight or flight.
“You think I’d take a lover now?” A low growl followed his words.
Promiscuous Wolf Page 6
