by Ruby Madden
“I’ve got the day off. I don’t work until this weekend.”
“Great.” Or was it? Now all he could think about was spreading her legs and finding out how good she tasted first thing in the morning.
“Before you get any ideas—”
“Too late there, baby.
She sent him an oh-grow-up look beneath her lashes.
“I have an errand to run. I need to go buy some groceries.”
“No need, sweetheart. I bought groceries this morning.”
“What!” She sat up straight almost losing her grip on her coffee. “What do you mean you bought groceries?”
“Did I stutter?” He leaned closer, until he was nose to nose with her. He knew what caused that belligerent question. “I bought your groceries, little mate. You will accept them without comment. Do I make myself clear?” He took a page out of his brother’s book and decided a little show of dominance was in order.
She studied his face before lowering her eyes, a sure sign of submission in the shifter world. For some reason he wasn’t quite sure that’s why she lowered her gaze. She took another long sip of coffee. Ryland frowned as she continued to drink. Maybe he should have bought her two cups.
“How do you know what we’d like to eat?”
“Didn’t. So I got a little of everything. Anything else you want, we’ll go get together.”
Another sip, another solemn appraisal of his sincerity.
Emma’s pride rose up and tried to suffocate her. They did not take charity. Of any kind. Taking charity meant owing someone something and that always led to owing someone something. The Sorenson sisters didn’t do that. They couldn’t afford to.
But he’s our mate. Her cat was protesting the hesitation of the woman. The animal trusted the bears. In fact, it was so trusting, she circled around inside Emma and laid down, perfectly content to let the bear take control. Safe. Emma hadn’t had that feeling in a long time. The girls had learned long ago to rely on their cats and the intuition that came naturally with being a shifter. Since they were basically prey being hunted, they had learned to rely on those instincts more than other shifters probably did. Those shifters lived in the civilized world. A world where shifters helped each other. Not in the world where shifters hunted each other.
Ryland reached down and took the almost empty cup from Emma’s hand. She made no protest.
“Talk to me, baby.”
Emma felt as if she’d already formed a bond with Ryland and she actually believed what he said—that they were mates, despite the fact that she had no scent. It didn’t, however, eliminate the threat both women had lived under all these months.
A threat that she had to remove for all their sakes. Before, she’d been willing to sacrifice her happiness for her sister’s happiness and safety. Now, she had Ryland’s happiness and safety to consider. Another sacrifice she was willing to make.
Despite the assurances she’d used to get Abigail to claim the bears, that the two big bear shifters were tough, they weren’t tough enough to take on the Panthera and his pride.
But, that worry was for another day.
Today… well, today she was going to enjoy what fate had brought to her door, her very own six-foot-five, drop-dead gorgeous bear shifter.
She moved quickly, showing off her cat’s prowess as she threw herself into her mate’s arms. “Are you sure you want to talk, big boy?”
His primitive growl gave her the answer she’d hoped for.
There was no talking in the small bedroom apartment for quite some time.
CHAPTER SEVEN
By the time he had finished the list of deficiencies the inspector had found on his last visit, Ryker had skinned his knuckles, banged his thumb, and managed to smear grease on his favorite t-shirt. He was hot, he was dirty, and he was horny as hell.
He’d walked Abby to the restaurant early this morning and left with a promise not to run and a goodbye kiss on the cheek. Not the kiss of his choosing, but he took what he could get. His choice would have been dragging her into the abandoned alley behind the diner and taking her up against the brick wall. Ryland handled women with finesse and charm. Ryker was more fundamental. Me Tarzan, you Jane. Why mess with something that worked?
Cause our mate didn’t like it, his bear grumbled. Ryker grinned, though, remembering the temper that had risen inside her as the man and the bear had attempted to corral her last night and this morning. She was beautiful and sassy.
Thankfully, common sense had prevailed this morning and he’d left her and headed to the construction site.
“Hey, bro, how’s it going?” Quinn stood near the service elevator with a clipboard in his hand and hardhat on his head. Ryker was wearing one as well since the inspector was here again. The trouble caused by the jackals hadn’t ended with their leader’s capture. The brothers were still paying for the damage they had caused and were still causing in a roundabout way. The build was now under microscopic scrutiny thanks to the asshole. Seemed like there was some kind of inspection on site nearly every damn day.
“I’m done with the first set of problems.”
“Good,” Quinn grinned. “I’ve got a couple more dozen for you.”
Ryker hated this part of a build. All the nitpicky things that could and did go wrong. But the Blackwood brothers didn’t build crap. It was still early afternoon, so he could probably get the other list done as well. He knew he could if he kept his mind on the job and off his mate.
His mate.
“Earth to Ryker.” Quinn waved a piece of paper in the air, trying to get his attention. He also had a shit-eating grin on his face as if he knew exactly where his thoughts had wandered.
“We found our mates.” Ryker announced. He knew Ryland wouldn’t mind him telling the family. It was good news. Now he wore the shit-eating grin. Quinn was busy reading the inspector’s report and the next set of deficiencies that needed to be fixed. He knew he didn’t have his brother’s full attention and for the first time in months, he felt like kidding around with his brother. Even his grumpy bear was on board.
One, two, three—
“Wait, what? Did you say mates? As in plural?” Quinn’s head popped up like a jack-in-the-box making Ryker smile. Damn, when was the last time he’d freaking smiled so much?
“Yep. Two of them. Identical, just like me and Ry.”
“Man, that’s great.” He reached out and pulled Ryker into a hug, pounding his back in congratulations.
Ryker returned the gesture of affection.
His older brother had been great while the twins had hunted for their mate. His smile faded quickly, thinking of how the sisters had tried to pull a fast one. And why. It had not been some juvenile game that prompted the women to try to hide their identities. They had believed Emma could never have a mate. His smile returned thinking the curvy cat would have little doubt of her mate’s ability to bond with her once Ryland got her in bed.
He licked his lips, thinking of tasting his own mate for the first time. Thinking of punishing that round ass for her deceit. There was still that damn sense of danger he felt lurking nearby. Maybe he was being overly cautious, but he doubted it. That feeling had saved him more than once on a covert mission. “We won’t—”
He wasn’t surprised when he didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence, his brother already knowing what he was going to say. Quinn hadn’t been mated very long himself.
He waved Ryker off. “Take all the time you need. The building’s on time and if things get out of control, I’ll ask Dad. He’s been chomping at the bit lately, looking for something to do. I think he regrets retiring. The most important thing right now is taking care of your mate, um, mates. Damn. Wait until Mom hears about this. And they’re identical?”
“Yep. Uhh, I’m not sure when that’s going to be. Them meeting Mom and all.”
“Oh, now, baby brother, you are so bringing them to dinner on Sunday. I am so not sitting through twenty
questions with her and Deb. And probably Molly. Cause I don’t know any of the answers. Besides this will divert the attention away from Paige.”
“How’s that beautiful thing doing?”
Quinn’s bear cuffed. Ryker didn’t say anything else, knowing how easily his brother’s bear was brought to the surface nowadays. Just the mention of someone or something hurting Paige, set the animal on edge. Or showing any type of sexual interest. He’d watched his brother send a burly wolf shifter running for cover when he’d delivered a load of cement blocks while Paige was on the site. The man had had the audacity to say hello to the pretty little human. Another smile inched up on his lips.
“Watch yourself. I don’t think your mate would understand you coming to bed with slash marks across your chest. She’s doing great. The babies are growing and everything seems to be going good.” Ryker heard the underlying worry and didn’t know how to reassure Quinn. Paige was a full human and carrying two large bear cubs. He suspected she’d be put on bed rest the last part of her pregnancy. He knew that would go over like a lead balloon with his sassy sister-in-law. It would go over almost as well as his suggestion this morning that Abby quit her job. He rubbed a hand over his face. He had a lot to learn about having a mate. And an independent one at that.
“I’ll see what Ryland thinks about Sunday dinner.”
“You better at least tell them,” Quinn demanded.
Every Sunday, any Blackwood sibling that was available gathered at their parents’ house. Their mother cooked and their father, however subtle, interrogated them about the women in their life. Not that the Blackwood brothers had ever had any woman in their lives that had meant anything. Not until Quinn had found his mate, Paige. A curvy little bundle that Ryker wouldn’t have minded having for his own.
That was until she’d shown up. The woman who, with just her scent, made his cock harden and throb with need. He adjusted his stance and the move was not lost to his brother. “Was it this bad with Paige?”
Quinn laughed, seeing Ryker try to adjust himself so his cock didn’t feel like it was about to pop the zipper of his jeans. “Yep. Feel like you could drill rivets with your dick?”
Ryker gave a small nod of his head and took the new list of jobs that needed to be completed.
“Well, don’t worry little brother. It only gets worse from here. Wait until it feels like your balls are going to fall off if you don’t get inside her.”
“Thanks. That helps a lot.”
Quinn clamped a hand on his shoulder in false brotherly affection. “Glad I could help.”
~*~
Abigail walked across the room and stood in front of the closet Emma was staring at with a frown on her face.
She’d just gotten off work, feeling a silly sense of disappointment when she realized Ryker wasn’t outside waiting to walk her home. She was not a high school cheerleader going steady with the captain of the football. She didn’t need the protection of the big, bad bear. She’d felt like she’d been to hell and back, especially these last six months when the Panthera seemed to be getting closer and closer with each passing day. If anyone came too close, she was angry enough and jumpy enough to take their heads off, then ask questions.
In other words, she could damn well take care of herself.
Her cat snarled inside her at the blatant rejection of their mate’s protection. She ignored the feline, turning her attention to her sister.
She’d come home to find that Emma had the night off and was going out with Ryland. Not that she blamed her sister. They both should be jumping up and down with joy. Cause even though Emma didn’t have a scent, she did indeed have a mate. A handsome, cocksure man who could turn into a two-ton bear shifter in the blink of an eye. More than enough to keep a lion at bay.
A shiver ran through her. If that lion was fighting fair. A bullet, aimed at just the right place, could stop a shifter the same as a human.
It had been years since either woman had thought about a possible future filled with mates and babies. Abby had known she would never mate until Emma was safe. Now, even though both women had found their mates. It didn’t mean they could claim them.
She was just happy to see her sister looking so giddy.
“So, what are you going to wear?” Their wardrobe was very limited. Mostly jeans, sweaters, and shirts. Thankfully the diner provided Abby with a uniform and Emma was simply required to wear a denim skirt and white blouse. Those, like most of the clothing hanging in the minuscule closet, came from thrift shops. They’d had to abandon their clothing and possessions more than once so they didn’t spend money on things. “Let’s find you something for tonight.” She looked at her twin and grinned. “I’m assuming you’ll want something that is easily removable?”
“Abby!” Emma bumped her with her shoulder. “What kind of girl do you think I am?”
“A horny one.”
Just like me, she wanted to add but kept her thoughts to herself. Ryker had made no plans to see her tonight when he’d left her this morning after extracting a promise not to run and a chaste kiss on the side of the face.
Maybe if you’d given him a little more encouragement, her cat groused, he would have given you a real kiss good-bye and made plans to ravish you tonight.
This time the woman mentally snarled at the cat instead of the other way around.
She and Emma reached for the buttoned-up emerald green tailored shirt at the same time. Undo a button or two… and let nature take its course.
Emma moved to the mirror hanging on the back of the bedroom door. She held the blouse against her chest, liking the way the green brought out the almost blue black of her hair. “If we had two of them, we could try and fool them again.”
She met her sister’s gaze through the mirror and knew they were thinking the same thing. Was last night a fluke? Could the bears really tell them apart without sniffing them? They hadn’t tried to fool anyone deliberately in a very long time. The mad lion leader didn’t count.
“No.” Abigail quickly vetoed the idea. She stood behind Emma and little to the side. Their faces were reflected on the mirror’s tarnished surface. “They know who we are.” She squeezed Emma’s shoulders. “Ryland knows exactly who you are.”
“Thanks, sis.” Emma enjoyed the warmth of her big sister’s love. “Now let’s find something that will knock your bear off his feet. He seems to be a little more hardheaded than my guy.”
Abigail quickly shook her head. “He’s not coming over.”
Emma looked at her twin with a quizzical expression on her face. “What makes you think that?”
“He didn’t say anything.”
Emma’s heart lightened, hearing the subdued excitement in Abby’s voice when she talked about her mate. Even if the stupid bear hadn’t made official plans to be with her tonight, she had no doubt the bear would want to be with Abby tonight—and every night from now on. Her sister had come home happier than she’d been in a long time.
Emma grabbed Abby’s arm and shoved her back in front of the closet. “You pick out something to wear while I grab a shower. Then we’ll do each other’s hair.”
Abby had to smile at her sister. The last time they’d gotten dressed for a date together had been their senior prom in high school.
Before, before their world had turned upside down.
“Nope,” Emma ordered, sensing her mood, “no sad memories tonight, Sis. Tonight is about living.”
The girls were nervous as they waited for the brothers to show up. Emma had no doubt that both Blackwood brothers would be on their doorstep even though Abby continued to have her doubts. There was no way the horny bear shifter was going to go more than a couple of hours without a taste of his mate.
Not if the sexual hunger of his brother was any indication. She’d almost—almost—made love to him this morning. She didn’t know why she hadn’t given in to his more persuasive moves, but something had held her back. Maybe the thought that she s
till might not be around for very long and she didn’t want to make it too difficult for him to mate with someone else.
Two sets of heavy footsteps sounded in the hallway, pulling her away from her thoughts. She jumped up and threw the door wide open, almost swallowing her tongue. Ryland and Ryker were coming down the hall, their movements smooth and confident. Emma didn’t know if the sight of the two men caused Abigail’s pussy to clench, but it sure did hers.
“Oh, my God,” Abigail whispered at her side. Apparently, the sight of so much man goodness was having the same effect on her sister.
The men walked down the hall, their steps in sync, and their jeans as tight as sin. They were dressed just alike. Black shirts and black leather bomber jackets. Ryland drew Emma’s gaze and she knew her sister was just as enthralled by his gorgeous twin.
Neither hesitated as they made their way down the darkened hall.
“Hello ladies,” Ryland’s smile focused solely on Emma but somehow he managed to include Abigail in the greeting. She was still so, um, dazed, by the sight of him walking down the hall that she didn’t pull away from his kiss. “Baby.”
Emma shivered. The touch of his lips caused all kinds of exciting reactions. “Ryland.”
As Ryland released her lips, she saw the black frown on Ryker’s face. His tone was angry when he spoke. “Don’t open the door before you know who it is.” His hands had wrapped around Abby’s upper arms and he was frowning down at her.
“Don’t—” before Abby could argue, Ryker leaned down and gave her a kiss that was ten times more intense than Ryland’s kiss had been.
Emma felt a sliver of jealousy run through her.
“Hey, I’m right here, sweetheart.” Ryker’s soft growl sounded in her ear and she turned her attention away from her sister and her mate.
Emma quirked one eyebrow. “Maybe I’m trying to decide if I’m going out with the wrong twin.”
A low roar filled the room and Emma hid her smile. She’d never thought she’d be one of those women who wanted her man to show his possessive side. After all, she was one of the most cunning breed of cat shifters around. Yeah, her mate needed to be dominant and that usually equated to possessiveness. Unfortunately, the only taste she’d ever had of possessiveness was the sick kind the Panthera had exhibited.
