“Drop it, Ryland.” He turned to go, but Ryland grabbed his arm.
“I feel it too, Ryker. I feel the draw.”
“I know.” Ryker shook off his hold and walked away.
Ryland stayed where he was, sick inside because of the despair he’d heard in Ryker’s voice. For the very first time, he felt disconnected from his twin.
CHAPTER SIX
Quinn’s favorite place was deep in the woods that surrounded his house, far away from the glow of civilization and the gleam of prying eyes. Quinn loved being outside—any time, any season, any weather. Day, night, rain or shine. He’d decided to show Paige his woods during the early evening hours. He’d love to bring her here in the dark of the night, but that was for another time.
The woods were completely private. His twin brothers, though, had been known to roam at night in their bear form, or bring their latest lover into the wild. After he’d happened upon Ryland au natural with his latest fling, they’d tried to warn each other if they had plans for the evening and divided the woods so each bear would have their privacy.
Ryker had already built a house. Ryland still lived in town, but a piece of land had been set aside for when he was ready to build his home. If he ever was.
Quinn had never shown another woman his woods. Somehow, it had seemed too personal, too intimate to share with just anyone. Since the spot he wanted to show Paige was a couple of miles from his house, he picked her up in his four-wheel drive truck. He didn’t want her to walk through the dense forest. The trek was easy for him in bear form and he’d actually worn a path from his back door to the glade he had in mind. But he hadn’t been out in a while and he figured the way would be overgrown with weeds and brambles. He’d take her as close as he could before they had to walk.
Closing the truck door behind him, he took the ten steps leading to Paige’s front porch, two at a time, his stride long and sure. Before he reached the doorway, the porch light snapped on and the front door opened. Paige stood in the doorway, the low light from a lamp burning inside cast an aura around her head and made her brown hair gleam with gold. She was beautiful. In an instant, something clicked, settled, deep within his soul. It felt as if they were long time lovers, companions, partners. It wasn’t a feeling of deja vu, more a flash of the future.
“You look good, Paige.” And she did. As he’d requested, she’d dressed in jeans with sturdy shoes on her feet. He was proud to note she’d also dressed in layers. While the warmth of the day was slow to die out, it would be cooler by the time they returned.
“You never did say where we were going.” She shut the door and pocketed her keys, not bothering with a purse. Another plus in her favor. Her hair was clipped at the nape of her neck again. Something he didn’t like. As soon as she reached him, he pulled her in his arms and removed the large barrette holding those gorgeous locks in place.
“I don’t like your hair up. Wear it down.” His words came out in a command. He just couldn't help it. This was his mate and he wanted to dominate her. He heard his mother’s and sisters’ voices in his head and added, “Please.”
She placed her hands on his chest, leaning her upper body away from his. Her eyebrow hadn’t risen at his commanding tone, but he saw the are you really trying to boss me around look on her face that his sisters got all the time when dealing with their mates. He decided to take a page out of the twins’ playbook and put on his lost little boy look. It had gotten his brothers out of a shitload of trouble over the years.
Paige laughed, seeing right through him. “Oh, I bet that gets you out of all kinds of trouble.”
“Yep. And gets me into some pretty good trouble, too.” Unable to resist, he gave her a hard, fierce kiss before taking her arm and guiding her to the truck. Opening the door, he didn’t wait for her to try and climb into the extended cab. He picked her up and deposited her on the leather seat. He fastened her seatbelt, leaning over as he did so. Maintaining eye contact, he brushed his shoulder against the fullness of her breasts. With a grin, he snapped the belt in place.
Paige’s breath left her lungs as soon as Quinn’s body touched hers. She watched as he walked around the front of the truck and took his place beside her. Again, she questioned the wisdom of her actions. Was she doing the right thing?
Yesterday had been a hot afternoon. Hades hot. She knew without a doubt that if his brothers hadn’t interpreted them, Quinn would have taken her on the cool concrete floor with the warm breeze blowing across their heaving bodies. She clamped her thighs tightly together. She wanted that. She wanted that so freaking much. But the thought of him leaving her—and eventually he would—just about tore her heart from her chest.