Once Mated Twice Shy(34)

“I may have to come home sooner rather than later.” Lettie fisted his shirt and kissed him. Jordan pulled her into his lap and held her to him. “I have to work.” She said between kisses.

“How long is your lunch break?” His lips trailed from her temple to her throat. “Do you still have keys to the apartment upstairs?” He murmured against her skin.

“Jordan!” Lettie held him away. “I think you’re trying to get me fired.” She laughed.

“I’m just trying to get laid, nothing more.” His eyes twinkled and she giggled.

“Well maybe you’ll get lucky later. I do need to go back to work but I’ll be home around nine. Will you wait up for me?” He nodded. “Thank you for dinner and for feeding Aiden. Someone needs to take care of him. His mom’s run off again.” Jordan’s brows furrowed. Aiden’s mother would do this every few years when she and her husband fought. In between her spells, she was a great pack member but she’d been leaving Aiden’s dad for years. They would fight, she would run off, and he would chase her leaving his young son at home. Until now, other pack members would take him in until they returned but Aiden was seventeen or so now. He was old enough to take care of himself but at the same time, not.

“How long has she been gone?” Jordan worried.

“A couple of weeks I think. I just found out today. I was going to talk to you about having him stay with us until she came home.” Jordan nodded. “If he won’t come, I at least want him to eat meals with us. You can pull the alpha card on him if you need to convince him.” Jordan nodded again.

“You’re right. We take care of our own. Talk to him.”

“I will. I’ll ask him for a ride home too. His shift ends at the same time.”

“Okay. Get back to work.” Jordan let her out of his lap, gathered his dishes, and headed home.

Jordan waited on the front steps for her. Dexter stopped to talk for a few minutes on his way home from chopping wood. He told Jordan that they had cut a half cord today. Jordan was impressed and made sure that he thanked the old wolf. When he glanced at his watch, it was after ten. He tried the store on his cell but no one answered. Where was she? Maybe she was having a hard time getting Aiden to staying with them. Lettie could be tenacious when she wanted to. The kid wasn’t home yet either. Jordan sighed. She needed to be at home. She would be coming into season soon and Jordan didn’t care that they were broke. He wanted pups. They were old enough, responsible enough and his clock was ticking. As far as he was concerned, the money had nothing to do with it. They were together and he wanted a family. He’d planned to talk to her about it tonight since he’d already put her in a good mood. Aiden’s truck rumbled down the gravel road and stopped at the foot of the porch. Lettie was looking at Aiden and they were having an animated conversation. Jordan got up and went down the steps.

“Just be at work in the morning Aiden. The rest will get worked out later.” Lettie was angry and didn’t notice that Jordan had opened her door. She turned and screamed startled. “Jordan. I didn’t hear you.”

“Aiden, is everything okay?” Jordan asked leaning inside the cab scenting the roiling emotions.

“Yes Sir.” Aiden nodded. “I’ll pick Lettie up at eight tomorrow morning.”

“Okay and you’ll have breakfast before you leave. We’re having pancakes, bacon, and eggs, not cereal.” Aiden’s face lit up and he nodded. Human teenagers were bottomless pits and wolf teens made their human counterparts look like they were dieting. Jordan helped her from the truck and shut the door. “What’s going on?” Lettie stomped up the steps and went inside slamming the door open. “Good to see you too. I missed you. Mwah!” He kissed the air then followed her. Lettie was in the bathroom, the shower was already running by the time he got there. Jordan tried the door but she’d locked it. What was going on? If she needed privacy or to cool off, he would give her what she needed. Jordan went to the kitchen for a bottle of water then waited in the bedroom for her. He pulled his clothes off and sat on the bed in his boxer briefs. Jordan flipped through the channels on the rarely used TV but turned it off when the bathroom door opened. Lettie came into the bedroom in her tee shirt and shorts. What happened to her being sweet? “Lettie?”

“What?” She spat not looking at him. She climbed into the bed and pulled the covers to her chin.

“Are you okay? You seem angry.” Lettie looked over at him. Her eyes flashed. “You are angry. Tell me about it.” He slid down and turned onto his side to listen to her. “Lettie, talk to me.” Jordan coaxed when she remained silent.