Ours(9)

Okay, that was it. She’d had it. Standing up, she screamed at the top of her lungs, “Out. Everyone out now.”

All the men stopped arguing and turned back to her.

“I have had it. Get out. I moved out so I could have a mind of my own. A place of my own. I moved out so I wouldn’t be told what was expected of me all the time. I moved out so I could have a space that I wasn’t so overprotected in. For Christ’s sake, until last night I was a twenty-four-year-old virgin.” Sandy glared at her father. “Oh and, Dad, these are not the first men to offer.”

Pissed off more than ever, she glared at each of her family members before looking at Jake and Zack, who were grinning at her, which just made her madder. Pointing at both of them, she gritted out, “You don’t get to choose if you keep me. That’s my choice.” She stomped back to her room, not caring anymore what happened.

****

Jake couldn’t help the grin that spread over his face as their feisty mate marched off.

“What the hell are you grinning about?”

Jake looked up at one of Sandy’s brothers.

“I’m grinning because she is a feisty one, isn’t she? I’m going to enjoy making sure she know she is ours and looked after.”

Sandy’s dad got up from his seat, his fists clenched and his face bright red. “I don’t care who the hell either of you dickheads are. If either of you hurt my baby girl, no one will be able to find your pieces.” With that he stalked away.

Her brothers glared at Zack and Jake for a moment before the older of the two snarled, “Leave our sister alone. She is a sweet innocent and too good for the likes of you two. You are both too old for her anyway. We’re going now. Say your good byes, but be gone by the time I get home tonight.” With that, both men followed their father out.

After looking down at his watch, Jake cursed, pulled out his phone, and dialed his partner. “David, I’m going to be late. Cover for me.” He hung up without waiting for his partner’s answer.

Turning to Zack, Jake waited for him to say something. “You have nothing to say after everything that was just said?”

Zack lifted his shoulders and smirked. “What can I say? She is our mate, and I’m not giving her up. I know you feel the same way, so her family is just going to have to get used to us.”

Nodding, Jake walked back to the kitchen and looked for the broom to clean the mess up. Zack came over with a vacuum and plugged it in to clean over the spots Jake swept. Working together, they cleaned the kitchen and were putting away the things they’d washed when the smell of strawberries and honey washed over Jake’s scenes.

“What the hell are you two still doing here? I told everyone I wanted them out.”

Jake stared at Sandy who eyed the kitchen. She seemed stunned until she remembered she was angry and scowled.

Loving her spirit, Jake couldn’t help it when he flashed his teeth at her in one of his wicked grins that were known to bring ladies to their knees. “Yeah, but you didn’t mean us.”

Placing her hands on her hips, Sandy narrowed her eyes at them, her lips thinned, and she snarled, “I bloody well did. I have enough idiotic men in my life. I don’t need any more. Last night was fun, but it was a one-night deal only. I’m not looking for a relationship. I don’t know if I will for a long time, but when I do, it will be with one man. I already cook and clean up after three, so I’m not going to add another two into the mix.”

He and Zack waited for her tirade to finish before Zack picked her up and walked toward her room.

“Put me down, you Neanderthal. Put me down now or you won’t like the consequences.”

Jake chuckled as she pounded on Zack’s back.

“You were right there, coz. Looks like we were given a tough one.”

Zack placed Sandy on the bed and she tried to scramble away.

Jake rested himself over her, caging her in.

“Jake, let me go.”

He kissed her forehead and then both cheeks. “Never. I will never let you go, Little Red. You’re our mate.”

Sandy rolled her eyes at him, groaning, “Not the mate thing again. What are you two going on about? Why is this mate thing so important to you?”

Looking into her eyes, Jake wondered if this was too early to say anything or to show her what they were. He peeked over his shoulder at Zack who sighed, stood up, and took his pants off.

“Um, I’m all for looking at his body, but I don’t really think we should have sex again. My brothers will be waiting and watching until your cars leave.”

Sitting up, Jake sat her on his lap and wrapped his arms around her. “Zack’s going to show you something. You have to promise not to scream because he would never hurt you.”