“This is Thomas Woods, Toby’s father,” Krista said as his dad stepped up to her. He took her hand and shook it once before dropping it.
“It’s a pleasure, Mrs. Yates.”
“Oh no, you don’t. It’s Ariel, and don’t you forget it, Thomas.”
God, her voice. So angelic. But if she were an angel, she had to be a fallen angel sent here to tempt him. Because he couldn’t have her and he knew without a shadow of a doubt that her being here was going to be the greatest test of his will.
His dad smiled at her. “I think I’m going to like having you here.”
That made one of them.
Krista turned to her side. “This is Toby’s brother, Josh, and his mate, Mikaela.”
“Nice to meet you two.” What was it about her voice? Did she drink from ambrosia?
“And these two over here are Jack and Rob, Toby’s other brothers.”
Jack stepped forward at the first mention of his name and shook her hand. Bastard.
He lingered.
“Jack,” their father reproached silently. Rob was thankful Thomas had utilized their ability to speak telepathically to call his brother out. Jack let go of her hand and stepped back.
Rob moved forward, gently taking her hand. Not as soft as he’d imagined, but not as calloused as his. She looked up at him with those big, round eyes and he just melted. He got the sense that she thought she was a tough woman, but that it was also a ruse. Her tongue slipped out, wetting her lips, just before her mouth quirked into the tiniest of smiles. Not knowing how to respond to that, Rob nodded at her briefly before dropping her hand and taking a step back.
“So, Mrs., er…Ariel, what are your plans and when do you want to get started?”
“Well, I want to start right now.” She shrugged as if she did this sort of thing all the time and doing her voodoo magic was no big deal. She looked at Jack before looking at Rob again. He held her gaze, trying not to think beyond anything but what she could do for him. Oh, the things she could do for me. I could take her to bed and not let her leave for…stop it! “I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I’m not married anymore. How does that make you feel?”
The air left his lungs and the ringing in his ears might’ve been mental shouting from his family, but Rob couldn’t focus. Couldn’t function. She wasn’t taken. She was an available woman.
“What the hell are you talking about, Ariel Michelle? What about Will?”
Will? Her husband? She was married. Why did she just say she wasn’t anymore? Rob’s body was shaking. The need to shift and claim was scratching at the surface. Was this part of the work she needed to do? Krista would know if her own sister had gotten a divorce. This possibility bought him time, but only the barest amount.
“We grew out of love a long time ago and got tired of the pretense. Our divorce was final three months ago.”
Fuck, now she was looking directly at Rob and Jack, and Rob didn’t know if he was more pissed at what she was saying or the fact that she was even looking at Jack. His brother would be keeping his mangy paws off her!
“I’m not involved with anyone either. I’m a totally and completely available woman. How does that make you feel?”
Her eyebrow quirked up and Rob had to restrain himself as his feet started to move toward her. The mantra, “Mine,” kept chanting in his head, but at the moment he wasn’t entirely sure if it was his internal monologue or Jack staking his claim.
“Shit, Ariel, are you lying?” Krista squeaked as she grabbed her sister’s arm.
“My divorce papers are in my briefcase. You can call Will if you want. He’s vacationing in Italy with his new girlfriend, though.”
Jack growled, and Rob turned his head, hissing at his brother. “Mine!” This time, Rob made sure all his family knew he was claiming her. Fuck his brother. “You’ll have to go through me, Jack.”
“Fine by me, little kitten. I’ll fucking eat you for diner before I claim my new mate.”
“Fuck, get her out of here!” Josh yelled right as Rob and Jack shifted into snarling mountain lions.
Rob growled and lunged for Jack. Jack bit into Rob’s neck as they rolled over, snapping, hissing, and scratching at each other.
“Boys!” Thomas yelled, but it barely registered. As soon as Rob would get the upper hand, Jack would best him, tipping the odds back in his brother’s favor. Jack might be older, but they were pretty equally matched. The only way one would actually win would be if the other were dead because neither would tuck tail and run.
Jack was knocked off Rob, but before Rob could attack again, Josh was on him, pinning him down. Rob hissed at Josh in his lion form and turned to look for Jack. This wasn’t Josh’s fight. What he’d found was that Toby had also shifted and had Jack cornered.