Tarnished(13)

He swallowed, his mouth dry, and nodded. “Though I don’t believe that matters to your sister. I’m Drake, by the way.” He wiped his hand on his jeans and held it out.

“Kathleen.” She smiled and took his hand. No sparks. She was similar to Mackenzie in so many ways, but not the ones that counted. She nodded toward the table she’d come from. Everyone was looking their way. “That’s my sister, Cassidy. She’s the youngest. And my parents. I’ll spare you the introductions for now.”

Drake gave a sort of wave in the direction of Kenzie’s family. God. I should be with her. Where is she?

“So, let me guess, she gave you about two minutes of her time and then fled as though her pants were on fire?”

“That’s about right. Why?”

“No idea. She has it in her head she’s going to marry a nice human man and settle down in a human neighborhood and have half-babies without anyone being the wiser.” She shrugged. “No one gets her, but I’m glad you’re here. Please don’t give up on her. She’s difficult, but she’s a good person.”

“I know. I can tell.” That much he was sure of.

“She thinks she has this boyfriend, but he’s gay. Not sure he knows that yet, but it’s obvious to the rest of us.” She was blunt.

“He knows now.”

“What?” She startled and nailed him with her stare.

“He called, just before I introduced myself to Kenzie. He broke things off with her.”

“Oh, God. Is she mad?”

“I don’t think she was too pleased, but I get the feeling her reasoning had nothing to do with him and everything to do with her conviction that wolves are evil creatures to be avoided at all costs.” He tried to smile. Had it worked?

Kathleen sighed. “I’m sorry. Please give her a chance. Or at least force her to give you one.”

“Trust me. I’ll do my best, but she made it clear this afternoon she wasn’t interested. I needed to give her space to think. Kinda hoping she’ll come around on her own. It’s … not easy.”

“What’s not easy? Convincing her?” Kathleen leaned forward, her elbows supporting her on the table.

He chuckled. Kathleen wasn’t mated, obviously. “No. Not that. It’s … um … difficult…” Was that the right word? “…the attempt at denial. Does that make sense?”

“Not one bit.” She grinned. “I assume you are stumbling over the attraction?”

“Yes.” He exhaled. Please don’t make me explain my stiff cock to Kenzie’s sister.

“Listen, I’m sure she’s hiding somewhere. We’ll find her eventually.” She slid him a piece of folded paper. “I doubt she’ll be willing to come back tomorrow. This is our address. Why don’t you go encourage her while the rest of us are here?”

Drake stared down at the paper and glanced back up at Kathleen. He hesitated and then stuck the slip of paper in his back pocket. A thin piece of gold.

As Kathleen stood, Scott and Dan arrived. Their expressions were quizzical, but Drake didn’t introduce them. He let Kathleen walk away without a glance.

Her address. He both rejoiced and shook inwardly. Would she let him in if he showed up at the door?

It didn’t matter. He had to try. Any other choice was unimaginable. Leaving town tomorrow afternoon and driving back to Texas without Kenzie was … not an option he could stomach.





Chapter Four


Drake turned on the shower after ten the next morning. His brothers and parents had all left for the second day of the gathering. Luckily, a few other shifters staying in the hotel were able to help transport his brothers. His parent’s truck was too small for that many people, and Drake was a man with a mission. Finally, he was alone with his thoughts. The only thing worse than spending the night tossing and turning, consumed with visions of the brown-haired goddess of his dreams, was his inability to do anything about his physical predicament while sharing the room with his eleven-year-old brother.

Drake had provided vague explanations about his time with Mackenzie, enough to assuage their curiosity and get them out of his hair for the day. His parents had kindly not badgered him about his peculiar plans. It was time to pull out all the stops.

He stepped into the cascade of water and sighed as the warmth encompassed him. Perhaps cold water would have been better for his current predicament, but he had no intention of staving the fellow off any longer. No way could he head to Mackenzie’s house without providing himself with some release first. He’d burst the front of his jeans out if he didn’t take the edge off.