Tarnished(21)

“How old are you?” She realized she’d never asked.

“Twenty-eight.”

Wow. He was quite older than her.

“It’s only five years.” He smirked. “You think I’m wiser?”

“Not even close.” She squeezed his hand. It felt right, again. And she sobered. She was supposed to dislike this man. Why was he so damn nice?

By the time they returned to the truck, it was late afternoon. “Do you think we can sneak in and out of the gathering without seeing anyone?” She didn’t want to face her family. Let them find out at home.

“We don’t even have to leave the truck. I’ll text my brothers and tell them to be ready when we pull up.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s four o’clock now. Even if we take our time and stop for dinner, we should be home by ten.”

Twenty minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot.

Nerves made her jittery. She’d not met these three brothers yet. Hell, she’d not met his parents, either. What would they be like? How was she going to ride five hours in a truck with four men?

It turned out one of them was a boy. When they all climbed into the back and introduced themselves, she learned that Jerrod was just eleven years old. He was cute and full of life. She adored him immediately. The other two, Scott and Daniel, were smirking at Drake. She didn’t have to ask why. No one complained about the unexpected new passenger seating. The sharp look from Drake when they’d gotten in the back seat had probably done the trick.

Still, Kenzie was nervous. She wrung her hands forever until Drake grabbed one and held it between them. She calmed unexpectedly at his touch and tried to concentrate on the banter between the men and the boy. They were obviously close. They teased and taunted each other mercilessly, but all in good humor. Just as Drake treated her. It must be a family style.

After they stopped to get gas and grab something to eat, she grew tired and slept leaning against the door most of the rest of the drive. She hadn’t slept last night, and the stress of the day’s events overwhelmed her.

•

“Kenzie.” Drake squeezed his mate’s leg under the jacket she’d covered up with. She was dead to the world. When she finally opened one eye, he smiled. Everyone had jumped out of the car at the main house, and she’d not even flinched. He’d decided to spare her the parental introductions until tomorrow. It was almost ten, and she was so peaceful. He didn’t want to upset her any more than necessary tonight.

His parents knew she was with them, but they hadn’t balked when he’d spoken to them on the phone. Tomorrow was soon enough.

“Where are we?”

“My place. Come on.” He took her arm and pulled her toward him.

She glanced at the back seat. “Wow. I must have been dead. I never heard anyone get out.”

“Yeah, they were quiet. I threatened them.”

“How far away is it?” She squinted her eyes, but he knew she couldn’t see much in the dark. Only a porch light he always left on burned in the vicinity.

“It’s about half a mile. Not far. I walk it often. You’ll meet my parents tomorrow.” He stepped down from the cab as she scooted in his direction. She didn’t even protest when he grabbed her by the waist and lowered her to the ground.

He wanted to hold her and never let her go as her body skimmed down his. She sucked in a breath. Good. He affected her. He had moments of doubt about that. It pained him to step back.

“Wait. I’m staying here? With you? Alone?”

“Of course…” He let that last word drag out. Not of course. He couldn’t see her face well in this light. “Kenzie, the idea is to get to know one another. Believe me, you don’t want to spend the week with my three brothers and my meddling mother.”

“I guess.” She didn’t seem convinced as she shuffled one sandaled toe on the gravel.

He grabbed both their bags from the bed of the truck and led her toward the front. “Come on. I can’t promise perfection inside. I wasn’t expecting to bring someone home with me.”

“You weren’t? Wasn’t that the goal?” She stood behind him when he set the suitcases down on the porch and reached into his pocket for his keys.

“Not for me. I gave that up two years ago. The bachelor life was my destiny. I’d accepted it.” He opened the door and swung his arm out to let her pass first.

“What happened two years ago to solidify that decision?” She ducked under his arm to enter the dark house.

He followed her inside and dropped the bags, kicking the door shut behind him. “I saw you leave that hall with another wolf. That’s what happened.”