Enticing Their Mate(52)
“They could have. If we’d freed all ten women, Statler would go underground and the buyer would disappear into the wind.”
“That makes sense. I wasn’t thinking.”
Jay scooted next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. As much as she enjoyed his touch, it felt as if he was doing it to placate her.
“Don’t worry. Those women will be freed soon,” he said. “In the meantime, they could use a few days of care.”
The women in her van had been the healthiest of the group. The escape route might have been arduous and Nancy might not have made it. Perhaps the men had thought this through. “So now what?”
“We do as ordered. You’re supposed to report to the clinic tomorrow and tend to the remaining women. Amy will do the night shift.”
“I’m good with that. I want to make sure Dr. Elkhart does what he promised.” She jumped off the bed. “I need a shower. I’m gross.”
The men looked at each other as she gathered her tank top and shorts to change into after she cleaned up. If nothing else, it would give them some private time to plot and plan some more—without her hearing them.
* * *
“You probably should shower, too,” Jay said.
Riley glared at him. “Sarah’s in there.”
Jay grinned. “That’s the point.” He moved over to the chair across from his roommate. “You and I both know that these are tense times, and that trying to have a relationship when we’re on assignment is crazy, but she’s our mate, and we don’t have much time left before she heads back to Washington.”
Riley didn’t want to listen. “She told me she’ll most likely take the next assignment offered to her. What are we supposed to do? We can’t make her want to stay.”
“That’s why we need to convince her that she can’t live without us.” Jay pointed a finger at him. “Tell me this; if you knew she’d move in with us in Florida, would you be happy?”
Riley scrubbed a hand down his chin. “Happy? Who knows what that means? What I do know is that I’m not sure I can live without her.”
Jay grinned. “Because she’s our mate. If we don’t show her we want her around, she’ll walk out of our lives for good.”
Riley had no doubt that the comment had been directed at him. He’d been distant because he didn’t now how to handle his feelings. “What am I suppose to do? We’re still on assignment. I can’t let the world know how much I want her.”
“I don’t mean when you two are at work. Go in there right now and seduce her.”
That was so damned tempting. “She’s been traumatized and needs her space.”
Jay shook his head. “Fine. Then go in and see if she needs help washing.”
That was lame. A woman didn’t need help. “What about you? You planning on joining us?”
“I’m tempted, but I think you two need to come to a better understanding, if you know what I mean. I’ll step out and go for a run. The animal in me won’t be able to listen to you two go at it without busting down that door.” Jay pushed back his chair. “Make her fall in love with you.”
That would never happen. He wasn’t worthy of someone as wonderful as Sarah Osmond.
Chapter Nineteen
As soon as Jay left the motel room, Riley turned his thoughts to the luscious Sarah. He’d go in, ask if she needed help with anything, and then leave. Simple. Showing her he could be a nice guy shouldn’t be too hard—assuming he could leave the chip on his shoulder in the bedroom.
As he neared the bathroom door, his wolf began to take over and convinced him to kick off his shoes and toss off his shirt.
Slow down.
Riley inhaled to refocus. He’d say he needed to brush his teeth and wash up, and that he wasn’t there to seduce her.
The moment he twisted the door handle and pushed it open, his good intentions disappeared. Lemon shampoo and a coconut scented soap filled the steamy room, forcing his wolf to beat against him for release.
Sarah pulled back the curtain and smiled. “What are you doing in here?”
His tongue wouldn’t work for a moment. Aw, hell. He wanted her. No good would come from lying. “I thought I’d join you.”
Her brows rose, but the smile on her face didn’t dim. “The tub is kind of small.”
“I’ll manage.”
In a flash, Riley disrobed, willing his inner beast to stand down. Jay was right. Mating wasn’t just about sex. It was about loving his woman, protecting her, and being there for her, but damn, if driving his dick into her wouldn’t help soothe his inner wolf.