Enticing Their Mate(79)
As if she’d turned off all of the lights in the room, their faces dimmed. Riley cupped her cheeks. “Were we too rough last night?”
She smiled. “No, but it’s been almost a week. Let’s eat and we can discuss what happens next.”
* * *
Three weeks later
It had taken Sarah two days to fill out the reports her boss requested, and another to pack up her desk. While she was at work, her wonderful men had purchased boxes and packed for her. Fortunately, her apartment came furnished so only her clothes and some personal items needed to go, but because she still had a lot, the men decided to rent a car and drive back to Florida.
By the time they arrived on the Gulf Coast, Sarah was exhausted, which was why they insisted on renting a room at the beach for a few days before she started her new job. She couldn’t be happier with that decision. If they’d gone back to their house, they said she’d be tempted to spend all her time cleaning and unpacking and they wanted her to rest.
Riley brought out a pitcher of Sangria and three glasses onto their patio overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. After a day of lying on the beach, she welcomed the drink. “Thank you,” she said. “This is the life.”
“Whenever we’re between jobs, we like to come here and de-stress,” Riley said.
“Speaking of relaxing, the General is throwing a party tomorrow night, and everyone is invited,” Jay said.
Sarah was excited to meet the rest of the team. “Who’s going to be there?”
Jay stretched out on the lounge chair to her right while Riley took the seat to her left. “Trax and Dante, who you’ve met, and their wife, Liz.”
“Nice. And Bailey? She’ll be there, right?” She presumed Ford and Tyson lived in Gulfside, too.
“She will be, as will Clay and Dirk. Their wife Elena is really nice, too. You haven’t met MacKenzie, my cousin, or her men Sam and Brandon, but watch out for them. I suspect they’ll grill you on everything about Statler. I think Sam hated him more than I did.”
And she thought she’d be able to forget that man.
“Don’t forget, Chelsea.” Riley piped up. “She’s about to pop out a kid soon.”
“You do have a way with words,” Jay said laughing. “Chelsea is Drake and Kurt’s wife. They stayed here because of the possibility that Chelsea might go into labor, but also to hold down the fort when the General took off for Canada.”
“I can’t wait to meet them. Will there be any humans there?”
“All the women are human, except for Kenzie, who’s a Halfling. Her father, my uncle, was a werewolf.”
Sarah probably should ask how that worked. If she had kids, they’d be Halflings, too. “Why is she called a Halfling?”
“While my cousin has some talents, she can’t shift. No woman can.”
“Oh. That kind of sucks.”
“Wait until you meet her. You won’t feel sorry for her.”
“What about the women who’d been held captive?”
Jay set his drink down on the table on his side. “According to the General, all of the women have been returned to their families.”
“I’m glad. And Nancy?” Part of her wished she could see them again.
He smiled. “She received treatment and responded well. She, too, is home. The General said she wanted to thank you.”
“I’m happy for her.” Sarah sipped her drink and studied the sky. The pinks, oranges, and yellows of the Florida sunset were truly special. “Moving to Florida was a wonderful idea. Thank you.”
They both smiled. “Our pleasure.”
* * *
After a relaxing two days, Sarah was ready to get on with her life. Statler might be dead, but it was only a matter of time before some other evil Colter rose to the top and did despicable things.
A knock sounded on the bedroom door and Riley entered. “Wow. You look amazing,” he said, his eyes lightening.
She held up her hand. “No sex. We have a party to go to.”
Riley closed the gap between them. “Not even a quickie?” He drew her into a warm embrace.
“No. I spent twenty minutes putting on my makeup, and I don’t want you to mess it up.”
“Spoilsport. After the party, I’ll give you a proper Florida welcome.”
She stepped out of his grasp and slipped on her sandals. They’d spent last night welcoming her. “What about Jay? He’s not invited?”
Riley waved a hand. “I’ll get him drunk so I can have you to myself.”
She was still laughing when Jay stepped into the room and whistled. “I heard that by the way.” Riley huffed. “Sarah, you look beautiful, but there seems to be something missing.”