Laurie’s Wolves(4)

He’d met her father, Gene Hamilton, before also, though he didn’t remember the man being light skinned or redheaded.

Before grabbing his goggles, hat, and gloves, he reached for her pile, which she’d tucked next to her on the couch. “Cute.” He held up a pink hat and gloves, seeing a pattern that matched her nail polish. “You couldn’t find pink ski clothes?” he teased.

She laughed. “I’m sure I could. These are Melinda’s clothes. I only have my own accessories. I mean, what if I hate skiing?” She pursed her lips.

“Laurie, if you hate skiing, we’ll have a more serious problem than the color of your equipment.” He handed her the pink gloves and tugged the hat over her head. And then, before he could stop himself, he leaned in and kissed her lips gently.

It was hard to pull away, and he gripped her shoulders as he did so, in part to remain steady on his feet. She tasted fantastic, like sunshine and the mint of her toothpaste. Like a new beginning. Like the rest of his life.

“We’d better get outside before I change my mind about teaching you to ski.”

She nodded and then swallowed. “We could ski another day. Do you think we should be looking for our third mate instead?”

Part of him wondered if she had a point. The other part knew it didn’t work that way. Fate would reveal their mate when She was ready. And he somehow knew instinctively the other man they would spend their lives with was not in the building. “He’ll surface when it’s time. Let’s go enjoy ourselves.” He grabbed his stuff from the couch and led her outside by one hand.

She nodded toward a row of skis when they exited. “Mine are on the end.” They were so small, like a child’s skis. Then again, she was barely taller than a child and had no experience. Whoever fitted her that morning had chosen well.

“Zach.” The voice coming from behind him made him smile.

“My mom,” he mouthed to Laurie before he turned around. “Mom.” He still held Laurie’s hand. There was no sense hiding his mating. His mother would scent it immediately anyway. As would any other wolf shifter in the area.

Her brow was furrowed as she approached, and it smoothed out when she reached them. “Oh… Oh.” Her hand covered her mouth for a second, and then she dropped it. Her eyes went wide. “Is this your ten o’clock lesson?”

Laurie reached out with her free hand. “I am. Laurie. I’m Miles and Melinda’s sister.”

Zach’s mother smiled broader as she took Laurie’s hand. “Of course you are. How wonderful. I’m Carlie Masters. I heard you were here visiting for the week.”

Zach stiffened at her side and squeezed her hand. “I think she’ll be staying.”

Laurie continued to address his mother. “I was actually already planning to stay. I want to get to know my sister and learn more about my heritage.”

“Excellent.” His mother glanced at him. “It’s just the two of you?”

He knew what she meant. “No.” There was no hiding the fall of his shoulders. At this point, he wished that were the case. Every second in her space made him crave her more. He would give anything to lure her away from the slopes and find a quiet place to get to know her better.

Hell, who was he kidding? What he really wanted was to strip all of the bulky ski clothing off her and learn her body, find out what made her hum. His stiff cock throbbed at the thought.

Carlie nodded. “I see.” She schooled her face, sobering at the mention of their missing third. “Well, I’m sure Fate has Her reasons.”

“She always does,” Laurie responded.

“Mom, were you looking for me for a reason?” Zach wanted to steer the conversation away from the maudlin topic of their strange stymied mating.

“Ah yes.” She snapped her fingers. “I wanted to let you know that we tried to give that little girl’s parents from this morning their money back. They wouldn’t take it, and they wanted me to apologize for her behavior.”

He shrugged. “No biggie. It happens.”

His mother smiled. “Well, go ski. I’ll clear your schedule for the day. The weather looks awesome.” When she turned to meet Laurie’s gaze again, she added, “If you get your feet under you, have him take you up the east slope. The snow is perfect there today.” She hesitated a moment and then leaned in to give Laurie a brief hug. “Welcome to the family.”

Zach thought his mother’s eyes watered as she turned abruptly away.

“Your mom seems sweet.”

“She’s the best. You’ll love her.” He reached for Laurie’s skis and dropped them to the ground in front of her. “Let’s get you started. You’re about twenty-five years behind me on the slopes,” he teased.