They rubbed against her legs, ending her notions abruptly with a reality check. They are wolves. They think they own me.
Lindsey decided now was a good time to call it a night. Get out of Dodge before she did something she’d regret in the morning.
She clambered from the swing, climbed over the huge lupines, and backed toward the door to the house. “Kara, can I use your guest room again? I think I need some more sleep. I can’t think straight anymore.”
“Absolutely. Stay as long as you’d like. You’ll have to discuss housing arrangements soon, seeing as none of the three of you have your own place.”
“Oh?” Jeez, not that. She wasn’t ready.
“Well, Ryan still lives with his family. And Alejandro lives with his aunt and uncle right now.”
The wolves, at least the two who claimed they owned her, lay at her feet, pressing her against the door, jaws hanging open, panting from a long hard run.
Kara continued, “It wouldn’t be a problem for anyone in either family for you to stay there for as long as you’d like. This is their way. They are very close to each other. But, you, on the other hand will want your own space. Time to adjust. Trust me when I tell you how uncomfortable it is to spend the night in one of their family’s homes when you are newly mated.” She shivered visibly.
“’Kay. Don’t tell me anything else. I can’t even think anymore.” She backed into the house and practically ran for the guest room.
Chapter 5
“Did you guys spend the entire night on the porch?”
Ryan opened one eye and glanced up at Kara’s soft voice. He’d have rolled over and continued his lazy snooze if it weren’t for the scent of the strong coffee coming from the tray in her hands.
Alejandro, who also dozed leisurely next to him, placed his muzzle on his front paws and growled. “Is she trying to torture us with that brew in her hands?”
“I think so.”
“If I shift, we are going to have to face reality soon. I can’t go on like this for much longer. My dick hurts, even in wolf form.”
“I agree.”
Ryan pulled himself up on all fours and stretched out to allow the change to take over. A half a minute later he was pulling on the jeans he’d left on a porch chair and reaching for the steaming mug in front of him. “Thanks, Kara. Have I mentioned how much I love you?”
She just laughed.
Alex was right behind him, shoving him sideways to get his own cup. “Do I smell bacon?” He lifted his chin and inhaled long and slow.
“And eggs, and hash browns, and biscuits.”
“Is she up?” Ryan asked.
“I don’t think she slept. She didn’t have the luxury of spending the night in wolf form like you did. She’s taking a shower.”
“Naked?” Ryan moaned and Alex slapped the back of his head.
“No, idiot. Clothed.”
“Did you guys sleep well?” She grinned knowingly.
“Not much. We both went home, filled in the families, showered, and came back.”
“Can they make it without you for a few days?”
Farms needed everyone to work together to run smoothly. Not many exceptions. This one would qualify though.
“They’ll both survive,” Ryan added.
“Not sure I can say the same for us,” Alex mumbled through clenched teeth before brushing past Ryan and heading inside.
Five minutes later, the two men sat at Kara’s table stuffing their faces with the most heavenly food.
“If this is what happens when you get a mate, I’m all for it,” Ryan said after taking a long drink of orange juice.
“No shit.” Alejandro could be so suave sometimes.
“Hey, this is a human thing, cooking. Not a mate thing. Not all women want to hang out in the kitchen, barefoot … and pregnant.” She turned away from them while she spoke.
Ryan didn’t say a word, but he knew she meant that literally. No one had mentioned out loud that Justin, Trevor, and Kara were expecting, but her pheromones spoke for themselves. And she had that permanent grin on her face, as well as a glow about her. She was newly pregnant though. It was early.
“You lived with her.” He decided to avoid the subject of babies. “What’s she like?”
“You mean ‘can she cook.’” It wasn’t a question. Kara turned toward them, a spatula in her hand. “Does it matter?” She glowered at first one and then the other.
“Of course not,” Alex said, glaring sideways at Ryan.
“But it’d sure be nice,” Ryan mumbled.
Alex smacked the back of his head again, playfully. “Dude, it’s bad enough I have to wake up to your sorry ass every day for the rest of my life. Could you at least have a little more couth?”