Sherri giggled some more. “Anal. You might as well learn to say it.”
“Ugh.” Melinda threw her arms in the air. “Really, Sherri? Can we not?”
More giggling.
Liz popped her head in. “Uh, I hate to interrupt, but we’re done with the tour, and there isn’t that much more to say out here, so unless you want to be overheard, you might want to quit while you’re ahead.” She grinned wide and ducked back out, shutting the door.
Sherri set her hand on Melinda’s shoulder and shoved her toward the door. “You need to get out of here. Liz and I have this covered. As long as you need. We’ll work out a schedule. You know we can handle things. Go. Be with your mates. Trust me on this.”
She lowered her voice to a soft whisper right at Melinda’s ear, her hand on the door. “Anal can be amazing. I know those two men are going to be considerate of your situation. Let them work you open gradually, and put yourself out of this misery tonight. You’re a shifter in a ménage. It will come naturally. Your body will relax and accommodate them. It’s part of your makeup. Don’t worry so much.”
Sherri pushed Melinda through the door.
Melinda knew she reentered the store with a stunned expression on her face, and a flush that would leave her as red as an apple. Work me open gradually? What the fuck? Could this get any worse?
Trace came to her first. He cupped her face, his brow furrowed, undoubtedly taking in her expression. “Love your shop, baby.”
“Thank you.” Her voice was hoarse. Her mouth dry.
Keegan spoke from across the room, holding up a dream catcher. “You want us to leave for a while so you can get a few things done?”
Melinda opened her mouth, more than willing to accept that plan, but Sherri jumped in first. “Nope. Liz and I have this covered. You three go. Now is not the time to work. You should be alone.” She bee-lined for the door to the shop and pulled it open. As she stood outside on the sidewalk, holding the door, she motioned with a swoosh of her hand for them to leave.
Chapter Ten
Keegan eyed Sherri speculatively. Whatever the women discussed in the back room had been heated. He hadn’t discerned any specific words—much to his dismay—but he could tell Sherri had given Melinda the pep talk of her life. Bless her.
Liz had talked nonstop, showing them around the shop. It was an amazing store. He had a new glimpse into his mate’s personality. Unlike her apartment, the store was tidy and organized. Even a look into the backroom had proven the same. Maybe her employees took the credit. It wasn’t a large space, but her merchandise ranged from Native American clothing and accessories to knives and instruments and pipes.
Keegan was impressed.
Trace stepped outside first, taking Melinda’s hand and pulling her along toward the truck.
Keegan hesitated. He glanced at Liz and nodded. “Thanks for showing us around. Love the place.”
“You’re welcome.”
And then he turned toward Sherri and paused.
She met his gaze. “Take it slow.” She eyed him dead on.
“Uh huh. Take what slow?”
She narrowed her gaze. “Don’t make me say it. Use your head. Do what you can to ease this mating a bit.” She shoved him through the door before he could respond and pulled it closed.
Speechless, he paused, and then he nodded.
His mates were both in the truck as he jogged to catch up. He swung into the cab and shut the door.
Melinda didn’t look less nervous after the pep talk. If anything, she looked more distressed.
Lunch.
“Are you guys hungry? Let’s go to that deli on Fifth Street,” he suggested.
Trace pulled away from the curb. “The one with the pastrami to die for?”
Melinda twisted her neck to face Trace. “You know that place?”
“Of course. Been there a dozen times. I’m not from Mars. Just Cambridge.” Trace grinned.
“I love that deli,” she muttered.
“See,” Keegan said, “we’re a match made in Heaven.”
She snickered.
In minutes Trace pulled up to the deli. It smelled so good from the street, Keegan’s mouth already watered.
“People are going to stare,” Melinda muttered.
“Let them.” Trace took her hand possessively. “What’s between us is none of their business.”
Keegan could see her hesitation. “Being lupine, it seems everything about us is everybody’s business. I don’t know what’s worse, everyone knowing we belong together and haven’t mated or knowing we have mated and therefore what we did to get that way.” She shivered.
Keegan tried not to laugh. This wasn’t funny to her. He did pause, however, and pulled her toward him on the sidewalk before they entered the deli. He met her gaze and held her face in both hands. “Honey, we’re wolves. Everyone who’s a wolf understands. Everyone who’s not won’t know a thing.”