Theirs (16 page)

My flesh looked as angry as Jerry seemed.

“
We’ll both be more careful next time. I swear, honey.” Ellie’s voice whispered over me. I could tell she was upset, but she was trying to appease me.

A single tear fell. Ellie didn’t kiss anyone’s rear. That wasn’t her. But here she was trying to.

I glimpsed at Jerry. His brows were scrunched; his entire expression harsh, from what I could tell. In their mutual silence, I was able to silence my critical, overly dramatic hormones and realize that Jerry wasn’t mad at me; he was mad at himself. From the sounds of it, he probably wanted me to validate his anger, but that wouldn’t help.

Stop and think, Kate. Be rational and calm. Just breathe.

Ellie’s eyes were trained on me, from the shoulders up, but she stayed quiet.

I stopped and thought through the last few days. They had always protected me, looked out for me; they took care of me from the moment they saw me, starting with paying for my coffee and ending with the best orgasm of my life. I never knew a woman could orgasm from anal. The speed and force with which he took me had shaken my entire core over and over, elevating each quake of pleasure that splintered through me.

They always did what was best for me, even when they didn’t want to, like Billy. My gut said this was an accident. The remorse was radiating off of Jerry.

In truth, though, he was a were. They were far stronger than a human and had limits that would always exceed mine. Regardless, love was about accepting and cherishing someone, flaws and all. Their wolves weren’t flaws, but they did create unique challenges initially. We were still learning each other. Jerry and Ellie learned that my skin was tenderer than theirs. I learned that they both liked it rough and that I enjoyed their brute command of my pleasure, even if it came with a few bruises. They were worth it.

My heart expanded, seeming to fall a little harder for them, making it a little more difficult for me to leave, should I actually decide to. I was quickly reaching the point of no return. They were amazing, and it was apparent that they loved me, otherwise they wouldn’t think twice about marking me up.

“
Jer?” I was calm, comforted by my conclusions.

It took him a while to respond. “Yeah, sweetie?” His tone was gentle, but his voice was tight. He still didn’t look at me.

“
I’m not mad. I trust you, remember? I trust that you would never hurt me on purpose.” I cast a sly gaze Ellie’s way.

Her brows rose as she listened intently.

“
I also trust that you won’t make me suffer with your silence all morning. I fully expect you to kiss me, despite my morning breath, before making a run for me.”

Ellie’s face split with a huge grin. “Atta girl!” She leaned in and touched my lips in a single, swift, heated press.

When she broke away, I saw that Jerry was finally peering at me.

“
I’ll give you two a moment.” She winked. She sashayed into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

“
What do you need?” His brows furrowed slightly.

“
A smile and a kiss.”

He watched me cautiously for what seemed like minutes, his eyes gradually glossing. “You’re not mad?”

I shook my head negatively.

He sat up, giving me a once-over. He winced, hesitating before he met my stare again. “Are you sure you don’t want to throw a few punches my way? Hell, I’d even help you file assault and battery charges.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Wouldn’t that be a pretty headline? Sheriff assists victim in filing charges against him.”

His expression was unchanging.

My heart cracked at the edges. There was no missing the pain in his depths, his wolf hauntingly absent. “I’m joking, Jer.”

He nodded his head in solemn understanding.

“
Not sure if you understand bi-polar disorder, but the short of it: your mood can quickly become my mood and catapult me into a more sour mood. I’m trying to save you from my darkness,” I teased. “So do me a favor and slap a smile on your handsome face, kiss me nicely, then give me a nice view of your ass as you leave the room to run that errand for me.”

His lips bowed gently at the edges. His eyes sparkled, reflecting his appreciation. “I like it when you’re bossy. It’s cute. But know that I’m always alpha.” His tone toughened on that last line.

Ellie snickered. She opened a few drawers and began to dress.

“
I called the station. They’ll call us in only if anything happens,” he announced.

“
Good. Then I can take Kate out for a girl’s spa day. Mani’s, Pedi’s and facials.” She was genuinely excited.

“
What girl doesn’t like that frou-frou stuff, right?” He scrunched his nose.

“
It’s a sin to not maintain a nice pedi in Miami, where sandals are worn year round.”

His gaze dropped to my toes, polished a bright coral color. He responded with a grunt.

Ellie rolled her eyes. “Men.”

My smile widened. “I like that stuff, so I guess I’m one of those girls, but I will need you to make that run before we leave.”

He caught my lips, sweeping his tongue along mine. I immediately warmed, relaxing into him. He was soft yet sensual. I felt his apology, his love. I felt so much for people I didn’t even know a week ago.

He broke away with a few lax pecks. When he opened his eyes, his wolf winked at me, gold striations flickering in his irises. “What do you need me to get you?”

“
I need you to buy some Arnica gel or lotion from the drugstore.” I learned about the product when my mother went through her health nut phase. Ironically, it was the small glass of red wine a day that opened the door to her drinking addiction.

“
Never heard of it. Hopefully they have it. Stay by your phone in case, El.”

“
Sure.” She pulled a white tank on followed by a USC hoodie. She was the epitome of casual comfort in grey capri sweats with her abundant blonde hair up in a messy bun. She was gorgeous.

Jerry cleared his throat. “I’m leaving.”

I laughed. His jealousy was adorable. “I’m watching.”

“
The man has the ego of a hyena.” Ellie was not amused.

“
I heard that,” he yelled from a distance. It sounded like he was already halfway down the stairs.

“
Good!” she shouted. She looked at me. “Got any comfy clothes for today?”

“
You can pull something for me if you want.” I tugged the covers back up, tucking them beneath my arms. “By the way, I’m driving us today.” There was no way she was ever chauffeuring me anywhere again.

She considered me for a long minute before shrugging her shoulders. “Okay.”

She easily swung my bag onto the foot of the bed and opened it. She rifled through my items. “I’m gonna take you shopping one day. I wanna see those curves in some super short denims and cowboy boots or skinny jeans and heels. I’ll throw in a dress or two for easy access and easy fun on occasion.” She winked at me. “You’re trying to hide in all those leggings, sweet cheeks.”

“
Not exactly trying.” I knew my expression was sheepish.

She pulled out a loose, slouchy, off-the-shoulder black shirt. “This would look amazing with grey skinnies and my hot pink heels.”

“
And gold stud earrings and a long necklace,” I added.

A smile of approval curled her lips. “I knew there was a feisty fashionista in there.”

I chuckled, shaking my head lightly in dismay. “You act like I have no style.”

“
The top half is decent, but I’m going to burn these leggings. I’ve never owned a pair and never will.”

I bit back a teasing grin. “You don’t know what you’re missing!”

She looked straight at me. “Honey, I love you, but few women ever attracted a man or woman in a pair of leggings.”

I narrowed my gaze challengingly. “I attracted you.”

She pursed her lips momentarily. “Okay, point made. But I’m still burning them all the first chance I get.”

“
Okay,” I conceded.

After studying every article, she decided on a pair of black capri leggings and a white tank. She disappeared, returning with another USC hoodie, only larger. “Jer won’t mind.” She dropped it on the bed beside the other stuff. It looked like it would squish all my curves, but I would at least be able to get it on…
hopefully.

“
You seem to like this. Why not do it for a living? Personal shoppers and stylists can make good money.”

“
Because Snowy Mountain is full of cowgirls, middle-aged church-goers and seniors, and none of them appreciate my style choices.

“
Well I like it.”

She plopped on the bed beside me, immediately kissing me. “Well, I love you.”

I returned her affection and pulled away. “I’m getting there.”

She tucked my hair behind my ears. “No rush, sweet cheeks.”

“
Here you go.” Jerry barged into the room with a brown paper bag.

“
Thanks.” The moment with Ellie was over, but I knew I’d get another.

—

Chapter Twenty-Five

KATE

We spent the next few days in a holding pattern, waiting for Donovan to show up. By Wednesday Ellie and Jerry couldn’t keep passing off responsibility at the station. Billy agreed to stay with me in their absence.

“
See you later, sweet cheeks.” Ellie smacked my ass as she dropped a kiss on my lips.

“
Stay safe,” I called after her.

Jerry grunted, moving in to claim my lips hastily. “I’ll call to check on you later. The house phone is-”

“
In the kitchen, on the wall beside the back door. I know.” I patted his chest.

He nodded once. He looked like he wanted to stay, like it was killing him to leave me, but this was normal, this was what most every couple did daily.

“
Go. Be careful. I’ll see you later.” I gave him a light shove towards the door.

Reluctantly, with one last sweeping glance, he left.

“
This is…rich.” Billy’s gaze traveled the room. “Are you sure they’re not doing something illegal?”

“
Stop. It’s the alpha’s domain. Whoever the current alpha is, they live here.”

He sat down at the end of the closest sofa. “What’s going on here, Kate?” He was looking up at me, but I felt as though he was looking down upon me.

I fidgeted, uncomfortable with his attention. “We’re seeing where it goes.” I collapsed on the opposite end of the couch.

“
I’m not judging, but what kind of future could you possibly have with two people? The world can be cruel.” His voice was soft, but he drove a hard point.

I shrugged my shoulders, managing to meet his gaze. “I don’t know, but no relationship, whether gay, straight or ménage is guaranteed to work out. I can only go by how I feel right now, and every moment since I met them I’ve been happy, Billy. Not just pretend-to-be, praying-it-manifests, but genuinely happy. They know all my secrets and don’t care. I feel safe, protected and loved with them.”