A Wolf's Bargain Read online

  “I swear she’s going to rule the roost one day.” Hannah laughed as she glanced down at a sleeping Micha in her arms.

  “I believe Jordan is more than happy to help her out.” Lily shook her head. “I’ve witnessed a lot of things in my life, but these two are joined at the hip.”

  Both kids turned and waved at them, their cheeks pink from playing, their brows wet with sweat. Both appeared to be enjoying themselves immensely.

  “They’re happy. Hannah, Lily.” Chris tipped his hat at them. “May I join you?”

  The women exchanged looks then Hannah smiled. “You know, I just remembered Birdie needed my and Jessie’s help this afternoon. How about I take Jordan with me, and I’ll let Tinks know to pick him up in a couple of hours at the diner?”

  Since Will and Birdie had arrived in town with Hannah and Jessie, they’d rebuilt the old diner, which had been renamed Dottie’s, and had a small but steady clientele. The place looked nothing like it had, and it was okay by him. Plus, he liked the old couple. They were pretty level-headed about the whole shifting idea—which surprised him, but shouldn’t have. His mom read books written by a human who made his heroes wolves.

  “Sounds great. We won’t be long.” Chris grinned.

  Lily crossed her arms, pushing her perky breasts up. A hint of her freckled flesh peeked out for his perusal. “She asked me, Chris. I am capable of answering questions.”

  Hannah smothered a laugh. “I’ll see you soon. Tell Fawn I’d be honored to join you for the baby shower.” The woman stood then called out to the kids. “We’re leaving. Last one to the diner doesn’t get a hot apple cider.”

  Jessie hollered and began to run, Jordan hot on her heels. “I’m going to win,” she cried out.

  Amused by the display, he sat beside Lily and laid his hand on her knee. The kids were so open. Free. Able to show themselves without fear. Drew brought back security and happiness to the pack. It was part of their healing.

  “Those two are going to keep us on our toes,” he whispered, as Hannah draped her arm over Jessie’s shoulder, while the little girl held onto Jordan’s hand as though it were a lifeline.

  “Tell me about it. They’ve been this way since they met at school.”

  “And here I thought he didn’t have many friends.”

  Lily laughed. “He has quite a few, according to Tinks.”

  He motioned toward the kids. “Do you think?”

  “They’re mates?” Lily shrugged. “I don’t know. It could be the novelty of being here. Or puppy love.”

  “Yeah, I thought the same, however….”

  Lily glanced up at him. “Say no more.”

  “Mum’s the word.” He mimed zipping his lips.

  She scrunched up her nose, crinkling the freckles on the bridge. “Anyway, what did you need to talk to me about?”

  “I want one night with you.”

  “Excuse me?” Incredulousness filled her tone.

  “There you go again, jumping to conclusions.”

  “I think spending one night with you is pretty self-explanatory.” She frowned. The scent of anger and disbelief tinged the scent of intrigue. He’d have missed it if he hadn’t been paying attention.

  “It’s not what you think, Lily.” Well, it kind of was, but not in the same context as it sounded. “You and I both know we’re mates and we’re fighting a losing battle.”

  “Says who?” For all her bluster, the sweet, timid scent of her arousal swirled around him.

  “Do you really want to go there?”

  “Fine. So we’re mates. Doesn’t mean I want to consummate it. For all you know, I have other suitors vying for my hand.”

  Chris growled and lunged toward her, stopping mere inches from her face. Lily’s breath hitched, and the pulse at her neck twitched. “Don’t push me. I’m hanging on by a thread as it is. I’ve been good about this. Giving you the time you needed because I won’t force you. However, saying stupid shit, will get you turned over my knee and your ass spanked.”

  “Asshole!” Lily balled up her fists and punched at his chest. “Brute! How dare you talk to me like I’m some object you can tell what to do.”

  Fuck.

  Anger surged through her, darkening the taste of her desire clinging to the air around them. His dick throbbed. His wolf tensed, waiting for her next move—daring her to run, so he could give chase.

  Chris grabbed her wrists and lowered them until they were secured behind her back. Her breathing became rapid. Oh yeah, she got off on this. He smirked. “Admit it, Lily, you like this.”

  “I’ll admit to nothing.”

  If he allowed it, she’d go down fighting him tooth and nail. Chris bent to nuzzle her neck. “This battle will only make the need burn brighter. Haven’t you wondered what it will feel like when I mark you?” He nipped the juncture of her shoulder and throat.

  “Chris.” She let out a shuddered exhale.

  “Shh,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.”

  “I don’t think—”

  “Then don’t think,” he coaxed. “Isn’t it time to start your life with your mate?”

  She withdrew from his embrace, and he let go of her hands. “I’m afraid.”

  Chris tucked a finger beneath her chin and tipped her face up. “Of what, she-wolf?”

  “Failing.”

  He snorted. “There’s no way in hell you’ll ever disappoint me.” For all her bristling, she still reminded him of a timid wolf, needing a little more praise to bring her out of her shell.

  “When?”

  “When what?”

  “When do you want me to spend one night with you?”

  “When you’re ready. You can tell me.” Giving her the power to come to him might be like shooting himself in the foot. Yet, for as much as he wanted her with him, he’d still give her the ability to make her own decisions on her timeframe. He only hoped it wouldn’t blow up in his face.

  “Okay.”

  Chris gathered her in his arms and hugged her tight. “You won’t regret this.”

  Chapter Four

  Lily couldn’t get the predatory look in Chris’s eyes out of her mind as she sat on her favorite bench in the agility area for the kids. For two days, she’d thought about what he said and how she’d felt the minute he trapped her against the bench. An excited thrill had raced down her spine, and her hussy-of-a-wolf perked up.

  Though her body responded to his heady scent—a mixture of leather and wilderness—his words penetrated her soul. Maybe she had hidden within her familial ranks, taking care of everyone so she didn’t have to venture out on her own. She’d been telling him the truth when she’d admitted she was scared.

  A gust of cool fall air blew through the hills, causing the trees to sing their sad song of bramble branches knocking together. The scent of snow clung to the air as she pulled her favorite shawl, one her mother made when Lily was little, tighter around her shoulders. Almost a year ago, she’d kissed Chris under the mistletoe. Her body warmed at the memory and pushed back the chill.

  The sensation of the ground dropping out from under her feet shot through her, leaving her lightheaded and giddy. A rush of adrenaline bubbled up, and she swore she could feel his lips on hers. The powerful connection between them had left her reeling. Mate.

  Yeah, he was the one for her, but giving over to it was another story.

  Another whip of cold wind pushed a lock of hair into her eye. She pushed it behind her ear and sighed. Chris was right. She deserved what her siblings had. Love. Happiness. A sense of purpose and belonging—besides taking care of her family. Still a niggle of self-doubt swamped her. Who’d be there to pick her up if she fell? At least when Kalum decided to pursue Fawn, she and Graham had been there every step of the way.

  And, though their courtship had been a little…different, she and Kalum had helped Graham and Elle. They even helped Kru with Gabby. Who’d support her? Who did she turn to when she had questions or struggled with the decision in general?

  In the last few months, she’d begun to wonder if maybe she’d end up alone. Everyone else had mated, so why did it matter if she floundered? She’d given plenty of pep talks, yet she had no one to return the favor.

  While watching Jordan and Jessie play, she still didn’t know what to do about Chris. In times like these, she’d tell Kalum to take the bull by the horns, or she’d tell Graham to shape up and settle down. What would they say to her? Did they even care what happened?

  “Jordan, you’re supposed to chase me,” Jessie called out.

  “Not if it means you might get hurt.” He strode to where Jessie hung from the rope ladder. “My mom taught me to protect womenfolk. You’re a woman, too, so I won’t ever put you in danger.”

  Lily snickered a little. He had a fierce protective streak along with a natural ability with animals. “He’s right, Jessie.”

  “Ah man,” she whined, climbing down.

  “I brought us a treat.” Jordan distracted the downtrodden girl. “Momma made it.” He pulled two pieces of dried meat out of his back pocket. “It’s real deer. Douglas caught it out on the trail. You should have seen how big it was. My aunt Bobbi is making me a blanket from his hide.”

  “But it’s been in your pocket.” Jessie wrinkled her nose.

  “Eat it,” Jordan prodded. “It’ll put fur on your chest.”

  “But, I don’t want fur on my chest.”

  “You’re a wolf, aren’t you?” Jordan leaned in. “We all got fur on our chests. This will make it look cooler.”

  “I don’t know.” Jessie turned the jerky this way and the other. “Deer are friends of mine, and I don’t think it’s a good idea to—”

  Jordan took a bite of
his and grinned. “Best buck ever. Come on, Jessie, try it. If you take a bite, I’ll do whatever you want for the rest of the afternoon.”

  “Really?” The little girl got a devious look in her eyes.

  “Yep, wolf’s honor.”

  “Okay.” She took a bite out of the dried meat. “Mmm, this is good.”

  “Told ya. My mom is the best.”

  “Lily?” Jessie called out. “Can we go get some of my dolls? I want to play dress up, since Jordan promised to do whatever I wanted if I ate the dried deer meat.”

  His mouth fell open, and his eyes grew wide. He began to sputter out an answer, but couldn’t say anything.

  Lily smothered her laugh, allowing him to squirm a little bit longer before helping him out. “How about later? It’s almost time to meet your mom, anyway.”

  “You owe me, Jordan.” Jessie took another bite of her treat. “Big time.”

  By the time she dropped Jessie and Jordan off, Lily had been nowhere near answering the questions swirling in her mind. As she stepped up onto the porch, laughter filtered outside.

  She entered to find Fawn curled up in her favorite spot on the couch, Kalum lounging beside her. Graham and Elle sat on the love seat.

  “Did you have fun?” Fawn rubbed her burgeoning belly.

  A pulse of envy crept through her. “We did. I think Jordan’s plan backfired on him, though.”

  “What did he do?” Graham gave her a curious look.

  “He stopped Jessie from getting hurt.”

  “He did? What happened?” Elle’s tone became serious.

  “She decided to put herself in a precarious spot, and Jordan didn’t like it. So, he helped her down and shared his jerky with her.” She took the empty seat across from them. “But not before she balked at him and it.”

  Graham quirked his brow. “Why didn’t she want to try it?”

  “It’s deer.”

  Kalum chuckled.

  “So, he bargained with her. He said he’d do whatever she wanted if she tried the deer meat.”

  Fawn sat forward slightly. “What does he have to do?”

  “Play dress up with her dolls.”

  Elle and Fawn laughed.

  “I heard Chris came to see you,” Fawn interjected. “What did he want?”

  She glanced between her and her brothers. “How…how did you know?”

  Graham laughed. “Your little scene with Chris in the play area is the talk of the town.”

  Well, so much for easing into this conversation. “He asked me out.”

  “Finally.” Kalum hit his knee. “What did you say?”

  She shrugged and looked away.

  “Why don’t we start with why you didn’t you tell us?”

  Lily nibbled on her thumb while staring out over the pastureland through the bay window. Cows mulled around chewing on cud or eating grass. “You’ve been busy.”

  “We’re never too busy for you,” Fawn whispered.

  “How long, Lily?” Graham glanced up at her.

  She shook her head. “Years, I guess. Since we were kids.”

  “Wait.” Kal held up his hand. “He’s a good twelve years older than you.”

  “Yeah. Your point?”

  “You were only fourteen when we left,” Graham muttered.

  “I’m confused.” Elle frowned. “Are you saying she did something inappropriate at fourteen? Because if I remember correctly….”

  “No,” Graham added quickly. “I figured she’d be into boys, not…men.”

  Humiliation rolled through her. She’d seen Chris, laughed at one of his corny jokes while he worked on the farm with Kalum. On one particularly hot July afternoon, she’d retreated to the cool, dark shade of the hay barn out back. Up in the rafters, she’d made a place for herself where she’d bring her prized books to read. Her mom even put together a little basket of goodies. Dried meats, cheeses, and jams. She also had biscuits and sweet tea.

  While nestled up there, she heard Kal and Chris come back from the field. Their dad had bailed the hay early in the morning, so they had to store it. Some they’d use for feed, the rest they’d sell or give to those who needed it most. As Chris stepped into the dimly lit space, he pulled his shirt off and threw it over the angled support post.

  “Damn, I didn’t think it’d get so hot out there.” He took a long pull from a jug of water. The muscles of his back rippled and flexed. His sweat-slick flesh glistened in the shafts of sunlight coming through the small port windows below her perch.

  “We’ll hit the waterhole later, maybe find a little fun.” Her brother took the water from his friend.

  “I wouldn’t mind getting to know Stacy a little better.” Chris turned to the side, and she got her first glimpse of his washboard abs.

  Her mouth watered. She swore she had heart palpitations. And her wolf? The little horndog wanted to rub all over him. Mark him with her scent so he couldn’t touch anyone else. The irrational thought surprised her. It also scared her. She didn’t understand.

  “I wonder if the Hawthorne girl will be there. I had Momma bring some food for her and her brother, but the kid refused then hurried Momma away from their front door.”

  “The boy is skinny as a rail.” Chris grunted. “I thought Gill was supposed to be taking care of them.”

  “Lily Rose,” her mom called out. “Darn girl.”

  She scrambled back away from the ledge and unfortunately kicked her pencil tin over, drawing her brother and Chris’s attention. “Mrs. Truesdale. I believe I’ve found the little she-wolf.”

  Her mom’s curvy form filled the barn. She placed her hands on her hips; the dishtowel she always seemed to carry with her flapped in the light breeze. Her long brown hair had been pulled back in the tight bun she wore whenever she cooked. “Did you lose track of time?”

  Heat suffused her cheeks. “Sorry, Momma.” She scrambled down the steps. With her hands full, the trip was precarious to say the least. As she positioned her foot on the fourth rung from the bottom, she slipped. The sensation of free-falling startled her, and she gasped.

  “I got you.” Chris’s warm embrace wrapped around her as he set her down. “You all right?” His brilliant smile momentarily left her awestruck.

  “Y-yeah.” Her words had been a little bit breathier than necessary. “Thanks.”

  “Not a problem.”

  “Girl, you are going to give me and your father a heart attack before we’re old enough.” Her mom wrapped her arm around Lily’s shoulder. “Dinner will be ready in an hour, boys, Make sure you’re both cleaned up and presentable.”

  A chorus of, “Yes, ma’am,” filled the space.

  When they were outside, Lily mumbled, “Sorry, Momma. I didn’t realize I’d been outside for so long.”

  “A girl’s place isn’t spying in a barn and staring at men she shouldn’t be looking at.”

  “Oh, but…I wasn’t. They just showed up.”

  Her mom laughed. “You have a lot to learn, young lady. A lot to learn.”

  “Wait, so you noticed him then?” The edge in Graham’s voice surprised her.

  “I guess so.” She shrugged. “I never thought anything of it, and, soon after, we were gone. It’s not like I totally understood it, nor had a chance to, either.”

  “You’ve been distant since we got back,” Kal stated. “Why?”

  “Females talk, dear brother. They’re also not kind.”

  “Fuck.” Graham snarled. “Which ones?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “I think what your brother is trying to say is, he’s sorry you went through hell because of some petty women.” Elle elbowed him.

  “Wow, you learned Neanderthal quickly.”

  Her mated sister laughed. “Kind of have to since the Truesdale men seem to be fluent.”

  “Lily,” Fawn started, “what can we do to help?”

  “I don’t think you can. I have to wrap my mind around his offer and give him an answer.”

  “Don’t wait.” Graham took Elle’s hand in his. “Trust me. I spent too much time waiting to die, when I should have been preparing for my mate.” The tragedy of it all was the fact everyone had assumed Elle had died the night Greer, one of Magnum’s henchmen, murdered her parents and set her house on fire. But Ryker had arrived and killed Greer. Then, doing his best to carry out her parents’ wishes to keep her safe, he’d made it look like she’d died, too, by throwing Greer’s body in the fire. The minute she stepped into town and back into Lily’s brother’s life, a new light had filled him. The sour demeanor and distant behavior had disappeared, replaced with a zest for life.