Winter Awakening Read online

  “I sure did. I can’t wait to make it permanent.” Ero rocked against her, pushing the length of his erection along her soft belly. Try as she might to not think about his hard length rubbing against her, he made it impossible. Experiencing it. Seeing it. She’d never stop thinking about the long, thick flesh between his legs or the way her pussy clenched with anticipation.

  Oh God. What have I gotten myself into?

  Chapter Five

  Light from the early morning sun poured through her window, waking her from a restless sleep. Visions of being naked, her body entwined with Luc and Ero had run amok in her dreams. She’d been so desperate for both of them, she’d practically begged them to take away the ache which threatened to consume her.

  Glancing at the clock, she groaned. She still had two hours before she needed to be at the café, and, already, she tried to figure out different ways to skip out.

  The door opened to her room, and Jason poked his head in. “Morning, sleepyhead. I didn’t hear you come in last night, so I wanted to make sure you got home in one piece.”

  “Sorry. I hadn’t expected to be out so late. I went hunting.” She shoved her hair away from her face then stretched. “Did the boys give you any trouble?”

  “None. They never do.” He pushed into the room and placed a cup of coffee on the table next to her. “What did you find?”

  “Huh? Oh, a chipmunk, nothing too outrageous.” She picked up the mug and brought it to her lips. “I guess, with the snow, most of the creatures are hiding out.”

  He nodded. “Probably.” He watched her for a moment more. “Has Gee asked you to participate in this scavenger hunt of his?”

  Startled by the abrupt turn in the conversation, she winced when the hot coffee touched her tongue. “Ow.”

  “You’re supposed to blow on it first.”

  She snorted. “Thank you, Captain Obvious. What would I ever do without you?”

  “Wither away?” The corners of his eyes crinkled as he laughed.

  “Whatever. You’re older anyway.” She took another sip of the brew, making sure to blow on it first. “Yes, Gee asked me to participate. Why?”

  “He’s asked a bunch of people. Not me. But a bunch.”

  The note of disappointment in his voice worried her. “Maybe he’s working his way through the pack, and he hasn’t found the right partner for you yet.”

  “Yeah. Maybe. Mom and Dad are participating, too.”

  She choked on her coffee. “What?”

  “Yeah.”

  Sarah deposited her mug on the table and sat back. “Are you serious?”

  “No, I enjoy watching you try to kill yourself with coffee.” He chuckled, but it wasn’t a happy sound or an angry one. The tone was flat, almost lifeless, and she worried about her brother.

  Since they’d returned, he hadn’t tried to date. Hadn’t really run with the pack. He’d been content to stay home. “Jason, what’s wrong?” She approached him.

  He flinched when she touched his shoulder. “Nothing. I guess feeling sorry for myself.”

  Last night shouldn’t have happened. She’d been so wrapped up with things—finding a job, the boys, and now Luc and Ero—she’d missed the signs her brother wasn’t happy. How long had he been this way? “Well, why don’t you and the boys volunteer?”

  Stupid suggestion. Her brother was looking for an adult companion, but if Gee wasn’t going to find one for him, she needed to grab the bull by the horns.

  “It’s okay. Really. I’m just in a mood.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t think Gee would want action figures and M-80s for his scavenger hunt anyway.”

  She snickered. “Maybe not, but it might liven up the festivities.”

  Finally, he grinned and it made it to his eyes. “With your boys, anything is possible.”

  Touché.

  Once the boys were up and dressed for school, she returned to her room to prepare for the day. After her conversation with her brother, she needed to squash whatever had been happening with her and Luc, but most especially between her and Ero. It was her turn to take care of Jason. Help him find a mate, and then, when he was settled, she’d return to Luc and Ero.

  Sarah glanced in the mirror and frowned. There on her neck sat the mark Ero had left. The claim he’d made left her hollow instead of full. This whole time she’d been a selfish prick—and she hated using that word. However, it fit. Jason, do this. Jason, watch the boys. Jason, I’m going for a run. Had she really been so blind to his pain?

  “Your head is firmly in the clouds, Sarah Ann,” she told her reflection. “You need to come back down to terra firma. Join the rest of the real world and forget your silly notions. You had your happiness. Now, it’s time for someone else to find theirs. Namely, her brother.”

  After a quick shower, she dressed and headed to the kitchen where her boys were finishing breakfast. Their backpacks lay next to the door and Sam sat near the table, waiting for some scrap to fall from their plate. “Ready to go?”

  “But Uncle Jason always takes us.” Dylan glanced up from his handheld video game.

  “Not today. Your uncle Jason deserves a day off.”

  Her brother stared at her for a moment. “I’m fine.”

  She gave him a look she hoped conveyed her disbelief. “Sure you are. Why don’t you go for a hike or a run? The fresh air will do you good.”

  He quirked a brow. “Well, it has been a while.”

  “If Mom is giving you a free pass, take it,” Charles chimed in. “She doesn’t hand those out often.”

  He rubbed her son’s head. “I guess I’ll go for a run, then.”

  “Great. I’ll pick up the boys at three, so stay out as long as you want. I’ll put dinner in the oven to keep it warm for you if you’re late.”

  “If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you were trying to get rid of me.” He winked at her then headed for his room. “Thanks, by the way.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Sarah stopped at the schoolhouse door. “Have a good day. Don’t give Miss Adrie a hard time.” She then kissed both of their foreheads. “If you ace your spelling tests, I’ll ask Grandma to bake you a treat.”

  “Aw, Mom.” Dylan rubbed his forehead. “Not in front of everyone else.”

  Charles followed suit. “Yeah. We’re not babies anymore.”

  No, they weren’t. Soon, they’d experience their first shift. “You’re right. But, you’re still my boys.” She turned them to face the class. “Go on now. Have a good day.”

  She waited for the boys to take their seats then hurried into town. The café opened early, and she didn’t want to be late, even though she didn’t have to be there until eight thirty. Anticipation curled through her veins. The need to see Ero again, and Luc, had her quickening her pace. All of her plans went out the window when she thought about her mates. Her wolf pulled her in the direction she needed to be, not wanted to be.

  “Hey.”

  She glanced up at the greeting and stopped dead in her tracks. Luc. “Morning.”

  “On your way to work?” He crowded her, backing her up against the wall of one of the empty buildings.

  Her heart leapt into her throat. Her stomach flip-flopped. Every inch of her tingled as adrenaline twined with desire pumped through her system. Again, the tantalizing aroma of cedar and spice wafted around her, making her drunk on his scent. “Y-yeah.” She fisted her hands at her sides, willing herself not to touch him for fear of what might happen in public.

  He leaned in and nuzzled her. “My brother’s mark looks good on you.” He ran his tongue up the other side of her neck. “Mine will look even better.”

  She bit back a moan. “I-I really need to get to work.”

  “Shh, I know you do.” He placed his hands on her hips, holding her in place. “When’s your lunch hour?”

  “Why?” Her eyes fluttered shut as he kissed the column of her throat.

 
He chuckled. The purely masculine sound sent a shiver of arousal down her spine. “Because I want to spend some time with you.” He brushed his lips over hers and groaned.

  When she gasped, he took advantage. Unlike his brother’s, Luc’s kiss had a sensual edge to it. With each flick of his tongue, she wanted to give over. He gave as good as he took, and when he coaxed her to take from him, her body responded in ways she didn’t think were possible. Her skin grew incredibly tight and sensitive. Her nipples hardened to the point of pain, and she squeezed her thighs to try to alleviate the ache. Then he fisted his hand in her hair and tilted her head just so. The warm open-mouth kisses he left along her jaw were deviously delightful. She shivered as he tongued the hollow spot at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. He scraped her flesh with his teeth, almost in the same manner as Ero, and she whimpered. What have I gotten myself into with these two?

  “Mmm, sweet as sin and soft to boot.” He nipped at her bottom lip. “I’ll see you at lunch.” He left her standing there, vanishing just as quickly as he’d appeared.

  Sarah pushed a lock of messy hair out of her face and took several deep breaths. She had to gain some control over herself. If she walked into the café in this condition, Ero would figure out what she’d been up to. It’s Luc’s fault. Yeah, and knowing Ero, he’d take advantage of her vulnerable state, leaving her a puddle of sated goo on the floor.

  “That was some display.” Ginger, Kole’s twin sister and co-owner of Los Lobos Books and More, came up beside her. Her amber eyes sparkled with amusement.

  “Shit.” She scrubbed her forehead. “Sorry.”

  Ginger held up her hands. “Don’t be. I always wondered who’d be the lucky girl for the twins. Congrats.”

  Sarah frowned. “Thanks.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  She shook her head. “I should be happy. However, I’m worried about my brother and if I’m doing the right thing.”

  “Why?”

  She started toward the café. “I need to get to work, so if you can walk and talk, it might be easier to explain.”

  “Sure.” Ginger followed her. “So, what’s the issue?”

  “I had Ethan.” She wrung her hands as she tried to clarify the situation. “Is it right, after all he did for me, I should have mates?”

  “He passed on, didn’t he?” Ginger gave her a curious glance.

  “Yes. Eleven years ago. Before I got to tell him about the boys and this.”

  “Then, the question is, would he want you to be alone the rest of your life because he died? Or, would he want you to move on and find the next great adventure?”

  “How did you become so wise?”

  She gazed out over the town. “Talking to Brie, I suppose.”

  “And, when will you be mating?”

  She flicked her gaze toward the bookstore. “I don’t think I have one, let alone two like you or Kole. So I have to learn to make myself happy.”

  Sadness filled her. “You sound like Jason.”

  Ginger laughed. “Oh?”

  She nodded. “He doesn’t have a partner for the scavenger hunt.”

  “Oh man. Even I have one.” She leaned in and muttered, “The old bear paired me up with Thaddeus.”

  Thaddeus Two Shadows, pack protector, spent more times with the wolves than he did with his pack mates. She could never quite get a read on him nor did she know how to take him, personality-wise. In a way, he reminded her of one of the boys’ favorite superhero characters—he didn’t get mixed metaphors, but he did enjoy a good fight. Interesting choice for Ginger. “Oh wow.”

  “We’re supposed to meet at the café this morning to plan our ‘adventure.’” She laughed. “I might end up strangling him. He’s so weird.”

  “Well, have fun.” She pulled open the door to Los Lobos Café. “We haven’t even figured out where to start with ours, yet.”

  Ginger scoffed. “Males.”

  She chuckled. “Right.” Sarah hugged her friend. She hadn’t realized how much she missed Ginger till she set foot on pack land. “I’m glad I came home, even if I don’t sound like it right now. I missed you.”

  Ginger clung to her. “I missed you, too.” The scent of her sadness and then happiness filtered around them. “I’m glad you came home.”

  She stepped back and wiped her eyes. “Okay, grab a table and I’ll bring you whatever you want. My treat.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Ero has the best Turkish coffee, plus your mom makes the best puff pastry. Can I get one of each?”

  “Of course. What about for Thaddeus?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “I like plain coffee. No treats.” He came up behind Ginger. Tall with long, raven-black hair pulled back into a single braid, he looked like an ancient Native American warrior. He wore no shirt, only a buckskin vest, black jeans, and thick-soled boots. A bear claw on a thin leather strap hung around his neck. His strong jaw and aquiline nose framed full lips and piercing whiskey-colored eyes.

  The clip of short nails on the wooden floor drew her attention to the wolf who entered with him. “Will it be a problem if Matshka joins us?”

  Sarah looked to Ero who’d observed the whole scene from his position behind the counter. He shook his head and gave Thad a wave. “Boss is okay with it. Would you like anything for Matshka?”

  “Water, please.”

  “Of course.” She squeezed Ginger’s hand as she headed for the counter. “Good morning.”

  “Morning.” Ero’s gaze bore into hers, and her insides turned to mush. “You look pleasantly rumpled.”

  “Luc,” she mumbled.

  “Ah. Makes sense. He’s possessive and likes his turn, too.”

  “I guess so.” She hung her coat on one of the hooks in the kitchen then grabbed her apron. “Ginger would like a puff pastry and one of your famous Turkish coffees. Black coffee for Thaddeus and water for his companion.”

  Ero pulled her into his arms and nuzzled his mark. “Ah, much better.” He placed a quick kiss there. “We’re going to work on our plan for the scavenger hunt after the lunch craze, okay?”

  She nodded and swallowed hard. “Sure.”

  “Great. Can you check on table five while I get Ginger’s order ready?”

  “On it.” She started away from him then stopped. “I had a good time last night.”

  He grinned. “I did, too. We should do it again.” His gaze darkened.

  “We should.” She pointed to the waiting customers. “Table five.”

  “Yep.” He chuckled.

  Chapter Six

  Ero paused behind the counter to watch Sarah go from table to table, taking orders and distributing food. Her infectious smile and soft laugh settled in his balls and made it hard to concentrate on anything but her. The scent of her arousal—honeyed pears and spice—when she walked into café hit him square in the chest. He’d had a feeling his brother would pull some stunt with her, especially after their conversation the night before.

  He’d returned at the same time as Luc got off patrol, and with her scent clinging to every inch of him, he had to explain. She was a contradiction. Though open to their mating, she happened to be skittish as hell, too. Cajoling her would get them nowhere. They needed to move up their timetable.

  Jason called him earlier and gave him a tidbit of information, including a little faux pas of his own. The guy let slip he felt alone within the pack, which pulled their little mate back a step or two. Well, he had a plan for that, too. As soon as he got a minute, he’d talk to Miss Fern and see if she could work some of her magic. It had gotten around town she along with the other pack matrons—Miss Cathy, Miss Lonnie, and Miss Claire—liked to meddle in relationships, and, if seeing was believing, he’d seen their handiwork several times over. He’d make sure they not only took care of Sarah, but her brother as well.

  When the last customers left for the morning, Ero came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle.
“I can’t keep my eyes off you while you’re working.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you bend over, and all I can think of is getting you naked and burying myself inside you.” He rubbed his erection across her ass for emphasis. “You’re all I’ve been able to think about, since last night. You’re all I’ve tasted, and I want more.” He spun her around and crushed his mouth with hers. Moaning, he flexed his hips, pushing his jean-covered hardness against her lower belly. He swallowed her cry of passion as he palmed her ass and worked her counter to his thrusts. It felt like heaven and hell—but he’d get no satisfaction out of this version of their play. Ero ripped his mouth from hers and sucked in air. “I need you.”

  She trembled in his arms. “Yes.”

  “This isn’t how I had it planned.” He practically dragged her to the storage room. “I can’t wait.”

  “Don’t, then.” Her breath came in quick pants, and the scent of her arousal grew stronger by the second.

  He spun her around to face the metal shelving unit then grabbed at the front of her jeans to open them. His hands shook. His heart thundered in his ears. Excitement warred with those few anxious moments of realizing he was there and so was she. He pushed her jeans over her hips, and Sarah’s sun-kissed flesh came into view. He bit back a groan as his dick throbbed behind the fly of his pants, growing harder by the second. She wiggled her ass at him in invitation. The soft silk covering her made his mouth water. As much as he loved the barrier between them, he hated it, too.

  “No panties. They get in the way.” He grabbed the seam and ripped them. The rending of material added to the lust pounding through his veins. “You’re fucking perfect.” Ero pulled back for a second to yank off his sweater then pull down his jeans. He fisted himself, pinching the base of his erection. The adrenaline along with the absolute need for his mate made him crazed and heaved him too close to the edge. He needed control, now more than ever.

  “Ero.” She glanced over her shoulder at him, and the pure, unadulterated, wanton desire in her eyes did him in.