“No. If anything, this is completely selfish on my part.”
“How so?” Hester appears happier about the possibility of me being selfish.
“I need backup. This is going to be Roderick’s whole family. Well … minus his mom. But still. A lot of wolves, and wolves that are important to him, and holiday intensity.” I suck in adeep breath, trying to stem the flow of words. “It’s just … this seems kind of stressful and hectic, and you never seem rattled by anything.” My hand automatically gestures toward her front yard, where I witnessed her naked supernatural fuck buddy depart.
Hester didn’t appear bothered in the least that I was suddenly aware of a lot of her business.
The woman has an unflappable air about her. I expect a bomb could go off next to her house, and she’d merely tsk in annoyance.
Hester doesn’t answer right away, turning the invite over and over in her hands and appearing to consider my words. Finally, she nods.
“I will be your backup. This isn’t one of my holidays, but it is always good to mingle with more of the Pine Falls wolves. Remind them I exist.”
My urge is to ask why anyone would want to remind wolves about themselves, but I keep my mouth shut. Hester could always change her mind and leave me to deal with the Jamesons alone.
“Thank you,” I say, hearing the relief in my own voice. “I can give you a ride.”
“Hmm. No. I’ll drive myself. That way, you won’t be responsible for returning me home if you wish to stay with your alpha.” She studies me, but I don’t pick up on any judgment. “Relationships with wolves are always interesting roads to walk. I believe it is best never to let them have too much control of a situation.”
Her words ring a painful sort of truth. Cory controlled every aspect of me.
Until he didn’t.
Is that what I’m doing now? Taking away some of Roderick’s control by changing his plans?
Whatever the driver for my choice is, this is a different approach than I took in Bear Valley.
Hopefully, I’ll get different results.
37
JULIET
When I come downmy front steps, I walk carefully so as not to trip in my heels on the uneven sidewalk. Sure, at a Jameson gathering, I’m betting I could’ve gotten away with sneakers and jeans. But with Hester coming, I know at least one person is going to be dressed to kill. Besides, I enjoy the way Roderick stares at my legs.
And with this sweater dress only coming halfway down my thighs, he has plenty to gaze at. He watches me approach, and I watch him watching me as I exaggerate the sway of my hips slightly. It’s been a while since I’ve given myself permission to feel sexy. To not want to cover myself up when a man’s eyes touch me.
When I come to a stop in front of where he leans against his truck, Roderick is still staring.
“Something the matter?” I ask with feigned innocence.
“Not fair,” he mutters, hand scraping over his shaved head.
“What’s not?”
“You looking so beautiful.” His eyes blaze when he meets mine. “I’m supposed to talk to people tonight. How’s that gonna work?”
I shrug, stepping in close and pressing my body against his. “That sounds like a you problem.”
The chuckle rumbles in his chest, vibrating through me as his arms crush me to him. The sensation of his humor and the smell of his slightly spicy soap have me turning liquid.
“Let’s get you fed.” He kisses me, then escorts me to my seat.
When he reaches for my seat belt, I let him, enjoying the way his hands brush against my chest.
“In case you weren’t sure, I do know how to use a seat belt,” I whisper, as if sharing a secret, fighting off a smile.
Roderick tugs on the belt, testing its integrity, and grunts like the guttural noise is a valid response.
