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“No, man, nothing so far. You just lay low. We’ll get a plan together and be in touch.”
“Okay, boss, talk soon.” He hung up the call.
No sign was good. He needed a rest. They needed a rest.They. The boys and him. And Winona. Mate.
Easy there. He could feel his wolf, pushing, driving him. Wanting to claim her as his. He’d watched her these last few days, seen her with the boys, with him. He’d smelled her, felt her in his arms, and it was enough, more than enough.
He had fought it. Of course, he had. He was in no hurry to get burned again.
But she was different. He let out a little laugh as he thought of the rolling pin. Was that last night?Jeezuz.In the shifter community, mates were for life. Someone should have told his ex, Brie, that. His wolf howled. Yes, it still pained him. But he was finally ready to turn the page.
He watched her as he easily corralled the boys as she whipped up one of their favorites, tacos. She was rolling around the kitchen like a boss, somehow managing to both find jobs for them so they felt they were helping, while actually getting the meal ready at the same time.No small feat.
“All right, fellas, eat up. Then after dinner you can show us all the cool rooms you found, okay?”
That was met by a few calls of “Okay!”
The conversation was lively while they ate. Jasper and Marcus had found a room with blue walls with stars on the ceiling. Jasper swore they were ‘real’ stars and everyone laughed. Bucky had found a nook under a staircase that he already claimed for himself, because he was convinced it was either Harry Potter’s bed or a door to Narnia dreams. Jaye’s search for a TV had apparently been unsuccessful, although he seemed happy enough that he had stumbled upon an enormous library.
Rollo turned and put a hand on Jaye’s shoulder. “Somehow, I imagine if we look hard enough, we will find a TV. I don’t think the house will leave us hanging,” he said as he looked around. We’ll have movie night later, if any of us are awake.” He shook Jaye’s shoulder jokingly.
The boys started cleaning up when they were done, without anyone even asking them. Small miracle, he thought. Then Winona went to help them get showered before bed. Though he knew Marcus and Jasper were at that stage they sometimes wanted to try to do it by themselves, he knew they loved the attention, especially since it had been so long since Brie had left them.
When she came back, he was still in the kitchen. “I haven’t seen it yet, but I think I’d want that room with the stars on the ceiling. That sounds okay to you, Rollo?” Winona said as she turned on the dishwasher he had loaded.
“Sure, that’s right next to where I am, I think, so I’ll show it to you. You ready?”
“Um, is it okay if I go up and get situated?” Winona asked, looking around for her suitcase and painting.
“Of course.” Rollo noticed how wiped out she looked. No wonder.
He went to her and put a hand on her arm, “Look, I don’t exactly know what it is, maybe this house, maybe…I don’t really care…” He stopped himself.You sound like an idiot.Words had never been his thing. “Why don’t you take the rest of the night off. Have a bath, go to bed. Let me watch the boys. I think they need some Dad time anyhow after the last few days. I’ve got it covered. Sound good?”
Winona put her hand over his. “This house, huh? Yeah, there’s something, alright. But yes, that sounds great. Thank you.” She looked down at her hand on his, as if contemplating something. Then she pulled away to get her suitcase. “I can’t think of anything I’d like more than a hot bath right now. And bed, a bath and a bed.”
“Okay, follow me then.” He relaxed a little. This was uncharted ground. Something had definitely shifted between them.Stop thinking, buddy. Right. Just go with it.He grabbed her by the hand and led her up some stairs and down a hall. Her hand was tiny in his, and warm as she held on firmly. He opened the carved wooden door to her room, revealing a cozy space surrounded by walls of deep blue, almost midnight. She gasped as she entered, turning around as she looked up at the ceiling. They really did look like ‘real’ stars, he thought as he looked up with her.
“If I remember, the bath is through here. I’ll get it started for you. I want to take a look anyhow. Then I’ll leave you to it, Winona.” He looked at her, still gazing at the ceiling. Then she lowered her eyes to him. He felt it again. That unbending insistent pull. For a moment, they both just stood there, eyes locked. But then, slowly, as if drawn by some unseen force, they both moved closer.
He reached for her and caressed her chin with one hand as she responded by placing a hand on his arm. His skin practically sparked where she touched him.
Mine,his wolf growled.
He looked down at her and stepped even closer to her. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. He felt her arousal as his grew. The air crackled with the tension. His caress grew more insistent as he cupped her chin and tipped her head up toward his.
He could hold back no longer. He leaned in to kiss her. He wanted to savor her as he tempered his growing passion and just barely tasted her lips. She met him tentatively as well at first. But the heat of their touch was too much for him, and as she grabbed the back of his neck, he pulled her in deeper. She met him fiercely, her tongue dipping in as they pressed together. The change rocked him as all his pent up fire threatened to take control of him. He pulled her toward him, lifting her onto her toes as he explored her mouth, her taste, and her scent. He felt her breathing shift as her arousal grew. He lifted her easily as she spread her legs around him, pushing her sex down on him. God. He felt his cock swell as he ground his manhood against her warmth.
“Okay!” he almost cried, as he pulled himself loose and set her on her feet. His wolf was going crazy, but he knew he needed to pull away.
“The boys,” he said simply.
“I know, I know,” she said as they both carved little circles as they sought to dispel the sexual charges that had built up.
“Right. I’ll go take care of them,” he said.
“Sure, good, okay. I’ll just, um…Take my bath,” she said.
“Right,” he said simply as he left the room.
