Werewolves of Forever 06 - Wild Lust

accept us as her mates.”
    “What are you going to tell her?”
    Blane slid into the passenger seat and waited for his brother to get behind the wheel. “About which thing? How we know her name or how long we’ve known she was in town? Or maybe I should explain that our mother dropped you on your head and now you can’t help what you say or do?”
    Reese pulled the pickup into the road then stomped on the gas. “Watch it, man. I’m not in the mood.”
    Blane snorted derisively. “If only you hadn’t been in the mood earlier.” He pointed at the local market. “Stop at the store and let me grab a couple of things. I think I know how to smooth things over with Charlie.”
    Blane was in and out of the small market in a few minutes, which, in itself, was a small miracle. He usually got tied up by one of the older women in town who queried him with the same questions each time they saw him. When were he and Reese going to give up waiting for their mate to show up and go out hunting for her instead? Although he would’ve loved to tell them that she’d finally arrived—again—he didn’t want to jinx anything.
    He threw his body into the seat and dropped the bag filled with two bottles of the best red wine in Forever—which wasn’t saying much—a loaf of French bread, a bottle of sauce, Parmesan cheese and pasta, all the makings of his favorite dish of spaghetti. He’d taken a lot of flak over the years for his love of cooking, but now it was going to come in handy.
    “Put the pedal to the metal.”
    Reese did as he commanded but added a grumble. “I don’t see why we both can’t talk to her.”
    “Because, my dear brother, I’m going to mend fences with our woman, and I don’t want you around to tear them down again.”
    “What if I swear to keep my trap shut?”
    “Like you could ever keep that promise.” Blane looked out the window. The excitement he’d felt the first time he’d spoken with her ratcheted into higher gear. “You’ve had your alone time with her. Now it’s my turn.”
    “What about the horse?”
    “It’s taken care of. I called Rupert to go and fetch him later tonight.”
    “How are you planning on getting home?”
    Blane tossed his brother an amused look. “When did you turn into the Twenty Questions Man? You let me worry about how I get home. Just make sure Rupert remembers to be quiet when he gets Ripcord. I don’t want anything or anyone to disturb us.”
    Reese continued to complain until he pulled the truck off the road in front of the one-lane gravel driveway that led to the rental house. Blane laughed and slid out of the truck, taking his groceries along with him.
    He took a few long strides down the drive before turning around to see Reese, a scowl blackening his face. But the scowl only added to his enjoyment. “Hey, Reese.”
    “Yeah?”
    “Don’t wait up.”
    Reese’s scowl deepened. Blane turned and headed down the drive. As he grew closer, he couldn’t help but whistle a happy tune.
    The Richmand rental house was old with peeling paint. The once-white paint had grayed under the harsh Texas weather, and the lack of upkeep gave the small house a dilapidated appearance. Too bad she hadn’t found another rental, maybe one like the Carr brothers owned. But he was fairly certain she’d rented the house because of its location partway between Shatland and Forever. That and the fact that the house was close enough to the main road leading away from Forever to make a quick getaway.
    “No one’s going anywhere tonight.” Since his hands were full carrying the groceries, he bumped his rear against the front door then stood up straight. He couldn’t wait to see her again. He could hardly blame Reese for giving in to temptation. Still, he’d never admit that to his brother.
    When she didn’t answer, he set the bag on the front porch and rapped on the door. The house wasn’t big enough for her not to hear him. After waiting a couple of minutes, he decided to check around back.
    He turned the corner of the house and came to a dead stop. Charlie was even more beautiful than he remembered. Dressed in a flowing sundress with spaghetti straps, her tanned skin glowed in the setting sun. Her long hair hung loose without the ball cap he’d seen her wearing since she’d arrived in Forever. Highlights of red and gold colored the dark tresses, and he could already feel their silky texture as her hair brushed over his skin. The sundress was thin, and he could