Wild Invitation

Quinn would steal her heart and leave her with nothing, her worst nightmare come to life. But even knowing that, she couldn’t help moving closer when he tugged at her.
    “Your arousal is a vibrant thread to me,” he whispered, voice husky, “but for the others, it’ll simply be background noise. They’ll be focused on their mates, lovers, children—different threads. There are millions of them in any one instant.”
    His explanation made sense, enough to release some of the tension in her stomach. However, she couldn’t help but be a little wary as they entered the Circle. Then several people cried out hellos, and, to her shock, she realized that though they weren’t all parents, she knew a good number of them fromvarious school events. The friendliness washed over her in an effervescent wave.
    “Miss Kildaire, you came!” Bryan skidded to a stop by her feet. “Did Uncle Zach show you the forest?”
    Conscious of several interested adult gazes, she nodded. “What have you been up to?”
    “I’m playing hide-and-seek with Priyanka.” With that, he ran off. She was still smiling after him when she felt Zach’s hand on her lower back.
    “Come on, I want to introduce you to someone.”
    She walked with him, cognizant of the possessiveness implied by his touch. A warning bell rang in her head, but she silenced it. His dominant nature wasn’t going to be a problem—it wasn’t as if she was his mate. He’d be gone as soon as he’d satisfied his curiosity about her. “Where’s the picnic basket?” she asked, trying to ignore the stab of pain provoked by that last thought. After all, she had no desire to tie herself to a man—even a man as enticing as Zach.
    “I gave it to one of the juveniles,” Zach answered with a smile so bright, she couldn’t help but smile in return. “Cory will stick it with the other food so everyone can grab what they want.” He stopped beside an older woman with snow-white hair and a face that echoed his own so strongly, Annie knew they were related. Not only that, it was clear where Zach had inherited his sun-kissed skin and bones.
    As he leaned forward to kiss the woman’s cheek, she said, “Zach, my dear.” Her eyes went to Annie, and they were as sharp as her body was toned. Given the way she stood, her supple strength, Annie guessed her to be a soldier, too. It wasn’t surprising—changelings didn’t really slow down until well into their eighth or ninth decade. “And who have you brought me?”
    “Grandma, this is Annie,” Zach said, his love for his grandmother a shining light in his eyes. It hit her right in the gut, making her wonder what it would be like to have that open and powerful love directed at her. “My grandmother, Cerise.”
    Cerise held out both hands, her smile so welcoming that Annie accepted the touch without hesitation. “Don’t let this boy talk you into anything wicked,” Cerise said. “He’s been getting his own way since the day he first looked at his mother and batted those pretty eyelashes.”
    Annie felt her lips curve, but before she could answer, Zach was set upon by a pair of identical teenage girls. “Zach!” they screamed, wrapping their arms around him from either side. “We haven’t seen you in ages!”
    “You saw me three days ago.” Laughing, he hugged them to his sides.
    Sparkling eyes landed on Annie. “Oooooooh,” one of them said, “you brought a giiiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrl.”
    “Who is she?” her twin whispered, brushing aside a waterfall of sleek black hair. “Where did you meet? How long have you been dating?”
    Cerise frowned. “Girls, manners!”
    The girls dimpled. “Sorry, Grandma.”
    Zach looked at her. “Annie, meet my baby sisters, Silly and Giggly.”
    “Hey!” They both slapped his chest. “I’m Lissa, and that’s Noelle,” the one on the left said.
    Annie was beginning to be able to tell them apart. They were both confident and cheerful, but Lissa had more mischief in her eyes, while Noelle’s smile was wide enough to light up any room she entered. “Nice to meet you.”
    Cerise squeezed her hands before letting go. “Where are your sisters?” she asked the twins.
    Annie felt her eyes widen. More sisters? Zach saw her look and began to laugh. “Four of them,” he said. “
Four
. Jess—she’s Bryan’s mom—and Poppy are older than these two brats.”
    “Aw, you know you love us, big brother.” Lissa reached up to press a kiss to his jaw. “I’ll go look for them.