Fifteen
Two days ago, had anyone said she’d be counting tomorrows and looking forward to seeing what each one would bring, she’d have told them they were nuts. Maybe she was the one who had lost her marbles. Not only had she agreed to stick around knowing that danger would follow, but she was contemplating making Dexter her home. How could she not?
Had she the power to build her perfect man from a mold and give him all the traits she’d want in her spouse—or mate—Niko would have been the result. Physically, he ticked every single one of her boxes, found a few that she hadn’t considered, and ticked those, too. He didn’t hide his loving nature and kindness. Even though Luca had blown it off, Niko had apologized for his behavior toward his brother. She had the feeling that when he gave his heart, it was forever. And maybe that was what had frightened her the most. Maybe he was too good—too perfect. Maybe he’d wake up one day and decide she really wasn’t good enough.
She took a shuddering breath, her heart racing along with her thoughts. No. I’m not doing this again. I promised to take things one day at a time, and that’s what I’ll do. I’ll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow.
She didn’t waste any time. Using quick, efficient movements, she lathered herself up, then rinsed the soap from her body. She wasn’t up on pack etiquette, but she’d bet that keeping the Alpha waiting wasn’t a good idea. Jaxon gave her the impression he was a fair and good leader, but she wasn’t willing to test out his good nature so soon.
Padding from the bathroom, she went straight for the bags. She hadn’t washed the clothes, but at least they were clean-ish. She quickly found socks, underwear, and jeans, snapping tags off as she went. She pulled them on and kept rooting around for a shirt.
When she opened the second bag, her mouth watered. Maple, I love you. There, at the very top, a big baggie—not a sandwich bag, but one of those large freezer bags—sat filled with various candies she’d made. She opened it up and grabbed a few, sticking them in her front pocket before unwrapping one and popping it into her mouth.
Maple was concerned about what she should sell in her store once she opened her doors in the spring, but any one of the treats Rylee had sampled so far would be a major hit. She didn’t have a huge sweet tooth, but already, she was addicted. That said something.
Digging deeper, she pulled a T-shirt out. She didn’t have it close to her skin yet, and her nose was wrinkling at the smell. Yeah, that wasn’t happening. Would rooting through Niko’s things be too intrusive so early in their relationship? She didn’t think so. If anything, she suspected that her mate would like to see his clothes on her.
She was about to cross to the closet when a splash of grey over the back of a wooden chair caught her eye. The Beatles shirt that had looked so good on him the day before. Perfect. As much as she’d love to have it over her naked flesh, she threw on her bra, then slipped into the soft shirt, moaning once it was in place. It. Smelled. Amazing. More than amazing. She bunched the fabric to her nose and drew a deep breath. He might never get it back.
She ran a quick brush through her hair and pulled it up into a messy bun. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table. She’d been dallying for over fifteen minutes already. Time to get down there and get this over with, chickadee.
***
Perched on the top step with a cold beer in his hand, Jaxon looked like he hadn’t a care in the world. Of course, Niko knew better. He had the responsibility of the entire Wassookeag pack on his shoulders. His mate had mellowed him, for sure, but he still wasn’t a pushover.
“Good of you to join us,” the Alpha said with a smirk even though he was the one who had only arrived a short while ago. By the look he gave him, Jaxon didn’t have to guess at what had kept him inside while the other males had made themselves scarce.
Luca cleared his throat from where he was leaning against the railing. “All good?”
Niko grinned. He couldn’t help it. Let them think what they wanted. They weren’t wrong. “Better than good. She promised me tomorrow.”
Luca tipped his long neck in his direction, the corners of his mouth quirking up. Yeah, he remembered. “I’m happy for you, bro.”
“Where’s Emmet?” The man’s scent had all but disappeared. Either he’d gone into the forest, or he’d left. Neither made sense since they still had to discuss whatever the hell was happening with the cougar.
“Gone to church,” Jaxon said, draining what was left of his beer and setting the bottle down on the porch next to the rail.
“Now I know you’re shitting me. The only time he steps foot in there is at the spring and fall bake sales when he marches up to Bonnie’s table and buys her out.”
“I tried getting a butter tart last year and almost lost my hand for it,” Luca added.
Jaxon nodded. “And Cole had to catch that old lady before she fell when he growled. What can I say? As smart as my brother is, he’s an idiot. If he’d just mate her and be done with it, we’d all be better off.”
Niko grunted. “So, what is he going to the church for?”
“Bonnie texted him. Said there was a disturbance, and she was going in to check it out. He hightailed it out of here so fast I’m not sure he remembered to bundle his clothes.”
“What kind of disturbance? Does he need backup?” Crime wasn’t a big problem in Dexter, but like any other small town, kids got into trouble sometimes. What had him more worried was the vampire they still knew nothing about. Even hell-raising kids wouldn’t stand a chance if they came across that kind of beast.
“He’ll call if he needs us.”
Jaxon stood and dusted his ass off just as the screen door opened and Rylee emerged.
Silhouetted in the light from the kitchen, he could barely make out her shape beneath his T-shirt, but it was the sexiest damned thing he’d ever seen.
“I hope this is okay?” she asked, twisting a finger around the bottom hem.
So fucking adorable. If he had his way, she’d wear nothing but his clothes ever again, but rather than make a fool of himself in front of the other men, he nodded and raised his arm, drawing her into his side. Her eyes sparkled when she lifted her lips to his. The second they met, he pulled back.
“Maple! You’ve been holding out on me,” he accused before coming in for another taste.
A low growl rumbled from the Alpha at the mention of his mate’s name.
Niko took a small step back, putting his body more squarely between her and the other male. He didn’t fail to notice that Luca straightened from where he leaned against the rail, ready to come to his aid if need be. “Candy, man. Not your mate. Rylee’s kiss tastes like maple candy.”
Rylee wiggled next to him, then lifted her hand, opening it, palm up, proving that he was right. She had a stash, and she hadn’t even told him about it. She grinned and gave it to him. “She must have put it in the bag when Luca was carrying you out to the SUV.”
“Well, damn,” Luca piped up, his voice way too whiny for a grown-ass man. If Niko had a sweet tooth, Luca had a dozen. He’d all but kill for Maple’s sweets.
Rylee giggled and then squirmed against him again, producing a second paper wrapped treat and tossing it to Luca.
He thought he heard Luca mumble a thanks, but half a second later, the wrapper was off and he was moaning.
Rylee reached one more time, but Jaxon held his hand up. “I’ve got my own stash,” he said, producing one from his pocket.
Shrugging, Rylee continued her reach, then popped the candy into her mouth. “This stuff is like crack,” she said. The second the words were out, her whole body stiffened.
“I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just that they’re so good, I can’t stop eating them,” she managed to rush out before Jaxon threw his head back and laughed.
“You’re right. Thank God for wolf metabolism. Otherwise, I’d weigh a ton. Let’s get this over with so I can go home to my mate,” he finally said once he’d gotten himself under control.