Blood Moon (11 page)

Giving a mental shrug, she headed downstairs to the kitchen.

Ella appeared at her elbow, eyes round as saucers. “He proposed and you said no?”

Her hissed whisper was about as discreet as a foghorn. All activity in the kitchen stopped, and several people turned to watch her. 

Lukas leaned against the counter, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow. She mimicked him. Without looking at Ella, she nodded. “I turned down a business proposition. If
that
was an actual proposal, it’d go down in history as the worst ever.”

The onlookers turned the other way, watching Lukas, who rolled his eyes.

A little louder, she added, “You know, Ella, if he decided to give it a more convincing try, I might be a little more accommodating.”

Pushing off from the counter with one hip, Lukas walked over, arms still crossed, giving her a thorough once-over as if she was a car. He leaned close to her and winked. “I’ll have to think about it.”

Chapter Ten

A titter of laughter wove through the kitchen, before everyone returned to their respective tasks. A couple of the older women threw knowing glances her way. Most of them were preparing food for what appeared to be a party. Several women were making green beans, macaroni, marinating steak and chicken, and mixing pasta salad. Others were taking chips, salsa, and snack foods outside.

Aria moved out of the way, walking to stand in front of the bay window, overlooking the porch and backyard. Sunset was quickly fading into twilight, and autumn’s undercurrent of winter prickled her arms through the screen door to her right. Christmas lights had been strung up outside, illuminating a small section of the lawn. Tables were set up on one side, already laden with food and drinks, and someone had brought a huge set of speakers and radio outside on the porch. The teenagers were all gyrating wildly on the grass, while the younger kids rolled and played, their small forms seemingly impermeable.

A couple of wolves ran over from the edge of the woods, shifting under the cover of trees and dressing before walking up to join their friends.

One of the women carried in a cake, and Aria grabbed the door for her. “Who’s birthday?”

“The twins, Jacob and Mira. They’re turning six.” The woman nodded her head at a pair of tow-headed boys, playing with a kickball. “They probably won’t last longer than an hour, but any excuse for a party....”

Aria laughed, letting the door close behind her as she stepped back into the kitchen to see Ella scurrying around.

Aria tapped her friend’s shoulder before Ella could disappear into the midst of excitement. “What can I do to help?”

Ella flashed a grin and thrust a bowl of French onion dip into her hands. “Take that out, will you? And then, if you don’t mind, I need some help carrying the meat to the grill. Lukas took the first batch with him, but there’s a lot of food.”

Aria found an empty spot for the dip, which was quickly descended upon by the teenagers. Going back inside, she took a huge platter of barbeque chicken breasts from Ella and followed her outside and around the porch to the grill.

Apparently, this was the designated man-station. The older men all stood around, beer in hand, talking. As soon as the women approached, they grew silent.

In a stage whisper, Ella asked, “What could they possibly be talking about?”

Aria tried to hold the smile from her lips. “Girls. It’s always girls.”

Thaddeus sniffed, flipping a hand at them. “Nonsense. We are discussing world affairs. Important things, like alternative energy and the rising cost of beer.”

Lukas took the platter from her, his fingers brushing over her skin. The contact shouldn’t have sent electricity racing up her arms, but it did. She jumped in reaction, almost dropping her end of the platter. Lukas merely put down the tongs and took a swig of beer, his eyes sparking in the dim light.

She was suddenly overwhelmed by the memory of his hips grinding into her towel-wrapped body. Lukas’ eyes focused on her sharply as if reading her thoughts and remembering the scene himself, then abruptly turned to flip meat on the grill, without breaking concentration. Her face flushed, but she hoped it was dark enough to keep anyone from noticing their exchange. Beside her, Ella flirted heavily with Thaddeus.

Sebastian leaned over the porch railing, waving one hand at Lukas. “It’s time. The natives are getting restless.”

Lukas never took his attention from her. “Sure thing, Sebastian.”

If he kept this up, she would burst into flame right there on the lawn. Of all the ways to go, she supposed it wasn’t a bad one.

“Take this, will you?” Lukas thrust the grill utensils at Thaddeus, and grabbed her hand. Tugging her along, she followed his larger strides with two of her own.

“Lukas, slow down. My short legs can’t keep up.”

He immediately slowed, stepping carefully over a stray ball as they wove through the crowd of small children. He dragged her up the platform steps, stopping when they reached the center. Her heart sank. She’d hoped for a dark corner for him to have his wicked way with her.

Tilting his head back, a rich, deep howl undulated from his throat. The entire Pack turned, joining the song. Without actually thinking about it, she joined in, her own alto tone melding with Lukas’ and then the Packs', until they became one. When finished, Lukas drew her to his side, his arm draped possessively over her shoulder.

“I wanted to make sure you all were introduced, at least as a group, to Aria MacLeod. She is a guest for now, but will hopefully become a permanent member of the Pack. Feel free to stop by and say hello when you get the chance.”

Aria waved a tentative hand at the crowd. “Thank you all for allowing me to stay. It means more than you know.”

Lukas squeezed her shoulder in approval. “Now, I believe we have some singing to do!” The twins were brought to the center of the crowd. As they finished singing “Happy Birthday”, Aria leaned closer to Lukas. “They haven’t eaten yet, have they?”

“Their bed time comes fast. The little ones ate earlier. They’ll get cake now and go to bed pretty soon. The rest of us will celebrate without them.”

The cake was brought out, six large candles winking merrily in the night air. The two children puffed their cheeks in perfect synchronization and blew hard, taking out the flames and spattering their parents with confetti sprinkles.

Lukas pressed a kiss to her palm, desire flaring as he rubbed his nose to the inside of her wrist, drawing a deep breath of her scent. Fire pooled in her core. With a smile, he started to head back to the crowd of men. “It’s my turn to man the grill, but come over and eat with me when you get hungry. Otherwise, mingle, have a good time. You deserve it.”

She nodded. What had she done? One evening of nearly having sex, and now she couldn’t even look at him without thinking about it. She needed a drink.

When Lawrence found her, she was sipping a fruity drink and resting on the porch rail. Before he could speak, they both heard Aria’s name called from the other end of the yard. Ella waved them over.

With a sympathetic smile at Thaddeus, she headed toward Ella, but stopped short when Lawrence hooked his hand in the crook of her elbow.

“I am the last one to give romantic advice, but if you have the chance to be with Lukas, you should take it. You’ve both paid your dues. Whatever else is going to happen will happen, whether or not you decide to take Lukas as your Mate.”

His words were fervent, and she could tell from the pained look on his face, he meant what he said.

She stared at him in surprise. “I know, and I appreciate the sentiment. It’s just…complicated.”

“Only if you make it so.”

***

By the time she sat down on the patchwork picnic blanket next to Lukas, Aria had decided the entire Pack was insane. Endearing, but undoubtedly and irritatingly insane.

Every time she turned around, she’d had to learn a new name and face, and she’d only been able to retain about twelve of the fifty that had approached her. On top of that, Lawrence, Ella, and Alec, as well as a couple of the older women had given her pep talks about making a marriage or mating work, glowing character references for Lukas or from Ella, just plain demands to stop being silly. They were worded much more nicely, and said with the sincerest of smiles and best of intentions, but after forty-five minutes, her temper was on a very short leash.

“Having fun?” Lukas asked, propping his beer between his thighs.

“I hope to God they’re pestering you as much as they are me,” she grumbled, mimicking his action with her own cup.

“Same song, different tune. I’ve had enough ideas on how to propose to start my own consulting agency.” He picked up a couple of potato chips from the plate in front of them and shrugged. “They mean well.”

Swallowing a spoonful of beans, she nodded. “I know. That’s the only reason I’ve held my tongue.”

They ate in silence, until she set aside her plate and leaned back on her hands. “You do have a beautiful bit of land, and they are an amazing bunch.”

Lukas scooted around, moving so that his back was against the tree their blanket rested under. He spread his legs, patting the ground between them. “Sit with me?”

She smiled, her irritation draining. “Are you trying to seduce me?”

He flashed a grin that melted his chiseled features into something a little more boyish. “Not yet, but give me time.”

With a laugh, she scooted her body over to his and leaned against his chest, his arms curling around her stomach. She laced her fingers through his, tilting her head into his shoulder. They fit like perfect puzzle pieces. His warmth seeped into her body, and her gut clenched in a mixture of desire and love. She’d never get enough of this man.

“I apologize for earlier, Aria. I pushed too soon, and did a lousy job of it.”

She rubbed circles on his arm, reveling in the freedom to touch him whenever she wanted. “No. I understand. But I have to admit, Lukas.” She paused, the combination of the night air, piña coladas, and Lukas’ body, loosening her tongue. “I’m trying my best not to act like a girl, but I want a real proposal. The kind I can tell our children about with stars in my eyes.” 

The longer she stayed with him, the less convincing her reasons to leave became. They loved one another, and they’d been given a second chance. Should she really pretend this wasn’t what she wanted? The thought of Lukas dying again nearly stopped her heart, but living without him hurt just as bad.

“So you’re saying you’d have said yes if I’d done a better job?”

Laughter rumbled from within. “I’ll think about it.”

“Infuriating woman.” Lukas pressed a kiss to her hair.

She twisted her torso to circle his neck with her arms. “I wouldn’t want to make it too easy for you, now.”

Their lips were a hairsbreadth apart when someone called Lukas’ name from the porch. His forehead touched hers, and he squeezed her waist. “They either have the worst or the best timing ever.”

She totally agreed. “Jury’s still out.”

He untangled them, rose from the blanket, and headed to the porch. She watched his confident swagger as her heart slowed, and she willed the heat of her body to cool. Only Lukas was able to send her emotions in an uproar.

Thaddeus walked over and plopped onto the grass next to her blanket. She sat up, hugging her knees to her chest. He propped himself on his elbow and stared at her with a wide, slightly tipsy grin plastered over his face. “I know it’s none of my business, but can I say something?”

She motioned with one hand, snagging her cup and taking a large gulp of her drink. Just what she needed: more advice. And from a drunk Thaddeus. “Can I stop you?”

“I know I should leave well enough alone, but I’m a meddlesome fool, and I think I need to impart a little wisdom.” He took a pull of his beer and studied the label. “Might also be the Dutch courage, but whatever.”

“How many of those have you had?” 

Brows furrowed, he started to whip out his fingers as if to count, then flapped them in defeat. “Doesn’t matter.” He leaned a little closer. “I know Lukas botched the whole proposal thing. Believe me, I’ve told him how much it sucked. But I don’t think that’s why you turned him down. You’ve made a great leap since you arrived. Pretty fucking amazing, actually, for someone with your history.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Thaddeus, get to the point. You’re only making sense every other sentence.”

“You two have issues to work out. I get it. Believe me, been there, done that, knitting the T-shirt.” He jerked his chin toward Ella, playing with a group of children across the yard who’d refused bedtime. “She’s my Mate, you know. We’re both aware, but she’s afraid. Once you’re true mated, like, two seconds later you have kids. It’s unavoidable.”

He stopped for a moment to watch Ella tickle one of the little ones who had refused to sleep until he squealed for mercy. Tenderness softened his features. “Her Mom died in childbirth, and her father grieved himself to death before she was six. Even though she loves the little buggers, she’s terrified the same thing will happen to us. So I’m waiting.” He flashed a pearly smile. “It’s an acquired skill, but I’ve gotten very good at it.”

“And this has to do with me…how exactly?” The story pulled at her emotions, but she waited for his answer. She didn’t know whether she’d like it or not since the Pack felt the need to offer her advice at every turn. And Thaddeus thought the same.

“You’re pretending like you don’t love Lukas enough. Like you can walk away tomorrow and still be fine. You’re wrong. Anyone with half a brain can see it all over both of you. If you leave him again, he won’t come back to us like he did before. And you’ll be even worse.”

She wanted to protest, but she kept her mouth shut, moving her gaze to the twinkling lights outlining the yard. Fear sizzled in her chest at the truth of his words.

“All I’m saying is that you need to stop being afraid of what’s happened in the past. It’s easy. You just need to”—he waved one hand in a sweeping gesture—“believe in a few impossible things before breakfast.”