Hers (Snowy Mountain Wolves) (4 page)

—
7
—

Kate

At the car, Ellie bent down and picked up her hot pink heels amongst the scraps of clothes on the floor of the passenger front.

“You owe me a new window,” Jer
ry said, rounding the vehicle to the driver’s side.

She shrugged it off. “Dock me.”

“Sometimes I wish I could deck you,” he muttered.

She laughed, unfazed. “You’re the alpha. Technic
ally, you can do what you want to me.”

“Apparently, I don’t do nearly enough to warrant your respect all the time.”

She stopped, frowning at the man. “I’m not perfect; I may get sassy sometimes, but I’ve always respected you, Jerry.”

He stiffened, meeting her gaze. He stared intensely at her for a minute before his lips curled at the corners just enough to tell me the fight was over. “Less ball busting or else I’ll have to start hitting you harder.”

Ellie snickered. “You’d have to catch me first.”

Standing, she glided her feet into her heels. The final ensemble was more than a little humorous, but proved the woman could wear anything and still look great.
I was definitely jealous.

She slammed the front door, causing a few shards of glass to fall to the ground. Jerry gr
unted, clearly annoyed. She at least had the decency to issue an apology this time. “Sorry, Jer.”

Turning to the back door, she opened it and stood beside it. Motioning her hand, she addressed me with a grin and a wink. “After you, sweet cheeks.”

I wished I had a reason for my reaction to this woman, but I didn’t. I wanted a justification for the way she tongue tied me, the way she implanted this sliver of giddiness inside me, the reason she entranced me every time, but I didn’t have one.

—
8
—

Kate

I fidgeted beside Ellie. She insisted I sit on the inside of the booth, next to the wall. “I don’t want you running,” she teased.

Jerry sat across from us, a serious expression drew his features straight, but his eyes were glittering with humor as he watched us.

They’d brought me to the only steakhouse in town. Someone had met them here with clean clothes. Now they looked fabulous in fresh jeans and sheriff department t-shirts, Ellie even swept her hair up into an elegant bun, and I was more than frumpy from driving the last two days. I badly wanted to shower, change and go to sleep in a nice, comfortable bed.

The silence at the table was unnerving. I was typically okay without conversation, but not today.

As if she had a sixth sense, Ellie repositioned herself to face me. “I think it’s about time we knew your name, sweet cheeks.”

My heart sped up a bit. They worked for the police department. If they ran my name… Donovan probably had me flagged for stuff like this.

Ellie and Jerry exchanged worried looks. “A nickname then?” Ellie pressed.

“Kitty.”
The pet name was out before I could think it through. Billy was the only one who called me that. It was personal.

A sly grin curled Ellie’s lips
. “You mean like a pussy cat?”

Jerry rolled his eyes.

“Uh, yeah.” I shuffled beside Ellie again, uneasy with the attention.

“How utterly appropriate. Wolves eat pussy cats for lunch.” Ellie’s eyes were glowing; I knew to a degree she was teasing me, but-

A thud sounded.

“Hey!” she snarled at Jerry.

He cut his eyes at her. His expression drew fear from within me.

“Um, were you both born and raised here?”
I hoped they would let go of whatever had them on edge.

Luckily, it worked.

Ellie puckered her lips in a pouting form. “Unfortunately.”

“Why is it unfortunate? This seems like a nice enough place.”

“That’s the problem. It’s nice when I prefer exciting.”

“Why don’t you move then?” I’d thought about it a time or two. Billy kept me
in Miami though.

For the first time, I witnessed a nostalgic Ellie. “My pack is here. They’re my family.” She sighed.
Perking up, she continued. “Plus, Jerry would be lost without me. Right, Jer?” She looked expectantly at him.

His brows lifted, but he didn’t reply.

“Where are you from, sweet cheeks?” She trailed a single finger down the side of my arm, sending chills through me.

My mind momentarily blanked as she distracted me.

It wasn’t until she stopped touching me that I could think clearly, adding to my ditzy feel. I wasn’t used to feeling so…well…dumb. I was an intelligent person…except around Ellie it seemed…
and Jerry I guess by default
. “I was born in Ocala, Florida, but my parents moved us to Miami when I was three. I’ve lived there ever since.”

“Sorry for the wait, y’all.” The wait
ress approached with three massive plates of food.

Upon arrival, a pitcher of sweet tea and three glasses promptly appeared on our table. No one had come to take our order
though. I didn’t think to question it because Ellie and Jerry didn’t.

A
plate was set before each of us. Gazing down, I swallowed hard. A massive steak, medium rare, juicy and dripping, was pressed against a baked potato with butter and sour cream. A tiny –in comparison- portion of steamed broccoli was squished into the remaining space on the plate. Guilt rode me. I didn’t know how to break it to them without upsetting them.

“Can I get you anything else?”
the server asked.

I cringed, fidgeting, contemplating.

Ellie instinctively looked to me, observing me; I swore the woman had a sixth sense for me. She held up a staying hand to the server. “What’s wrong, Kitty?”

I felt my cheeks heat as all eyes fell upon me.
“I’m a vegetarian.”

The waitress paled.
“I’m so sorry.” She immediately took back the plate. I’ll get you a new baked potato and broccoli. Would you like a salad with it?”

“Yes.” Ellie answered for me.

“Of course.” The server set off for my new items.

Ellie frowned; for the first time, I saw sadness in her eyes. She pursed her lips, watching me for a bit before looking to Jerry. “I’m not exactly great at this mate stuff, am I?”

“You didn’t know.” For some reason, I had to reassure her. It’s like my happiness was dependent on hers.

She met my gaze. A
small smile lifted her lips. Her shoulders relaxed a little as she noted my lack of upset. “Aren’t you a cherry pie?”

I couldn’t bite back my snicker. “What kind of Southern saying is that?”

“An Ellie-made one,” Jerry offered.

The woman shrugged her shoulders. “I like excitement. What fun is it repeating the same hum-drum stuff?”

“Necessary hum-drum fun?” I lifted a brow.

A full smile split her face. “You’re adorable.”

“I always associated adorable with teddy bears.”

Her smile turned mischievous; her eyes darkened. “You’re sexy.” Her voice lowered half an octave; sultriness swaddled her words.

My heart beat a little faster as warmth slid through me. “So are you,” I breathlessly replied.

Her gaze locked on mine. My gaze locked on hers.

She leaned in closer, her gaze momentarily slipping to my lips.

My breathing grew shallow as I watched, unable to move. I knew what was coming; I impatiently waited with baited breath for what was coming.

Ellie’s hand came to rest on my hip; using her strength, she turned me a little more towards her.

I swallowed hard, watching as she closed the distan
ce between us. I swore angels sang as her full lips gently swept across mine. She was an intense person, yet this kiss was anything but tense. Cautiously at first, she brushed her lips against mine, kindling my warmth; it was as if she knew I needed to be broken in.

Slowly, I gained bravery.
Her lips covered mine, patiently teasing me, but this time, I met her caresses with hesitant eagerness. She was so soft; her lips were pliable, yet dominant. She controlled the kiss. She controlled what she wanted me to feel with this kiss.

All I felt was passion; she lit my flame and drew me into her. She lured me in deeper to this web of wonder. I’d never wanted a woman before, but I wanted Ellie right now.
All of her.

Feeling myself lose control, I began to pull back. She didn’t fight me. She allowed me to retreat with one final kiss. She pressed her lips to mine and drew her tongue along the edge of my mouth. Desire squeezed my womb, teasing my nipples hard.
Dang, damn, wow. The woman knew what she was doing.

This was proven when she
chuckled against my lips, nipping my bottom lip gently before she withdrew. “Later, sweet cheeks,” she promised.

As she resituated herself beside me, Jerry
came into view. His expression was one of shock, awe, and something akin to rage or disbelief. The other patrons in the restaurant were silent, focused on me. I froze, my eyes widening as I registered all the eyes trained on me.

Ellie placed a strong hand on my thigh, reassuring me.

Catching himself, Jerry stuffed a bite of his food into his mouth, quickly chewed and swallowed. “Good steak.” He smiled, trying to act as if he saw nothing.

I adored him for this. It was enough to cut through the tension, enough to let me smile and enjoy the moment.

Ellie watched me, making sure I was alright before she reacted. “If this pack doesn’t mind its own business, I’m going to make each and every one of your wolves pay,” she declared. Her voice bellowed through the restaurant, but she didn’t really sound threatening. It was enough to restart conversations and get the attention off of us though.

“Here you are.” The waitress set down two plates of food,
followed by a saucer filled with small cups of every kind of dressing I could potentially want. “I’m so sorry about before. Is there anything else I can get you?”

Feeling more comfortable, more self-confident, I shook my head negatively. “No, thank you.”

My heart warmed as Ellie beamed at me with pride. I felt giddy, stupid happy beside the woman, because of this woman. I lightly shook my head in dismay, baffled by the revelation. A woman, not a man, was making me happy right now.

I looked into her sparkling blue eyes, and in one breath, I
saw a forever in her, with her. This wasn’t about gender or labels; this was about love and happiness, both of which never discriminate. I never imagined myself with someone like Ellie, but now, I didn’t see how I could be happy without someone like her.

It happened so fast. I knew there were fears lurking beneath my surface, but right
now, happiness smothered them.

For now.

—
9
—

Ellie

I felt high as a kite. Talk about a fucking adrenaline rush. I could kiss this girl all day any day. She tasted as sweet as she looked.

My wolf purred in agreement. She was temporarily sated, knowing we were getting closer to claiming our mate.

The whole vegetarian thing threw me. It was going to take some getting used to, but as long as she didn’t picket the house over it- Hell! Who was I kidding? I wanted her; the pull was strong enough that I would give up anything, including meat, to be with her.

The sweetest of moments were those when
I caught little glimpses of the amazing woman she was; her personality came through in patches, and each time she took a little more of my heart.

I was beginning to feel sorry for Billy.
By tonight, hell would freeze over before I would let go of this girl.

Across the table, I met Jerry’s gaze. He nodded his head in approval. He was happy for me on the surface; I knew deep down there was a part of him that was sad.
He was too macho to show it of course, but he was past his prime, past his time for claiming a mate. We both were. It was a deep-rooted layer of our bond.

The truth was, as often as humans read fiction books about wolves getting mates, in reality, not every wolf got one. Kitty’s arrival erased most of my bitterness, but not my empathy. Jerry deserved a mate.
All I could do now was hold out hope. I wasn’t morbid enough to let it sour my happiness though.

—
10
—

Kate

Ellie insisted on paying for dinner. We went back and forth a few times until Jerry intervened.

“Trust me, you’re better off to give in now.”
He’d been extra quiet for most of the meal. His gaze passed between Ellie and me in turn.

Glancing at Ellie, she looked happier than a pig in mud at his bit of advice.

I released a breath. “Fine. I concede. Thank you.”

“Anytime, sweet cheeks.”

“Where can I find a hotel around here?” I asked. Thus far I hadn’t seen one.

Ellie mashed her lips together, as if she was biting back what she wanted to say for a moment. “You’re not going to a hotel. If you need a place to stay, then you’ll stay with us.”

“Us?” My heart beat a little harder.

“Ellie and I are shacked up together.”

“Not literally.” Ellie cut her eyes at him. “I wouldn’t touch a cock with a ten foot pole, Jerry’s included.” She turned her attention to me. “I’ve only got eyes for feminine curves like yours.” She winked.

I know I blushed. I felt heat
infuse my cheeks. She was so honest, so direct. It was an intimidatingly admirable quality. “I know you mean well, but I don’t want to impose.”

“You aren’t.” I met Jerry’s gaze, checking for truth in his words. Damn if my heart didn’t speed up a little as I looked into his brown eyes.

“You’re not.” Ellie pulled my focus back to her. “I’m not dumping you at some hotel, especially when the closest one is thirty minutes away in the next town over.” Her eyes momentarily glowed; each word was delivered with ferocity.

I fumbled…again…unsure how to respond to her. She was so strong, so self-assured. I wasn’t quite there yet, at least not around her.

“Feel free to put on another show at the house tonight.” Jerry smirked, leaning back in the booth. “Or better, let me join in.”

His arrogance was short lived. I heard a thud then a growl. In the blink of an eye, Ellie had him by his shirt. “You do not get to see my mate like that.
She’s for my eyes only, got it?”

He snarled, throwing her hand away from him. Rising up, his eyes flared to life.

I slid deeper into the seat as Ellie rose up, facing him straight on.

“You didn’t mind before.” Jerry practically spat the words at her.

“They weren’t my mate.”

“Have fun with
your
mate then.” He seemed more than bitter as he threw down a wad of cash and a pair of keys before stalking off.

“You’re acting like a pup!” Ellie yelled after him.

If I didn’t want to disappear before, I did now.
Was all that really about me?

“
Grr! Men!” She huffed plopping down beside me.

The restaurant had gone quiet again. A look around showed all eyes on us
again.

She growled; the timber of it vibrated my flesh. I couldn’t stop my shudder. I wasn’t afraid per se, but the sound awakened fright. It also sent the other patrons back to their own business.

I knew my expression revealed my concern and discomfort.

“Shit.” Ellie sighed. “I’m sorry, Kitty.”

She gathered my hand in hers. Diverting her gaze, she blew out a soft breath. “I’m really fucking this up and I swear I don’t mean to.” Hesitantly she met my gaze. There were so many facets to this woman. “Why don’t we go home, shower and get comfy? We can talk then, okay?” She brushed a stray hair away from my face.

She seemed overwhelmed. The confident woman I’d come to know and appreciate in such a short time proved a little less like Wonder Woman, and, yet, it made me like her a little more. It told me she could be vulnerable, and maybe, just maybe, we were a little more alike than I originally thought.

Leaning in, I kissed her cheek. “Everything will be okay.” I didn’t know how with Donovan still lingering somewhere in the world, but I had to believe it when I told her.

Looking into my eyes, she gave me a small smile. “I believe you.”

I beamed, pleased to have built a little trust. “Good.”

Her smile broadened. “Let’s go, sweet cheeks.”

She slid from the booth and offered me her hand. I promptly accepted.

Standing beside her, I watched Ellie pull some cash from her pocket, count it and set it on the table.
She took the money Jerry had left and shoved it into her other pocket. Grabbing the keys, she grinned at me. “Let’s go, Kitty.”