Theirs (6 page)

I gasped, my gaze darting to Ellie at her panicked cry. I felt my cheeks color as I registered their dual concern. “Sorry. I was a little lost in my head.”

When I looked down, I saw everything on the table, including mugs of coffee with cream and sugar nearby.
How long was I mentally wandering?

Ellie popped down in the chair beside me. She gathered my hand in hers. “Sorry about my mama. She can be…”

“
Just like you?” I offered.

Jerry laughed heartily. “Exactly.”

Ellie stuck her tongue out at him.

Something about the moment, their camaraderie, touched me. They had an amazing friendship. If I dug down and analyzed, I could handle disappointing Billy. He loved me and would eventually come around, at the least because he couldn’t turn off his worry meter when it came to me. But Ellie and Jerry…if this
– whatever this is –
went awry, their relationship probably couldn’t, wouldn’t, be salvaged, and that’s a steep degree of guilt I couldn’t live with for all of eternity. I would crumble beneath the weight of it. And these thoughts were embedded in the unknown fear that plagued me, that held me back a bit, that had me slowing down the baby making plans.

“
A pretty girl like you shouldn’t be so upset. What’s goin’ on in here?” Ellie tapped my temple with her index finger.

I forced a smile. “Nothing that should be discussed at the breakfast table.”

That was the rule growing up. We never discussed problems or concerns at the start of our day. Only at the end, so the other person – or persons – could sleep on it. It also gave the person delivering time to choose their words carefully.

Jerry’s brows dipped. He was assessing me,
again
. I swore, he didn’t let anything get past him. I didn’t know if that was innately who he was or if it was a skill he’d acquired as alpha.

Ellie pursed her lips. Her eyes narrowed briefly. “For now,” she agreed.

“
For now.” I nodded once.

Thankfully they didn’t push. We ate breakfast mostly in silence, akin to those days with Billy while I was in high school. The exception was the occasional moan after shoveling a bite of food into their mouths.

“
I’m gonna have to run way more with you around.” Ellie took another large bite.

“
I prefer to work it off in the sheets.” Jerry winked.

I knew my cheeks pinkened, but they weren’t as hot as before. Slowly I was getting used to their blush-worthy remarks.

“
I’d prefer that too, but poor Kate can only take so much fucking.”

Jerry smiled big. “I know.”

I shook my head in dismay, burying my face in my hands.

Jerry and Ellie did the dishes since I’d cooked. I could tell they didn’t wash them often, if at all, when it took them five minutes to locate a sponge and a full ten minutes to realize the soap came out of a built-in pump on the sink. I stood at the island, biting back a smile. I knew my amusement was obvious though.

“
Give us five minutes and we’ll be ready to take you into town,” Jerry said, glancing back at the clock on the microwave. It was nearly eleven.

“
I don’t have to meet Jared until two.”

They grinned in unison. I knew then that they were up to something.

“
We know. We want to show you around town, sweet cheeks.” Ellie slapped my ass as she moved past me.

I shrieked, leaping to the side.

Jerry smirked. “Five minutes.”

“
Don’t I get to watch?” My hand flew over my mouth. I couldn’t believe those words had come out of my mouth. I couldn’t take them back now though.

Jerry’s smile widened. He moved into my space, pressing his hard body against my soft curves. “Five minutes isn’t long enough for what I want to do to you.” He wrapped his arms around me; widening his stance, he pressed his erection against my stomach.

My breath hitched, a shuddered worked through me as his breath touched my ear.

“
I need way more than five minutes to have my wicked way with you.”

I whimpered. My nipples pebbled, my pussy moistened in response to his statement.

He pulled back just enough to kiss my lips. “Tonight,” he promised.

I knew my eyes were sparkling. I was caught up in him, in the provocative ideas he manifested with this sexy smirk, wet lips and sultry gaze. It didn’t help that his bedroom voice had a baritone quality that vibrated my pussy every time. I swallowed hard. Licking my lips, I nodded my head. “Tonight.”

“
Make him throw in a strip tease,” Ellie called.

I giggled. “I want a strip tease too.” If I was only doing this for one week, I wanted to make the most of it. Might as well throw caution to the wind on all accounts.

“
Only if I get to explore every single inch of you.”

Fresh longing overtook me, compressing my womb. I groaned. “You play dirty.”

That had him grinning like the Cheshire Cat. “You have no idea.” He brushed a haste kiss on my lips, squeezing my ass, jerking my front harder against his, before he strode away, leaving me wanting way more.

“
Men are such teases,” Ellie scoffed. “It’s why you should stick with me.” She looked me up and down, but made no movement towards me. “I can’t wait for tonight,” she said, as she spun towards the stairs.

I expelled a breath. “Yeah. Tonight.” My voice was a whisper lost in the expansive kitchen I stood alone in. I squeezed my thighs together and rolled my shoulders, trying hard to work through my angst. I’d never wanted to have sex so bad. If this is what every twelve-year-old boy goes through during puberty, then I had a newfound compassion for him.

I meandered to the living room, needing to find a new distraction.

I hadn’t pressed my rear onto the arm of one of the sofas long before Ellie appeared with my purse in hand. Skinny jeans hugged her slim frame, showcasing every fit curve of her. The sight of her ignited my need again. I wanted to handle her hips as I pressed myself against her, as I stretched up and kissed her, praying I could keep myself from indulging in more. I felt the tug in my lower stomach, the deep desire to strip her bare, like Jerry, and do all the things I never had but wanted to.

I shuddered. I didn’t think I would ever adjust to feeling this way for a woman.

Black pointed toe heels enhanced her powerful aura. Her black tank top was adorned with crystals in the shape of a deer head, the antlers strategically crossing the center of her pert breasts. My nipples beaded at the sight. Today was going to be a long day; I just knew it.

She’d pulled her hair up into a simple bun, and while her jewelry was simple as well, it was bold, like the woman herself. A large silver bangle bracelet adorned one wrist, and a black diamond ring bejeweled her opposite hand. I didn’t know if the jewelry was costume or not, but it looked great with her outfit.

A smile curled her lips. She closed the distance between us, throwing her arms around me. She towered over me in her heels. “Like what you see?”

Right on cue, my cheeks heated. “You look great. I’m more than a little jealous,” I admitted.

Her gaze softened. “Don’t be. I want you equally as bad, baby.” She brushed her lips across mine, kindling the moist need at my apex.

I released a breath as she pulled away.

Ellie gazed directly into my eyes as she spoke. “Like what you see, Jer?”

“
What’s sexier than two gorgeous women kissing?” He moved into view. He was dressed casually in jeans, sneakers and a navy blue Abercrombie tee. I never pictured Jerry being one for labels, but Ellie was. It must have been a gift from her.

I knew I should have been embarrassed on some level, him watching us, but I wasn’t. Ellie’s confidence carried over, secured me tightly and helped me find my own.

She broke away, peeking over at Jerry. “You’re welcome to my sloppy seconds.” Her lips were tight, the edges curling just enough to hint at her smugness.

“
If that’s what you’ve gotta tell yourself, El.” He swooped in and claimed my lips. It was a brief flash of passion before he pulled back. “Where do you want to go first?”

I shrugged. “Surprise me?” I quirked a brow, feeling adventurous.

“
We can give her a tour of the town in Coco,” Ellie suggested.

“
What is Coco?” I asked.

“
My hot pink convertible Mustang.” Ellie beamed as she jerked open the front door and waltzed out.

“
Buckle up and hold on tight. She really shouldn’t be licensed to drive.” His words held warning. He pulled me in front of him and guided me around the side of the house to a three-car garage. One of the bays was opening and revealed Coco.

Indeed, she was a shiny, hot pink Mustang convertible. Beside her was a black SUV and beyond it the squad car I’d ridden in yesterday.

“
Hop in the front, sweet cheeks.” Ellie thrust the key into the ignition and brought the car to life.

Jerry opened the passenger door for me. “Remember what I said.” He kissed me. He waited as I settled in and buckled up, then leapt over the side of the car into the back seat. “Take it easy today, El.”

“
Sure.” The word was spoken carelessly, mindlessly, as she revved the engine.

In my gut, I just knew.
Jerry was right.

—

Chapter Twelve

JEREMIAH

Kate found out the hard way what kind of driver Ellie was. By the time Sal pulled El over for reckless driving, Kate was shaking. Her legs were splayed against the door panel and the dash of the car for leverage as her hands clung to the door handle like it was a lifeline, which was close to accurate seeing as how her heart sounded ready to catapult through her chest any moment.

I’d yelled at Ellie countless times along the way. The only thing keeping me from demanding that she stop was the chance of Kate flying out when Ellie came to a sudden, screeching halt. I thought having her mate in the car would tame Ellie’s adrenaline seeking ways, but clearly it didn’t.

Sal huffed in frustration. Ellie was arguing with him over the validity of the ticket he planned to write her. She’s lucky. I would have dragged her ass to jail.

I leaned over the seat. I gently caressed Kate’s upper arm. “You okay, sweetie?”

I couldn’t blame her when she snapped. “I know what the Coco is short for: Coco Loco. Jesus, Jerry. Bury her keys while she’s sleeping!”

Ellie abruptly silenced, looking directly at Kate. She frowned. “Not you too, sweet cheeks.”

“
Yes! My legs are Jell-O, my fingertips are numb and my heart is pumping so hard I swear it’s going to bruise my ribs.”

I laughed as Kate reached over and fumbled to turn off the car. Finally achieving her mission, she tossed the keys backwards at me. I caught them mid-air.

“
I need to recover. And you-” She looked Ellie up and down. “You need to never sit in the driver’s seat of a car again.”

My brows rose. I waited with bated breath for Ellie’s response.

I was more than a little surprised when she shrugged her shoulders. “No problem, babe. That means we can be naughty in the back seat while Jer chauffeurs us around.” Her face split. Her eyes glittered with gold as her pupils dilated, revealing her desire.