by Renee Rose
I hadn’t seen Audrey since Christmas when we’d had a week together. It had been too long, especially since she’d found a guy to marry since then.
“Actually, it worked out okay,” I laughed, my chin over her shoulder where our bodies were still tangled together. She was all soft, gorgeous curves where I was flat and boy-like in comparison.
I only found out about the existence of Audrey a year ago, but we’d formed an instant bond. We looked nothing alike, but no one was going to tell me we weren’t sisters. Not when the DNA test kit said so. It felt like I’d known her forever, and at the same time, as if we’d missed out on so much.
We’d both grown up as only children. She’d been raised by a single mom, my dad having pretty much been a sperm donor in her life. I used to dream of having a sibling, someone to share everything with. I’d honestly felt my whole childhood like someone was lacking, but I’d assumed it was my absentee dad. I didn’t know the person I was really missing was Audrey.
When I’d learned that I had a half-sister in Chicago, I’d celebrated before I even called her. I’d just known we’d be besties, and we were. We didn’t see each other often, me being in school in LA and her working as a doctor in Montana. Still, we talked all the time on the phone. And for me, just knowing she existed was awesome.
“Wait…” Audrey pulled away to peer in my face. “What do you mean it worked out okay?”
Heat crept up my neck, and I looked away, sure she’d be able to see I’d had crazy sex all night if she looked me in the eye.
“I’ll tell you later,” I said, seeing a giant Colton-lookalike looming behind Audrey.
She detached herself from me and squeezed my hand. “I’m just glad you’re here. Marina, this is Boyd.” Looking over her shoulder, I couldn’t miss the way she beamed. Practically glowed as if she had an aura about her.
The big guy standing behind her looked just like his pics online. No, better. He was gorgeous, but his brother was hotter. Distracting myself from that train of thought, I threw myself at him, giving him just as warm a hug as I’d given Audrey. “Boyd! I’m so glad to meet you. I’ve heard all about you.”
He let out a surprised laugh, probably at my over-exuberance, and wrapped one arm around my waist to squeeze me back. “Nice to meet you, too,” he said as he fixed his cowboy hat. He paused, took a deep breath, then frowned. The way he stared at me made me blush, although I had no idea why. Finally, he said, “Let me get your suitcase, darlin’.”
“Thanks, it’s in the backseat. It wouldn’t fit in the tiny trunk.”
Audrey looped an arm through mine. “Come on in. You’re going to stay here in the main house because Boyd and I only have one bedroom, which means only one bed.”
“Right, and you’re busy getting busy in that bed.” I waggled my eyebrows, having heard about some of their sexy times.
“That’s true.” Audrey laughed. It was strange to see my serious older sister so at ease. She’d always been warm, but there was a light-heartedness about her now that hadn’t been there before. I guessed that was what good sex with a hot rodeo champ would do for a woman. And love. I shouldn’t discount that part. Audrey had been so sure Boyd was a player, but he’d proven her wrong and been ready for commitment.
She led me into the sprawling ranch house and up the stairs to my bedroom, which had the most incredible view of the mountains. Cream walls, stained wood trim, a brass bed with a handmade quilt that made the room quaint and… perfect.
Boyd stepped into the room and put my suitcase on what looked like an old hope chest. “I’ll share your sister during the day, but at night, she’s all mine.” He grinned, completely unashamed.
Audrey rolled her eyes.
“Deal,” I told him.
“I’ll leave you two to catch up,” he said. “I’ll introduce you to Rob and the ranch hands when they come back from chores. Colton, who’s taken leave from the army, should be here sometime soon, too. He and Rob will stay here in the house with you. The ranch hands sleep in the bunkhouse across the way.”
“Your brothers, right?” I tried to ignore the pancake flip in my belly when I heard Colton’s name. I already couldn’t wait to see him again. What would he think when he got here and saw me?
Boyd nodded. “That’s right. Colton texted and said he landed yesterday, but I haven’t seen him. Maybe he got stuck in the same weather you did. He better get here soon because I’ll kick his ass if he misses my wedding.” Boyd shot Audrey a wink, and I was instantly in love. I meant, in love for her because he was damn charming and good looking to boot. No wonder Audrey hadn’t been sure if she could trust he was for real. He was almost too good to be true.
But then, again, so was his brother. In a more manly, bossy kind of way. More handsome, too, but I wasn’t going to hurt this guy’s ego by telling him that. Or that I knew Colton… biblically.
“Well, I’ll go tackle a few chores,” Boyd drawled, tossing another wink at his bride. So damn cute.
“Eek! I’m so excited for you guys,” I squealed as he sauntered out. Audrey watched his backside as he did so. I did, too, because it was quite a show.
“Do you want to get refreshed? Shower? Change?” Audrey asked when he was finally out of sight.
“Actually, I would feel better if I got a jump start on baking the wedding cake. I’m totally behind since I didn’t get here last night. I want to have time to decorate it, and sometimes that takes me a while because I’m not a pro.”
“I don’t know, from the pictures you’ve sent me, the birthday cakes you’ve made for your friends are as professional as they come.”
I laughed. “That doesn’t mean they don’t take me twice as long as they should.”
“You know we don’t need anything, fancy, right? It’s a barn wedding, after all.”
“Seeing the groom and this place? It sounds perfect. No matter the setting, you should have the perfect cake,” I insisted. “I just hope you have a fridge big enough to store it.”
“The bunk house has an industrial sized one. I told the guys to make a space… and not to eat it.”
“Problem solved.” I held my hands in front of me like I was praying. “Please just let me go crazy. I’ve always wanted to bake a wedding cake. You’re making my dreams come true here.”
“Well, I am the beneficiary of those dreams, so it works for me. Come on, I’ll show you to the kitchen.” She pushed her glasses up her nose. “It’s huge—you’ll love it.”
I couldn’t help but feel excited about working on Audrey’s cake… in a kitchen that sounded incredible. “Let me grab my recipe.”
I pulled it from my purse then followed Audrey back down the back stairs that led right into… yup, the fabulous kitchen. It wasn’t flashy—no contemporary granite or stainless steel. I knew the Wolf parents had been killed in a car accident when Boyd was only twelve. I doubted Rob, the brother who lived in the house full time, had done any updates since then. It didn’t matter. It was rustic and perfect, with a huge farm table that would be ideal for frosting and assembling the cake. I envisioned three square tiers with white buttercream frosting and piped flowers that matched what was to be in Audrey’s bouquet.
“I emailed my dad that I was coming here for the wedding,” I said, hoping the news wouldn’t drop like a bomb. I winced a little when she turned round eyes on me. “I’m sorry. Was that okay? I’m sorry, not my dad. He’s your dad, too.”
She shook her head. “He is your dad. I’ve only met him once. He hasn’t made any overtures to connect, so…”
She didn’t need to say more, only leaned a hip against the counter.
“I understand.” I did. I felt an emptiness where I should have felt love for my father. Disappointment. “I grew up with him, and he doesn’t try to connect with me. Or, it seems, to pay the school bill,” I muttered the last to myself. “You’d think he’d be interested that I was here with you. Whatever.”
She just offered a shrug, clearly beyond the point of caring ab
out a dad who’d been MIA her entire life.
“Anyway,” I replied with a sigh. “He didn’t respond. Go figure.” I said the last on a whisper and glanced at her through my lashes.
He was too busy in his own life to notice what was going on in his daughters’ lives. Like a wedding. I tried. I’d always tried to connect with him. I was just now coming to realize it was wasted hope. Especially after meeting Audrey because he had a child, a real person, who he should have wanted to connect with but didn’t.
Audrey’s face turned a little pink—whether it was from anger or disappointment, I couldn't be sure. “It doesn’t matter. Really. I never knew him. It sounds like you’ve got more issues with him than I do.” She went to a lower cabinet and pulled out some mixing bowls.
She kept busy finding measuring cups and sifters and ingredients. It took her a little while to search, and I remembered this wasn’t her kitchen. She’d never lived in this house.
I licked my lips and stood out of her way as she set everything on the counter. “Yeah, and see where that’s gotten me.”
“It’s gotten you here to bake me a wedding cake.” She turned her head from the open fridge and smiled. “If you want to go into baking for a career, do it.”
“I’m good at engineering,” I said, as if pleading my case for spending three years in a major I hated.
“Of course, you are. You’re super smart. But do you love it?”
I pursed my lips and shrugged, not ready to admit anything.
“Don’t bowl me over with your enthusiasm,” she countered, holding the container of eggs. “Here. I’m not sure what else you need. I get my cakes at the store, so I’m not going to be any help.”
“You deliver babies. You don’t have to be able to bake.”
She gave a little huff of laughter. “You’d think because I can deliver babies, I could make a cake. But, no.” She tucked her long hair back behind her ear. In jeans and a cute t-shirt, she looked more cowgirl than doctor. She had the arm candy, so all that was missing was the boots.
I pulled out a chair at the table. “Sit here and talk while I work.”
Happily, she sat down, then popped back up. “Coffee.”
I went over to the double oven to turn it on as she went over to the coffeemaker and poured herself a cup.
“Give me all the details of the wedding,” I said as I got to work. She hadn’t pulled out a stand mixer—she probably didn’t even know what one was—so I found it on a shelf in the walk-in pantry.
I listened to her tell about how it was going to be a small event, about twenty people. She’d invited a few girlfriends she worked with. I learned the Wolf family was only the three brothers, but there were about ten who lived and worked on the ranch plus other close friends who lived up in the hills who were also invited.
A few guys who called themselves the Barn Cats volunteered to play their bluegrass instruments. Fairy lights were being strung from the open barn doors, and a simple lunch was being catered by someone in town.
To me, it sounded perfect. I didn’t want a big event when I got married, not interested in being the center of attention. I was more eager for a guy than for the wedding.
That made me think of Colton. My pussy had gotten a workout, not once, but twice. I was tired, too, although I had no regrets about our three in the morning sexy times.
I turned and hit the coffee pot myself, grabbing a mug off the stand that was right beside it. Colton hadn’t shown up. Obviously. I started to wonder what I was going to do when he did. If he’d see me and pretend we didn’t know each other. Would he be mad?
I dropped into the mixer the amount of butter for the three layers and turned it on to cream. The noise of the machine didn’t allow for much talking, so I measured out the sugar and added it, letting my mind wander back to Colton. My quick and not-pleasant introduction to sex back in high school had left me wanting and lacking in skill.
That had been resolved last night. I had an inner seductress in me, and I realized I didn’t want to put her back. But it was Colton my pussy craved. His bossiness, his dominance. God, even the slap of his hand on my bare ass.
I just had no idea if he wanted more or not because when I’d left him in that motel room, I'd missed my chance for answers. The idea of getting the wrong answer left me too vulnerable. Exposed. The love'-em-and-leave-'em guy from college had validated how unexciting I was. It was best to shrug Colton Wolf off as no more than a wild night.
A night I’d be reliving with my vibrator for the rest of my life.
Besides, it was safer this way. I had a life back in LA. Plans. He had a life. Commitments. Guns and war and tactical maneuvers. Army stuff that was way more important than a one-night-stand in Montana motel room.
We could never be more than a fling. A fling that had flung.
I did not under any circumstances need him to want me...
Who was I kidding? That's exactly what I wanted. Big time.
6
COLTON
* * *
I drove through every small town between the motel and Wolf Ranch looking for her car. Fortunately, the towns were small, so it was easy to canvas the streets before moving on. Unfortunately, I hadn’t found her. I had no choice but to go to the ranch. For now.
I hadn’t been back in almost two years, and as I pulled up in front of the main house, I noticed what had changed. Not fucking much. The house had a fresh coat of paint. White flowers instead of red were in the beds below the porch. In the distance, I saw the fencing around the corral had been replaced.
I climbed from the truck, slung my bag over my shoulder. It felt good to be home, to be standing on the hard-packed ground I knew so well. The sense of belonging, the familiarity was in my DNA. My wolf was happy to be here… although he was a grumpy fuck for not knowing where our mate was.
So was I. Once my approval for leave had gone through—my stint was almost up, and I had to decide if I wanted to re-up, but that was to figure out later—all I’d thought about was getting back here, dumping my shit, shifting, then running. Now, I’d roam, but it would be to search all over this part of Montana to find my fucking mate. And not in wolf form.
Dammit.
Before last night, I’d had no idea who she was or where she was. Now, I still didn’t know, but I knew she existed. That our connection was perfect. Sweet.
Wild.
The agony was so much worse now. My wolf and the moon madness pushed at me. Swearing, I stomped up the steps and through the front door. When I was a kid, the scent of pot roast would greet me along with our old dog, Charlie. My mom would be in the kitchen, Boyd often at the kitchen table forced to do homework or eating a snack. Rob would be off with my dad doing… alpha shit. Now, it wasn’t the scent of Crockpot meat that hit me but baked goods and something sweet. My wolf sat up and took notice. My dick picked up on it too and got instantly hard, which made no fucking sense.
As I adjusted myself, Boyd came down the hall. “You never could stop playing with your dick.”
The grin on his face accompanied his mocking tone.
He hugged me hard, slapping my back. For being my little brother, he had an inch on me. I could still take him on in a fist fight, but I’d rather face a hidden sniper than climb on the back of a bull, like he used to do every day.
“Hey, brother.” I slapped him right back. I couldn’t help but grin at him. Fuck, he looked good. That underlying rebellion and anger he always had simmering had faded, was replaced by an aura of contentedness. “And I heard you don’t have to tug on yours all alone anymore.”
He stepped back, winked. “Damn straight.”
“You turning into Betty Crocker now?” I asked, taking another sniff of the air. I could swear I smelled my mate. Her scent must’ve carried on my clothes. I remembered her taste on my tongue, but this was different. Visceral.
“Nah, the women are making the wedding cake. They’ve been in there for two hours, and it smells damned good.”
The moon madness was definitely fucking with me if I was confusing my mate with baked goods.
“Women? I thought you found one mate, not two.”
He tipped his hat back. Fuck, he looked happy. Potent jealousy shot through me, but I instantly pushed it down. He wasn’t the only Wolf brother to find his mate. He was the only one who knew where his fucking mate was, though. I might’ve been older and wiser, but who was the dumbass now?
Me.
“Marina’s making it,” he said, and I’d forgotten what he was talking about. Oh yeah, cake. “Audrey’s watching. She might have gone to medical school for four years, but she can barely boil water.”
“Who’s Marina?”
“Her little sister—half-sister, actually—from LA.”
He sniffed, then his eyes widened.
“What?” I asked.
A slow smile spread across his face. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”
I was going to ask him what the fuck he was not telling me, but Rob’s voice cut me off. “Hey—I expected you to parachute in or something.”
I turned as he came up the porch steps. Behind him were two of our ranch hands and pack members, Levi and Clint.
The trio were fucking huge. They didn’t have to do morning calisthenics and ten mile runs with fully loaded packs to be sturdy fuckers. They also had all the room to shift and run.
Shit, I hadn’t realized how much I missed being home.
“The airlines don’t like me opening the emergency exit,” I countered as Rob stepped close. “Dude, is that gray hair?”
Rob touched the side of his head and rolled his eyes. “Fucker.”
“It’s good to see you.” It was. My fellow soldiers were brothers not of blood, but Rob and Boyd… the other shifters on the ranch, the connection went deep. They knew the truth, knew the real me. All of me.
“Expected you last night,” Rob said, slapping me on the shoulder, which was him showing affection. He wasn’t much of a hugger.