by Eve Langlais
This could get interesting, but not as interesting as the round ass he caught a glimpse of, bent over and straining the fabric covering it, as Francine began to hand Naomi the gifts.
Maybe he acted a little hastily in deciding to not pursue the little firecracker. Perhaps she wouldn’t find herself averse to a little strings-free fun. He’d just have to make sure Naomi and her mates didn’t find out. Sneaky sex in other words. God, that made the prospect even more exciting. But how to get her alone?
He trusted fate, and his usual luck with women, would see him getting to know the feisty redhead better, make that naked and sweaty.
* * * *
Annoyed, but unable to figure out the exact cause, Mitchell stalked home and flopped full length on his parents’ couch, trying not to feel like such a coward for fleeing. For years it became second nature to avoid Francine, but tonight, actually seeing her, smelling her for the first time since their teen years, he discovered something he never expected. She’s hot! Actually, more than hot; sexy, curvy and with an enticing aroma that made him want to sink to his knees and bay at her like he’d worship the moon.
It seemed almost sick to think it. Little pig-tailed Francine, pain in his ass, with her shrill voice, raucous ways, and determined chasing, had gone from annoying pest to luscious beauty. Even closing his eyes, he couldn’t erase the sight of her from his mind, but in his mental vision, she wore nothing, just some freckles begging that he count them with his lips.
Cock hardening, he jumped up from the couch and paced. Wrong, so wrong. A temporary aberration because he’d not shagged anyone in a while. He’d rectify that problem ASAP because no matter what his prick thought, Francine was off limits. And as for his wolf’s interest, it probably stemmed from a desire to protect her from that suave Casanova sniffing around her. Of course, some might have seen his outburst as jealousy, but Mitchell knew better. He’d have done the same thing for Naomi. But Francine is a grown woman, his mind slyly reminded. She can date whoever she wants. Mitchell growled and his fist lashed out to connect with the tough wood paneling installed years ago at their mother’s behest because she’d tired of the holes in the plaster.
Obviously needing to vent, he headed to the basement gym and the sorry-looking punching bag, duct taped because of the abuse suffered over the years. It was while he pummeled the inanimate object into submission that he realized something. If Francine’s car was broken down, how would she get home?
Whacking at the heavy bag, he tried to convince himself that Naomi would get one of her mates or cousins to take Francine back. But the more he tried to tell himself that, the more he couldn’t help picturing Javier’s brother with Francine’s arms wrapped around him as they took off on that death trap of his. Not on his watch, they wouldn’t.
Quickly, he showered, dressed, then drove down the road and parked, waiting for Francine to emerge, too chicken to go inside where he just knew the whole family, namely his mother and Naomi, would watch him with arched brows. He told himself as he sat waiting that he did this for her own safety. He wouldn’t want his sister riding with a stranger at night with no helmet.
But even as he kept saying that to himself, he couldn’t help hearing maniacal laughter and a mocking chant in his head. Liar, liar, pants on fire. What a shame he couldn’t punch himself. Aw well, maybe if he got lucky, he’d get the chance to punch someone else.
Chapter Three
As the baby shower wound down, Francine began to wonder how she’d get home. A taxi from here would cost more cash than she carried. Her car at least had been towed. Aunt Kerry, upon hearing her troubles, called her husband, a mechanic, to tow it to his garage.
Approaching her friend, surrounded by miniature pieces of clothing and baby toys, Francine couldn’t help smiling at her obvious happiness.
“Francine, did you see these?” Naomi exclaimed, holding up a pair of tiny running shoes. “Too freakn’ cute.”
“Disgustingly so,” she giggled. “God, I can’t believe you’re about to pop twins.”
“Good thing I’ve got two daddies to help handle them,” Naomi added.
“And two awesome boobies,” Javier said with a laugh, leaning over the back of her chair to honk them.
“Pig!” Naomi yelled, slapping at his hand. “We have guests.”
“We have Francine and my brother left. Everyone else scattered before you handed them a mop and broom to clean.”
“I’m not that anal,” she muttered.
“Of course you’re not,” Francine said, patting her hand with a snicker.
“Bitch.”
“Skank.”
“Love you, Francine.”
“Love you too, Naomi.”
“Can I love you both?” asked Alejandro, only to choke as Ethan came up behind him and grabbed him in a headlock.
Javier moved around the chair to sit on the armrest, draping his arm over the back of his mate’s shoulders. “Are you sure I can’t kill him and turn him into a rug for the nursery?”
“No, you may not. Do you know how hard it is to get blood out of hardwood floors? And don’t forget, I speak from experience. Besides, I need him to drive Francine home.”
Automatically, her mouth opened to protest. “Oh no, I couldn’t. I’ll just take a cab, if you loan me a few dollars.”
“Nonsense, my brother will take you. And he will behave,” Javier added with a glare in Alejandro’s direction.
“But-”
“No buts. He doesn’t mind, do you, little brother?”
Released by Ethan, Alejandro grinned as he rubbed his neck. “My pleasure.” He winked and Javier groaned, but Francine’s reaction followed the pattern it had all day. She warmed and blushed. She, who could fake a screaming orgasm in public, who could skinny dip naked in the daytime, who could walk up to a good-looking guy in a bar and say, ‘Wanna fuck?’ But apparently, when the good-looking Alejandro opened his mouth or touched her, she turned into some freakn’ virgin. Worse, she couldn’t stop her bitch from yipping in excitement every time he got near. Weird, because her inner wolf did the same thing around Mitchell. What could it mean? Sure, her BFF had two mates, but given her temper, she needed them. Francine on the other hand, tended toward an even humor, and while frisky in the bedroom, just needed one man, AKA Mitchell, to keep her happy. But someone needed to explain that to her wolf, apparently.
“Earth to Francine, are you coming or what?”
She wished. Again, that blush rode her cheeks as she stood and they all trooped out front so she could leave with Alejandro.
Naomi hugged her tight. “Sorry about what happened with Mitchell.”
“Not your fault your brother acted like a douche bag. Go and put your feet up. Don’t want those babies popping out too early.”
After squeezing hugs by Naomi’s mates, she turned and walked down the driveway to where Alejandro waited, looking entirely too gorgeous. She’d no sooner reached him than a familiar form got out of a parked car and stalked toward them.
Surprise made her jaw drop. “Mitchell? What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to give you a ride home.”
“She’s already got one,” Alejandro said, handing her his helmet.
The man she’d loved forever turned to snarl at Alejandro. “She’s not riding with you, cat.”
“She doesn’t belong to you, so what makes you think it’s your decision?”
“Because I said so.”
Oh, seriously, Mitchell hadn’t just said that. Francine didn’t say anything yet, letting her annoyance grow as she crossed her arms and watched them argue over her. Irritating as she found it, she couldn’t deny it was also kind of hot.
Alejandro snorted. “Aren’t you just the little dictator? Tell you what, why don’t we let the lady decide?”
Two pairs of eyes veered to look at her, and Francine had an irrational urge to stomp her foot. How often did she get two men fighting over her? And why did one of them have to be Mitchell, who acted like an a
ss earlier? Going with him meant rewarding him for bad behavior, and yet refusing meant missing a chance for him to realize that she’d grown up. What to do?
Taking a deep breath, she said. “Thanks, Mitchell, but I wouldn’t want to put you out. Besides, Alejandro needs a place to stay for the night and I’ve offered him my couch.”
Okay, so she fibbed a little. She waited to see if Alejandro would call her on it, but other than a slight widening of his eyes, he covered for her. “Yes, thankfully, Francine has agreed to save me from hearing the raucous noise of my brother making love to his mate.”
“No.” Mitchell said only the one word. Nothing more, but he did cross his arms.
The situation got more and more interesting because now Francine couldn’t deny he sounded like a jealous boyfriend. Or an overprotective brother. For the sake of her vanity, she’d pretend it was the former. “I’m sorry, but that’s not your decision to make,” she replied haughtily. “See you around.”
She waved at him before shoving the helmet onto her head. The scent of man, musky and enticing, surrounded her, and she couldn’t help the tingle that went through her. To hide it, she stepped around Mitchell and clambered onto the back of the bike. She wrapped her arms around the already seated Alejandro, and pretended to not notice Mitchell’s glower.
“Hold on tight, baby.” With a rumble of power that vibrated between her legs, they took off. She couldn’t deny the rush of excitement as Alejandro drove, her occasional prompting guiding them to her townhouse. Parking in her driveway, she pulled the helmet off with a laugh and a shake of her head that send her curls bouncing.
“That was fun!”
“More fun than making Mitchell crazed with jealousy?” he asked with a smirk.
“Ha. I wish. I’m sure he’s already convinced himself he was doing it to protect my honor. Jerk.” She dug her keys out of her pocket and led him to her front door. Unlocking it, she swung it open, hyper aware that Alejandro stood behind her. A part of her wondered if inviting him over was still such a good idea, especially given how her whole body-and wolf-reacted around him.
“Well, I guess I’ll be on my way now.”
Francine, half in the door, turned to give him a puzzled look. “Why? You and I both know that you won’t sleep a wink if Naomi goes at it with your brother and Ethan. Trust me, been there, done that, and it is beyond loud. And paying for a hotel is dumb when I’ve got a perfectly good couch.” She owned an even more comfortable bed. Bad, bad girl.
Uncertainty crossed his face. “I probably shouldn’t. Javier will kill me if he thinks I’ve dared touch his mate’s best friend.”
“Were you planning to?” she asked saucily, feeling more in control now that he seemed unsure.
“I shouldn’t, but you are quite the tempting dish.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” she laughed. “Just not in my pants.” Because despite his allure, and he owned plenty, she strived to make Mitchell jealous, not drive a wedge between them, not when he’d finally taken note of her. “Now get your ass inside, and let’s have a beer to celebrate.”
He followed her inside asking, “Celebrate what?”
“The fact that there was only one fist fight at the party and it was outside. That’s got to be a record for Naomi’s family.”
Javier snorted as he followed her to the kitchen and parked himself on a stool. “If you think her family is bad, then you should meet mine. Although, usually, it’s not so much the family fighting as it is angry fathers and scorned lovers. We tend to leave a trail of broken hearts.”
“Gee, a great line like that and yet you still manage to get laid.”
He grinned at her. “It’s my great big…” He paused and winked. “Smile.”
Francine laughed. “Oh, you’re a bad one. No wonder the girls drop their panties for you.” The phone rang and she leaned over to grab it. “House of pleasure, how may I orally please you?” she purred, recognizing the number.
“You are such a nasty skank,” Naomi exclaimed. “I see you made it home safe. But, I’ve got to say, I’m surprised at your choice in rides.”
“Just because Mitchell suddenly decided to notice I exist doesn’t give him the right to act like a jerk. Besides, you should have seen the look on his face when I turned him down. Freakn’ priceless.”
Laughter pealed from the ear piece and Francine held it away with a cringe that made Alejandro grin before he sipped at his beer.
“So, when should I expect Javier’s furball of a brother home?”
“Tomorrow.”
“What? Francine, don’t tell me you’re going to sleep with him?”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course not. But, I figured he’d enjoy my quiet couch more than your noisy spare room.”
“My guest room isn’t… Oh, you are such a bitch. Like you’re so freakn’ quiet.”
“I know I’m not.” Francine began to moan into the mouthpiece to Naomi’s laughter and Alejandro’s widening gaze. She got to the part where she panted and screamed, “Yes! Yes!” before letting it taper off as Naomi giggled hysterically on the other end. Poor Alejandro just stared at her with a glazed expression. She winked at him. “Talk to you later, my oversized BFF. Oh, and don’t pop out those babies having too much fun.”
Naomi blew her a raspberry before hanging up. Francine took a sip of her beer, eyeing Alejandro’s gaping mouth. “What?”
“I can’t believe you just did that.”
“You mean the fake orgasm?” She beamed. “I know. I’m good. I should have been a phone sex operator or something, but instead, I work as a legal secretary. How boring, huh?”
“So, what does a real orgasm sound like?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” She winked, horny, but at the same time, at ease. Unusual, given she drove most men nuts when she spoke and they did anything to shut her up.
“Actually, I would, but that would be wrong. Right?” He didn’t sound certain.
Funny, neither was she, but she agreed anyway. “So very wrong. Mitchell’s my one and only. Stupid jerk who won’t come to his senses.”
“Are you sure he’s the one?”
“I’ve known he was my mate since I learned to crawl,” she retorted. “I didn’t understand what I felt, though, until I talked to my grandma about the whole mating thing. Once I knew, I tried for years to get him to admit he felt it too, but that man is slippery like a wet eel.”
A puzzled look crossed his face. “And yet, you still want him?”
A depressed sigh made her deflate. “I know, super dumb huh? He keeps rejecting me and I keep going back for more. But the heart wants what it wants, or in this case, my wolf wants. Figures I’d be fated to mate with the one man who needs me to tie him down and beat him until he finally stops hiding from the truth.”
“Mmm, stop your dirty talk about bondage or I might forget I’m a gentleman,” he said with a leer and a chuckle.
She grinned. “You are really good for the ego, you know? I might just have to keep you around.” Naked and tied to my bed. The mental image made her squirm in her seat.
“And people say I’m a flirt.”
Blowing him a kiss, she cocked her head and studied him as she sipped on her beer. Gorgeous didn’t come close to describing Alejandro with his tanned skin, dark chocolate eyes, and sensual lips. He would be so easy to fall for. “So what about you? What are you running from?”
“Who, me?” His wide-eyed false innocence made her laugh.
“Get caught in the wrong bed?” she guessed.
“That happens more often than you’d think. All I try to do is bring a little pleasure into a woman’s life and yet do their husbands or boyfriends understand?”
Holding in her snicker proved impossible and they both broke into gales of laughter. “You are so bad,” she gasped.
“Or good, it depends on your definition. You should use that to your advantage.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Your Mitchell si
tuation. Maybe your reluctant wolf just needs the right incentive.”
“Meaning?”
“Well, you say he finally noticed you for the first time in years tonight. What was different?”
“The fact he didn’t run off before I arrived,” she replied dryly.
“But think for a second. Why did he stay?”
“Because he got held up going out the door? The rear entrance was blocked? ”
“No, I think he stayed because he saw you with another man.”
“You think he was jealous?” She tilted her head in thought, then shook it. “Nope. Probably more of that misplaced big brother protection crap. He did the same thing after the prom with my poor date.” She could still see it, Mitchell slugging Tommy in the face, saying over and over, “You dirty pig. Keep your hands off my sister.”
“I think Mitchell is mistaken in his feelings. I say, we test him.”
“What exactly are you suggesting?” she asked.
“We date.” At her arched brown, he added, “Pretend date. We’ll need to enlist Naomi’s help. She’ll find out where Mitchell is going to be, and we’ll show up looking like a happy couple.”
“And he breathes a great big sigh of relief because he thinks I don’t want him.”
“Or, if he’s truly your mate, he won’t be able to help himself from trying to shove me out of the picture and claim you for himself.”
She eyed him suspiciously. “And what do you get out of this?”
“A place to stay. A chance to needle my brother, among others. And in the pursuit of our answer to Mitchell’s affection, make-out time with a hot redhead.”
Her lips quirked. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re an evil, evil man?”
“All the time, usually followed by handcuffs.” Laughter spilled from her, which he joined, his low tenor doing strange things to her insides.