A Night Away

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  A discreet cough pulled her from her thoughts, and she looked over at Maddox. He looked uncomfortable and shifted from side to side.

  Darn it. She’d forgotten how he felt with so many emotions swirling around him. She usually tried to limit her exuberance about certain things around him out of respect, but she couldn’t help it this time.

  “I cleaned up a bit for you,” Maddox grumbled. “I couldn’t sleep anyway.” He shrugged and tried to look like it didn’t matter.

  But it did matter. One day Maddox would make some woman very lucky. Mel just hoped it was soon because God knew the man needed someone in his life to share his burden.

  Mel wiggled out of Kade’s arms and Finn’s reach and went to hug Maddox. He stiffened for only a moment and then held her close, his body shuddering with emotions. After about thirty seconds he pulled back and shook off his expression.

  Mel smiled and kissed his unscarred cheek.

  “Thank you for cleaning. You are an incredible man, Maddox.”

  “It was nothing. And Mom brought the flowers.”

  If Mel hadn’t known any better, she would have sworn the wolf blushed under her scrutiny.

  “So, how did Finn do?” Kade asked. “I see you have all of your limbs. Any bruising?”

  Maddox gave a hollow laugh. “You know I love your son, Brie too, but I don’t think I’ll ever have kids.”

  Kade laughed, and Mel pulled Finn into her arms, wanting to feel him again.

  “What? A little baby is too much for you?” her mate teased.

  Maddox held up his hands in mock surrender. “I give up. I don’t know how you do it, man.”

  Kade turned and looked into her eyes. “I don’t know how we do it either, but it’s worth it.”

  Maddox smiled and shook his head. “I see you two, uh, reconnected.”

  Kade punched his brother in the arm and scowled. “Enough of that.”

  “What? You two are back pretty early. Did things not live up to expectations?”

  Mel blushed and shook her head.

  “Okay, brother, it’s time to go.” Kade pulled the Omega through the living room toward the door. “Thank you very much for watching Finn. We’ll repay you, I promise.”

  Maddox scowled. “You don’t need to repay me. We’re family.”

  Mel smiled. “Thank you anyway. And when you have your babies, I’ll help you watch them.”

  Her brother-in-law visibly shuddered and waved them off before leaving.

  Kade laughed and walked toward her and Finn.

  “Should I call Cailin?” he asked.

  “In a moment. We can get everything ready later. Let’s just enjoy this time now.”

  “Sounds like a plan. What do you say, Finn?”

  “Dada.”

  Mel and Kade froze. A lump rose in her throat.

  Kade’s eyes filled and he coughed. “Finn?” he said, his voice rough with emotion.

  “Dada.” He waved his arms and smiled like he knew he’d done something momentous.

  “Did you hear that, Mel? Our big boy just said his first word.”

  Mel nodded.

  “And you said my name. You are your daddy’s son, aren’t you?”

  “Mama.”

  Mel laughed and kissed Finn’s cheek. “That’s right, you know us both, don’t you? You are such a big boy, Finn.”

  Finn patted his chubby hand on her cheek, then Kade’s.

  Kade wrapped an arm around her and kissed her softly.

  “I love you, my mate.”

  “I love you too, Kade.”

  Mel kissed Finn’s brow and sighed, feeling rejuvenated. She felt like she was ready to take on the Pack, the Centrals, her baby boy…just about everything. Apparently, she’d only needed a breath and a night away.

  Kade leaned down and whispered into her ear, “We’ll have to take another night for ourselves again.”

  Mel shivered and turned her head to kiss him. “Soon.”

  The End

  Coming next from Carrie Ann:

  A start to a brand new series called Dante’s Circle. Dust of My Wings, book one in the series is coming soon.

  And don’t miss Enforcer’s Redemption, book four in the Redwood Pack Series

  Adam’s Story, coming soon.

  About the Author

  Carrie Ann Ryan is a bestselling paranormal and contemporary romance author. After spending too much time behind a lab bench, she decided to dive into the romance world and find her werewolf mate - even if it’s just in her books. Happy endings are always near - even if you have to get over the challenges of falling in love first.

  Her first book, An Alpha's Path, is the first in her Redwood Pack series. She's also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She love meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens.

  Want to read how Mel and Kade met?

  An Alpha’s Path is now available

  Chapter 1

  The thundering in Melanie Cross’s ears increased as her breath became shallow. Palms sweaty, she bit her lip and nervously tapped her foot, as she took in her surroundings. The lobby looked like a palace. Tall, cream colored pillars and chocolate molding surrounded the opulent sitting area. Gorgeous light fixtures with tear drop crystals hung from the walls and the ceiling, giving the room a soft glow. Warm and inviting. But she didn’t want to feel invited. She wanted to leave. Run away and never look back.

  What was she thinking? Melanie was a smart, hardworking person. A freshly printed PhD in Nuclear Chemistry and a painstakingly long, nine hundred page, leather bound thesis sat on her desk, proved it. She could accomplish things on her own. Her ideas were acclaimed, and her work referenced numerous times. Any job her heart desired, now hers for the asking. Because of this she was about to bypass the normal post-doc route of working underneath yet another professor. Now she would be an Associate Professor with her own research group at an Ivy League University.

  She gained a few close friends over the years, and even though she didn’t have an overly active social life – okay she didn’t have one to speak of – she thought her life was just peachy.

  Yet her friends thought with all of the accomplishments in her educational career she was still uptight. Some even said she was missing her ideal husband. But her closest friend Larissa decided she just needed to get laid.

  Mel thought back to when her best friend first told her this crazy idea.

  “Really Melanie, when was the last time you got laid? First year? Even earlier? It’s ridiculous! You are practically a born-again virgin.” Larissa laughed at her own joke and then slid a business card across her newly cleared off lab bench.

  “What’s this?” A name printed on the card, Jamenson Services, stared back at her. “You’re sending me to a gigolo?” She gasped and tried to throw the card away before Larissa quickly swiped it from her hands.

  “No. The Jamensons are contractors. The man who owns it is an acquaintance of mine. He built the new green house at my parents. Come on, you need a date and so does he. It is only for one evening, and sex isn’t required. But honestly, the way those Jamenson boys are built, you’ll be dropping your panties at his command,” Larissa lifted one eyebrow and laughed again.

  “Oh I don’t think so. I’m not that desperate. It’s just that I’ve been so focused on my work that I didn’t have time to date a man, let alone look for one.” Melanie knew she could’ve just looked across the lab bench for the last five years to find a date. But really Timmy wasn’t at all that worth to look.

  “Honey, you are too rigid. You need one night off before you skip ahead to the next part of your life. Call the number on the card and talk to Jasper. He’s the brother of the guy I think would be perfect for you. Do it and get laid.” She laughed, pushing the card in Melanie’s hand.

  Somewhere deep down Melanie knew Larissa was right. Melanie didn’t throw the card away. She couldn�
�t. Now six weeks later, she found herself sitting in the Hilton Resort in Seattle, about to vomit on the new black Fuck-Me pumps Larissa forced her to wear.

  “Miss? Are you okay?”

  At the sound of a deep voice, her head shot up to look at a very handsome man. Dark skinned, with piercing eyes, he surveyed her. Oh my, is this her date?

  “Oh I’m fine. Just getting the nerve to walk into the bar, to get even more nerve to wait for my date.” She winced at how fast and squeaky she spoke but really – why was she even here?

  “I’m the manager, Lance Morse, let me walk you to the bar, and get you a shot of that nerve.” He winked and she smiled him.

  Melanie took a deep breath. “Okay.” Wow. Surely, anyone could tell she was Dr. Melanie Cross, rather than the dumb blonde she seemed to be portraying. Or not.

  He took her arm and guided her away from where she sat for twenty minutes regretting her decisions. Lance walked her toward the bar, while talking about the various hotel and resort amenities and events. She nodded while he spoke, as she felt the bar beckon her.

  “Here we are. Thank you again for coming. If you need anything, feel no hesitation in asking one of my employees to assist you or ask for me by name. Enjoy your evening, Melanie Cross.”

  She smiled then stopped breathing for a moment. “How…”

  “Your friend, Larissa, texted me earlier to be on the lookout for a small, shy blonde by the name of Melanie Cross and you seemed to fit the description. I took a gamble.” He smiled.

  Before she could respond, he winked again and walked out of the bar leaving her alone.

  As she sat down, a Bay Breeze magically appeared in front of her and the bartender winked at her as he walked away. Did all men at this hotel wink? Her phone buzzed as she was just about to get freaked out.

  Melanie babe, please relax. Your date should be there soon. Take a nice drink of that concoction and enjoy your evening. Oh and get laid.

  Melanie laughed. Larissa possessed a one-track mind. She took a drink when her phone buzzed again.

  Just remember to keep an open mind. He really is quite sweet and won’t bite. Well, only occasionally. And only if you want him to.

  What the hell?

  ****

  Kade Jamenson stepped into the lobby and was immediately assaulted by the delicate honey vanilla scent wafting throughout the room. His muscles clenched and he balled his fists, gaining control.

  Mate?

  He tried to tone down his edginess, but it felt as though his wolf was trying to claw his way out from the inside.

  He spoke to the wolf inside his head, “It surely smells like a possibility. But we are here for a date with a human. I am not so callous as to stand up a perfectly reasonable date just so I can follow a scent that could lead to disaster. Let me figure out this date first and then I will follow the scent if we have to. We already made the mistake of the wrong mate once; I don’t want to do it again.”

  Mate!

  His wolf was right. He knew the woman who could be his mate wasn’t even in the room, yet her scent and the urge to join with another was stronger by far than with Tracy. Kade took a deep breath of the honey vanilla scent and his balls tightened.

  Damn. This woman was potentially his mate. How could this happen the night he finally took up his brother’s, Jasper, offer of a blind date?

  He quickly texted Jasper to let him know that he needed to break his date or do some major rescheduling and thinking. He couldn’t be respectful to this human woman if he was aroused by another scent. It wasn’t fair to any party.

  His phone buzzed not one minute later with a response.

  Kade, don’t be an ass. Just go meet Melanie and I am sure you will have your answers.

  After that cryptic comment, Kade didn’t know what to think. Jasper told him, Melanie was a 5’2” petite blonde who should fit against his 6’2” frame nicely. Those liquid brown eyes that gazed up at him from her photograph, made him want to know what was behind them. That was a first for him. He might have been slightly nervous about the date but he was oh so willing and eager to meet with her. Just remembering her photo made him smile and want to see her in person. He was an Alpha male with no small amount of pride. Hell, he was the Heir to the Redwood Pack, first in line to the throne. Kade took one last deep breath of that honey vanilla scent and squared his shoulders.

  He had a date with a pretty blonde.