A Fang in the Sass

12

Trevan walked into the kitchen behind Mason. As soon as he came through the front door, he scented Aria immediately. f**k, she smelled good. She was up and probably more pissed-off than she’d ever been. He wasn’t looking forward to that confrontation. Maybe with others present, she wouldn’t kill him right away.

Suddenly he lay on his back outside the kitchen entry. With cold hands around his throat, he decided the presence of others didn’t mean squat to Aria.

“Hello, gorgeous,” he breathed out.

“Don’t hello me, you jerk. You shot me with a tranq dart. I should kill you and be done with you.”

Damn, she was so beautiful when mad. Her cheeks were blushed and her curly dark hair dangled over her shoulders, giving them a curtain of privacy. Good god, how could he say no to this woman? She called to his every cell.

“Kill me? Were you locked in a dungeon when you woke?” He started feeling a bit light headed from lack of air.

“No.”

“Were you tied up or restrained in any way?” Her grip loosened.

“No.”

“Are you in a stranger’s home?”

Aria started to crawl off him. “Fine. I’ll let you live, but don’t do it again.” When her hands moved from his neck, he snagged one with his fingers. He brought it to his lips and kissed each knuckle. She gasped quietly. Didn’t matter. He still heard it.

She smelled so good. He lifted her index finger and sucked it into his mouth. Her eyes turned feral. His wolf catapulted front and center. Mine. He would have her.

“Okay, down there,” Emma said. “That’s enough. Save it for later. No one does the nasty on my kitchen floor, unless it’s me, of course.”

He heard a whisper from farther inside. “You brat. Don’t tell them that.”

Aria smiled so she probably heard it, too. She got to her feet and headed toward the table. He laughed when she didn’t offer a hand to help him up. He knew she’d do that. She looked over her shoulder and winked at him—winked at him!—with a flirty smile on her lips. He liked playing chase. And it was on.

Emma looked at the pitchers in her hubby’s hands, then said, “Is that what I think it is?”

Mason set the two pitchers on the counter. “I believe it is. And by the way, love, we are never eating beef again.”

Emma pulled a cup from the cabinet. “Are you crazy? Why not?”

The men laughed. “Don’t be a wuss, wolf man. It wasn’t that bad.”

“Hey. I’m man enough to admit I puked on my shoes at a processing—” He slapped a hand over his mouth as if holding back another spew. “It was beyond disgusting.”

Alain shrugged. “We’ve spent a lot of time in the wilderness, so we’re probably a bit more used to that kind of thing.”

Emma set the glass of blood in front of Aria. He saw her eyes light up as she grabbed the cup. As he watched her drink, he thought he’d find it disgusting beyond belief. But it wasn’t. His wolf ate fresh prey all the time. Wasn’t so different than that.

Emma set one of the pitchers on the table. “You guys probably haven’t slept in a while, have you? Trevan, you three are welcome to any of the guestrooms. Aria, since you’re a vamp, it’d be better if you stayed in the guesthouse behind the pool. We don’t need some wolf walking in and freaking out from a strange vamp being here. The guest place is nice, two bedrooms and mini-kitchen.”

Alain yawned. “Sleep would be beyond great.” Roen had his nose inches from his phone’s screen. Must’ve found a new game. Trevan shook his head and picked up the pitcher of blood.

“I’ll carry this out for you.” He looked at his guys. “Let’s get a few hours of sleep then get back on the road. I want to check out the vamp town while everyone is under.” Both his guys nodded, even Roen, and left the room.

He could tell Emma had a million questions she wanted to ask. And he knew Aria wouldn’t ask a thing until they were alone. He hoped he’d survive it. “Well, Emma, Mason can tell you everything that’s going on. I’ve updated him to now.” He nodded toward the living room and sliding glass door leading to the pool.

“Wait, Trevan, here.” Mason took a key off his keyring. “The door’s locked. There’s some munchies in the cabinets, but not much else. We’ll feed you all when you wake.” A big smile spread on his face. “Now, go. Get out there, and don’t worry about the sheets. The household help comes tonight.”

Emma slapped her hubby’s arm. “Hush. You can’t say that.”

“Well, it’s true.” Mason hopped away, wanting to avoid further reprimands. Emma put her fists on her hips.

Trevan laughed and opened the back door overlooking the pool.

Inside Central Wolfe pack’s guesthouse, Aria plopped onto the cushy sofa while Trevan put the pitcher of cow blood in the refrigerator. He shuffled into the open area of the combined kitchen/living room.

With a sigh he dropped into the recliner opposite the sofa.

“Don’t get too comfy,” Aria said. “I haven’t decided if I’m letting you live yet.” Damn, she was sexy when she talked mean. Her throaty voice sent quivers down his spine. “And keep your smells to yourself, too. I don’t want to breathe in your—” His what? Desire for her, passion to strip her naked and play hide the cannoli? He grinned. Yeah, he got to her like she got to him.

With a huff, she partially sat up. “So, are you going to tell me why you shot me or am I dragging it out of you one ripped-off ball at a time?” The thought of her hands or her hot mouth around his balls made him instantly hard. f**k. He squirmed in the chair, trying to find a better position, but it wasn’t happening.

He needed to tell her something. Was he going to be brave and tell her everything, or keep himself safe from rejection? Did he even want her? f**k yes! his wolf screamed. He told his wolf he wasn’t talking to him.

Then who are you talking to?

Himself, dammit.

Only crazy people talk to themselves.

Shut your pie hole.

Just sayin’.