Lycan Redemption (11 page)

* * * *

Myka stared at Galen while they ate lunch. Patrick, oblivious to anything at the moment but eating his peanut butter and jelly sandwich, hummed as he chewed a mouthful of the sticky concoction.

“I stripped the stalls down and lined them with fresh sawdust. The horses are in the pasture, and their food is already in the stalls for when they come back in tonight.”

She and Galen were eating toasted cheese. She’d offered to make Patrick one as well, but he’d insisted on the peanut butter.

“Thank you.”

The phone started ringing, and when she answered it, she heard Betty’s voice on the other end.

“Hi, Betty.”

“Leroy got here a bit earlier than expected. He’s looking forward to meeting Patrick.”

“Yes, Patrick is looking forward to meeting Leroy as well.”

“I can’t wait!” Patrick wiggled in his seat.

Myka laughed.

“I was wondering if you would mind if I drove out to pick him up now?”

“Oh? I suppose that would be okay.”

“If you’d rather wait until four, I’ll understand. Leroy is just so excited about meeting Patrick.”

“No, really, that is fine, Betty. I didn’t want you to have to make the drive, is all. Would you like for me to bring him?”

“No, dear. I’ll be there in about an hour.”

“We’ll see you then.”

“Bye-bye.”

“Bye, Betty.” Myka hung up the phone. “Looks like you get to leave earlier than expected, kiddo,” she said to Patrick.

“Really?” Patrick said giddily.

“Yep. Finish eating and go get your things together. Ms. Case will be here in an hour to pick you up.”

“Yay!” Patrick pumped his fist in the air. “Isn’t that awesome, Galen?”

Galen smiled and nodded, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Patrick gulped the rest of his sandwich down. “Can I go pack now?”

“Sure. Put your plate in the sink first. I’ll be there in a minute to help you.”

He hurriedly shoved the plate in the sink and skipped out of the room.

“You’ve been quiet today.” She took the last bite of her sandwich before pushing the plate away.

“Have a lot on my mind.” He watched her from under half-closed lids as he ate the rest of his sandwich.

“Would you like another?” She nodded toward his empty plate.

“I think four is enough.”

“I thought one was enough.” She laughed.

“You don’t require as much fuel as I do.”

“I guess that’s true.” Definitely true. He was at least two of her combined. “You want to talk about it?”

“No. It can wait until later.”

She nodded. A knot began forming in her stomach. Whatever he had to tell her, she wasn’t going to like. She had a good idea of what it was, but hoped she was wrong.

“I’ll take care of the dishes if you want to help Patrick,” Galen offered.

They both stood, reached for her plate at the same time, and their fingers met. He covered her hand with his and slowly drew her to him. She always felt tiny next to him, but his size was never intimidating to her. She assumed that wasn’t always the case for others who met Galen. He was a formidable man, and she suspected not many went out of their way to irritate him.

She tilted her head back to stare up at his strong jaw covered with dark stubble, then into those mesmerizing eyes she had grown quite fond of.

He dipped his head and kissed her. She moaned when he teased his tongue past her lips and inside her mouth. A low rumble echoed in his chest in answer. A growl that she was growing accustomed to. A growl that always had the same effect on her. Her skin heated as if she were suddenly standing next to a fire that had flared too hot. In a way, she had. Galen was that fire, and if she got too close, he’d burn her.

He lifted his head and stared down at her.
Too late. Already too close.
And that was when it hit her. She’d fallen in love with him. Logic told her it wasn’t possible. She hadn’t known him long enough, but apparently her heart had not gotten the memo.
Great going, Myka. Now when he leaves, he’s going to take your heart with him.

“I’m going to go help Patrick now.” She edged away from him.

He nodded. “I’ll finish up here. Then I’m going to make some repairs on the paddocks. I’ll see you later.”

As she turned to walk away, Galen’s warm fingers encircled her arm and tugged her gently back to face him.

“I’m looking forward to holding you in my arms tonight.”

“I’m looking forward to that as well.”

It wasn’t until he let out a slow breath that she realized he’d been holding it. Had he been worried that she’d changed her mind? If she was smart, she
would
change her mind, but she’d never been in love before. She wanted to experience it for however long she could. After all, she may never get the chance to do so again.

He brought her hand up to his mouth, brushed his lips over the back of it, then stroked his thumb over her skin before releasing her.

* * * *

Galen had gotten most of the boards on the paddocks replaced before the sound of a car pulling up the drive distracted him. He assumed it was Betty coming to pick up Patrick. As he made his way around the barn, Patrick ran out of the front door, toward the car, with a small overnight bag in one hand and his cowboy hat in the other. He changed course when he saw Galen and came to a screeching halt in front of him.

“I’m leaving now,” he said after firmly planting the cowboy hat on his head.

“I see that.”

Galen didn’t miss the way Patrick stared up at him expectantly. He reached out and patted him on the shoulder, which seemed to appease him.

“Have a good time.”

“I will. Take care of Myka for me.” Patrick leaned closer and whispered, “She gets kind of stressed out when I’m gone. She doesn’t know I know that, but I do. Don’t tell her I told you.”

“I’ll take good care of her. Don’t worry.”

Galen smiled when Patrick launched himself against his legs and gave him a quick hug.

“K! See ya.” He turned and ran back toward the car where Betty and a boy that appeared to be the same age as Patrick stood talking to Myka.

The boy had to be Leroy. He was the complete opposite of Patrick. Leroy had dark hair, brown eyes, and dark skin. Patrick was blond with green eyes and lighter skin. He figured Patrick must have taken after his mother in the looks department because Myka had dark hair and skin as well. Unless, of course, Myka’s brother had had the same coloring as Patrick.

Betty and Myka talked for a moment while Patrick and Leroy got acquainted. Betty waved at Galen before she opened the passenger side of the SUV to let the boys in and helped them buckle their seat belts.

“Hey! I didn’t get my hug,” Myka said before leaning into the SUV and giving Patrick a good squeeze.

Within a couple minutes, the SUV was making its way back down the drive. Myka slowly walked toward him. The slight sway of her hips called to him like a siren’s song. He wondered if she had any idea how incredibly sexy she was. Did she possibly understand how much she turned him on? How much he wanted her? Did she know how much power she held over him? That she had the ability to crush him in her tiny hands?

No. She didn’t. He was sure of that. And he was even more sure that if she did, she’d never use that power against him. He’d met women who used their sex appeal to get what they wanted from men. Myka was nothing like those women.

“I almost have the paddocks repaired.”

“I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She smiled up at him.

His gut clenched. He’d rather die than walk away from her, but if he didn’t . . . she might die. That was unacceptable.

“You’ve done fine without me up until this point. You’d continue to do fine without me now.”

“I suppose, but you’ve made my life easier. It has slowed down now with the gardening out of the way for the year, but I still couldn’t have gotten all of the things done that you have already.”

“Making your life easier brings me great pleasure.”

“I have to do some paperwork and clean the chicken coop. After that, I’ll help you bring the horses in and brush them down.”

He wanted to kiss her, but if he did, he had no doubt he’d have her on the dirt in two seconds flat, taking advantage of her. He remembered last night, and his cock twitched. He hadn’t been the only one taking advantage. And damned if he hadn’t loved it.

“I’m not sure what I’m cooking for dinner. I thought I’d wing it,” Myka said.

“I could help.”

“You cook?” she asked in surprise.

“It is the twenty-first century. Men do cook on occasion,” he said sardonically.

“I guess you’re right.” She laughed. “I’d love to have help cooking dinner.”

She nodded and slowly turned toward the chicken coop. He couldn’t help but watch her delectable ass as she walked away. The dark jeans perfectly outlined the curve of her hips. He gritted his teeth as he fought down the wolf and his own need to chase after her. He never thought he could want a woman as badly as he wanted Myka. The yearning made his body ache, and the thought that she may very well hate him after tonight nearly killed him.

Chapter Nine

Anticipation rode him hard as Galen tapped on the door. He’d spent all afternoon doing hard physical labor trying to keep his need for Myka in check, which had barely managed to take the edge off. When it had finally gotten close to dinnertime, he’d brought the horses in and showered.

While he liked spending time with Patrick, he was glad for the upcoming evening he and Myka could share alone. Not to mention that he thought it was good for Patrick to hang out with Leroy. Boys needed to be boys, and Galen hoped the two days Patrick spent at Betty’s would provide a pleasant distraction and give him a moment’s peace from a reality without his father.

When Myka opened the door, all thoughts fled his mind, and the breath rushed from his lungs. She had on the dress he’d bought her from Susie’s, the one Mr. Lee had mentioned Myka admiring. When he’d slipped in the house earlier and left it on the end of her bed, he wasn’t sure if she’d accept the gift or not. He was more than pleased that she had as he eyed her slowly from head to toe and back.

The dark red fabric trimmed in black around the collar, sleeves, and flared skirt laid against her dark skin, enhancing its golden hue. The wide black belt made her already tiny waist appear even smaller.

“Beautiful,” he whispered.

His cock, however, was not into subtlety, and swelled against his jeans.

She looked down, the forward tip of her head freeing a few wavy strands of black hair from the clip holding it up to fall softly around her face. Her fingers fluttered over the fabric before she looked back up at him and smiled.

“Thank you, Galen. It’s absolutely gorgeous.”

“Yes. It is.” But he made it clear with his hot stare that he was not talking about the dress. “If you only knew how badly I wanted to kiss you right now,” he growled.

“What’s stopping you?” She raised a brow and sucked in a sharp breath.

He shook his head. “If I kiss you, there will be no dinner, no talking, no anything because I won’t be able to stop at just a kiss.”

“I’m not sure I see the problem with that.”

“Too tempting, Myka.” His body was so hot he thought he might go off like an A-bomb at any moment.

“I guess we better get cooking then. Um, I mean dinner.” She giggled nervously.

He bent and kissed her on the cheek and breathed her sweet scent deep into his lungs. She stepped aside and shut the door after he walked through to the kitchen.

* * * *

Earlier, Myka had been a bit overwhelmed when she found the dress she’d been eyeing at Susie’s for the past several months in a box on the end of her bed. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had given her such a thoughtful gift. However, the gift did raise a few questions in her mind as well. She’d initially thought Galen to be a drifter. Most of the drifters she’d met flitted from job to job, only staying until boredom set in. And while she didn’t like to label people, none of the drifters she’d met had much money. The dress was not cheap.

She’d promptly chastised herself and her overcurious mind before it traveled on to bigger and more creative things to explain why Galen had the means to buy such a frivolous item that wasn’t a necessity. He was obviously not a drinker, as were a lot of drifters, but that was labeling again. Just because the ones she’d come across had liked their alcohol, it didn’t mean they all did. In the end, she’d felt bad about scrutinizing his gift in such a way.

It had been a sweet, unselfish, kind gesture, and she decided to take it for what it was. He’d wanted to do something nice for her. She figured the only reason she’d thought it a bit strange in the first place was because she’d never gotten a gift from a man other than her father—years ago—and Travis. That made the dress a gift she’d never forget, one she’d cherish forever, as the man she loved had given it to her.

As Galen walked by her into the kitchen, butterflies danced in her stomach. He looked extra mouthwateringly good tonight. Hell. Who was she trying to fool? He’d look mouthwatering in a burlap sack. She hadn’t seen a pair of jeans that didn’t like him yet. Every single pair he owned fit him like a glove and showed off his lean hips and strong thighs. Not to mention his perfect ass. She swallowed hard. Damn. She needed to stop drooling over him every time she saw him, and keep the bigger picture in mind. Galen would leave, and she needed to stay focused on taking care of Patrick.

“I thought we could make some spaghetti?”

“Mmm. One of my favorites,” Galen replied.

She got all of the ingredients out for the sauce, and they started working together to prepare the onion, tomato, and mushrooms.

“Tell me about your childhood, Myka. Was it happy?” he asked while chopping some onion.

“Yes. Travis was my only sibling. My mother and father were wonderful, loving parents. They had a knack for allowing us to find our own way in life while providing guidance and discipline where needed. I was curious about everything, especially reading. I love to read. Travis, on the other hand, seemed to attract trouble. He wasn’t a bad kid in any way, but continually found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.”