To Tame His Mate (8 page)

Uh, oh
.

And with the lovely boys in blue cuffing everyone involved, this date night was a bust now for sure.

“Erik is going to be so irritated with me,” Sarah groaned, “I can’t believe they’re arresting us! We were defending ourselves!” she shouted at the officers and toward the bartenders who were trying to get through the crowd.

Sarah heard them. They were yelling, trying to be heard over the chaos, but the police were determined to arrest all involved and sort it out at the station.

As they were escorted out, in shiny cuffs no less, she caught sight of a stunned Erik and an equally shocked Abraham.

“Sorry, guys,” she hollered as the police none-to-gently stuffed her into the back of the cruiser.

Half an hour later, once they were ushered into the station and she and Stephanie were settled in a cell, Sarah apologized to the other woman. “Sorry about that. I didn’t think things would get that out of hand. I’m glad to know you don’t have a problem holding your own though.”

“Don’t worry about it. I probably shouldn’t have belted him with your bottle, but I couldn’t help it. I reacted before my brain could catch up with my actions. It’s just nice to know that I have a friend who’s got my back.” Stephanie rubbed her knuckles.

“I’ll have to show you a few moves
and
how to throw a decent punch. If you don’t do it right, you can break your hand.” She studied Stephanie for a few moments. “You want to tell me about who you’re running from?”

“Not just yet. I need to take a little time.”

“I understand. I’ll be here when you are ready, though.” Sarah reached out and patted her hand. “Can I ask you something, though? It’s kind of personal and embarrassing…on my end, anyway.”

“Sure, anything.”

“How do you think is the best way to go about kissing a guy?” When all she got was a blank stare, Sarah elaborated. “Erik. He’s letting me control the pace at which our relationship progresses, and I’m ready to take it farther. I’m just not sure how to go about it.”

“I thought you two were married.”

Oops, she’d forgotten about the paperwork at the office.

“Actually, no. My last name is really Gray. I’ll let you know now that I
am
hiding from some people. Nothing illegal, I can assure you. It’s just some guys that got a little pissy when I kicked their asses.”

Stephanie seemed to take that in, and her easy acceptance only heightened Sarah’s curiosity as to what exactly she was hiding from. “Oh, well, I suppose you’d go about kissing Erik the same way you would with any other man.” When Sarah remained silent, Stephanie asked, “You’ve never initiated things with a guy?”

Sarah knew she was blushing. “I’ve never really been with a guy,” she confessed.

“Are you a virgin?” Stephanie asked as quietly as possible, and Sarah just nodded. “Well, there’s really no right or wrong way to do it. Just lean in and lay one on him. Start with the cheek if that feels safer to you at first. It will let him know you want to become more affectionate and may lead him to do the same.”

She made it sound so damn simple.

“Thanks, I’ll try that.”

“Keep me posted. Maybe, we could set up a girl’s night and swap advice on our guys.” Judging by the hopeful look in Stephanie’s eyes, she was just as hard-up for friends as Sarah was.

The idea of having another woman whom she could confide in and gain advice from appealed to her, and Sarah quickly jumped at the idea. “That sounds great! We might need to choose a different location to meet at in the future though,” Sarah laughed. “I hate to admit this, but I’m utterly clueless when it comes to understanding guys.”

“We’re equally baffled by the female mind, I can assure you.” That deep, silky drawl had her head whipping around.

“Erik!”

“Come on, ladies. Let’s get out of here. The bartenders confirmed your story, so you’re free to go.” He stood by as the deputy unlocked the holding cell and released them.

Sarah went to Erik and hugged him tight while Stephanie stood near a silent Abraham.

“I’m sorry this wasn’t a very good first date,” Stephanie stated then sucked in a startled breath when Abraham reached out and took her hand.

“You hurt your hand,” he said, his voice a deep rumble as he examined her bruising knuckles.

“Yeah, I kept bumping into some guy’s head. He refused to move it.” Her smart remark actually brought a half-smile to his face, his features taking on a roguish quality, and Sarah feared her friend might swoon.

“I take it you moved it for him?” he asked, arching a dark brow.

Sarah cut in, “Yeah, him and about four others with equally stubborn heads.” She laughed, and Stephanie joined in.

“At least, I wasn’t told I looked like a pinky toe,” she shot back. They both dissolved into fits of laughter as the guys ushered them outside into the Land Rover then began driving.

“Oh, how did I forget about that?” Sarah wiped the tears from her eyes, still cracking up.

“I have no idea. When he said he was going to bang you up against his furniture, I thought you’re head was going to explode! It looked like you were going to castrate his ass.”

Both girls squealed as the brakes sent them lurching forward.

The two apparently pissed-off men in the front seats turned to look at them. “What the hell are you talking about?” Erik growled.

“It was a really horrible pick-up line,” Sarah explained, though she still scented the anger coming off both men. “We handled it. We aren’t completely helpless, guys.”

“It doesn’t matter. You were outnumbered, and what if one of them had a weapon?” Erik’s eyes cut to Stephanie then back, and Sarah knew he referenced the fact that Stephanie wouldn’t heal as they would. She could have been seriously hurt tonight.

“You’re right, but I can assure you we didn’t go looking for a fight. It just happened, so we handled the situation the best that we could.” Sarah understood where he was coming from, and apparently, so did Abraham, who was still checking over Stephanie for injuries. “We still need to go back to the bar for the cars,” she said.

“I’ll head there, but next time we do this, we’ll set it up for a restaurant instead of a bar,” Abraham grumbled. “Maybe, the two of you can hang out there without committing felony assault.”

“Har har.” Stephanie’s sarcasm had Sarah chuckling. “So next time, we should just sit and take the derogatory comments and smile like a couple of twits while waiting for our big strong men to come to our rescue?”

“Um, Stephanie?” Sarah wasn’t sure where this was going, but she had a general idea.

Uh-oh, seemed Stephanie had a bit of a mouth that they hadn’t witnessed yet.

“No, this should be settled up front. I won’t be sheltered and leashed like a damn pet. I’ve kept myself alive and well this long, and I’ll continue to do so without your assistance, I can assure you.” She directed her lecture toward Abraham as evidenced by the way her eyes locked with his in the rearview mirror.

“If I was looking for a pet, I would have bought a dog. I’m looking for a partner. I fully understand you want to take care of yourself, and I admire that strength in a person, but at the same time, you need to understand when you’re in over your head,” he explained in a surprisingly gentle voice. “I really like you, and I want to give this a chance, but if you can’t accept that I’ll worry about you…”

“I’m sorry, but I’m just tired of being treated like a helpless little female. People don’t realize the type of person that I am, so I’ll go ahead and dispel any misconceptions you may have about me. I’m a smart-assed, tough-as-nails survivor. I’ve practically raised myself, worked three jobs to put myself through college—
three!—
while taking fulltime classes, and I still managed to graduate with a three-point-nine-five GPA. My parents were more concerned with their precious trips and explorations, so they weren’t around. I’ve been on my own, supporting myself and doing a damn good job of it for eight years now, so I have no plans to give up control to anyone just yet.”

Sarah grinned like a jackass in the backseat, her arms crossed over her chest, and judging by the look on Abraham’s face, he knew exactly why. She’d gone off on him in a similar fashion about a week ago.

Stephanie would have made an amazing alpha female, in Sarah’s opinion. She was perfect for Abraham in so many ways, now he just had to let her see it…and Sarah sure hoped he figured out a way to do that before it was too late.

* * * *

They pulled into the bar’s parking lot and climbed out, Erik moving to Sarah’s side.

“I think I’m actually a little scared,” Erik announced, earning curious looks from everyone.

“Of what?” Sarah asked.

“The two of you,” he gestured between Stephanie and Sarah. “I think you ladies are going to keep us on our toes.” The laughter in his eyes told Sarah he wouldn’t mind it a bit, though.

“But you’ll love every minute.” With that, she went to her toes and brushed a kiss over his cheek. Before he could respond in any way, she turned, winked at Stephanie and asked, “Are you going to the town’s harvest festival?”

“I was considering it, but isn’t it a costume thing?” Bless her heart, she’d jumped right into the topic change like a pro.

“Yeah, but we can come up with something,” Sarah urged. “We can use that as an actual date.” Sarah glanced at Abraham, who was focused on Stephanie. “I’ll bet Abe would be able to find a costume.”

“I could manage something,” he replied. “Would you like to go?” No one could miss his hopeful tone.

“I don’t know if I can find a costume in time. Don’t couples usually match?” she asked.

Sarah just shrugged. “Do you have a leather jacket?”

“Yeah.”

“Put it with a white shirt, jeans and some boots, and you can go as a biker.” Her suggestion brought a sly smile to her friend’s face.

“I’ll bet Abraham looks hot as hell in leather, too. Good call, Sarah.”

Abraham’s eyes reflected his surprise. In fact, he seemed to
really
like that idea. “I can find some leather.”

Stephanie just smiled. “You do that. Sarah, call me later, and we’ll shop.”

“All right.” Sarah hadn’t a clue how she’d get the cash to do that, but she’d worry about that later because Erik was sliding his arm around her waist and pulling her to his side. Maybe, Stephanie was right, and he’d just needed a nudge.

“Are you ready to go home?” he asked. His head angled down, so he didn’t have to raise his voice to be heard over the truck that cranked nearby.

Sarah took advantage, turned her head and planted a quick kiss to his lips. “Yes, I’m ready.” Hell, she’d been ready since she’d seen him at the jail.

He was looking like every girl’s fantasy with his finger-combed hair, his gray T-shirt that showcased his muscular build, and his faded jeans. Lord, what that soft, worn denim did for that man’s ass. And his eyes, darkened with desire, had the ability to seduce her at a glance.

Erik’s nostrils flared as he inhaled, no doubt catching her arousal, and his fingers tightened on her hip. “Good night,” he said to his brother and Stephanie.

His husky farewell was answered by a grunt and a giggle as he escorted her to the truck.

* * * *

She was killing him.

Sarah had been with Erik for a week now, and his dick had been hard for just as long. All he had to do was think of her, and the damn thing sprang to life in an instant.

They’d been doing everything together from shopping to harvesting the apples, pumpkins, and corn, to delivering orders. She was a hard worker, and he admired that a great deal. She also insisted on helping around the house by cooking and cleaning.

His mother was completely taken with her, as well, and insisted that he not “screw this up”. With the way he felt right now, so aroused and primal, he desperately prayed for control. Surely, he read her correctly. Her arousal was so sweet and heady, he felt sure she wanted him.

But was she ready for the mating that would result?

“Erik?” Her voice, low and sultry, pulled him from his thoughts.

He sensed her wariness now. “Yes?”

“Would you expect your mate to obey you? Would you want to be in control of everything?”

He frowned at her.

“I need to know,” she continued.

“I want my mate to be just as strong and independent as I am. I want someone who can help me with the chores on the farm, but I don’t want a slave. I value my freedom, Sarah. I’d never take it away from another.”

Sarah smiled at him as she slid across the truck’s bench seat. “Good answer.”

He hoped for another kiss as she leaned into his side, but when her tongue dipped behind his ear before pulling the lobe into her mouth, he nearly drove off the road.

“Eyes on the road, Erik,” she teased.

“Sarah,” he warned, “you’re playing with fire here.”

“Getting hot?” She laughed softly, sending her warm breath along his neck. “Me, too,” she whispered.

“Buckle up.” Erik pressed the gas and smiled as she emitted a very feminine squeal when the truck leapt forward.

* * * *

Sarah couldn’t believe how aroused she’d gotten from simply teasing Erik. When he’d floored the truck in his haste to get home, she couldn’t help but smile, knowing she was indeed capable of being a seductress.

His breathing was just as ragged as her own, and if the bulge in his jeans was anything to go by, then he was every bit as anxious as she was.

When she’d questioned him about what he expected of a mate, his answers had been exactly what she’d needed to release the last tumbler in the lock on her heart. He now owned her…completely.

When the truck skidded to a stop in front of the house, she leapt out and ran into the house, leaving a trail of clothes for him to follow in her wake.

“Catch me if you can!”

With that challenge issued, she burst out the back door, shifted and took off into the forest. She was determined to make the clearing special to him again and decided that would be the perfect place for her to claim him.

Chapter Eight