Wolf Kiss (Warrior Wolves Book 1) Read online

  “Whoa. Easy, buddy. You’re going to knock me over. Did you miss us, Alator?” Dylan kneeled and cupped Reardon’s head in his hands. “You’re such a good boy. I got you a present. Want to see?”

  Reardon let out a short bark, feeding off the boy’s excitement and his own joy at knowing he’d helped keep Dylan alive. And he’d keep doing so. Flidae would not succeed in hurting this boy or his mother for her own entertainment. Reardon would make sure of it.

  Because they did mean something to him.

  He followed Dylan to the car where Brandy and Meredith were getting out and grabbing their bags. While Dylan buzzed around looking for the tire toy, Reardon took the opportunity to check on Brandy. He sidled up next to her, pushing his side into her thigh and looking up at her. If only he could shift and hold her as he wanted to.

  Soon.

  “Hey, Alator.” She ran her hand along his spine and the sensation made the man inside rage to get out. “Sorry we took so long getting back. We found a little excitement in town.” She rubbed his jagged ear then let her fingers trail down between his eyes and to his nose. Gods, he craved her touch.

  She took a step toward her house, but Reardon got in front of her, not ready for her to leave yet. Was she truly fine? Had she gotten hurt when he’d brought them all to the grassy ground? His knuckles had healed on the run back to the sanctuary, but was she still rattled by the day’s events? What could he do to comfort her?

  He licked her hand. It was all he could think of doing right now. He’d make use of his human form to comfort her later… if she’d let him.

  Oh, how he hoped she’d let him.

  “Love you too, Alator.” Brandy let out a little laugh that was music to Reardon’s ears. “I’ve got some things to do now though so why don’t you go see what Dylan has for you.” She nudged him away toward Dylan. “Go on. We’ll catch up later.”

  She took a few steps toward the house then Dylan appeared, the tire toy triumphantly held aloft in his hands.

  “Check it out, buddy!” He waved it in front of Reardon’s nose. “You want to play with me? Do you? Huh?” Dylan danced around the driveway then took off toward the field behind the clinic. “C’mon, Alator!”

  Torn between following Brandy and chasing after Dylan, Reardon hesitated until Meredith came around the car.

  “If you don’t run after that boy, he’ll be crushed. I’ll make sure Brandy’s okay. I am her mama after all.” Meredith gently pushed Reardon toward the direction Dylan had taken. “I’ve seen you moving around here. That leg of yours is healed. Go on. Go play.”

  With one final look at Brandy now climbing her front steps, he took off toward Dylan. Play now, cuddle later. Sounded like a good plan. Besides, he needed to do something to burn off the energy—the sexual energy—swirling around inside him. Having his human form close to Brandy’s had brought his physical needs to the surface. If he didn’t tire himself out, he’d end up coming on way too strong at dinner.

  And he couldn’t mess up dinner. It was the chance he wanted—to be with the Wendons as a human. He’d made them like him in wolf form. He could do the same for his human form. He had to because he didn’t think he could be without them. Brandy and Dylan were his something worthy, and though he didn’t care much about returning to his Ireland anymore, he did care about being exactly what they needed. He had to show them he was worthy of them. He’d made so many mistakes leading the fierce and brutal life he led as a warrior-for-hire.

  Brandy and Dylan were his redemption. Even Flidae knew it.

  He spent the afternoon running around the field with Dylan and the new tire toy. He wasn’t a common dog. He knew that, but seeing the delight on the boy’s face each time he chased after the toy and brought it back made him want to do absolutely anything Dylan suggested. Knowing the boy had bought the toy with his own money as a gift only made it that much better.

  Finally, Brandy called for Dylan to come inside and wash up for dinner. Reardon took that as his reminder as well. He checked in with the other wolves, and finding them all to be fine and enjoying sanctuary life as they always did, he slipped to the gates. It wasn’t quite dark enough yet to shift so he glanced around. Finding no one but other wolves nearby, he backed up a few steps, broke into a run, and leaped over the gates.

  A few barks sounded from the wolves, but one look back from Reardon silenced them. There were some perks to being the nominated Alpha.

  With them settled, he dashed to the rocky outcropping and his hidden supplies. He shifted, bathed in a nearby pond, and put on the clothes he’d bought, hoping he didn’t look too rough around the edges. Grabbing the bottle of wine and the tennis ball launcher, he walked back toward the gates, wondering if he should open them and approach the house or wait for someone to come out to him. He wasn’t one for etiquette. Wolves and warriors didn’t worry about such things.

  As he contemplated his next course of action, the sound of tires on gravel behind him made him turn around. Parker’s truck rolled to a stop at the gates and before Reardon could hide, Parker was climbing out of the driver’s seat.

  “Hey, man,” he said in the friendly tone Reardon had heard him use almost all the time. “You must be Reardon. I’m Parker. Brandy gave me the lowdown on what you did for her and Dylan. Thank God you were there. Brandy’s the sister I never wanted, but I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to her or Dylan, so thanks.” He shook Reardon’s hand with a firm grip and his sincerity nearly knocked Reardon off his feet. “Where’s your car?”

  “I… had someone drop me off. New in town. Don’t have a car with me at the moment.” He was a bastard for lying to Parker, but what choice did he have?

  “Oh, well, hop in and we’ll drive you up to the house. We’re joining you all for dinner.”

  Reardon regarded the truck and the woman sitting in the passenger seat. He assumed that was Chella. He’d heard Brandy and Parker talk about her and always picked up the subtle disapproving tone in Brandy’s voice when they did mention her. Looked as if he’d get to make his own decision about the woman tonight.

  But with all this company would he get a moment alone with Brandy? Did he have the patience to wait? Was he crazy for wanting her to know exactly who he was, what he was?

  Most definitely.

  Chapter Nine

  Brandy rubbed the final spices on the steaks, checked on the side dishes, and peeked in the oven at the dark chocolate walnut brownies with the coconut-chocolate chip-toffee topping. The brownies smelled like heaven, and she wouldn’t mind skipping right to the dessert round tonight even though she loved steak on the grill.

  But brownies weren’t the only dessert she was hungry for. A tall, black-haired, bearded Irish dude would fill her up just as nicely. Probably better than brownies if those full lips and big hands had anything to say about the matter. An excited jolt zipped through her as she remembered Reardon’s strong arm around her waist, hoisting her off her feet, carrying her to safety.

  When she thought about what could have happened today, she… she… well, she couldn’t let herself think about it. Knowing she could have lost Dylan, the one piece of her sister she treasured most, made her want to sob hysterically.

  Thinking of Reardon saving them both dammed the tears. He’d been there. He’d acted fast. He’d made sure they lived to see another day. She owed him so much more than dinner.

  And she was prepared to give him more. Whatever he wanted. Tonight, hopefully.

  This was a new line of thought for Brandy, but it made this half-nervous, half-delighted energy course through her body like flowing electricity. She wasn’t one to use her body to pay her debts, but she wanted to do so with Reardon. She’d only been in his presence less than fifteen minutes, but she felt… connected to him, as if she knew him already. He was handsome as hell and probably used to women falling immediately under his spell. Brandy figured his eyes alone had enough power to rein in the most reluctant women. Combine those eyes with that body and his life-sav
ing skills and he started looking very much like The Perfect Man.

  If there was such a thing.

  Brandy hadn’t believed there was, but Reardon—whose last name she didn’t even know—appeared extremely close to perfect.

  “Be careful,” she warned herself as she pulled the brownies out of the oven and put them on the stovetop to cool. No need to be stupid about this whole thing. She’d serve him dinner, and if he was open to more, she’d give it to him. It didn’t have to be a big deal. It was just sex.

  “Hey, B.”

  She whirled around at the sound of Parker’s voice, ready to greet her friend, but her gaze immediately landed on Reardon standing so beautifully tall behind him instead. He filled her small kitchen with his broad shoulders and long legs, and Brandy was certain someone had sucked all the oxygen out of the room. She actually felt dizzy. He looked amazing in another pair of blue jeans and a black, Henley-style T-shirt that fit snuggly around his biceps.

  “Good evening, lass.” The deep timbre of his voice caressed her from the inside and she nearly melted at his feet.

  “Reardon.” She liked saying his name. “Nice to see you again.”

  “Aye, likewise.” He held out a bottle of wine so she had to step closer to take it.

  As her hand closed around the neck, Reardon put his free hand over hers. It was solid and rough and warm. God, she hoped he wanted to touch her later tonight. She might weep if he didn’t.

  “You’re okay, aye?” He didn’t release his hold on her. Not that she wanted him to. In fact, she had an indescribable urge to snuggle into his arms and stay there. For like a long time.

  Or forever. Either way.

  “I’m fine,” she said. “Thanks to you.” She looked at his hand that was still bandaged around the knuckles. “And are you okay?”

  “Aye, fine.” He let her hand go and gave her a shrug as if it were no big deal he’d leaped into harm’s way to save her and Dylan.

  It was a big deal. A very big deal.

  She was about to say so, but Chella pushed her way into the kitchen, her high-heeled sandals making loud clacks against the wood floor. Brandy had asked her not to wear those inside as they dinged her wide-planked barnwood floors, but Chella usually did what Chella wanted.

  She stood next to Parker now with a pout on her lipsticked lips. “Parker, that mangy brown wolf pushed his nose right between my legs.”

  Brandy bit her lip to keep from laughing over Lug’s antics, but Reardon let out a howl of a laugh, making it impossible for Brandy to contain her own chuckling.

  Even Parker laughed. “Lug likes you, baby. I’ve told you this before.” He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close, dropping a kiss on her cheek that appeared to satisfy her. She managed to shoot a glare toward Brandy and Reardon though.

  “Well, I don’t appreciate being sniffed like some kind of animal.”

  “Animals sniff to get to know you,” Reardon said. “That wolf is curious.”

  “He’s right,” Brandy said. “Besides, Lug is totally harmless.”

  “Yeah, until he rips my face off.”

  “Aw, Chella, Lug wouldn’t rip your face off. He knows true beauty when he sees it.” Parker pressed another kiss to Chella’s cheek and whispered something into her ear that Brandy couldn’t hear.

  Thank God. Two minutes into the evening and she’d had enough of their lovey-dovey shit. Time to turn her attention to something else. Something tall and delicious.

  “So, Reardon, do you work with animals? You seem to know about them,” she asked as she put the wine bottle down on the dining room table.

  Reardon followed her and said, “No. It’s common sense that an animal sniffs to find out about what’s around them.”

  “True.” She turned to face him. “So what do you do then?” Was it wrong of her to try to get to know him? She wished she could sniff and know him like the wolves could. Drawing in a breath, she did pick up on Reardon’s scent. Something woodsy and clean and fern-like. Pleasant. Reminded her of the pond outside the sanctuary’s boundaries. She’d gone swimming in that sun-warmed pond before and had enjoyed the smell of the aquatic plants bordering it. Reardon smelled like that. An earthy, comforting scent.

  He scratched at his beard and an image of Alator sitting on his haunches using his hind leg to scratch his chin popped in her head. She shook the vision from her mind and focused on Reardon’s mouth that was moving.

  “…a soldier.”

  “You’re a soldier?” That explained the badass aura and his ability to risk his life to save hers and Dylan’s.

  “I was.” He cleared his throat, and Brandy got the impression he didn’t want to talk about being a soldier. Maybe he had some PTSD or something. That made her heart hurt for him.

  “And now you’re here.”

  He nodded.

  “Well, okay. Good enough for me.”

  An expression of relief washed over his features and a smile turned up the corners of his lovely mouth. “It smells wonderful in here. What’s for dinner?”

  “Steak. Parker likes to grill. It makes him feel manly.”

  “I heard that.” Parker appeared in the dining room and leaned against the threshold, Chella draped along his side like a blanket.

  “Is it a false statement?” Brandy put her hands on her hips in challenge.

  Parker let his head hang on his shoulders. “No. Point me to the meat.” He grunted and scratched himself in imitation of a caveman.

  Brandy led him to the kitchen and handed him the tray of seasoned steaks. “Have at it, Chef Daniels.”

  “Oh, these look great. C’mon, Chella. I need an assistant.”

  Chella giggled and click-clacked her way after him out onto the back deck where the grill was set up.

  When Brandy turned around, Reardon raised his eyebrows at her.

  “What?”

  “You don’t like her.” He gestured to the door.

  “She’s fine.” Brandy waved a hand. “I think Parker could do better, but he’s a big boy and can make his own decisions.”

  “Have you and Parker…”

  “We have, but it wasn’t a love connection. Not like that anyway. He’s like a brother to me.” Was that a jealous little flare in Reardon’s green-gold eyes? Interesting.

  “Aye, he called you a sister when I met him out at the gates.”

  “So our stories check out then?” she teased.

  “They do.” He grinned then looked around the kitchen, pulling free the bag he had pinned under his left arm. “Where’s your boy?”

  “He’s feeding the wolves with my mother. She lives in the cabin next door. They’ll both be along shortly.”

  “Great. This is for him.” He set the bag on the kitchen counter.

  Brandy peeked inside. “The tennis ball launcher. You did see us in the pet store.”

  “Aye, but I promise I’m not stalking you.” He held up his hands in innocence. “Today’s events were completely unplanned.” He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “I’m not sure what I’m doing here now.”

  “You’re letting me thank you for keeping us from becoming road pizza.”

  “Road pizza?”

  “Yeah, road pizza. An ooey-gooey version of ourselves. I didn’t want to be ooey-gooey, and I certainly didn’t want Dylan to be either. That kid means everything to me. Everything.”

  “Of course. You’re his mother.”

  “Actually, I’m his aunt. My sister died giving birth to him so I’m raising him. He calls me Mom because I’m the only one he’s ever known.” Wow, loser, why don’t you tell him your life story? Jesus.

  “Then he’s doubly precious to you.” The compassion in his eyes nearly made Brandy cry. “I’m honored to have saved you both today and delighted to share a meal.”

  Brandy’s throat was too tight to reply, but she didn’t have to because Dylan and Meredith came in right at that moment.

  “Hey, Reardon,” Dylan said. “Guess what? A
lator loved that tire toy. I told you he would. We played with it all afternoon.”

  “You must have an excellent sense of what wolves find entertaining.” Reardon reached for the bag on the counter and handed it to Dylan. “You’ll have to experiment with this tomorrow.”

  Dylan opened the bag and yanked out the tennis ball launcher, a smile the size of the sky on his face. “Yeah! Mom, can I take Reardon to meet Alator now and try this out?” He wiggled the launcher.

  “Dinner first. Parker will be done with the steaks soon.” She ruffled Dylan’s hair when he pouted a little. “And you are planning to thank Reardon, correct?”

  “Thank you, Reardon. Alator will be so excited to play with this. He loves running. I love running too.”

  “Me too,” Reardon said.

  Meredith shuffled up to Reardon and Brandy had to laugh at how small her mother looked next to the big man. “I’d like to thank you too,” she said. “I’m Meredith Wendon, and these two schmucks are my whole world. I would not have liked seeing them smooshed between two cars. That would have ruined my day.”

  She stepped closer and hugged Reardon. Just like that. Because she was a grandmother, she could get away with such forwardness, while Brandy worked hard to keep from tossing herself at Reardon.

  “I happened to be there,” Reardon said over Meredith’s head.

  Meredith backed out of the hug, taking a moment to squeeze him around the bicep and raise an approving eyebrow at Brandy. “And a good thing you were. Now let’s eat.”

  She nudged Dylan to the dining room table as Parker and Chella came in with the steaks. Brandy brought the side dishes over and everyone took their usual seats.

  Everyone except Reardon who appeared to be waiting for her to sit first. Quite the gentleman. Almost as if he wasn’t from this time. She thought of Marshall who had nearly knocked her over to get the seat he wanted at the table in the restaurant.

  “This is your seat, Reardon.” Dylan pointed to the one at the head of the table near both Brandy and Dylan.