Page 8

E arly the next morning , Payton pulled into Daire’s driveway and honked her horn. Kinleigh stood on tiptoe to kiss him goodbye.

“What would you like to do tonight?” he asked.

“I’m down for anything. Did you have something in mind?”

He linked his arms around her back and pulled her in close. “Wanna hot tub?”

“You have a hot tub?”

“Yep.”

“You mean, you’ve kept this monumental luxury from me?”

“I wanted you to want me , not my hot tub.”

“Ah.” She chuckled. “Very formidable weapon in your arsenal, Mr. Nolin, but don’t worry.” She rubbed her hand down his zipper to cup his junk. “A hot tub doesn’t hold a candle to this.”

He placed his hand on top of hers, trapping it on his hardening cock. “You just love me for my dick, don’t you?”

“Well, it’s a very, very nice dick.”

She kissed him again, then backed up. Winking before she turned and hurried out the door. Payton waved at her as she slid into the passenger seat.

“Morning,” she said.

“Morning,” Payton said. “Ready for some fun?”

“Gives a whole new meaning to dancing to the oldies.”

“Dancing with the oldies.”

They laughed as Payton drove them to the senior center. Elder wolves carried the title of Digamma, a reference to the retired Greek letter. Once a month, Jericho came to talk and listen to the elders, learning their wisdom or asking advice. A wolf pack valued the elders, and a good alpha aways took their years of experience into consideration. Listening and asking for advice.

About a dozen seniors, a mix of men and women, waited for them in the community room. They were dressed in various exercise clothes and they all smiled as she and Payton walked into the room.

“Hello!” Payton greeted. “This is my cousin, Kinleigh, and she’ll be helping today.”

Everyone smiled, welcoming her into their center. For the next hour, they danced their way to low-impact moves. When the hour was done, she and Payton hung around for a while to talk with the elders.

A woman patted Kinleigh’s hand. “How long are you gonna be with us, dear?”

“Maybe for another week.”

“Aw,” someone else said. “Well, you’re more than welcome to come back.”

“Maybe I will,” Kinleigh said, smiling.

They soon left, waving their goodbyes.

“There’s an outside movie night in the park this evening,” Payton said as she drove them back to her house. “Wanna come?”

“Sure,” she said. “What’s playing?”

“ Teen Wolf . The older one, with Michael J. Fox.”

“Werewolf movie, of course. I should’ve known. Count me in, I’ll be there.”

“Great! What about Daire?”

“I’ll ask him.”

“Okay. If he can’t make it or he doesn’t want to go, call me and I’ll come pick you up.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

****

T he crisp evening air caused goose bumps as it blew across her skin. Payton had told her to wear something warm, but the long-sleeved shirt she wore wasn’t great protection. Kinleigh glanced through the crowd of about two dozen people, searching for Daire. He’d run late on a house he was working on and told her he’d meet her there.

When their gazes locked on each other, happiness caused her to jump to her feet and meet him halfway. The blankets and pillows he carried fell to the ground as he pulled her into his arms. Kissing her like he hadn’t seen her in days, instead of just a few hours. Kinleigh wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing back with fervor.

“Missed you,” he murmured against her lips.

“Missed you back,” she replied.

He grinned down at her. “Brought us blankets, as you can see.”

“Brains and beauty,” she said with a giggle. “I hit the jackpot.”

“Those were supposed to be my lines, Miss Smooth Talker. So ... ditto.”

“And so eloquent. You make my heart flutter.”

Daire pressed another sweet kiss against her mouth. “Mine too.”

He released her so he could pick up the stuff he dropped then walked with her to where Jericho and Payton sat.

“Evening, Alpha and Luna,” he greeted.

“Hello,” Jericho said. “We’re off the clock. You can drop the honorifics.”

Daire laid a thick blanket on the grass. As the projector movie started to play, he moved the pillows into place and they laid down. He wrapped Kinleigh in his arms and they snuggled together under another blanket as she burrowed into his warmth. She felt the soft kiss he placed on top of her head.

Contentment filled her. This was the life she’d always wanted. Surrounded by pack. Cherished in the arms of the man she loved. The glimpse into what her future could’ve been made her heart ache.

“Can I tell you something without you freaking out?” he asked, his voice low and intimate.

“Mm,” she replied.

“I like this. I like having you in my arms.”

“I like this, too,” she admitted.

He placed another kiss on the back of her head, and she knew she had to be honest with herself.

She was falling for Daire.