Page 20

I nodded and took off into the bedroom. I needed to try and find all of my clothing.

We’d been careful not to tear anything last night, but I still only managed to locate one of my socks.

Not that it mattered too much. Silver came out of the bathroom while I was pulling on my shirt.

I did four of the buttons, then stood and reached for my pants.

Shoes were next, and then I was ready to go.

Silver had disappeared into his closet, and I was starting to think we were at that odd morning-after stage.

We weren’t just hookups though. We were mates. We’d claimed one another.

Silver reappeared, looking even sexier in snug-fitting jeans and a black T-shirt. I had to roll my lips inward to keep from saying anything. “I’m going to get out of your way,” I said, pointing at the door.

“You aren’t in my way. If you give me two more minutes to get on socks and boots, I’ll take you home.

We can get you some fresh clothes, then go out to breakfast. I know a great diner that’s not far from our office building.

Then we can go back to yours and pack some of your stuff.

You will need at least a week’s worth of clothes and bathroom stuff.

Not that I mind you using mine. But my clothes just aren’t going to fit you. ”

I nodded slowly. Inside, I was screaming about the fact that my mate wanted me with him.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to calm my mind.

I was all over this morning, and I really needed to get my shit together before I upset my mate.

Silver was a mate. He wanted to take me to breakfast. He wanted to be seen with me.

He’d run his brothers off because, well…

they’d just barged in while we were in bed together.

“You’re thinking a bit too hard there for so early in the morning,” Silver said. He reached out and touched my cheek. We’re going to have a long discussion later about some things, but right now, we need to get you changed so we can go eat. Discussions are always better with a full stomach.”

I nodded in agreement. Silver moved his hand from my cheek to my wrist. He gently wrapped his much larger hand around it and led me from the bedroom. He stopped by the counter long enough to grab his keys and phone, and then we were walking out the door.

“Oh…I…” I told him as I tried to let him know my phone was on the counter.

Silver stopped and opened the passenger door to his massive truck. “Did you need a boost in?”

I looked up at the truck and nodded. I didn’t know how I’d ever be able to get into the massive thing without help. “And maybe a step stool to get high enough for that boost.”

Silver chuckled. He surprised me by simply grabbing me on my hips and lifting. I squeaked, grabbed ahold of his shoulders, and then flailed a little before my behind landed on plush leather.

“Buckle up.”

I nodded before I spun around to get situated. I wasn’t surprised at Silver’s choice of vehicle at all. He was a large man, and his truck fit him. Me, not so much. Then again, I had a tiny car that my mate barely fit inside.

“What’s your house number?” he asked after he was behind the wheel.

“Oh, it’s 131 Oakview Court.” Silver nodded, then started the truck. “I can give you directions if you need them.”

“I might. I’m not sure I’ve ever been on Oakview. I know when Clay was looking at houses, he was shown one over there, but it wasn’t on Oakview. He ended up over here on Pine Ridge.”

I nodded, then realized that wasn’t far. “That’s just the next road over.”

“Yep. Mica lives on Pine Ridge as well. They live four houses apart. I tried to find something over there, but this was as close as I could get.”

That was…wow. I guess he and his brothers were incredibly close.

“I don’t think I could live that close to Sam.

Not anymore. I mean, I lived with her growing up, and then she moved back in for a few years after our parents died, but not now.

” I thought about Sam’s visit yesterday and shivered.

Nope. I loved my sister dearly. I absolutely could not live that close to her.

“Is it going to be an issue for you that I’m so close with my brothers?”

I didn’t even have to think about my reply.

“No, absolutely not. Sam and I used to be closer. I understood once she was mated and she wanted to spend time with Justin instead of me. But once she became pregnant…” I thought about that and shivered again.

“No. Something inside her changed once she became pregnant. Maybe she’ll go back to being her old self again once she’s a mom, but I have a feeling she’s going to be even more extra once she has the baby. ”

“Have you talked to her mate?”

I looked at Silver with wide eyes. “You’d have to know Justin to understand that saying anything even remotely negative about my sister is a big no-no.

I’ve seen him roll his eyes at her antics, but then he’ll just give in and give her what she wants.

He’s gotten upset at others when they mention her behavior.

He’s honestly no help.” I pointed to the left.

“This way, and then take the first road to the right. That’s Oakview. ”

“Got it.” Silver continued on, and once we were on my street, he slowed even more. “So what you’re saying is that Justin just enables your sister’s behavior.”

I sighed. “Yeah, I guess. I love her. I really do. But she’s taking pregnancy to a whole other level.

She’s not enjoyable to be around.” I pointed to my little yellow cottage.

“It’s the yellow one right there.” The amount of relief I felt at not seeing Sam’s vehicle anywhere around was obviously noticeable because Silver mentioned it.

“Are you all right? You just seemed to relax a great deal. Am I stressing you out? We don’t have to do more than just get some clothing for you if that’s all you are up for.”

I shook my head while looking at Silver. “It’s not you. I was just remembering that Sam said she was going to stop by first thing and get all of the deets from last night. I was relieved that I didn’t see her car anywhere around.”

Silver chuckled. “Well, if she shows up, I can growl at her if you want.”

That made me laugh. The thought of Silver growling at my sister was funny.

I was certain he’d do it, and Sam would probably go running to Justin about him being mean to her.

My laughter stopped when those thoughts hit.

“Maybe don’t. Justin is on the local police force, and I don’t want him to do anything to you. ”

Silver parked in the driveway, and I realized that his truck took up the entire thing: front to back, left to right. These cottages really weren’t designed for anyone above average size. “Has your brother-in-law ever done something like that before?”

“No.”

“Do you honestly think he’d do something like that?”

I sighed. “No. He will do questionable things for her, but I don’t think he’s ever done anything where he’s used his position with the force.”

“Then why would you think that now?”

I shrugged. “It’s been a whole lot the last day. Sam’s going to flip that we claimed one another before she got to meet you.”

Silver rolled his eyes. “Was that going to change the outcome? If she had met me and didn’t like me, were you going to just tell me to kick rocks?”

I snorted. “No.”

“Exactly. Now, wait there. I’ll come around and help you out. I’m hungry, and I know you’re hungry because I’ve heard your stomach growl a few times.”

Silver slid from the truck before I could say anything in response.

He wasn’t wrong though. I was hungry. And when he was suddenly opening my door for me, then reaching for my waist, I couldn’t help but remember all of the hard lines of his body last night as I slid down it.

I really was lucky when it came to who I’d been gifted as my mate.