Coming through another doorway at the other end of the room that must be connected to the kitchen, Roxie came in carrying a large pan of piping hot lasagna. She placed it on the center of the table on a cooling rack. She took off the oven mitts she wore before she said, “I’ll just get the garlic bread, then we can dish up.”
The smell of garlic preceded Roxie when she returned. Ryann’s stomach growled in anticipation. She had a weakness for Italian food. All heads turned her way, and she blushed. She hadn’t thought the sound of her stomach grumbling had been that loud.
She looked at Roxie. “It smells delicious. I guess I’m hungrier than I thought.”
“Well, help yourself, and eat as much as you want. I made lots.”
No one spoke as the food was dished up on their plates. Once she had hers, Ryann picked up her piece of garlic bread and took a bite. It was really good, so was the lasagna when she had some of that.
While they ate, a large bottle of red wine was passed around, everyone filling the wineglass next to their plate. And as the meal progressed, it went around a second time. Once that was emptied and another bottle had been opened, Ryann knew there was no way she’d be able to keep up with the others at the table. Two glasses were her max, especially if she wanted to remain sober for later. She wasn’t one of those drunks who could liven up a party. No, finding a corner somewhere and going to sleep was more her style. She doubted Dirk would enjoy that.
When the food was all gone and everyone was on their fifth glass of wine—not that any of them appeared to feel the effects of the alcohol—Ryann was still amazed by how much they’d had. It also made her think that Dirk really couldn’t be in any condition to drive. And after having her two glasses, she didn’t want to get behind the wheel either.
Trying not to be too blatant about it, she leaned toward Dirk, and whispered, “When you want to leave, I think we should call a cab. Neither one of us should be driving.”
He smiled and replied just as quietly, “I’m fine. I can drive.”
“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. We don’t need you to get a DUI.”
From the end of the table, Roxie said, “Ryann’s right, Dirk. You don’t need one of those. You two can stay over. So can Jager and Daylen.” Her gaze seemed to lock on Dirk’s. “I insist.”
“Really?” Dirk asked. “You’re going to be like this?”
Roxie smiled. “I’m afraid so. I told you I was going to watch you.”
Ryann got the distinct impression she was missing out on part of what Dirk and Roxie’s conversation really meant. She had a feeling it all didn’t have to do with Dirk driving while under the influence. But she didn’t say anything.
“Fine,” Dirk said with a sigh. “I guess we’ll be staying the night.” He turned to Ryann. “You don’t mind, do you?”
She shook her head. “If you want to stay, I’m fine with it.”
There was no way she’d pass up the chance to actually spend the entire night with Dirk in a bed. It didn’t matter where it was, so long as he was in it.
Chapter Six
After dinner, Dirk kept shooting Roxie looks that let her know he wasn’t exactly thrilled with what she’d done. He hadn’t counted on having to stay the night at her place with Ryann. Actually, he hadn’t planned on spending the entire night with Ryann at all. It would just be asking too much of him. He was only a man, and with the mating urge riding his ass, the desire to make love to his mate would be extremely hard to resist.
Well, Roxie had just made sure he was put in a situation that he, and especially she, wanted to avoid. He could’ve driven without having to worry about blowing over. All his kind metabolized alcohol differently than mortals. For him to be in the range where he’d get nailed with a DUI, he’d had to have been drinking all day. And Roxie knew that, being a werewolf herself.
Not that he could’ve told Ryann any of this, since she had no clue what he was, or the fact that she was spending her evening with a bunch of werewolves. Though with Jager around, and never knowing what he’d say next, he could let the truth slip. And that was not how Dirk wanted Ryann to find out.
Dirk probably would’ve enjoyed the evening better if he didn’t feel so on edge. And it didn’t help matters that Roxie watched him like a hawk, as if he’d take Ryann to the floor and claim her right there in front of everyone. The only good thing was that Ryann didn’t seem to notice.
She’d warmed up to everyone as if she’d known them for a long time. Roxie and she talked about their kids, while Ryann had Daylen talking about her days as a police officer. She’d even had Beowulf telling her about Wulf’s Den, and Jager about swords, though Ryann thought he was just a collector. She had no idea that his brother-in-arms was rarely without his sword strapped around his waist. Even though Jager wasn’t wearing it right now, that didn’t mean it wasn’t stashed somewhere close by. At one time, before meeting Daylen, he used to sleep with the damn thing tucked in beside him in his bed.
Once it grew late enough for everyone to call it a night, Dirk was more than anxious to get Ryann alone. And from the heated looks she’d sent his way when no one was looking, he knew she felt the same way.
Dirk stood and turned before he offered Ryann his hand. She quickly took it and let him help her to her feet. “I guess we’ll see you all in the morning,” he said, wanting to make a fast getaway. “We’ll take the room I normally use when I stay over.”
Roxie stopped Dirk and Ryann before they’d taken more than a couple of steps toward the living room’s entrance. “Are you sure that’s what Ryann wants to do? She might feel more comfortable in a room by herself.”
He turned and scowled at Roxie. “That won’t be necessary.” He then looked at Ryann. “You’re fine with sharing a bed with me, right?”
Ryann nodded. “I don’t mind staying with Dirk.”
“Are you sure? We have enough rooms if—”
Beowulf cut her off. “Enough already, Rox. Let it go.”
Using the opportunity to leave before Roxie thought of something else to say, Dirk steered Ryann out of the room. Once they were out of sight, he scooped her up in his arms, and with a tiny burst of werewolf speed, took the stairs to the upper level two at a time. Ryann giggled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and held on.
After stepping into the bedroom and flipping on the light, Dirk quietly closed the door behind them and turned the lock. He wouldn’t put it past Roxie to try to barge in. That done, he put Ryann on her feet. She kept her arms around his neck and shifted so she was pressed to the front of him from chest to knees. The scent of her arousal bloomed around them. His cock hardened in an instant.
“I’ve been dying to do this all night,” Ryann said in a husky voice.
She went on tiptoe and took his mouth in a heated kiss. Her tongue pushed between his lips, stroking his. She tasted of the wine they’d been drinking. Her fingers curled into his hair at his nape. Dirk ground his aching cock against Ryann, making them both moan.
His hunger rising for the woman who would be his mate, Dirk went to wrap his arms around her, but Ryann had other plans. She broke their kiss and pushed him back against the door with a hard shove. It banged when he made contact with it. Then she was on him again.
Lifting the front of his t-shirt with one hand, Ryann dragged the flat of her tongue along his pec. Nimble fingers worked on the button and zipper on his pants, and soon were inside them, wrapping around his thick shaft. She pumped him, forcing another groan that bordered on a wolf-like growl. He tried to take hold of her, but she shoved him once more, which made the door bang again.