“I locked myself out and had to break in last night. No big deal. The top lock still worked, and I was going to call someone to fix it this morning.” There, that seemed good.
His eyes told her he half-believed her story, if at all. But she didn’t have to answer to him. There was nothing he could do but take her at her word.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” he asked, tilting his head again, trying to see past her.
“No. I’m not. Is there a reason you’re here so early?”
“We’re going to breakfast. I offered to pick you up.” He met her gaze at last.
“Oh. Okay, I need to get dressed first. Why don’t you wait downstairs? I’ll be there in ten–” Her gaze strayed toward the bathroom. “Make that fifteen minutes.”
Suspicion entered his eyes again, but he nodded, turning around to tread down the stairs. That was a close one. She didn’t need lectures from her family about getting involved with someone from the pack. She was old enough to make her own mistakes.
Brendan tried to clear the sleep from his brain as he listened to Julie’s conversation with her brother. He made no apologies for eavesdropping. Not that he had a choice. Short of turning on the shower–which would have alerted Danny to his presence and put him in hot water with Julie–every word of their conversation bled through the walls.
It might make things easier if Danny discovered he was here. Her brothers had to find out at some point. He was Julie’s mate, after all. He didn’t want to hide their relationship. And after they beat him up–he had no doubt they would beat him up–they’d accept it. Because he would do everything in his power to protect her and cherish her every day of their lives together.
He forced himself not to open the door and go to Julie, her voice drawing him like a moth to a flame. He rested his head against the wooden panel, not really listening until the word “breakfast” penetrated his foggy pleasure.
He frowned, tuning in to their conversation. He wanted to take Julie to breakfast. Better yet, breakfast in bed. In fact, he wanted to spend the whole day in bed, wrapped around each other. His frown deepened as he heard Danny stomp downstairs to wait, unaware of Brendan’s presence.
Didn’t she want to tell her family about him? He wanted to shout it from the rooftop, take out an ad in the paper, so everyone would know she was his.
Her feet thumped past the bathroom, and the sound of a drawer opening reached his ears.
Turning on the faucet, he ran cold water over his face. It was possible she wanted to wait until her siblings had breakfast before breaking the news. Wolves were always better tempered with full bellies. Easing them into the truth made sense. Hell, maybe if he let her handle things he wouldn’t even have to deal with three angry alpha wolves trying to beat the crap out of him.
With a clearer head, Brendan opened the bathroom door and walked out. Julie brushed her hair, clothed in another lacy underwear set. He stared as her breasts swayed with each stroke of the brush.
She looked at him in the mirror, her surprised gaze running over his naked form. Desire darkened her eyes, and he stiffened in response.
“Oh no, you don’t. We don’t have time. Danny is right outside,” she said, turning around as he advanced on her.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be quick.”
“Yeah, that’s what every girl wants to hear. ‘Don’t worry, baby, I’ll be quick.’” Julie’s voice deepened as she mocked him.
“Come on, baby, I promise I’ll make it good for you,” he joked back.
“Be quiet! And get dressed.” She giggled, turning around to pull on her jeans. He wanted to rip off the offending article. How dare it cover her perfection.
“I can’t believe you broke my lock last night.”
Broke her lock? He frowned. He hadn’t thought he’d broken it. Just broken in. Then again, he hadn’t picked a lock in a long time. And he had been anxious to see Julie. It’s possible he’d made a mistake in his rush.
“Don’t worry, I’ll fix it.”
“You do that.” As she crossed the room, she stood on tiptoes to place a chaste kiss against his lips.
“I’ve gotta go.” He watched her pick up her purse on the way to the door.
Wait, that was it? They’d just spent a mind-blowing night together, and all she had to say was “fix my lock” as she ran out the door?
“Will I see you tonight?” she asked, turning in the doorframe. A puff of relief surged out. She did care.
“Swing by my place. I’ll cook the salmon I bought last night.” Regret flashed in her eyes.
“I’m sorry about last night…”
“I’m not,” he interrupted, hating any uncertainty in her. He never wanted her to doubt one minute she spent with him. “Last night was incredible. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Her smile lit up the room, and he felt her wiggle a little deeper into his heart. He wanted to keep her smiling like that forever.
“Okay. I’ll see you tonight.” And then she was gone. His wolf wanted to chase her, not ready to let go, but the man kept him in place. She’d be back. Right now he had a lock to fix and a romantic dinner to plan.
“Did you just smell me?” Julie’s gaze shot toward Danny, narrowing her eyes on her brother as he stared out the windshield. She’d swear he’d leaned over and sniffed her. She glanced at his hands as they tightened on the steering wheel and back at his darkening frown. Something was definitely wrong. This was not like Danny at all.
She was about to repeat the question, but swallowed the words as he glanced her way. Wolf eyes stared out at her. Danny was holding onto his control by a thread. A thin thread.
Clearing her throat, Julie searched for a safer topic.
“Where are we meeting for breakfast?” A lame question. She knew where they were going. Had known since he’d pulled out of the parking lot, heading north. There weren’t a whole lot of options in a town the size of Alpine Woods. The diner was within walking distance, and Samuel’s restaurant was in the opposite direction, which meant one thing. Mom was cooking.
“How did your lock break again?” he asked, ignoring her question. Why was he so obsessed with the damn lock?
“I told you. I locked myself out. No big deal.”
The wolf growl made her jump. Danny of the iron control was losing it over a busted lock?
“What’s wrong with you? I’m fine.” She shoved his shoulder, knowing he would never hurt her.
Tires squealed as he slammed on the brakes in front of their parents’ house. Danny threw off his seatbelt and stormed out of the car.
“Oookay,” Julie muttered to the empty car, following at a more sedate pace.
Her mother greeted her at the door with a hug. No matter how old she got, she’d never be too old for this. Her mother’s embrace brought more comfort than chocolate, a warm bath or wine.
The hand stroking her back stilled and her mother pulled away, assessing her with shrewd eyes. Julie fidgeted under the perusal. Long moments passed before Judith finally stepped away.
“Everyone’s in the dining room.” She gestured, heading in the opposite direction toward the kitchen.
What was up with everyone this morning? She looked down to make sure she was appropriately dressed. Jeans and a t-shirt might not be dressy, but they weren’t eating at the Ritz, either. Why then was everyone acting as if she’d shocked them?
Conversation halted the moment she entered the room. Six sets of eyes stared at her like an interloper. She’d always been different than her siblings, but never before had she felt so unwelcome. As if she’d stumbled into a pack meeting where she wasn’t allowed.