Page 50 of Coming Home

“Not much, toothbrushes and toothpaste, some deodorant, because trust me, I work with these boys and it is not an age you want them ever going without it.”

In spite of everything, I couldn’t help but laugh at that. “What else?”

“A clean shirt for each of us and maybe a little something special for you later tonight if you behave.”

That definitely caught my attention.

“Let me see,” I said.

“No. I said, if you behave.”

I started to stalk towards her, and she grabbed the bag that clearly didn’t come from the same store as the others and hugged it to her chest. She rounded the table to the left, and I moved in to trap her. She faked and shot off in the other direction. She was fast, I had to give her that, but my wolf was gleefully on the hunt now.

In another surprise move, Shelby headed for the bedroom, but she couldn’t get the door shut and locked before I was through it. She jumped onto the bed, still laughing and clutching the bag.

I sucked in a breath and wished we were alone.

“You are definitely not on good behavior,” she said, but her cheeks were pink and her eyes full of mischief. She was enjoying the chase as much as I was.

Setting the bag down next to her, I channeled my wolf speed and snatched it from her.

“Cheater, you can’t use your wolf powers.”

It was my turn to laugh. “Sport, in my line of work, you learn quickly to commune as one with your wolf. We’re pretty in synch and I don’t even have to think about it anymore to channel his powers.”

“That’s pretty cool. Maybe you can teach me someday.”

“Maybe,” I started saying as I looked down into the bag and gulped at the sight of black, lacy lingerie with a pack of dirty dice on top. I pulled at the dice and read some of the categories. I quickly looked around to make sure my brothers weren’t nearby and threw them back in the bag. “Shelby, Will and Troy will be right across the hall,” I reminded her.

She shrugged and grinned. “Maddie called. Apparently Lily had her pack a few things for us.” She opened her purse and pulled out a dampener and a box of condoms. “Don’t need these,” she said, tossing the condoms back into her bag. “But this, I will kiss her for when we get back.” She grinned evilly back at me and I grew instantly hard.

It was difficult to remember just why I thought something was physically wrong with me in that department. With Shelby around, there was certainly no more concerns. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to satiate my appetite for this woman.

“Can we go ahead and eat? I’m starving!” Will whined.

“We’re coming,” Shelby said.

“Bad choice of words,” I mumbled under my breath.

Shelby threw her head back and laughed as she walked out of the room.

I took a deep, calming breath and readjusted my pants to make it less noticeable just how turned on I was and followed her out.

Dinner was actually nice. The boys were more relaxed and didn’t seem as stressed after the day with Mom and Dad. They opened up a little about their concerns and thanked Shelby for being willing to keep them after I left. I tried to push down the guilt I felt. I didn’t want to leave any of them, but I knew that each day that time got closer.

“Everything’s going to be okay, guys. We’re a pack, and the pack takes care of their own,” she said.

“Thomas has gone above and beyond this time, though,” Troy pointed out. “I mean, he’s arranged everything for Mom and Dad and the Pack’s paying for all their care, so we don’t have to worry about medical bills. That’s enough, but this place? This is above and beyond.”

Will chimed in next. “Yeah, we would have just driven the five hours and probably just gone back home tonight or stayed in a motel somewhere along the way. I didn’t even know places like this actually existed. You know, just in the movies. And a private jet? That was insane.”

Shelby frowned. “That’s the Pack’s jet, you guys. Most people just don’t realize they could ask for it.”

Troy shot her a look like she was crazy. “That plane goes by Pack status, Shelby. You only say that because you’re an actual Collier.”

She frowned like she was contemplating what they were saying.

“Maybe,” she said noncommittally.

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