Page 41 of War Games

“Trust Oliver to make a small thing into a bigger thing he can take pictures of to promote the restaurant,” I said, now shaking my head awkwardly.

“We have a photographer; I forgot about that. She’ll be at the ceremony, taking pictures quietly and getting some pictures of all of us before we go to the reception.”

“Sounds like you have everything covered. That’s good because if it was me, it would be a disaster. I wouldn’t have been a single help at all, so it’s good I was out of town.”

“Hey, don’t say that.” He ran a hand through my hair. “You are incredibly capable, Jacky.”

“I haven’t felt like it in a long time,” I whispered, admitting to that painful truth. “I jump into situations and barely survive them. Or I don’t get what I need to help someone… or I kill the people I help.” I let go of him and rolled over.

He shifted down, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my bare shoulder gently.

“It’s been hard for a few months. I know that just as well as you do. There’s so much I wish I could help with, but I can’t. Being in my position, there’s nothing I do for certain things. You can’t beat yourself up, especially not for the things out of your control. Think about everything you’ve done. You saved Arlo from being framed for murder. You helped free the surviving werewolves of the Dallas pack, and they all have better lives now. You’ve done a lot to help people, Jacky.”

I couldn’t help Fenris. I couldn’t help the moon cursed in Alaska, like that poor boy. I’m no help right now.

That was what I wanted to say.

“Thank you.”

16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Sunday came fast. Saturday was making sure those of us in the wedding ceremony were ready for it. Carey made sure we had the makeup to look presentable for the pictures. The men made sure their suits were ready, including Niko, who showed up in it to make sure the boys liked it on him. I tried on the gorgeous dress Carey, Heath, and Aisha had picked out for me. I didn’t see the full effect of the look until Sunday morning when Carey was finally finished with my hair and makeup.

“Go look in the mirror and tell me what you think,” Carey said, leaning back, seeming pleased with herself.

I’ll need to thank Aisha. She has great taste. I feel like an impostor in it, but it is beautiful. I’m glad Heath and Carey asked her to help pick it out.

I sighed, happy at how good it looked on me, never having felt as beautiful in something so feminine. It wasn’t that I never had been one to wear dresses. I had enjoyed them sometimes growing up. But they didn’t work in my day to day the way Zuri or Mischa could do, handling business in whatever designer gown they decided to put on that morning.

“Thank you,” I said, a little embarrassed by how I needed her help to get ready. “You know me. I don’t… do this very often.”

“You’re going to look even better when you and Dad get married,” she said brightly, smiling from ear to ear. “I guess this is a sneak peek to that day.”

I flushed, my heart touched that she looked forward to that day as much as I did, even though there was no date set, no plans made, or even the whisper of such things being decided.

“Don’t get emotional on me right now. I can’t do my makeup and fix yours in time. Go hang out with Dad in the living room or something.” She pointed to my door, and I left her in the bedroom.

I saw Heath downstairs the moment I went out the door. He looked dashing. A suit was always a good fit for him, and today was no different.

“Where are the guys?” I asked as I approached him, but he didn’t seem to hear me. The smell around him was full of need, the kind of need that normally led back up the stairs and made him lock the door so no one could interrupt. His eyes went up and down me several times, and his stormy-blue eyes turned ice blue, lightening to their wolf color as excitement filled the air.

“Woah. We have a wedding to attend,” I reminded him.

“Your eyes look amazing with that color,” he said, the huskiness of his voice sending shivers down my spine.

“Are you looking at my eyes?” I asked teasingly. “It is a beautiful dress, though. Aisha did well.”

“I’m glad Aisha agreed with my choice,” he corrected with a smile that made me flush for a very different reason than Carey’s did.

“I… I didn’t know you picked it out,” I said softly, suddenly understanding some of the choices that made the dress sexy. Like how the low back made me feel a little risqué without being too much. Or the way it couldn’t be worn with a bra, thanks tothat back. I had on pasties recommended by Aisha to help me feel more comfortable, and there were some clear sticky things helping hold certain parts of the dress in the right place. The front didn’t plunge the way the back did. It seems rather tasteful from the front where it looped around the back of my neck.

His warm, calloused hand slowly touched my open lower back as he leaned in.

“How do you feel in it?” he asked, his lips brushing my ear.

“Gorgeous. Like a model,” I answered, trying to sound casual.

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