Page 81 of Rugged

EMMA

I smiledand leaned into Johnny’s touch.

I was equally stunned and amazed that these two guys had tamed my sister. Not her fire, but it seemed for once, she was wanted for her. Not sex. Not her pretty face. She didn’t need to act wild to get attention or brush off anything serious.

These men–shifters–wanted Lyssa just the way she was. She didn’t have to prove anything to them, just like I didn’t have to prove anything to Johnny.

He didn’t care that I was the calm one. The tame one.

“I didn’t tell Rob I was with the FBI,” Willow said. “I even pretended to be Natalie.” She turned her head andlooked to Rob. “He didn’t tell me he was a shifter. Every one of the Wolf brothers had to lie and keep secrets from their mates. He’s just got his snout bent” –she winked up at her mate after using Lyssa’s words– “that the twin thing got past everybody.”

Rob ran a hand over the back of his neck. Was that an itch or a sign of discomfort? I didn’t think I’d ever find out.

“Our mate will be going with us to our pack land in Wyoming tomorrow,” Travis said, cutting into my thoughts.

Rob shook his head. “You are welcome here as long as you wish.” He glanced between me and Lyssa. “The differences between the two of you are clear now.”

I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or not.

“Oh my God! I love that you’re a twin!” Marina exclaimed, coming over and hugging me. She smelled like vanilla. I wasn’t sure if she knew who she was hugging, me or Lyssa, but being in Johnny’s hold probably made it obvious.

Wes was with her, holding the hand of a little girl. He wasn’t smiling like Marina was. The little girl glanced between us wide eyed, perhaps never having seen identical twins before. I gave her a little finger wave.

“This is my sister Lyssa.” I introduced Marina and Wes, and the men shook hands.

“Come on,” Marina said, taking Lyssa’s hand. “Colton and Boyd are about to light the bonfire. Let’s go trick some people.”

Lyssa didn’t even look my way, but up at her two, very tall, very gruff mates. Was she seeking their permission? When they nodded, she beamed and was tugged away by Marina.

Knox and Travis fell into a conversation with Wes about pinewood beetles and some kind of tree blight.

“She’ll be okay,” Johnny whispered in my ear.

“Are they good for her?” I whispered back. “I mean, I’ve never known her to… to be deferential to a guy, let alone two.”

“They’ll only give her what she needs.” His nose nuzzled along my neck, raising goose bumps. “Just like I give you what you need. Tell me, mate, what is it you need tonight? The handcuffs? Mmm,” he muttered. “Maybe I’ll fasten them, so you’re caught, ass up, hands and legs pinned.”

I couldn’t picture what he was saying other thanass up.

“Maybe you need my cock in your ass.”

I squirmed. The plug had been used enough where he knew well and good that I liked it. But his dick in me? There?

I clenched at the possibility.

Johnny chuckled. “Careful, mate. I can scent your arousal already.”

I leaned into him. Whatever adventure he planned for me, I knew it would be incredible.

Even more incredible was that we were a forever thing. Like a married couple, only more permanent. No chance of divorce.

“We should get you a ring,” I blurted, skipping back to my question of how I got to mark him. If all the shifters could smell his scent on me, I wanted there to be something to tell all the females he was taken, too.

Johnny grinned. “Are you proposing, Emma?”

I smiled back at him. “Yes, I guess I am. I want you to wear my ring. So the other women know you’re taken.”

“I’d be fucking honored, baby.” He put his fingers to his lips and whistled so loudly I clapped my hands over my ears. “Hey everyone! We have an announcement! Emma just proposed!”

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