Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(82)

And to Galen, Holt added silently. The two Doms shared their submissive wife.

“It’s good to see you, Vance,” Josie said, smiling. “You, too, Jake. And Holt. How was the game?”

As Vance answered, Jake glanced at Holt and said quietly, “She’s still not sure if you’re worth the risk.”

“Yeah, I know,” Holt said, equally quietly. “She’s picked up some scars in the past.”

“Mmm. Dodging old hurts is tricky.”

No shit. “She’s worth it.”

Jake’s smile widened, and he slapped Holt on the shoulder in approval. When Josie looked at him, he said, “Do you need a grocery store run? Anything picked up? Rainie has me well trained.”

“Well trained?” Vance snorted. “You two need to get away from the dog kennels and out with humans once in a while.”

Laughing, Josie shook her head. “I always make tons of food. Carson knows he can bring people home and feed them anytime.”

The two older teenagers came in, saw the food, and exchanged fist bumps.

Josie moved forward to give one a pat on the shoulder and the other a fond smile. “Carson and his friends are in the backyard. We set up a soccer goal this morning, and he’s been eager to give it a try.”

“Cool,” Duke said. He and Wedge jogged out the back door, obviously already familiar with the house.

Josie told the three men, “Food won’t be for a few more minutes if you want to join the boys and do something active.”

“Sounds good.” Vance and Jake sauntered out, and Holt heard Jake call, “Vance and I will defend the net. Let’s see if you can get anything past us.”

Whoops of enthusiasm came from outside.

“Looks like they’re all busy.” Holt straightened. “Now who is going to defend you?”

Josie bit her lip, a flush rising in her cheeks.

Lovely. Moving forward, he trapped her against the counter with an arm on each side of her.

“This isn’t a good idea, Holt,” she whispered. “I-I don’t date.”

“That’s fine, pet. We can just hang around at home and fuck,” he whispered back.

She gave an indignant sputter of laughter and that was when he took her mouth. Her lips quivered against his and then…she surrendered.

Was there anything sexier than a woman who put her whole heart into a kiss? One who softened against him. One who didn’t want to kiss him, yet ended up plastered against him.

The thump of approaching footsteps broke them apart. By the time Brandon appeared in the kitchen, Holt was nibbling on shredded cheese instead of a little submissive’s neck. A pity that.

“Brandon.” Josie gave the boy a sweet look. “I take it soccer isn’t your game?”

“Nah,” the kid said. “My father wanted me to play football and baseball. He didn’t like soccer.”

Holt gave him a closer look. The boy was tall and hefty; he was also out of shape. Doubtful that he played any extracurricular sports. “I better go save Vance and Jake from the under-twenty crowd. Thanks for the treat, Josie.”

From the way her color increased, she knew he didn’t mean the cheese. “Tell the boys they still have a few minutes to grind you old guys into the dirt.”

“You’re a vicious woman, Josephine.”

As Holt walked out, he heard Brandon laugh.

Ten minutes later, he headed into the house on a bottled water run. He’d expected to see Brandon watching TV. Instead, the kid sat at the kitchen island, cutting up black olives for the tacos, and pouring his heart out.

Yeah, Josie had a talent for listening.

After a moment, Holt silently headed back outside. The boy was talking about his father and a divorce and never being good enough, and his emotions were bouncing from tears to sheer fury.

Best that everyone continue with the soccer for a few more minutes.

Duke and Wedge were taking on Jake, Vance, and Yukio. And Carson had been sidelined while he knotted together a busted shoelace. He looked up at Holt. “We get a few extra minutes?”

“Eh, I didn’t ask. Your buddy is talking with your mom, and I didn’t want to interrupt.”

After a second, Carson nodded his understanding. “That’s good, yeah. He’s had a hard time—and Mom’ll help. She’s good at that.”

“She is.” Holt leaned against the picnic table. “I’m pretty good, too…if you ever need to talk about shit.”

Carson looked up. “Huh?”

“My father died when I was around your age. It made it rough since sometimes a guy has questions—ones he can’t ask a female.” Holt ruffled the kid’s hair. “Just remember you can call me if you get into trouble you can’t handle.”

The kid flushed and nodded, gratitude in his eyes. “’Kay, thanks.”

At a yell from Yukio, Carson darted out, swept up the pass, and kicked the ball right past Jake and into the net.

Holt grinned and let out a whooping cheer.

Startled, Carson turned. The boy had his mother’s grin.





Chapter Sixteen





Christmas day was almost over. That evening, Josie walked around her house, picking up stray pieces of wrapping paper and ribbon.