Enticing Their Mate (Pack Wars #6)(32)

She tightened her fists on the wheel. “You in charge of me now? Last I heard, you’d given up that right to Jay when you walked out of my bedroom after making me a very happy woman.”

Her words were like swords slicing through his gut. Fuck. He stabbed a hand through his hair. “It’s not safe there.”

She glanced over at him. He’d expected her to be angry, but she seemed more fed up than anything. “That may be, but you asking if I’m willing to stay someplace else instead of demanding it would have gone a long way to me agreeing. I’m a believer in equality in a relationship.”

“You see? I suck at saying the right thing. How about you stay at the motel with Jay and I’ll find someplace else to crash?”

She glanced at him. “Really? That’s your solution? I know you had a rough childhood and for that I’m sorry, but I had no idea your self-esteem was so low when it came to women.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my self-esteem. So what do you say to moving?”

She pulled into a parking spot, cut the engine, and faced him. “I’ll move in on one condition.”

He could adapt. “What?”

“All three of us stay in the motel room. Together.”

He’d met stubborn women before, but Sarah was the most strong-willed of them all. It made sense, though, since she was an FBI operative.

“Deal.”

The moment that word left his mouth, he realized he might be subjecting himself to sleepless nights and emotional torture.

* * *

Fearing Nancy might need care, Sarah couldn’t afford to spend too much time shopping, but knowing that Riley was fighting to keep his distance ignited the devil in her. Teasing him would be fun. Always having to be on alert had made her grow restless, and letting down her guard for a few minutes would help.

“You ever consider leaving the Bureau?” she asked as she slipped out of the car.

“Not really.” Riley waited for her to come toward him then placed a hand on her back as he led her to the store, his gaze constantly searching the area.

“Why not?”

He glanced down at her. “What would I do? The Bureau is all I know. They’re like family to me.”

Her heart hurt for him. “You could work for the Pack.”

“The General hasn’t asked me.”

The man had a way of answering without addressing the question directly. “If you were asked, would you do it?”

He held open the door to the store. “Why do you ask? Are you thinking of joining the General’s team?”

She huffed out a laugh. “If case you forgot, I’m human,” she whispered.

“Mackenzie is only half werewolf. I bet the General would love to have a human operative. You could go places his men might not be allowed.”

She hadn’t thought of it that way. “Like the Trojan Horse?”

He smiled and her stupid body reacted. “Exactly.”

Discussing shifters and operatives was not a good idea in a store situated near Statler’s warehouse. No telling where he had ears.

“Where to?” Riley asked.

“How about grabbing us a cart?” He located one and returned, looking deliciously domestic but a bit uncomfortable. “If you want to sit in the car, I can do this myself.”

His eyes widened as if he couldn’t believe she’d read his mind. “I’m good.” It came out forced. Poor Riley.


When she ran a hand down his arm, he stiffened then groaned as if her touch altered something inside him. This little shopping spree was going to be a delicious diversion.

Sarah led him to the women’s department where she gathered several flowing skirts, with the tag that said One Size Fits All. Too many of the women were emaciated, and the fullness of the material would hide some of their thinness. She then stocked up on tops, camisoles to act as bras, and sweaters as the women often complained of being cold. “Now for lingerie.”

Riley cleared his throat and glanced off to the side. “I think I’ll check out the men’s department. I could use some things.”

Really? “Sure.” Sarah worked hard not to smile.

“I’ll pay for all of this and Statler will reimburse me,” he said.

That worked for her. “I won’t be long.”

She picked up some socks for when the women weren’t being paraded in front of the buyer and then tossed in underwear. Since she was moving in with the men, it wouldn’t hurt to add a few pairs of sexy panties for herself. She had planned on holding them up for Riley to judge, but from the way his scruff had thickened and his eyes had lightened, he was fighting not to shift. Hopefully, his change wasn’t anger-driven but rather one of a sexual nature. She felt sorry for him. He had no idea how much she would enjoy tormenting the poor man.

* * *

As soon as Sarah and Riley entered the warehouse with their purchases, Connolly met them, his face strained. “The buyer just called and said his assistant will be here in two hours.”

A band tightened around her chest. “That’s not enough time to get the women ready.”

“You’ll have to do your best. I’d help, but I don’t think—”

She didn’t need him touching them. “That’s okay. All I ask is that you stand guard to make sure they don’t get the drop on me.”