Enticing Their Mate (Pack Wars #6)(66)

The General cleared his throat. “Actually, out of courtesy, I called Bill Hampton to let him know I was interested in her. While he wasn’t happy, he said if that was what Sarah wanted, he’d give her his blessing to come here. Bill told me he’d give me ten days to offer her the job. It’s been five already, so you two need to do your magic and convince her to move here.”

For the first time in a long time, Riley smiled. He then saluted. “Yes, sir.”

Jay stood. “Okay then. Let’s go home and pack.” He faced the General. “Do you happen to have her home address?”

“Thought you’d never ask.” He handed him a piece of paper from his desk with not only flight information but how to find their mate.

Riley nabbed the paper and studied it. “We can catch the four o’clock flight, no problem.”

Jay chuckled. “Assuming there are seats available.”

“I’ll pay someone to give up his seat if need be.”

This time, Jay smiled. Riley was good and hooked. Now all he had to do was convince Sarah they belonged together.

* * *

Riley thought he’d be nervous when they arrived at Sarah’s apartment, but he wasn’t. He loved her and was pretty sure he could entice her to return to Florida with them—not just for the job, but to make a life with them.

“Remember,” Jay said as they approached her apartment door. “Don’t pressure her. We don’t want to smother her. We might know she belongs in our life, but she’ll need convincing.”

Riley smiled. “Don’t worry about me. I can be the king of persuasion.”

Jay punched him in the shoulder then rang the bell. Footsteps sounded and when she opened the door, her eyes widened and her jaw slackened, but Riley couldn’t tell if she was happy to see them or just shocked.

He handed her the bouquet of flowers they’d picked up at the airport. “These are for you.”

“Thank you. Ah, come in.”

Disappointment stabbed his gut at her stunned reception, but he told himself he needed to be patient. “We missed you,” he blurted.

“Way to go, Romeo,” Jay telepathed.

“Fuck off. You said to tell her how I felt.”

“Let her take a breath first. She has to think about why we’re here.”

This was the reason he’d never had been in a serious relationship. Riley sucked at the emotional shit.

She spun and faced him. “I missed you, too. While I put these beautiful flowers in water, why don’t you make yourselves comfortable in the living room.” Sarah averted her gaze and hugged the flowers to her chest. “Can I get you something to drink?”

Riley glanced at Jay. “She’s acting nervous. I wonder why.”

Jay look to the ceiling then slightly shook his head. “I’d love a beer if you have one.”

“Me, too,” Riley added. Having something in his hands would help keep him from ripping off her clothes.

Sarah returned a moment later with two beers and sat across from them. “I’m glad you came, but what’s the occasion? You don’t have a job up this way, do you?”

Jay had lectured Riley about pushing her too fast, but with her scent in his brain, Riley was having a hard time controlling himself. He set the opened bottle on the table in front of him, stood, and walked over to her, never taking his gaze from her face. “No, we came because we can’t live without you.” Jay groaned, but Riley didn’t care.

“Riley, I don’t—”

“Shh. Let me say my peace and then you can kick me, or rather us, out if you want.” He was about to slice open his chest and expose his heart. If she rejected him, then so be it, but he needed to tell her everything. “I know I was a jerk at times, but it was because I was afraid you’d walk out on me. You are my mate—the woman I need in my life. I don’t want you to say anything other than to nod to let me know that you’ll give me—again I mean, us—a chance. We belong together, Sarah.”

Her eyes watered and she bit down on her bottom lip.

Please say yes.

Sarah nodded and he nearly burst out of his skin. Without thinking, he pulled her to her feet, dipped his shoulder, and lifted her up in a fireman’s hold.

“Riley, what are you doing?” Sarah was laughing so hard she nearly slipped off his shoulder.

“Put her down, you oaf,” Jay commanded.

Riley wasn’t going to listen to anyone. “Where’s the bedroom? We have a lot of lovemaking to make up for.”

“It’s right behind you.”

Almost as fast as he could run, Riley reached her bedroom and pushed open the door. The sheets were tangled and her clothes were piled high on a chair, but he’d never seen a more welcome sight. With care, he placed her on the bed. If the back of his hands hadn’t sprouted so much hair, he would have taken off her clothes in a flash, but he needed a moment to settle down.


“Jay,” he said, “how about helping her with her shoes?”

Sarah smiled. “How about all three of us undress ourselves. It will make things go faster.”

She was so amazing. “I wanted to tell you one more thing before we begin—before I lose my courage,” Riley said, his heart beating so fast it was sure to punch out of his chest.