I clamped my legs together and steadiedmy breathing when I realized that the thought of last night was arousing me. It was different if it had just been Dawson and me in the car, but I had my whole family as well. And that would be utterly embarrassing.
I rolled the windows down, and Dawson did the same. My arousal might have hit him, too. He squeezed my hand before he placed it in his mouth, kissing my knuckles.
“Oh, Goddess! I can’t find my phone!” Bella’s shrieking voice broke the silence in the car as she rummaged through her bag.
“Check again. Sometimes you tend to miss small details,” Mom said in a bored tone as she closed her eyes again and leaned her back against Dad’s chest.
“No. It’s not here. I remember putting it on the bathroom counter in my room while brushing my teeth, but I can’t remember picking it up.”
“We can just have Riley send it to us by post,” I told her, my fingers playing with Dawson’s hand.
“No. I need it tomorrow. Some of my reviewers were on that phone. Do we have time if we turn around? Please.”
“I can drive fast, but we will get there with just twenty minutes of leeway before your flight. So you have to jump out of the car and find your phone, and then we need to drive off right away.” Dawson answered her. “Or I’ll call Riley now so he can look for it.”
I squeezed Dawson’s hand, smiling at him when he glanced at me. He winked, and the butterfly in my stomach fluttered at his handsome features. He looked like a boy next door, ready to ravish any female who would offer herself to him. And I was so happy that he was mine.
“Thank you, Dawson!” Bella let out a sigh and leaned her back against the seat.
“By the way,” Mom said. “Your brother said he wanted to take you into his pack the next time you visit. That means you can learn how to mindlink and witness the wolf’s ways of living. Did he inform you both?”
“Yes. I told him I’d be up for it. And Dawson will be staying with me in Riley’s pack until I’m ready to move in with him. I want to spend time with Riley, too, so I’m happy Dawson will stay there as well.”
“Sounds perfect! And you, sweetheart?” Mom looked at Bella, who was gazing out the window.
“Definitely. I want to be there when Nadia gives birth.” She replied.
“And you might find your mate while you stay here,” Dawson added.
“I’m not interested. I want to finish my degree and I need three more years, so I can wait.” She answered. She had this mindset the moment we turned eighteen, but it didn’t mean she didn’t want to meet her mate. She just didn’t want him to get in the way of her dreams.
“Ah, too bad. I was hoping you could meet my brother, Trent. He might be your mate.” Dawson chuckled. “But I’m not sure he can wait another three years.”
“No, thanks. I’ll be fine.” Bella responded, and I giggled.
“He’s not Bella’s type for sure. They said he has a big build like Riley and Caleb, so he’s definitely not Bella’s type. She goes for skinny boys with long hair.” I added.
“Fuck, that’s me!”
“Suit yourself, Dawson but I’m not interested in you.” Bella scoffed. “I just don’t want anyone to get in my way of finishing my degree.”
“You can study here, like what Ellie plans to do,” Mom added.
“Leave Bella alone. It’s hard already to lose Ellie. I don’t need to lose both at the same time,” Dad butted in, and I saw his eyes water when our gaze locked. “Maybe we should move nearer to Riley’s pack.”
“Aww, Daddy! You’re not losing me!” I pouted as I looked at him lovingly.
“You gained a son!” Dawson added. “A handsome one.”
Dad chuckled as Dawson turned his car towards the packhouse grounds, and my eyes darted to the front of the house, where Riley and Nadia were standing. Beside them was another man.
“Is that Trent?” I asked, and Dawson nodded.
“Yup. Time to meet my brother, Bella.” Dawson teased.
“Stop it. Not funny.” Bella replied.
I turned to look at her just in time to see her swallow. Her eyes were fixated on Trent. A smile graced my lips. Not interested, she said. But Bella has a habit of staring when she finds somebody attractive.
