I ranthe silk scarf over her body and she shivered, her pupils dilating in the low light, something only someone like me would notice. “I want to tie you up. To make you scream with pleasure.”
She tensed, and I stopped my teasing, worried I’d gone too far. “What is it?”
“I don’t like being helpless,” she said quietly, then swallowed. “Don’t like things on my wrists.”
Interesting. We’d been together for a few months and I never would have guessed. Now that she mentioned it, I’d never seen her wear even a bracelet. I’d have to explore her statement more, her issues with trust, some other time when she wasn’t panting and needing release.
I smiled. “Very well.” I passed her the scarf. “Then you can tie me up.”
* * *
“These sofas are velvet. I love it. I could roll around on them all day.” Brooke’s voice carried out into the hallway. “And a jacuzzi tub?” she screeched. “I’m never leaving this place. I’ve found my new home.”
Kane tipped his head to the side, considering her statement, and I smiled. “Looks like someone should install a new tub at the cabin.” His considering expression turned into a thoughtful smirk. “Come,” I said, jerking my chin in the direction of my room. “They can find us once they’re done exploring.”
Both friends hesitated, their eyes glued to the suite where the excited chatter could be heard through the closed door. I paused at their almost-identical expressions, that need to see their mates, but also give them space.
“They’ll be fine,” I said, and both my friends stared at me with skepticism. “The only other room up here has an older couple. Only they and the staff have access to this floor.”
After a brief hesitation, they followed me inside. Each suite was decorated a little differently, but all contained velvet and leather furniture done in earth tones. Tall windows were flanked with lush drapery, exuding a sophisticated but comfortable vibe. I’d spent the afternoon here on my own, waiting anxiously for my friends to arrive.
Soon after checking in, I’d locked myself in the spacious bathroom and let my bear loose. It wasn’t an ideal space for him. He wanted to be out in nature for a long and hard run, but at least I was able to heal my arm. He’d enjoyed the jacuzzi tub quite a bit too. It only took twenty towels to clean up the mess. After that, I ate three trays of room service in human form.
While my mind raced with all the possibilities of how Jolyn and her brother were connected to my friends’ disappearances, the rest of the afternoon was taken with trying to catch up on work I’d missed, mostly over the phone with my secretary. Nadine bent my ear with how I wasn’t supposed to “do that to her again.” Like being MIA for a few days was the end of the world. I guess when it came to the everyday operations of a business like Urick Enterprises, it was. Luckily, I employed fantastic people to make sure everything ran smoothly.
Kane had packed up my belongings from my room at the other hotel, and the staff already set my suitcases on the bed, visible through the French doors beside the flat-screen TV. Sliding my hands into my front pockets, I leaned against the door frame and studied my two friends. I’d been so glad to see them both, I’d hugged each for a good while in the lobby, only letting go when Walker cleared his throat a few times.
On the other side of my room, Kane took in the view of the glittering Detroit nighttime skyline. Walker flopped backward on the sectional sofa, arms spread wide, letting out a breath like he hadn’t had a moment to relax in weeks.
I’d seen Walker at his worst. When he’d returned from overseas after being discharged from the military—after one of his closest friends had been murdered—he’d been a mess. Angry, combative, and continually half-deep in a bottle of the cheapest whiskey a person could find. I’d scarcely recognized him and thought him suicidal on more than one occasion. The only thing I’d been able to do was be there as a friend. And when he’d finally crawled out of the deep, dark pit of despair, I’d given him investigative jobs to keep him busy. After talking to the occasional military therapist, he had seemed to be returning to his former self.
This version of Walker, the one with a newly claimed mate and story to tell, was better than that post-military one. But trauma still existed there. I could see it in the tension around his eyes, even as they were closed, his face tipped toward the ceiling.
Mated to Brooke’s sister? It was beyond strange. Growing up in Goldenlach Ridge, shifters were everywhere, and of course I’d heard of the term “fated mates,” but it had honestly seemed like a mythical thing. Once in a generation.
From the way Kane and Brooke were together, I knew they were meant to be. Could the same thing have happened to Walker? The unlikeliness of it made me shake my head.
At my request, the hotel staff had placed a decanter of scotch on the sideboard with five glasses. I strode to it, filling two fingers worth in three of them. I hadn’t wanted alcohol earlier, alone, and with all the phone calls I’d been fielding with Nadine, but after the last few days I’d had, I needed a stiff drink.
Kane turned away from the tall windows, taking the glass I offered him. “Did you have any problems leaving the hotel?” I asked.
Using ASL, he signed a quick, “No.”
Walker elaborated, his eyes remaining closed. “The others stayed at the hotel while I got us a new rental. Used the underground parking to swap out your trunk full.” He lifted his head to meet my gaze. “Quite an assortment of gadgets you’ve got there, by the way.”
“I like to be prepared,” I said, passing him the second glass.
He nodded his thanks, set it on his knee, and returned to his previous position, eyes closed. “We checked out, but paid for an extra day so we could stay until nightfall. Left in the cover of darkness. Took two hours of driving to make sure we weren’t followed, and poof. We’re here. Like magic.” Meeting my gaze, he lifted his glass in a salute and tossed it back in one huge gulp.
Then he gasped, sitting up straight. “Oh, shit. That was the good stuff. Fuck.” He breathed through pursed lips. “Man, totally wasted that one.” He lifted his glass for me to pour him another. “Sorry. I’ll do better the next time.”
Tsk-tsking, Kane sat across from him and sipped his own drink. I swiped the decanter off the sidebar, and raised an eyebrow at Walker while I poured the amber liquid into his glass.
“Last one. Promise,” Walker said, responding to my unspoken question. “It’s been a hell of a week.” He took a large whiff of the fumes, then tossed it back too.
Kane set down his glass on the side table with a quiet smack to sign, “You drank it as fast as the first one.”
Walker flashed us his teeth. “Yeah, but I smelled it first.” He placed the empty glass on the coffee table and leaned back again. “I keep waiting for the shit to hit the fan.”
