“Tonya doesn’t like him?”
“Tonya has her sights somewhere else.” Until he officially proclaimed her his beta at the next clan meeting, she would still think about being his Maxima. And even that promotion might not deter her. She was one determined woman. And, to his surprise, Becca picked up on the problem without him needing to explain it.
“Tonya wants you,” she said. It wasn’t a question. And then she figured out the rest. “That’s why you wanted us to shower. So she wouldn’t smell us on each other.” Then she looked down at her clothes. His clothes. “And any lingering scent could be explained by my wearing your clothes.”
He’d wanted her to wear his things, period. He wanted her to settle into his bed and never leave while he fed her with his own hand from game he had killed himself. Which wasn’t so much bear as Neanderthal. Meanwhile, he had to explain himself to her. “I’m not ashamed of what we did.”
She didn’t react, obviously keeping her emotions locked down.
“This isn’t the time to declare a relationship,” he said carefully. “I want to, but…”
“It’s not a relationship,” she said softly, her gaze shifting back to the open road. “It was blowing off steam. Let’s not make it into anything more than that, okay?”
His hands tightened on the wheel and it took all his willpower to suppress his bear’s howl of rage. Nothing more than blowing off steam? Did she understand nothing?
Except logic supported her statement. After all, she wasn’t the only one strung tight. Even before Theo’s disappearance, he’d been on edge. The clan dissent and pressure to marry Tonya were growing exponentially. Of course he’d turn to the first woman who was outside of all that idiocy. Especially one who was soft and nurturing. Maybe after Theo was found and Nick was sorted out, he’d discover that they had nothing in common. What did he know about baking or a mundane life in Kalamazoo?
Maybe.
Except it sure as hell didn’t feel that way.
“That’s why I thought we should shower,” he said. “To avoid distractions. But I’m not ashamed.”
“Neither am I.”
That was something. Especially since her scent confirmed the statement. She was determined. No shame stink on her. “After this is all over, I thought we could go out to dinner.”
She looked back at him, her lips curving into an incredulous smile. “The man who just gave me the best orgasms of my life is asking me out on a date?”
“Um…yeah?”
“Um…okay.” Then her expression tightened. “But afterward.”
“Definitely. Not until Theo is at home and grousing about his geometry homework.”
Her expression softened. “I like that you know he’s taking geometry. Even if it is kind of stalkery.”
He shrugged. “I make a point of knowing all the pre-shift kids. As much as I can.”
Which was pretty much the end of their conversation, as Tonya took a turn onto a back road that he knew would eventually lead to a fenced perimeter and the Moss family compound. Way up ahead he could see patrol cars and a couple ATF vans. Tonya stopped well before they got there, parking her car sideways across the road before she jumped out. Then she stood there with her arms on her hips to reveal her gun. She took enough time to point to the side of the road where, presumably, they were supposed to park.
He did, though he resented not getting closer to the action. And his bear was beyond pissed that his beta thought she could give him orders.
“Guess we’re supposed to stay well back,” Becca said.
“Guess so.”
He and Alan parked their vehicles and stepped out. Tonya didn’t even give them the chance to speak.
“You have to stay here or I’ll have to put you in handcuffs.”
Alan mirrored her pose, showing off his holstered Glock. “You say the sweetest things,” he drawled.
“Don’t antagonize her,” Carl snapped as he pulled a couple shotguns out his truck and tossed one to his brother.
“I’m not antagonizing,” his brother countered. “I’m inviting.”
It was Alan’s typical banter, but for the first time Carl wondered if there could be more to it. He glanced at Becca, who was watching Tonya with a tight expression.
