“I want to help.” He flexed his fists; his face took on a violent cast. Along with that motorcycle jacket, he oozed sex appeal and made her want to do bad things to him.
She stayed focused. “Unfortunately, that won’t be possible. You’re not pack. We don’t let outsiders into pack business.” She knew the statement would goad him.
“Except this is my family’s business.”
“That is in our territory,” she mocked.
“It is way too early for this shit.”
“Not a morning person, are you?”
“I run a night club. Thursday to Saturday.”
“No wonder you’re like a frat boy at times.”
“Accusing me of being useless?”
“More like a cry-baby, actually.” She purposely goaded him.
However, rather than get angry, the man softened, took a step toward her, and smiled. “I guess I am coming off as complaining. When woken too early, I get a bit grumpy. Let’s start over. Or maybe we should continue where last night left off?”
Wait a second, flirting? Now, in the midst of a fight? Did he think that would work? That her panties would get wet—they did—and she’d just melt in his arms?
Unbelievable.
As he reached for her, she stepped away and shook her head. “Oh no you don’t. I am not some little sex doll you can turn on and off at will.”
His lips twisted. “It was worth a try.”
“Seducing me won’t get your family out of your obligations.”
That quickly, he was ranting. “We don’t owe your pack shit.”
“Whine. Whine. That’s all you do,” she huffed, rolling her eyes.
“Just because you’re all good at bending knee to your brother doesn’t mean me or my family will.”
“Actually, I’m going to guess you’re the most reluctant.”
“Understatement,” Stefan muttered.
“Which is why my brother proposed the idea of using marriage.” At first, she’d been adamant. No way. It was barbaric. Archaic.
She’d defy her brother’s command. For once, she’d be selfish and ignore the needs of the pack. She’d stomped away telling her brother to shove his arranged marriage where the sun never shone. But in bed, the benefits occurred to her. And what of the pleasure?
“No one is getting married.” Stefan sounded firm on that point.
Her turn to be persuasive and perverse just because he said no. “Why not? It solves so many problems at once. One, no need to figuratively bend the knee because the marital alliance creates an instant bond between our two families. Two”—she flicked another finger—“it extends the pack’s extensive protection to you. Although the location of your family home might have to shift. It’s a little remote to defend properly.”
“Mom isn’t moving.”
Again, his bald statements didn’t match what she knew. “Are you sure? Magda, who had a long chat with her last night, says your mom was talking about how she’s getting older and wouldn’t mind downsizing. It’s a lot of land to maintain, and the house keeps falling apart.”
“So we fix it. It’s our home.”
“Home is where the head rests at night. And we have a lovely one that just came on the market. Safe neighborhood, excellent school, walking distance to everything, including medical services.”
“We don’t need…” He paused. “You want us to move so you can keep us under your paw.”
“You and your condo are fine. Adults are expected to take care of themselves. We’re talking about your mother and the younger children.”
“You want to stick them in a house where you can control them. Like slaves.”
“Hardly slaves. Think of it as a benefit to our alliance.”
“Whoring someone out, even under the guise of marriage, is gross and not a prize.”
“Unless it’s in name only,” she suggested.
“Ha, as if I’ll believe that. No one is marrying my sisters and molesting them.”
“Didn’t you hear? I’m the bride, and I was thinking more of joining with a brother.” She tapped her chin.
He looked angrier than ever. “You’re okay with being sold off? And here I thought my mother was bullshitting. I’ve met you. No way is anyone forcing you to get married.”
“Who says I’m being forced? It occurs to me that having a husband could be useful to me, especially since my brother will then stop harassing me about the creation of an heir. I am not a breeding heifer,” she grumbled. “An arranged marriage in name only will put an end to that kind of talk.”
“Wait, you’re saying you want to get married so you don’t have to have a baby?”
“Kind of hard to get pregnant if no sex is involved.”
His brows hit the ceiling. “You can’t seriously expect someone to marry you and give up sex forever.”
The statement proved interesting. Did it mean Stefan believed in monogamy if committed? And that she was sexy enough that hands-off wouldn’t be feasible? He’d certainly been hands-on the night before.
“It would be an open arrangement that would require extreme discretion because my brother might not be as open to the idea if he were to find out it’s a sham.”
Stefan turned stony. “And which of my brothers are you meaning to fuck over? Pretty sure Anika would have a problem with Dominick dumping her to hitch himself to another chick. And you can’t have Ray. You’d eat him alive.”
“There is another.”
“Daeve isn’t interested in what’s between your legs.”
“I wasn’t talking about him.”
His brow furrowed. “Tyson is only sixteen.”
“Not him either. Think hard, baby. Who else is of marriageable age in your family that might not mind getting a meddling mother off his back, who would avoid having to kiss any feet, and would get automatic standing in the pack?”
“Me?” His brows left his forehead. “Never! Like fuck. I won’t do it.”
“Goodness. Temper. Going to pound the floor next and cry about life being unfair? Maybe throw some things? I’d start with that statue over there. It’s pretty much shatter proof.”
He glared. “You’re not funny.”
“And you’re supposed to be an adult.”
“Nothing childish about my anger.”
“Actually, it’s getting boring. So let’s finish this once and for all. Will you marry me, Stefan Hubbard, and align with my pack, or are you going home, putting up a for-sale sign, and getting your ass out of our territory?”
She truly expected him to go stomping out that door.
Only the man never did what expected.
He grabbed her and dragged her to him, murmuring against her lips, “Oh, I will marry you, darling, but on one condition only. There will be sex. Lots of it.”
13
It was fucking crazy. Stefan had agreed to marry Nimway, a wolf who drove him nuts—with passion—but if he did, he’d damned well fuck and lick every inch of that delectable body.
She’d been adamant, though, about making it in name only. He waited for her argument. Her laughter even. Anger.