“Thanks.” Brand slowly lowered her to the pavement beside the bike. He caught the keys Rave tossed to him.

“My keys are still in the ignition of my car,” she informed them.

“They could move it anyway.” Brand straddled the bike and turned his head. “Get on, Charma.”

She didn’t allow her skirt to stop her, regardless of how high the material hiked up her thighs. She hugged Brand tightly from behind, not wanting to let him go. He started the bike. She knew the other werewolves watched them curiously but she avoided their gazes.

Brand lived close to town in a wooded area on a hill. Other houses lined the street but a good distance separated them. He parked the bike next to a red truck but didn’t move as the engine died. His hands abruptly covered hers where she hugged his waist.

“We’re going to go inside. I’ll head downstairs to order my cousin to stay in the basement and then we’re going to talk. Swear to me that you aren’t going to flee, Charma. Otherwise I’m not allowing you out of my sight. I’d prefer not to take you near Braden right now. He’s young and in heat. I don’t know if he’ll be dressed. Clothes irritate our skin when we suffer this condition. I’d rather spare you that sight and, hell, he could be doing something embarrassing that you really don’t want to see.”

She peered up at the back of his head. He didn’t glance at her, just stared straight ahead at his closed garage door. “I swear. I’m not going to leave you again, Brand.”

His body relaxed and he released her hands. “Good. I’m trusting you to keep your word. You don’t know how tough that is for me but I don’t really have a choice. Let’s go.”

The lack of confidence hurt a little but she couldn’t blame him. “I swear, Brand. Leaving you was the worst and toughest thing I ever had to do. It tore me apart. All the reasons I left are gone. This is where I want to be. You have no idea how much I mean that.”

He took a deep breath and expelled it slowly. “I’ll really tie you to my bed if you make a run for it. Fair warning.”

“I understand.” She didn’t feel threatened.

Brand took Charma’s hand, she climbed off the bike and he slid the keys under the seat. He glanced at her before she followed him up the walkway to his front door. He pushed open the door, which wasn’t locked. Lights had been left on and she inhaled. Brand’s scent lingered inside his home but she didn’t detect any others.

“You live alone?”

“Usually. My cousin is just staying with me during the heat. It’s got a full apartment in the basement so he doesn’t come up here. That’s why you probably won’t smell him.”

“My sense of smell isn’t as good as yours,” she reminded him.

Her gaze left his to study the living room. It had obviously been furnished by a man, his black leather couches, matching easy chairs and bare furnishings testament to that. She smiled when she spotted the big-screen television that was a prominent feature in the room.

“I know. You probably want to change a lot and you’re welcome to do anything to make it more homey.” He closed the door, grabbed her and pinned her against the wall. He leaned down until his face hovered inches from hers, his gaze intense. “I’m going to mate you and I don’t care about the bastard who did it before me. I’ll bite you until his scent is gone and only mine remains. Deal with that, hon. I’m never going to let you go. I’ve spent every single day of the last nine years thinking about you. I missed you and hurt because you weren’t with me.”

She battled tears and won. “Me too.”

“Let me deal with Braden before we talk. Are you hungry?”

“No. I ate a burger on the drive here.”

His gaze lowered. “You need to eat more. You’re so damn thin. I’m a great cook and I’ll feed you until you gain back every pound.”

His thoughtfulness was a reminder of what she’d lost and missed. “You’d cook for me? Really?”

His gaze met hers. “I’d do anything for you.” His hand shot out and he locked the door. “Make yourself at home. This is yours now too. Ours together. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.”

He spun away toward a hallway and disappeared around the corner. Charma remained against the wall where he’d put her and drew in a shaky breath.

Hot tears threatened to spill again. She stood inside Brand’s home. She’d dreamed of seeking him out but never thought she’d see the day. Her gaze roamed the room. She wouldn’t change a thing. Her arms hugged her waist as she smiled.

“Home,” she whispered.

Chapter Three

Charma sensed Brand behind her and inhaled, his scent flooding her senses. She slowly turned away from the kitchen and found him standing inside the doorway watching her.

“I was exploring. I love your home.”

“Ours,” he corrected. “Yours and mine.” He took a hesitant step forward. “I keep expecting to wake up and realize this is just a dream.” His hand lifted. “Come here, hon.”

She went to him without hesitation. Her hand clasped his larger one and he pulled her into a hug. His face burrowed into her hair. He seemed content to just hold her. She rested against him. He’d never left her thoughts and at night while she’d lain in her bed, she’d relived their months together. It had kept her sane.

She remembered the day Brand had arrived at her apartment in Texas with a blindfold…

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“You have to wear this and just come with me.”

She laughed, sure it was some kind of joke. It wasn’t. He insisted on covering her eyes after she got into the cab of his truck. Charma had a tough time resisting the urge to reach up and remove the blindfold. “Where are you taking me?”

“We’re almost there.”

“Is this some kind of romantic picnic? I can smell the trees but there’s no exhaust from other cars. We’re somewhere out of the city.”

“Stop sniffing.” He chuckled.

“You know I hate surprises.”

“You’ll like this one.” He paused and she had to strain to make out what he said next. “At least I hope so.”

“I heard that.”