She’d made the rules and he’d agreed to them. She couldn’t arbitrarily change them because she had feelings for him. Opening her eyes, she stared at the ring on her finger. Relief washed over her. It was totally understandable that last night was emotional. It wasn’t every day she got married. She’d had certain expectations, even subconsciously.

  These softer emotions would dissipate over time. Proximity and daily interaction would expose all his flaws, which would cool things off.

  Satisfied with her assessment of herself and the situation, she strode confidently from her room, a smile on her face, only to falter when there was no one around to greet her.

  “Seriously?” After psyching herself up, it had all been for nothing. And where was Nicholas? Shouldn’t he be hanging around waiting for her?

  Swallowing a groan, she headed for the coffeepot. “You need caffeine.” After all her self-talk about keeping things cool, she was acting like a jilted lover or a disgruntled newlywed.

  While she waited for the coffee to brew, she stared out the kitchen window. It was unusually quiet. Where were the kids? She wasn’t really worried. Emmett would have taken charge, and Waya and Henry were independent souls. One or all of them would watch out for Eliza.

  On bare feet, she padded to the door and out onto the porch. Chickens pecked the ground in their coop. The cows were in the pasture, soaking up the sun and flicking away flies with their tails. The air was heavy and still, thick with the heat and buzzing of insects.

  Nicholas’s truck was gone.

  She sat down hard on one of the deck chairs and swallowed heavily. Had he left for good? Adrenaline surged through her. Jumping to her feet, she yelled, “Emmett. Waya? Henry? Eliza?” Each call was met with silence. “No! No! No!” Panicked, she ran to the forge and then the barn. Both were empty.

  Breathing heavily, she raced for the house and grabbed her keys. He’d taken the kids. Her wolf heartbrokenly howled inside her. She’d trusted him, let down her guard, and this was the result.

  Heart pounding, she raced for her vehicle and stopped. She had no idea where to even begin looking for them. “Think, damn it.” Going off half-cocked wasn’t going to help anyone. What did she really know about him? Was any of it real? The furniture business? Where had he told the CPS worker it was located?

  “North Carolina.” She’d start there. The coffeepot was on. The house was unlocked, and she was shoeless. Not to mention she needed her purse. Swearing, she raced toward the house, making a mental list of everything she needed to do in case she never returned—get the kids’ go-bags, let the animals out of their pens, lock the house up tight, transfer the funds from the local bank into the one under her new identity… The list went on, but she could get it all done efficiently and quickly.

  Emmett! Like her, he had a cheap prepaid phone. She’d try calling.

  She’d barely cleared the front door when she heard a vehicle coming up the drive. Bolting back outside, her mouth went dry as the familiar truck rolled to a stop. Emmett was grinning as he jumped out. The other kids bailed out after him. Nicholas leaned on his opened door and smiled. “Good morning. Or should I say good afternoon.”

  Black spots appeared in front of her eyes. She staggered and sat down hard on the ground. Her kids were safe. Her chest tightened, the urge to cry almost too much to contain.

  Nicholas was on his knees in front of her, taking her face in his hands. “What’s wrong? Are you sick?” Not waiting for her reply, he lifted her into his arms, stood, and carried her into the house. The kids were all talking at once. She’d reassure them as soon as she could find her voice.

  He set her on the sofa. “Get her some water, will you?” She had no idea which one of them he’d asked, but a glass was thrust in front of her within seconds. “Take it slowly,” he cautioned, holding it to her lips. The cool liquid eased down her tight throat.

  “I’m okay. I’m fine.” Nicholas sat on the sofa at her hip. Emmett and Waya hovered, concern etched on their faces. Henry sat in the chair by the window with Eliza curled up next to him. “Where were you?”

  Nicholas frowned. “Didn’t you read the note I left?”

  “Note?” She followed his finger to the kitchen table, where a slip of white paper lay.

  “I figured you’d see it there.” His jaw tightened. His features became grim. “You thought I took them.” It wasn’t a question. He already knew the answer from her reaction. Rather than storm out or rant, a deep sadness filled his golden gaze. “What will it take for you to believe I’d never hurt any of you, that all I want is to protect you?”

  Without waiting for an answer, he headed for the door. “Where are you going?” she asked, hating that she’d hurt him.

  “What do you care?”

  She flinched, deserving that shot.

  “For a walk,” he called over his stiff shoulders. The door closed quietly behind him. It was worse than if he’d slammed it.

  Four faces stared back, some hurt, some accusing. “I woke up alone and couldn’t find you. What was I supposed to think?” While she felt justified in her belief, guilt sat heavily on her chest. “Where were you?”

  “Nicholas wanted to give you time to sleep so he took us out for breakfast.” Emmett seemed older—all the kids did. The events of the past few days had changed them. “And before you freak out, the two younger ones ducked behind the seats and we took the food down by the river, made a picnic out of it.” Emmett sighed and rolled his shoulders. “It was his suggestion we leave the note.” He walked over to the table, picked it up, and held it out to her. “It has his phone number on it. His father’s, too.”

  She took the paper and studied the bold writing. “I overreacted. I’m sorry.” She’d spoiled their good mood. They’d been laughing when they’d arrived home. Now they were as somber as mourners at a funeral.

  And maybe it was the death of her new marriage. Maybe Nicholas would finally decide they were too much trouble, that she was too much trouble, and walk away.

  And again, she wasn’t being fair to him. “I’ll talk to him. I’m not used to trusting anyone else with your safety.”

  Waya crouched by her side and put his hand on her arm. “Without trust, we are alone. If I, if any of us,” he motioned to Henry and Eliza, “had not taken a chance, we’d still be out in the world alone.”

  “When did you get to be so damn smart?” She ruffled his thick, dark hair.

  “I’ve always been smart. I hide it sometimes. Better that people think you’re dumb. Gives you an edge.”

  That he’d had to learn that at his age broke her heart, but he was right. All the kids had taken a chance on her, given her the benefit of the doubt. And it hadn’t always been smooth sailing.

  She stood and opened her arms. “Give me a hug.” They all crowded around her. Lifting Eliza into her arms, she asked, “Did you have a good time?”

  The girl nodded, but she remained solemn.

  “I’m sorry I overreacted. I was worried about you.”

  “You hurt his feelings,” she whispered, burying her face in Bailey’s neck.

  “I didn’t mean to. I’ll apologize.” It was the least she could do. She handed the girl off to her brother. “Hold down the fort. I’ll be back in a while.”

  “Bailey,” Henry called after her.

  “Yes?”

  “He went that way.” He pointed toward the river.

  She might have guessed. “Thanks.”

  ****

  Nicholas sat on a patch of grass that edged the riverbank with his arms rested on his bent knees and tossed another rock in the water. The water rippled outward in concentric circles. Life was like that. Every action sent ripples through the world. Whether for good or bad, you couldn’t always tell until it was too late.

  She’d thought he’d taken the kids. The panic on her face, the way she’d gone white as a sheet and dropped to the ground, would haunt him for the rest of his life. In trying to do something to make her life better, he’d made it worse.

  Tilting his head back, he squinted against the sun, letting it drive out some of the chill from his soul. After last night, he’d hoped they’d connected on some level, even if it was only physical.

  He missed his brother, his family, his pack. They’d come if he needed them, but their presence would only make things worse. If she couldn’t bring herself to trust him, the sight of his father would make her run for the hills and never look back.

  He rubbed his hand over his chest. The ache radiated out from the center of his being. Even his wolf was quiet.

  “Give her time.” He’d learned focus at a young age. Was willing to work to get what he wanted. Welcomed a challenge. Up until now, things had fallen into line for him, everything he’d wanted coming fairly easily.

  He was the irresistible force. She the immovable object. The collision was to be expected. Didn’t mean it didn’t hurt like a son of a bitch.

  His sensitive ears caught the sound of someone getting closer. Expecting it to be Waya or Emmett, it surprised him to see Bailey. The jean shorts she wore left little to the imagination, leaving her long, supple legs bare. The tank top lovingly cupped her breasts and left her slender neck and strong arms and broad shoulders bare. Her hair was tousled, as if she’d run her fingers through it many times. The color was back in her face.

  “This seat taken?” She indicated the ground next to him.

  Was she here to demand he leave? She wouldn’t ask for a divorce, not yet. She needed his protection, if only on paper. “It’s free.” Strapping down his wayward emotions, he vowed to be logical, to counter her every argument.

  They sat there a few minutes, the silence strained, she lost in thought and he trying to imagine what was going through her mind.

  “I’m sorry,” she blurted.

  Totally unexpected, it took him a few seconds to process. He shook his head, not sure he’d heard correctly. “You’re sorry?”

  “Yes.” She fell back onto the ground beside him, one arm over her face, the other resting on her stomach. “It was a knee-jerk reaction. It didn’t occur to me to even look for a note.”

  Sprawling on his side, he eased her arm down, needing to see her face. She turned her head, her eyes filled with remorse. “I’m sorry, too.” It hadn’t occurred to him that she’d view his actions in a negative light, and it should have. “I should have woken you long enough to tell you where we were going.”

  She gave a ragged laugh. “Aren’t we a pair? Both of us are sorry for following our instincts.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “What if this doesn’t work? This marriage? I know it’s temporary, but we have to find a way to get along.”

  The pulse in her neck fluttered wildly. When he leaned in and pressed his lips against it, she shivered. “There’s one way we get along.” His voice was husky with relief. She wasn’t sending him away, was trying to compromise. He couldn’t ask for anything more.

  Her moans made every part of his body stand up and take notice. “On that we agree. Thank you for making last night wonderful.”

  He wanted to promise her they’d never be at odds again, but that would be a lie. They were both strong-willed people and would butt heads on occasion. There was one thing he could promise. “I won’t take the kids again without telling you. I figured you could use the sleep, but didn’t think they’d let you. They were all up early, hyped from yesterday’s events, not to mention all the sugar they ate last night.”

  She reached up and touched her fingers to his cheek. “I appreciate the sentiment.”

  “They’re protective of you. They all grilled me over breakfast.”

  “They did not, did they?” Her pleased smile loosened some of the tension gripping his guts.

  “It was subtle but there. They understand the situation, but don’t want me taking advantage of you, especially the boys.” As he’d assumed, they’d understood full well what had happened between him and Bailey last night. “I assured them nothing happened that you didn’t welcome.”

  “That must have been an awkward conversation.” She wrinkled her nose, her green eyes twinkling with delight. “Wish I’d heard it.”

  “You would.” He shook his head. “Because of Eliza, they talked around it, but their meaning was clear. Hurt or take advantage of you and I’m in for a world of pain. You have four young protectors. You’re their alpha, but they’d die for you.” That was a huge responsibility and honor.

  Her eyes filled with tears. One escaped and trickled down her temple. On a groan, he leaned down and licked it away. “I didn’t say it to make you sad.”

  “I’m not sad, not really. It’s overwhelming sometimes.”

  Nicholas wanted to say he understood, but he wasn’t sure he did. While he’d always taken responsibility for the protection of his brother and younger friends in the pack, the knowledge that their parents were there, ready and willing to step in if it became necessary, kept the pressure at a minimum. Bailey was truly on her own.

  “You’re really not mad?” she asked, as if she didn’t believe it. “I half expected you to pack up and leave. I wouldn’t have blamed you.”

  He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the gold band he’d slipped on her finger. “I’m in it for the long haul.” It would probably scare her if she understood he had no intentions of ever walking away. “We’ll disagree, I have no doubt. We’re both stubborn and born alphas.”

  She groaned and laughed. “Your certainty is not comforting.”

  “It’s the truth. We’re on a steep learning curve here. Some fireworks are to be expected.” He nipped at her chin, delving into her mouth when her lips parted on a shocked gasp. “And some fireworks can be fun.”

  “I see what you’re doing.” She grabbed a hank of his hair and tugged. “You’re trying to distract me with sex.”

  “Is it working?”

  “Yes, damn you.”

  Pleasure bloomed inside him. They’d gotten past their first big test, but not without a few bruises. And speaking of bruises, “How are you feeling after last night?”

  Her cheeks turned a flattering shade of pink. “I’m fine.”

  “No aches or pains?”

  “Trust me on this.”

  “Hmm.” He slipped his hand under the hem of her tank, finding smooth, taut flesh. “Maybe I should check for myself. Think of it as a benefit, a reward for both of us for surviving our first fight.”

  “I’ve always wondered if books and movies are right, if makeup sex really is as hot as they make it out to be.” Her words were light, but concern clouded her beautiful eyes.

  “It’s whatever we want it to be, whatever we make it.” He leaned down again but paused. “The kids?”

  “They’re unsettled by what happened. I should get back.”

  “We should get back.” A not so subtle reminder they were in this together. But neither of them moved. “Soon.” He took her mouth in a searing kiss, tasting the desperation on her lips. She’d been as shaken by this morning as he had. His wolf pawed inside him, wanting out, wanting to run. He calmed the beast, not willing to give up this time with Bailey. “I can be fast,” he assured her.

  Smiling, she yanked his shirt over his head. “Fast works for me.”

  They’d weathered this storm, but it was only the first of many to come. Time to remind her of one of the benefits of having him around.

  Within seconds, they were naked—and he proved that fast could be very, very satisfying.

  Chapter Twelve

  Five days later, Bailey looked out the kitchen window and watched Nicholas walk toward the house with Emmett. Head tilted down, he listened intently to whatever her brother was saying. His shirt was off, his skin gleaming with sweat both from work and the midday heat. He was sliding easily into the everyday rhythm of their life—too easily.

  Swearing under her breath, she turned her attention back to the tomatoes she was slicing for sandwiches. It was too hot to cook until evening and maybe not even then.

  Counting down their footsteps in her head, she was prepared when the back door opened and the two of them stepped inside. His gaze unerringly found her. Their eyes met and the air seemed to snap around them.

  “I’m grabbing a quick shower,” Emmett called as he exited the room.

  “You should get cleaned up, too.” It wasn’t easy trying to act nonchalant, not with her husband standing there all hot and sweaty, a lock of his dark brown hair plastered to his forehead and a grin on his face. Beneath the earthy smells of the cows and hay and dirt lay his natural musky scent. It drew her like a moth to a flame.

  He joined her at the counter and nuzzled her neck. She scrunched her shoulders up toward her head, ignoring the goose bumps racing down her arms and the tightening of her nipples.

  She barely swallowed back a groan and rested the tip of the knife on the cutting board. Her hand was shaking too much to wield it safely.

  “What can I do to help?” His husky voice murmured in her ear, hot breath fanning over her skin.

  Strip naked and let her jump on him. That’s what she wanted to say. She cleared her throat. “I have it under control, but you could call the kids.” Anything to get him away from her before she melted into a puddle at his feet.

  He trailed his forefinger down her arm before stepping away. “I can do that.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief when he stepped away. Every inch of her skin was sensitized. After their fight and subsequent makeup sex at the river, she’d decided to take a step back and reassess things. It might be like closing the barn door after the cow had escaped, but she didn’t care.

  She was already too close. She’d had five nights of lying in bed staring up at the ceiling, her body aching for his touch. If that was only after having sex twice, what would it be like a week from now, a month from now? Taking care of her needs in the shower hadn’t cooled her desires one little bit. If anything, it had left her even more restless.

  He’d ruined her for any other man.

  Once again, Nicholas had done the unexpected. He hadn’t pushed, hadn’t complained about bunking on the couch or tried to talk his way into her bedroom.