Chapter 9: Chapter Eight
Becca stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her body. Mike still hadn’t returned and she was growing anxious. With the immediate threat to the Pack over, Becca wasn’t sure what the next steps should be. Her father had ended up calling in the local police to take custody of the humans.
She’d been by her dad’s side when he’d questioned the humans. The young humans had been more than willing to talk. Becca didn’t know what information Mike was getting, but the humans had been helpful. At least they now knew there wasn’t a direct threat to the council.
The bedroom door opened, so she looked up. Mike paused in the threshold, staring at her.
“You okay?” she asked. He hadn’t made a step into the room.
“You take my breath away.”
Oh, wow, what could she say in response to that? “You like me wet from the shower? Or is it the naked part?”
He took two long strides forward before slamming the door behind him. “Technically, you’re not naked. Maybe you should be.”
This was a new side of him. She’d seen pieces of the dominance peeking through and could feel his power when he was shifted, but he’d been holding back on her. Her hand trembled as she gripped the top of the towel before letting it fall.
“That’s better,” he murmured.
His voice had deepened, sending little tendrils of desire through her body. “You like what you see?” she teased.
“I’m in a mood,” he warned. “Are you sure you want to do this now? I could go take a walk to cool down.”
Becca didn’t want him to take a walk. She wanted to see what he could do with her. “Don’t go.”
“Get on your knees,” he ordered.
She didn’t hesitate. From her place in the middle of the room, she dropped down.
“So beautiful,” he whispered, walking in a circle around her.
Once he stood in front of her, Mike yanked her T-shirt over his head. It was the same one they’d taken from the old metal building. He tossed it into the corner before sliding his thumbs into the waistband of his sweatpants.
Becca licked her lips. This was some sort of torture. All she wanted was for Mike to throw her on the floor and take her. “Please.”
Mike shook his head before moving his hands to behind his back.
Damn it, she was enjoying the tease. Becca cocked her head to the side. “Are you going to stand there?”
“I might,” he responded. He stood gazing at her.
Becca bit her lip. It was harder than she thought to kneel there without squirming. Mike before her in an old pair of sweats was erotic as hell.
“Close your eyes,” Mike demanded.
Becca complied.
“Good. Now tip your head back.”
There was a rustle of fabric and she hoped that he was finally taking off his pants. She wanted to peek.
“No peeking,” he said.
She swallowed back a laugh. Mike was getting to know her pretty well.
“Now open your mouth.”
Becca did so, hoping she’d get a taste of his delicious cock. There was more movement around her, but Becca wasn’t going to give in and open her eyes. She wanted to enjoy this game.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, she felt the soft head of his erection caress her bottom lip. Becca stuck her tongue out, collecting the sweet juice before swallowing it. Mike groaned. She had to be patient for his next move.
“Take me all the way back.” With that said, he thrust shallowly.
Becca wrapped her lips around his shaft, sucking him as deep as she could.
“That’s it,” he praised. “Farther.”
He kept pushing in until Mike had his cock pressed to the back of her throat, making breathing difficult. Before she could pull away, he started to withdraw.
“So good. Again.”
Becca had a quick moment to take a breath before he was pressing in again. The lack of oxygen, the eroticism of the moment had her head spinning. Almost literally. She didn’t complain, though. Every time he removed his shaft, she would get as much air in before he shoved his erection down her throat. Each time deeper than the last.
Unable to hold back any longer, Becca opened her eyes to gaze up at him.
Mike stood with one hand tugging on his balls while he pinched his nipple with the other. She moaned. Fuck, he was so hot!
With his head thrown back, he hadn’t realized that she’d disobeyed him until she made a sound.
He frowned then yanked his cock out of her mouth. “Bad girl.”
Becca dropped her ass back onto her heels. “I couldn’t help it.”
“I guess I’ll have to punish you.” He held a hand out. Becca was looking forward to what he might do, so she placed her palm against his so he could lift her to her feet. Luckily, he kept his hand under her elbow, because her legs were weak. “On the bed, hands and knees. You deserve a spanking.”
“Yes,” she hissed. Heat burned through her body. “I’ve been bad.”
He chuckled then helped her position the way he wanted. “If you want me to stop, all you have to say is stop. I don’t ever want to hurt you.”
“I want this,” she told him. “Please.”
“Steady yourself,” he ordered.
Becca pressed her face against her folded arms.
The first smack was hard, spreading fire over her cheek and down her thigh.
She grunted.
Mike slapped the other cheek, rocking her body forward.
This time, Becca could close her eyes and feel the path the heat spread through her. She pushed her body back toward his hand. “More.”
He gave it to her. Every time his hand connected with her sensitive flesh, Becca rocked back again, begging for more, the pain mixed with pleasure taking her to a high she’d never experienced before. Finally, she noticed that he’d stopped. She was almost sobbing with need by this point.
“Mike!” she called.
“That’s enough,” he said, gripping her hips hard. “If I don’t get inside you, I’m going to explode.”
“Hurry.”
He climbed up on the bed, positioning himself between her legs. His skin felt cold against her, but his body was sleek with sweat as well.
“Give it to me hard and fast,” she pleaded.
“Oh, I will.” He slammed inside her. Becca’s vision darkened as she gave her entire being over to the only man who could handle her.
* * * *
Becca rolled over in bed, reaching for Mike. After the excitement of the previous night, she was looking forward to waking next to him. When her hand found only empty bed, she sat up and searched the room. They did need to discuss waking up at the same time. She’d wanted to feel Mike’s body against hers again.
In fact, her skin still tingled from the night before. She’d never been loved as hard or well before.
Mike stood at the window, watching the sun on the horizon. She wrapped the sheet around her and climbed out of bed, approaching him slowly. He didn’t move when she wrapped her arms around him, kissing between his shoulder blades.
“It really is beautiful here,” he said.
She hummed, pressing against his warmth. Even naked, his heat seemed to surround her. “It’s even better with you here. I love my territory, but I’d been getting restless lately. I don’t travel as much as I used to. Everything around me seems brighter and getting to share this place with you is awesome. There is so much more I want to show you.”
He turned and gripped her shoulders. “Do you mean that?”
Becca stepped back so she could search his face. “That it’s better with you here? Of course, I do. Mike”—she cupped his face between her hands—“I love having you here with me.”
He closed his eyes. When he looked backed at her, she could see the hope in his gaze. “What about Kurt? If he wanted you back?”
“Mike…”
He shook his head. “I know he still has feelings for you. RJ saw it, too. I’ve been standing here, looking out the window, trying to decide if I could let you go if that’s what you really want.”
She gasped. This wasn’t what she expected. Instead of basking in their lovemaking the previous night he’d been contemplating leaving her? Oh, hell no. Becca was not going to let him walk away. She knew how he felt about her.
He stepped away from her and started to pace. “I understand having to make hard decisions and the regrets that come with them. But you’re both older now. Things have changed.”
“Mike!” She didn’t want Kurt any longer. She was, however, considering punching Mike.
“No.” He waved his hand. “Sleeping next to you, holding you all night, and when I climbed out of bed, you reached for me. I’m not letting you go without a fight. I want you, Becca, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure you pick me. I thought for about five minutes that I could be the better man and step aside. I can’t. If you decide it’s me that you want, then I’ll do everything in my power to prove to you that I’ll stand by and support you.”
“I already picked you!” She grabbed his hand and pulled him closer. “Not that there was a choice. Kurt and I will always be friends, but our time passed a long time ago. He’s not who I see my future with.”
Mike smiled. “Yeah?”
“Yes.”
“We’ll figure things out,” Mike said. “I don’t expect you to up and leave your Pack, but I can travel when you need to. Or come here. I try to stay close with my old unit since we’ve separated, but I want to take you to meet them.”
“I’d love to,” Becca said. “I already like RJ. I can’t wait to see this feline Prince.”
Mike laughed. “Prince Zach is cool, but his mate, Casey, is the best. He was our team leader and saved our lives numerous times. I owe him a lot.”
“Then I’m sure I’ll love him,” Becca stated.
“We have to go to Coyote Bluff. That’s where Casey’s family lives. The community is a mixture of all different species of shifters, but they work together to keep their town safe. The inn is run by the best couple and the food is to die for.”
Wow, as Mike grew excited about taking her to this unique place, she could feel her own eagerness grow. “Great, when do we go?”
Mike smiled. “After we know things are settled here. I don’t want to leave the Pack vulnerable. Kurt and Clint are taking the shifters to the council, so they should already be gone. I know RJ is anxious to get home, too.”
Becca thought about bringing up the possibility of Mike staying on with the Pack, but she wasn’t sure how to broach the subject. Plus, she’d need to speak with her dad. It is the Alpha’s job to pick his staff, but Becca knew that Mike would make a great addition to the Pack. “Yeah we should check in with Kenny and Todd before we leave. I think they’ll be bringing their relationship out in the open. I want to support them.”
“I find it hard to believe that others don’t know,” Mike commented. “I picked up on it the first day I was here.”
“Todd was more obvious with you. It’s not easy seeing a dominant wolf come in and spend time with someone you love. And Todd does love Kenny. But now that Kurt has already given his blessing, I don’t think anything else will hold Kenny back. He was afraid of losing his brother’s love and affection.”
“Then we’ll stay for a little while. Probably should finish your cottage, as well. I’m sure your dad is eventually going to want to toss me out or charge me rent if I spend much more time here,” Mike said with amusement.
“I wouldn’t worry about my father,” Becca said. “I know how to butter him up.”
Mike nodded. “He does love you.”
“What about your family? You didn’t mention taking me home to meet them.” Becca regretted the words as soon as they came out of her mouth.
“Come sit.” Mike tugged her toward the bed.
Becca wrapped the sheet tighter around her before Mike pulled her into his lap. “My unit is my family, or at least the one that I want to claim.”
“But you still speak with your parents?”
“I do when I can’t get out of it,” he answered. “The same with my siblings. I never quite fit in with them. I was always searching for more.”
“More what?”
“More than parties and social standings,” Mike said. “I hate dressing up and talking Pack politics.”
Becca snorted. She couldn’t picture Mike in that situation. She preferred the rough and rugged side of him. “I don’t blame you.”
“That’s all they care about, though. Power and money, I mean. My parents, especially, don’t understand why I chose to serve my country, or what it means to depend on someone else for your life. I can’t talk to them about what I saw. That doesn’t leave us much to discuss.”
“Wow, that’s terrible.” Becca was heartbroken. Her father had been such a positive influence and every day he made a point of saying he loved her. “What about your siblings?”
“They are my parents’ perfect children. They always look the best, plus know how to make small-talk. I have nothing to offer them,” Mike confessed.
“They’re missing so much by not having you in their life more,” Becca stated. “But I’ll be more than happy to share my family with you. You’ll have to take a couple of nosy aunts and crazy cousins.”
“If they’re a part of the package, I guess I can handle it. Plus, you haven’t heard some stories about RJ and his brothers. Talk about crazy! So it’s only fair.”
“I don’t think I’ll be shocked when it comes to anything you tell me about RJ.”
“Good,” Mike said. “Not that I’d let you run away now that I have you.”
“You have me, huh?” she teased, drawing him closer.
“Well, you are sitting on my lap.” He pulled at the sheet tucked around her. “Stand up and take this off.”
She rose to let it fall to the floor. Becca felt no discomfort allowing him to gaze at her so openly. Instead, she preened under his lustful look.
“So gorgeous,” he praised, running his hands over her.
She arched when he cupped her breasts. “And all yours,” she vowed. “So don’t forget it again.” She wouldn’t let Mike bring up Kurt or anyone else ever again. The relationship was between the two of them.
“Yes, ma’am.” He bent his head and captured one nipple in his mouth. She gasped as he tongued her, making her decide to let go of her admonishment for being cheeky. His mouth felt too damn good on her. Oh, he most surely was a breast man.
“I love your body,” he said with admiration.
She hummed. That compliment wasn’t something she would ever get tired of hearing. Hopefully, Mike would always look at her the way he’d been doing. She wanted to please him. There was something deep inside her that craved to submit. Becca pushed back the feeling for now, intent on enjoying.
“Come here.” He led her back to the bed and gently laid her back. Mike started at her ankles and kissed his way up her legs to her thighs. She spread for him, liking where he was headed.
He peeked up at her and winked. “I’m going to show you how much I adore everything about you.”
“Yes, please,” she murmured.
She was already wet when he slid two fingers around her clit and teased her folds.
Becca arched up. “Please.”
“We have time, baby.” He teased with his fingers again.
She didn’t care if they had the rest of their lives. She wanted to be filled. “Mike…”
He chuckled. “So impatient.” He lowered his head and used his tongue to enter her.
“Oh, God!” she cried.
“Taste so good.”
“Feels good,” she responded.
He added two fingers while she pressed closer. But it wasn’t enough. “Mike, please.”
He lifted his head. “More?”
She dropped her head back. “Please!”
He chuckled but moved up her body. Thankfully, he continued to thrust his fingers inside. His mouth covered hers and she opened for him while riding his hand.
He pulled away panting. “Mine,” he declared.
“Yes, yes.”
Removing his fingers, he climbed over her, his cock pushing at her entrance. “Mine!”
The possessiveness was enough to almost send her over the edge.
“Yes! Mike.”
He slammed inside as she called out his name over and over. He rode her fast and hard.
She loved every second of it.
Becca gripped his shoulders, nails digging in, and growled, “You’re mine, too.”
Mike plunged in hard and stilled. “That’s right, baby.” He pulled out and flipped her over.
She climbed on her hands and knees and raised her ass back at him. He gripped her hips and this time entered her slowly. She tried to push back and get him inside faster, but his hold was too strong.
“No, you take what I give you,” he ordered.
He slid out before pushing back in. It was such good torture.
She squeezed her inner muscles, clamping down on his cock.
“Oh, baby,” he groaned.
She threw her head back. “Harder.”
Obviously at the end of his control, he pumped into her quickly. She met every thrust and urged him on. He reached around, rubbing her clit as he pounded inside.
She exploded, tightening around him.
“Becca!” he moaned, slammed.
“I’m not done with you,” he promised.
Becca laid her forehead in her arms. The bed rocked under the motion while her body remained relaxed.
Mike’s thrusts grew erratic and it didn’t take long for him to grunt then come.
They collapsed on the bed together, sweaty and exhausted.
“Well, glad we got that talk out of the way,” Becca said, laughing.
He smacked her ass. “Be nice.”
“Oh, I’m always nice,” she teased.
He pulled out then helped her to roll onto her back. Becca threw her leg over his before wrapping an arm around his chest.
“We should get up for breakfast,” she murmured.
“In a minute,” he said. “I want to enjoy holding you for a minute.”
“Speaking of holding,” she said. “Just once, we need to wake up in bed at the same time. I was cold.”
“Tomorrow,” he declared. “Or maybe later today if we can sneak in a nap.”
“I like naps,” she approved. “Especially if they’re with you.”
Mike was starving by the time he and Becca left the bedroom. They made it to the kitchen as breakfast was ending. Nikki and RJ appeared to have only sat down, too. Mike slapped RJ on the back as he passed then took a seat next to him. Becca grabbed the coffee pot to fill mugs and one of the women still cooking pointed at the dishes.
“Eat up now! You deserve a good treat,” she said.
“Yes, ma’am,” RJ and Mike said at the same time.
Plates were filled and bowls passed around. Kenny and Todd came in the back door holding hands. That was good to see. Sure, most of the people in the room already knew about them, but small steps would eventually lead to more.
Mike liked the couple so hopefully there were no bigots inside the Pack. He didn’t see Alpha Nelson putting up with that bullshit. The Alpha appeared to be a very open-minded and loving leader.
“See, I told you we didn’t miss breakfast.” Todd pushed Kenny out of the way and grabbing his own plate.
Kenny rolled his eyes but continued to watch Todd with a fond expression in his eyes.
The women set the last of the food on the table and removed their aprons. Mike waited until the ladies left before speaking.
“How’re you doing?” he asked Todd.
Todd grinned. “I’m all right. They didn’t hurt me. They were more scared of me than anything. I had some fun of my own flashing my fangs.”
“He couldn’t let us rescue his ass,” Kenny complained. “I was working on my white-knight look and everything.”
Todd patted Kenny on the back. “Next time I get kidnapped, I’ll make sure to be suitably scared and cower down before the big, bad humans. Then you can swoop in and rescue the damsel in distress. “
Kenny growled. “I don’t swoop.”
“And he’s no damsel,” Becca said. “I should get that title, damn it.”
“No kidnapping for you.” Mike pointed his finger at her. He knew everyone was joking, but the thought of Becca being taken filled him with cold dread.
“Yes, dear,” Becca replied. “Besides, all the bad guys should be out of town by now.”
“Did Kurt leave with Owen and Barry this morning?” RJ questioned.
Kenny nodded. “Left at sunrise. The council wants to talk to them about the connection with Dan Carter.”
Todd snorted. “That man is bat-shit crazy. Going on about how I was the spawn of the devil. Had all the humans in there too scared to even touch me. As if I could turn them by looking into their eyes.”
“Is he going to be arrested?” Nikki inquired.
Kenny sighed. “I spoke with the sheriff this morning. While the men he arrested last night are scared, they still claim that Dan Carter was never there and it was all their idea to kidnap Todd. The sheriff thinks they are more afraid of Carter than doing jail time.”
“That doesn’t even make sense,” Becca complained.
Kenny shrugged. “They’ll open an investigation, but without proof it’ll be tough.”
“But Todd saw him,” Becca argued.
“It’s Todd’s word against eight humans and two other wolves,” Kenny maintained. “They’ll push for a better confession and try to tie him in.”
“That’s not his biggest problem, anyway,” RJ stated.
Everyone turned to him.
“Word’s out to all the Packs. Plus, the council is already investigating him on their own. He won’t get so close the next time. He lost the element of surprise,” RJ continued.
“Good,” Becca said. “No one else should have to go through all of this.”
“But that also means we don’t know how he’ll approach the next Pack,” RJ said. “Instead of setting fires to draw anyone out, he might go for a shifter who doesn’t suspect he’s around.”
“Oh.” Becca glanced at Mike.
He covered her hand with his. “The council will do what they can. Let’s let them worry about other places and concentrate on your Pack.”
“Like Barry and Owen betraying us?”
“So what was Barry’s connection? I can understand Owen, but Barry?” Mike asked.
Kenny and Todd shook their heads.
“Could it be as simple as Barry being friends with Owen?” Becca asked.
“But to turn on his own Pack?” Kenny asked.
“I overheard him talking to Owen about you, Becca.”
“What did he say?” Mike demanded. Fuck, why hadn’t he been told that earlier?
“Just how wrong it is that she’s dating someone from another Pack. As the Alpha’s daughter, her bloodline should stay pure and only those inside our Pack should have a chance with her.”
“Someone like Barry?” Mike snorted. “He’s not a strong enough shifter or man to be Becca’s type.”
Becca looked at him before lifting a brow.
“What?” Mike asked. “It’s true and you know it.”
“He might not be my type—”
“Totally not your type,” Mike interrupted.
“Not at all,” Kenny added.
“You’d eat him alive,” Todd added.
Becca threw up her hands. “So not the point!”
“Actually, I think that was completely the point,” RJ interjected.
“Fine,” she conceded. “But that was still no reason to turn on us.”
“It’s not,” Kenny said. “But I don’t think Barry was all together there, anyway. Why else would he side with the humans? He’s a fucking shifter. They’d have eventually killed him, too.”
“Not a smart man,” RJ stated.
“I’m glad it’s over,” Todd said.
Kenny leaned into Todd’s shoulder.
Becca smiled at the couple.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Kenny said. “We spoke to the Alpha last night—we’re done hiding our relationship. We have his support, the support of our friends and family, so I asked Todd to mate with me.”
The table exploded in congratulations and cheering.
Todd was grinning. “Finally getting a commitment from him,” he teased.
“That is so great! But what about your position? Did you make a decision on that?” Becca asked. “I thought you didn’t want to be away from Todd as much once you mated.”
“Wait. What?” Todd turned to Kenny. “You spoke to Becca about mating me?”
“I told you last night I wasn’t asking you spur of the moment. Yes, I spoke to Becca about it. Made plans. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I was chickenshit,” Kenny told him.
Todd nuzzled Kenny’s neck while whispering something into his ear. Mike was glad he couldn’t hear what was said when Kenny started wiggling in his chair.
“Later, babe,” Kenny murmured to Todd.
Todd laughed.
“As for my position?” Kenny shrugged. “If someone wants to challenge me, I’ll have to deal with it then. If I think the shifter will be good enough, I’ll step down. If not, I’ll fight to hold on to it. Besides, I’m hoping maybe sometime soon I can pass it on by picking my own replacement. Let me concentrate on my fire training.”
Kenny caught Mike’s gaze and held it. Mike understood what he meant. Todd had already put the thought in his head. Mike wasn’t sure he wanted to get so deep so soon. It was something he’d think about, but not make any decisions as of yet.
He smiled to let Kenny know he understood the message.
RJ stretched his arm behind Nikki’s shoulder, drawing his attention. RJ smirked and Mike knew he had also caught what Kenny wasn’t saying.
“So, Mike, what’s next for you?” his friend asked, pretending innocence.
Mike laughed. “Nice, man.” But he wasn’t upset. Kenny was pretty obvious as it was. He twined his fingers with Becca’s. “Right now, I’ll be staying with Becca. We need to see about rebuilding her house. Plus, I want to take her to meet the rest of the unit. I might even travel up to introduce her to the Cross brothers, but only if Nikki promises to leash you.”
“Ha!” RJ pointed at him. “You act all innocent now, but the last wrestling match I remember was you and Dylan. I believe the coffee table was the casualty of that one.”
“It was,” Nikki piped up.
“Whatever.” Mike waved them away. “Once we’re sure things are good here, we’ll try to see everyone.”
“Oh, I was going to talk to you about something,” RJ jumped up. “Come on!”
The change was so sudden that Mike didn’t react for several moments. Nikki actually had to nudge him.
“He’s like a toddler,” Nikki commented. “He thinks of something and nothing else matters.” She pointed toward the back door RJ had already exited. “Don’t think he won’t return and drag your ass out with him.”
Mike gazed down at his half-eaten plate. Damn it, he was still hungry. “Fine.” He dropped his napkin next to his plate before he rose. He dropped a kiss on Becca’s temple before striding across the room. RJ stood in the middle of the yard with his hands on his hips.
“What took you so long?” RJ called.
Mike closed the sliding glass door behind him before walking to his friend. “I was eating,” he complained.
“Okay, don’t be mad,” RJ told him.
Well shit, that meant he was about to be pissed off. “What did you do?”
“I was only trying to help.”
“Which is when we usually find ourselves with bullets aimed at our heads.”
“It’s not that bad,” RJ exclaimed. “I just made some phone calls.”
“Some? To who?”
“And I didn’t know you wanted to travel with Becca. So, really this is your fault for not telling me.”
“I don’t even know what you’re talking about,” Mike griped.
“I knew you’d want to have Becca’s place fixed up quickly. You can’t like having her dad down the hall when you’re—”
“I get the idea,” Mike stated. He didn’t want to hear RJ try to explain what he did with Becca behind closed doors. There is no telling what would come out of RJ’s mouth.
“So, I called in help.”
Mike understood. And he had a bad feeling about what RJ meant. “Who did you call?”
“Everyone.”
“You did what?” Mike wanted to strangle his friend.
“If we all pitch in, it won’t hardly take any time at all,” RJ defended. “I wanted to help.”
“And it didn’t occur to you that having Becca meet everyone, all at once, might be a little too much?”
“I asked Alpha Nelson,” RJ said. “He thought it was a great idea.”
“Of course he did! He doesn’t have to worry about scaring her off.”
“We won’t scare her off.” RJ looked affronted. “I mean, we’re not that bad.”
“Claude threatened to burn his entire inn down if we all came back at the same time ever again,” Mike reminded him.
“Oh, yeah.” RJ frowned. “I’m sure it’ll be fine this time, though.”
Mike couldn’t believe this. “I’m going to kill you.”
RJ danced back. “Really? You think you can catch me?”
“I’m not playing RJ.” He couldn’t keep a damn smile off his face, though. It didn’t matter how much RJ pissed him off—Mike knew his friend had only been trying to help.
“Come on! You probably are out of practice. You’ve been slacking in your training. Casey is going to be so disappointed.”
“I have not been slacking in my training!” Mike exclaimed.
“I don’t know, man.” RJ swiped at him. “You’ve been moving pretty slow.”
The next time RJ swung, Mike caught his arm. In a practiced move, he yanked, throwing RJ off-balance. Mike should have anticipated RJ kicking out the back of his knee.
Both of them hit the ground hard. RJ was already trying to roll him onto to his stomach. Mike dug his heels in before bashing his forehead into RJ’s.
“Fuck!” RJ spat. “I hate when you do that. It hurts.”
Mike wrapped his arm around RJ’s neck. “I know. That’s why I do it.”
They wrestled for a few more minutes, each getting the upper hand before the other countered the move. Mike hadn’t realized how much he’d missed goofing off.
“I knew they’d end up covered in dirt, grass and blood,” Nikki commented.
“Oh, shit!” RJ whispered. “Busted.”
Mike glanced onto the back porch and saw both Nikki and Becca standing there. “He started it.” He pointed at RJ.
“I did not!” RJ slapped his hand away.
“Did, too,” Mike argued.
“Jeez, really, guys?” Nikki complained. “You’re not a couple of four year olds.”
“Hey, Mike,” Becca called.
Mike was still pinned halfway under RJ. “Yes, Becca?”
“Dad asked Kenny to get some of the guest cottages ready for some of your friends. Would you like to tell me what’s going on? Or are you having too much fun playing with your friend?” Becca asked.
RJ started to laugh so Mike elbowed her in the ribs.
RJ grunted, giving Mike the opportunity to slip out from under him.
Mike stood, making a production of dusting off his clothes before turning back to Becca. “I want you to remember my next words. Repeat them several times, okay?”
Becca frowned. “Okay.”
“This is all RJ’s fault.”
“What?”
“No,” Mike said. “Repeat, this is all RJ’s fault.”
“Why?”
“Because it is. It always is,” Mike told her. “This is all RJ’s fault.”
“This is all RJ’s fault,” she repeated.
“Good.” Mike strode forward. “Just remember, I warned you.”