Chapter Five

Nikki pulled up at the old bar at the edge of town where she’d promised to meet RJ. They still had some time until Brandon got off work and Dylan finalized things with Cameron. The next night would see if their last-minute efforts were going to do them any good. She still needed to tell Brandon about her encounter with Samson earlier. Justin had been pissed, but he’d understood why she wanted to wait to tell Brandon.

If Brandon went after Samson for touching her, which was a good possibility, there would be trouble sooner than the ceremony.

She didn’t see his Harley, but Nikki needed a drink. No one would mess with her there, anyway. They might be on the outskirts of the city limits, but she was still the sheriff’s sister. She parked her Jeep and stepped into the warm night air. Even at ten in the evening it had to still be in the eighties. At least there wasn’t the humidity that she’d never gotten used to in Houston. No, this was a dry heat. This was home.

The music played low and the smoke was thick when she opened the doors. Not too many people were there at this time of night on a Monday. She ignored the four men playing pool and walked to the back booth where her date waited. Not that this was a date. Or maybe it was. She didn’t have any idea. RJ smiled and slid out of the booth after she reached the table.

The kiss she received was just shy of erotic and had her toes curling. It seemed he really didn’t care who saw them together. She’d made the first move, kissing him in front of his shop, but his move in kissing them in front of the café had garnered them much more attention. All through lunch she’d felt people’s eyes on them but hadn’t picked up on any hostility. A few women that she’d gone to high school with had even stopped by her to say hi. Of course they’d checked out RJ and Mike the entire time, but Nikki had been amused.

“I’ll get you a drink. What’s your pleasure?”

She nearly said he was but swallowed it at the last minute. “Light beer on tap.”

He nodded and guided her to the seat he had just vacated.

She put her purse beside the wall and watched as he walked to the bar. He wore tight black jeans that cupped his ass perfectly. RJ cocked his hip on the bar as he ordered, surveying the room. When two beers were set in front of him, he pulled out his wallet and paid then turned to her.

His white shirt stretched tight against his chest. She hadn’t gotten to see him naked yet and if that didn’t happen soon she might go insane. Things would have been so much simpler if they’d met back in Houston. Nikki would have taken him to bed and enjoyed several hours before sending him on his way and getting on with her life. In Lawton, things worked in a different way. There were no such things as random hookups in a small town. Going down this road with RJ wasn’t smart. Not only were their brothers barely tolerating one another, but they’d be thrown together at every Pack event from here on out. At least when she came to town, which brought about another worry.

It wasn’t until she’d been back with her brothers that Nikki had realized she might not have made the best decision leaving, as she’d always believed. She’d missed seeing them all the time. Nikki hadn’t even realized that she’d been lonely. Sure, she had friends and some were even shifters, but no one she had a bond with like her brothers. No man she’d shared the type of connection that was forming with RJ. Last week her life had been much simpler.

RJ smiled sweetly at her; joining Nikki on her side of the booth. Nikki scooted to give him more room, but in response, he closed any distance she’d made. Okay, not that she minded having his hard body against hers, but she didn’t want to attract too much attention from the other patrons.

“So no one overhears us,” RJ said, with a wink.

Nikki didn’t buy that innocence for a second. “Better for them to think we’re hooking up?” she asked.

He chuckled, the deep sound tickling her senses. “I think we both know there is more going on here than hooking up.”

“I…” Nikki wasn’t sure how to respond.

“Did everything else go okay?” he asked, changing the subject.

“Yeah,” she told him, relieved. Nikki wanted RJ, there was no doubt about that, but the complications were just so many. “Talking to Justin’s fellow teachers and students, we realized that the group that wants a challenge is pretty small. I don’t think Samson or his friends know that the majority of the Pack are fine with Dylan taking over. The improvements to the economy, schools and revenue are a big deal to most.”

He sighed. “I’m glad. I haven’t spoken to Dylan yet, but Ben says the same thing.”

“Hopefully my article in the paper tomorrow morning will reach anyone we might have missed.” There couldn’t have been a lot of the residents who hadn’t been contacted that day. They’d split up on reaching out. Nikki still didn’t understand why no one had thought about doing so earlier.

“When we meet up with Dylan and Brandon, we should have a pretty good idea if they foresee any issues.”

Nikki nodded. “What about your friend? Is he still here?”

“He’s at the house with Ben,” RJ replied. “I wanted to spend some time with you alone.”

“Really?” She blushed. Nikki liked that RJ just said what he felt, although it would take some getting used to. “Why?”

“I think we discussed the Pack issues enough for now,” RJ stated. He slid his hand under the table to her knee. “It’s time to talk about us.”

“Us?” she squeaked. He palmed up her leg toward the hem of her skirt.

“Drink your beer,” he said, nuzzling her neck.

Nikki picked up her glass, trying to ignore her shaking hand. She wanted to feel his lips on hers. Hell, she hoped he continued to run his fingers higher up. There had been a reason that she’d worn a skirt instead of pants. Not that Nikki had expected to have his hand halfway up her thigh. But she had wanted to show off more of her body. So far he’d only seen her in jeans. Nikki took several sips until she couldn’t stand it any longer. She set her beer back on the table. Her mouth was only inches away from him.

“Kiss me,” she pleaded.

He grinned seconds from slamming his mouth on hers.

Nikki might not have been kissed a lot in her life, but she had no doubt that RJ was the best at it. He leaned in with his whole body while thrusting his tongue over hers. She grasped his shoulder when she grew dizzy.

RJ pulled away. “We should probably get going. The things I want to do to you shouldn’t be done in front of a bar half full of people.”

“Yeah,” she breathed out.

“Unless you’re into that kind of thing,” he whispered. His found the edge of her panties with his fingers.

“I’m not.” She spread for him anyway. He teased her over the thin material of her panties. Nikki was already wet for him. “RJ, please.”

“Come on!” He grabbed her hand and pulled her from the booth.

She laughed and stumbled as he continued to drag her through the bar. They hit the door and ran out into the night.

“Where are you parked?” he asked, lifting her off her feet.

She held on to his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his waist. “Who cares?”

He chuckled as he walked farther from the bar. “I see it.”

She was busy kissing and biting at his neck so she didn’t very much care if he found the car or not. Just the taste of him was breathtaking. His salty skin called to her.

“Baby, if you keep that up we aren’t going to make it to the Jeep.”

“Uh-huh,” she murmured. Really, all that they needed to do was get to a flat surface. She wanted him inside her this time. She squeezed his waist and he groaned. She went back to sucking at his neck. Nikki grunted when her shoulders hit the side of her Jeep.

“You drive me crazy,” he told her then devoured her lips.

She slid lower, rubbing across his hard body. “Want you…please…need you,” she managed when they broke away to breathe air in. This was insane, but she was past caring. She’d think about the consequences later. Right then, she just wanted any part of RJ she could get.

“Christ.” He glanced around the empty parking lot while opening the passenger door and pushing her inside.

She giggled as she fell into the seat.

“Gonna be quick,” he warned, leaning over her and pushing her shirt up.

“Don’t care,” she promised, already starting to unsnap his jeans.

They managed to move their clothes out of the way enough so he pressed up against her. Nikki was already panting. It wasn’t going to be long for her, either. Already her clit tingled from the slight pressure of his jeans across her.

“Look at me,” he demanded, just inches from taking her, his cock hard and pulsing at the lips of her pussy.

She lifted her head. His eyes held the power of his passion and she shivered. “RJ, now!”

He thrust inside, going deep with the first thrust. Her breath caught and she clawed at his back. Perfect—what she needed.

“Oh fuck, you feel good,” he managed, pounding into her.

She tightened around him and lifted her hips to meet each wild, passionate plunge. This was what she craved, what she’d longed for on those cold lonely nights. Someone to take her. Someone to swamp out all her feelings and just demand a response. “Yes! Yes!” she cried as he rode her hard. Nikki ran her hands over every inch she could touch—his head, his shoulders, chest and stomach. The ink on him rose and shimmered when they moved.

“Mine, all mine.” He spoke each time he buried himself inside.

She heard him talking but couldn’t concentrate on the words. The feel of him inside her, the sight of the pleasure on his face and the fierceness in his eyes was mesmerizing. The pressure built until she couldn’t stand it.

“Almost!”

He grabbed her face and their eyes locked. “Now,” he growled. He snarled, throwing his head back, and slammed inside.

“Yes!” she cried again as she exploded. Her orgasm tore through her body. She clutched at him, pulled, tried to anchor herself.

RJ paused long enough to watch her, but as soon as she slumped down into the seat, he withdrew his cock, nice and slow, only to thrust in. The intense need might have been sated, but Nikki wasn’t quite finished with him. She squeezed her inner muscles to clamp down on him, drawing out a growl.

“Harder,” she demanded. “I want to feel you later.”

“Christ,” he mumbled but complied. Each fierce drive shook the vehicle. “Gonna.” He came hard, filling her with his seed. Nikki hugged him close when he dropped his head beside hers. RJ tilted his face and kissed her neck. “Stay there.”

“Okay,” she agreed. Like she actually wanted to move. Her bones felt like jelly. Nikki wasn’t certain she could stand if she needed to. No one had ever made love to her with so much passion.

RJ drew out of her gently before grabbing some napkins from the dash. He dabbed at what had to be his cum leaking from her body. “Do we need to talk about not using protection?”

She shook her head. Shifters couldn’t carry or pass on human STDs but there was still the issue of pregnancy. “On birth control.”

He growled.

“What?” That hadn’t been the reaction she’d expected. Shouldn’t he have been relieved?

“I don’t like the thought of you with anyone else.” RJ had no trouble looking her in the eye as he spoke.

“Oh.” That aggressive, dominant side of him was arousing. “I haven’t been with anyone for a while. I’m picky.”

“Are you?” RJ straightened as he asked. “I’ll count myself lucky.”

Nikki pushed on his chest to move him. She needed to right her clothes. Someone could come out of the bar any minute. It had been stupid to give in to their lust in public, but she also couldn’t stop smiling. RJ appeared very pleased with himself as he yanked up his jeans. It was cute.

Once Nikki was decent, she peered around the parking lot. “Where’s your bike? I didn’t see it earlier.”

“I had Mike drop me off. Figured that I could catch a ride back to the house with you. We are going to the same place, after all.”

She nodded. It was probably close to them being late. “I guess I could give you a lift. You’ll owe me, though.”

He slipped his arm around her then yanked her hard to him. “You can start a tab.”

Nikki didn’t waste any time closing her lips on his. She would never get tired of kissing him. RJ tugged himself away. “Our family is already going to know what we were doing. We probably don’t want to be any later.”

Yes, scent didn’t lie and she would have RJ’s all over her. Justin wouldn’t say anything, but Brandon had already voiced his displeasure at her interest in RJ.

She walked around her Jeep to the driver’s side, letting RJ climb into the seat he’d taken her in. Nikki would never look at the passenger side the same way again.

Once they were both buckled in, she started the car and shifted into drive. RJ remained quiet but the wide grin hadn’t left his face. If their brothers didn’t know from the scent, they’d be able to figure out what the two of them had been up to just by the look on RJ’s face.

“Stop smiling,” she ordered.

“Who me?” He put his hand to his heart. “I have no idea what you’re talking about!”

“You so don’t manage the innocent act.”

RJ laughed. “I damn sure do.”

“I never imagined you’d have this childlike glee in you,” Nikki commented.

“Dylan would agree with you. It drives him nuts.”

Nikki laughed. “I can only imagine how much fun it was growing up at your house.”

“It wasn’t bad,” RJ confirmed. “My parents have always traveled and luckily the rest of the Pack looked out for us. Pretty much Dylan was always the responsible one.”

“So he sort of raised you and Ben?”

“You could say that. It wasn’t like with Brandon and you, though. My parents made sure we had plenty of money, but they weren’t so great at the love and affection part of parenting. Dylan more than made up for it.”

“So he’ll be a good Alpha?” Her question was quiet and she wondered if RJ heard the hope in it.

“He’ll be wonderful,” RJ stated with confidence.

“Good.”

RJ kept Nikki’s hand in his as they walked up the steps to his house. Voices in the living room were a mere soft rumble while he led the way through to the den. He had to smother a grin when he walked in and saw Justin leaning close to Ben on the couch. RJ could have given the two guys some privacy but he wasn’t that nice of a brother.

“Hey, guys.” He watched in amusement when they jumped apart. Nikki smothered a laugh and he had to hold in his own.

Ben blushed and dipped his head. Justin, looking a little more comfortable, just sighed and leaned back. “Great timing,” he muttered in complaint.

Nikki brushed past him and patted his head. “Better luck next time,” she teased.

Justin wrinkled his nose. “At least one of us got something.”

This time both Nikki and Ben blushed.

“Where’s Mike?” RJ asked.

“He planned to work out then shower before everyone got here,” Ben replied.

“Giving the two of you time alone?” RJ teased.

“Shut up, RJ!” Ben pleaded.

“Hey, I thought I heard voices,” Dylan said, joining them.

Everyone froze in place. Dylan walked halfway through the room. “What? What did I miss?”

Nikki cleared her throat, Ben squirmed in his seat and Justin found his hands interesting.

“Okay, what?” Dylan asked again.

“Brandon’s not here yet. I’ll put the coffee on.” Ben jumped up and ran out of the room.

Dylan raised an eyebrow and glanced at him. RJ just shrugged. He wasn’t going to give Ben away. Ben would tell them when he was ready. Besides, it was fun knowing something that Dylan didn’t.

“Hmm,” Dylan hummed. “Okay, you want to tell me about your run-in with Samson Lewis in front of the café instead?”

Damn. RJ rethought throwing Ben under the bus but just couldn’t do it. He strolled over to his spot on the fireplace hearth, where Nikki had already taken a seat.

“He started it.” RJ didn’t know how else to explain.

Justin tried to hold in a chuckle and failed. Nikki slapped a hand on her forehead while Dylan scowled at him.

“I know you did not just say ‘he started it’ like a four-year-old,” Ben commented, returning to the room.

RJ thought once again about telling on his younger brother but that really would have made him look like a four-year-old. “Well, he did,” he complained.

Nikki elbowed him as she addressed his brother. “We were walking to the café when Samson came out and made some…rude comments.”

Dylan leaned forward and nodded. RJ sighed. His older brother was not going to accept that small of an explanation. Dylan could be like a dog with a bone sometimes. Especially when it had to do with something RJ didn’t want to talk about.

“Normally, you wouldn’t lose your cool over some words. You have better control than that,” Dylan stated, his tone saying he knew there was more.

RJ wanted to squirm in his seat like Ben had earlier. “Yeah, well…”

“What did he say, RJ?” Dylan asked, short and to the point.

“He was talking about me,” Nikki told them. RJ noticed she was also rubbing the wrist Samson had grabbed.

“And?” Dylan pressed.

“He put his hands on her!” RJ exploded and stood. “And had we not been dealing with this damn challenge, I would have taken him out.”

Dylan raised his hand. “And you would have been right, but there are ways to handle things. What would have happened then?” Dylan asked.

“I would have fucked up what we are trying to accomplish with the Pack,” RJ admitted.

“Which was his point,” Dylan assured him.

“I know that.” RJ plopped down and accepted Nikki’s hand when she held it out to him. He kissed her palm, which calmed him a bit. “I did find out something else, though. He is in no condition to challenge you. He’d been drinking, heavily, and is in no way as strong as you,” RJ told him.

Dylan nodded. “That’s why they needed Brandon.” Dylan glanced at his watch. “Who should be here by now.”

“I’ll call him.” Justin pulled out his cell phone.

“So, if they’ve lost Brandon, does that mean they won’t challenge?” Ben asked from across the room.

Dylan shrugged. “I don’t know. Cameron tried to get hold of the elders but no one would answer. We couldn’t find them around town either. They’ve shut him out.”

Nikki groaned. “I don’t understand why they are trying to stir everyone up. There’s only, like, six of them left. They don’t even hold any positions in the Pack anymore.”

“But they’re still listened to and they advise Cameron. I think they’re worried about losing that small amount of power,” Dylan noted.

“Straight to voicemail,” Justin informed them, slipping his phone into his pocket. “If something came up around town he’ll take care of that first. You know how he is.”

Nikki nodded. “Probably lost track of time.”

Mike appeared in the doorway. “Sorry I’m late.”

“Don’t worry about it,” RJ said. “We’re still waiting on Brandon.”

“I talked to him about an hour and half ago,” Mike said. “He was getting ready to head over.”

“I hope nothing serious came up,” Ben stated.

“I’m sure it’s fine.” Justin patted his arm. “Brandon is hardly on time for anything.”

Both Cross siblings laughed, which helped RJ relax.

“So, is everything set for tomorrow?” Dylan changed the subject.

“The food will be there in time. Toby, from the café, volunteered to man the grills with help from some of the others. Steve, over at the church, is taking the tables and chairs they use for their parties. I’ll meet with him to get everything set up,” Ben told them.

“I’ll catch up with Ben along with some of the older teenagers. They’ll help us get everything done,” Justin added.

They heard a car door and waited as Brandon walked in and joined them in the living room, still in uniform. Brandon nodded to Dylan. “Sorry I’m late, but something came up.”

Everyone remained silent at his somber tone.

“RJ, man… I’m sorry. Someone broke into your shop and tore it up pretty bad.”

RJ jumped to his feet before the others could even react.

“RJ, wait!” Nikki grabbed hold of his arm. He tried to shake her off, but she held firm. His shop? His new baby? Fury rushed through him.

Brandon blocked his way. “I know you want to see, but I need to ask you a few questions first.”

RJ shook his head. “No, we all know who did this.” He looked at Dylan. “This was Samson. I should have suspected he’d try something like this.”

“We’ll find out for sure,” Dylan said, taking charge. “You and Nikki go ahead with Justin and Ben and head over. I’ll ride with Brandon and explain on the way. Mike?”

“I got my bike,” Mike said, already striding to the front door.

“Now wait just a damn minute!” Brandon barked to the whole room. “I’m the sheriff and I have some damn questions!”

RJ could feel his wolf close to the surface. He wanted to find that coward Samson and smash his face in. He rolled on the balls of his feet in preparation for jumping around the sheriff. He didn’t give a damn what the man said. He wanted to go, now.

“Brandon.” Dylan’s voice was calm “Let RJ go. I’ll explain everything.”

Brandon sighed but waved a hand. “It’s a crime scene so don’t go in without me,” he cautioned.

RJ nodded and, as gently as he could, grabbed Nikki’s hand to pull her with him. He didn’t care if Ben and Justin caught up or not, but he wasn’t letting Nikki out of his sight after this. If Samson went after him, he’d be spineless enough to try something with her.

Mike had left the front door open and was already on his bike, revving up. RJ wanted to take his own motorcycle, but with his emotions high and his wolf clawing to get out, it wouldn’t be safe. He had to make sure Nikki didn’t get hurt.

Justin hit the key fob on his SUV, making the lights flash. “I’ll drive.”

RJ let Nikki maneuver him into the back seat while Ben jumped into the passenger side. The doors had barely closed as Justin took off. RJ appreciated that the other man was hurrying. Energy pumped through his body and only the fact that Nikki was rubbing his arms and legs kept him calm at all. He’d worked so hard to achieve his dream of having something that belonged to him.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, kissing the base of his neck.

He closed his eyes and took deep breaths. “My last mission was the rescue of the feline Prince Zachary,” he started.

A gasp came from the front seat, but Nikki just took his hand and gave it a squeeze.

“His cousin knew that Zach had mated with another cat—a bobcat who ran the unit I was in—and our departure ended up as an opportunity,” he explained. “Prior to leaving for the mission, Casey asked a favor of me. I’d done all of the unit’s tats, but he wanted a special one for him and Zach. He wanted matching mate tats so that, when he wasn’t with his mate, he could always see him.” He opened his eyes and pulled her close. “I drew their mate in cat form on each other’s chest. Zach’s lion over Casey’s heart and Casey’s bobcat over Zach’s. They were the most important pieces I ever did.”

“That’s wonderful,” she told him, running her hand over his throat to grab his chin. “I can imagine how important that was for them. Especially after Zach was taken.”

He nodded, glad she understood. “That’s what I want to offer. That tattoo kept Casey sane while we were searching for Zach. He had his love with him in some way.”

“We don’t know how bad the damage is,” Nikki said. “No matter what, we’ll get you back on track. Trust me.”

“I want to rip his fucking throat out,” RJ grumbled.

“He won’t get away with it,” she promised. “He’ll pay for this.”

“Actually, he’s going to pay for more than just this,” Justin said. “He’s been playing Brandon for years and you haven’t told the rest of us what happened this afternoon, but touching my sister is not going to be something I let go.”

Justin sounded so fierce that RJ saw a new side of him. Justin might appear soft-spoken and calm but there was a protective instinct strong within him.

“Everyone just needs to stay calm.” Ben, as always, ended up being the voice of reason. “Dylan and Brandon will figure out something. We should just concentrate on the shop.”

RJ growled. He wanted to go one-on-one with Samson. Samson needed to learn not to fuck with the Cross family.

Justin pulled up in front of RJ’s shop and it was both too soon and not soon enough. There were several people outside in the street and on the sidewalk beside the tape the sheriff department had put up. The windows were all busted up and the door was smashed.

“Fuck!” RJ cursed under his breath.

“Hey,” Nikki murmured, blocking his view. “It’s going to be all right.”

RJ knew it would, but this hit deep. It’d been the only thing he’d wanted when the unit had decided to retire.

“I’ll be here with you,” she promised and kissed him one more time.

And that was the best thing he’d ever heard. He’d already gained so much more than he had thought. He had a new home, his brothers back, loyal friends and Nikki. He wouldn’t have even imagined finding her. He hadn’t been looking. But there she sat, worrying and upset, because he was.

“Yes, it will,” he declared, staring into her eyes. “Better than ever.”

“That’s the spirit,” she teased him. “You needed a little more color anyway.”

“Did I?” he asked, smiling. He knew that she was attempting to mess with him to take his mind off the damage.

“Some pink,” she stated.

“I tried to tell him that,” Ben said from the front seat. “He was all about black leather.”

“What?” he asked. “I like the smell.”

Nikki leaned closer to whisper in his ear, “I can’t wait to take a ride on your bike. Do you have any leather chaps?”

And just like that RJ’s cock stirred to life.

“Of course I do,” he admitted.

“Mmm,” she practically purred.

“You know we can hear you,” Justin complained.

“It’s not like I described how I plan on peeling them off of him,” Nikki said. “I could go into great detail about being on my knees when—”

“Stop!” Justin shouted.

“Yeah.” RJ took her hand and pressed it to his straining erection. “I would like to actually try a bed next time. Not another vehicle.”

“TMI, bro!” Ben said, groaning.

RJ laughed. They managed to help him push past the anger.

“Are you ready?” Nikki asked.

Was he? It might hurt to see what had been done to his shop, but at least it remained standing. Things could be a lot worse. He nodded and slid out of the vehicle behind her.