ROMANCE: Mason (Bad Boy Alpha Male Stepbrother Romance Boxset) (New Adult Contemporary Stepbrother Romance Collection) (32 page)

Sealed deal.  She
did
want him.

Hours later, Blaine and Brooke were laughing as they drove out of Colonial Williamsburg.  Night was once again falling, and Blaine couldn’t remember when he had a better time.  The tour guides for certain buildings were well spoken and informed, but nothing compared to the wealth of information that Brooke let flow as a constant stream from her mouth. 

“I guess you’ve been here a lot?”  Blaine asked at one point during the day. 

“I have.  At least a dozen.  I enjoy American history.  My father and I traveled to Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania a few years ago to see all of the Civil War memorial spots there.” 

“Jeanette didn’t go?”

Brooke shook her head.  “Uh…no.  She stayed with one of our friends and his wife.” 

The evening air was cooler than it had been all week.  He guessed it was a brief reminder that summer was beginning its wind down.   Blaine was surprised that Gerard hadn’t called his cell again, but was glad he hadn’t.  He didn’t want anything to spoil his time with Brooke. 

“Hungry?”  He asked as they found their way back to Richmond Rd. 

“A little.  I have some frozen pizzas at home, and some salad mix.” 

“Sounds like a feast.” 

Blaine watched Brooke as she fixed their dinner. 
I could make this work!  I could convince the pack! 

Brooke turned from the counter where she was chopping onion and tomato.

“Why are you growling?”

Blaine blinked.  “I was growling?”

Brooke pursed her lips and nodded slowly. 

“Sorry.”  His lopsided grin caused Brooke to laugh out loud. 

“It’s ok.  Growl all you like.  I was just making sure you weren’t upset.”

Growl all you like
.   “No, I’m fine.” 

After dinner, Brooke walked Blaine to his truck.  She didn’t want him to go so early, but they were both tired.  She more than him. 

“It was a great day, thank you.”  Brooke smiled up at him, her hands slid into the back pockets of her jeans. 

“Thanks for the season pass.” 

“Do you think you’ll use it again?”  Brooke visibly winced.  She didn’t want to seem too desperate.  She didn’t want to seem desperate at all, but there was something about this man that begged her attention.  There was something about him that made her want to fall to the ground and grab him by the ankles, begging for him to stay.  She winced again.  This was nothing like her usual self.

Blaine frowned.  “Are you sick?  You keep making faces.” 

“No.  I’m just having a war with my own thoughts.” 

Blaine completely understood.  “I’ll call you in the morning.”

“You kind of need my number first.”  Brooke held out her hand, moving her finger tips until he handed his phone over.  She quickly programmed her number in. 

“Thanks.”  He said as she handed back.  “Remember, if you can’t sleep, call me.”

Brooke nodded and stepped away from the truck. 

“Goodnight.”  Blaine called after her, but she was already closing the front door. 
She’s trying to shut me out.  
Blaine thought glumly. 
Not going to happen
.

When he approached his hotel room, a man was sitting on the concrete looking down at the empty pool.  He stood as Blaine warily approached.  It was one of his kind.  An
Alpha
of his kind.  The man didn’t smile, he only acknowledged Blaine with a single nod of his head. 

Blaine swiped the room card and left the door open for the man to follow.  He flicked on a couple of lights and sat on the edge of the bed. 

“Why haven’t you presented yourself?”  The man asked as he crossed his large arms.  Pale hair that matched the hairs on his head blanketed his forearms. 

“I was going to, but I’ve had some distractions.” 

“Yeah, human women can do that sometimes.” 

“I guess you’ve been following me?” 

The man lifted his shoulders.  “Not really.  Mind telling me why you’re here?  I can smell what you are, and you’re not a loner.”

Blaine opened the hands that were clasped loosely between his knees.  “My pack.  They think I need a mate.” 

The man nodded his understanding.  “Have a few singles, do you?”

“Yes.” 

“I’m having the same problem.” 

Blaine narrowed his eyes.  “So, you don’t have available females?”

“Nope.”  The man was blunt, but seemed to be relaxing. 

“Well, that’s fine with me.” 

“There won’t be problems while you’re here?” 

Blaine shook his head.  “Not at all.” 

The man unfolded his arms and extended a hand to Blaine.  Blaine stood and clasped it. 

“I’m Thomas.  My pack is scattered around the city but I have a little place off of Rt. 60 if you need anything.  It’s easy to find…it’s the only horse farm out there.” 

“Thanks.  I appreciate it.” 

Thomas nodded and left the motel room without another word. 

Blaine sat back down on the bed as his cell phone started ringing.  He hoped it was Brooke, but unfortunately for him it was Gerard.

“I thought you were going to call with an update!”  Gerard’s voice was agitated and deeper in octave. 

Blaine narrowed his eyes to slits, his hairs tingling. 

“I don’t know how much you’ve had to drink, but you better check yourself.  I’ll not be hen-pecked by you or anyone else in the pack!  Got it?”

“Yeah.  Sorry.  It’s been a rough day.” 

“Why?”  Blaine spit the word out.

“Travis and Kenny had a fist fight, then there was a storm, and I thought a fox was in the hen-house.” 

“Welcome to my world.”  Blaine said tightly.  There was silence on both ends of the line for a full minute.  “I suppose you want that update?” 

“Yes.”

“I met the Alpha for Williamsburg.” 

“Really?”  Gerard’s excitement made Blaine feel guilty.  He didn’t
want
to feel guilty.

“Yes, but there aren’t any available females.”

“Oh.  Ok.  Maybe you can try somewhere else.” 

An image of Brooke laughing with her hair whipping around her came to mind.  Another image quickly replaced that one of her staring at him in terror with a tear streaked face.  He knew he would die before she ever experienced something like that again.  He cleared his throat. 

“Don’t worry, Gerard.  I think I’ve found my mate…”

“Oh God, that’s good news!”

“Calm down.  Look, don’t tell the others yet.”

“I won’t.”

Blaine could practically see the grin on Gerard’s face.  He bet he was even bouncing on his feet. 

“I don’t know if this will work out yet or not.  She may not accept me.” 

“You’re an
Alpha
!  What single she wolf would refuse you?”

A human who’s not a she wolf, that’s who
.  “I don’t know.”

“Take your time.  Just let me know how it goes.” 

Blaine ended the call.  He thought it odd that Gerard hadn’t asked
where
a female she wolf would have come from apart from a pack.  Lone wolves were typically male.

He caught sight of his reflection in the mirror.  He studied his strong features, and for the first time felt the tick-tock that his single pack subordinates must be feeling.  He spoke out loud to his reflection. 

“How do I convince a beautiful human woman to pack her bags and come live with a pack of werewolves?” 

His reflection offered no answer. 

Blaine mulled over his situation as he shaved and got ready for the day.  He had called Brooke earlier and found she was already waiting for him at her apartment.  She had promised him a fun filled day of…something. 

Two weeks
.  That was the time frame he was giving himself.  If he couldn’t woo her away by then, he would have to go home empty handed.  Brooke was the one he wanted, and he wouldn’t settle for anything less.  Besides, two weeks was about all he could afford living abroad without the generosity of a pack’s lodging. 

Blaine slipped a snug fitting white t-shirt over his head, and bent at the waist to lace his brown hiking boots.  He had no idea what she had planned, but the chosen attire would do for most anything.

When he arrived at Brooke’s she opened the front door before he was out of the truck and set a rather large tackle box outside of the door.  She slipped back in and came back out with two fishing poles. 

Blaine grinned.  “So, we’re going fishing?”

“I thought it would be a nice relaxing activity.” 

Blaine noticed the dark circles under her eyes.  “I thought you were going to call me if you couldn’t sleep?” 

Brooke shrugged, keeping her eyes averted, as she handed him the poles.  “It’s fine.”

Blaine wanted to argue that it certainly was not, but kept his mouth shut instead. 

“Do you have a good spot?”

“My father’s friend Dale has a nice piece of land and we can go to his stream.”  Brooke placed the tackle box in the bed of the pickup.  “I just have a couple more things to get.” 

Blaine followed her into the apartment, nodding a hello to Carleigh.  She looked at him easily, a smirk on her face. 

“I’ll have you know that Brooke has been hogging the kitchen since five this morning, whipping up potato salad, and Lord only knows what else.” 

Brooke cast her an evil look, shoving a blanket in Blaine’s arms.  She had a large cooler on wheels, which she promptly rolled to the door, only giving Carleigh a cursory glance over her shoulder. 

“It wasn’t five, it was 5:45, thank you very much!” 

Carleigh laughed lightly.  “Have a good time!”

“We will.”  Blaine smiled, shutting the door.

They drove for several miles out of the jumbled retail and restaurant area.  The businesses became sparse before Brooke had him turn onto a road named “Fish Trail”. 

“I hope that’s accurate.”  Blaine teased. 

“It will be.” 

Brooke directed him down a gravel driveway which led a half mile to a two story house that looked like some kind of strange work in progress. 

Blaine cut the engine, looking at the house thoughtfully.  “Remodeling?”

Brooke laughed and opened the passenger door.  “Yes.  Dale’s been remodeling since I was a child.  He added on this end five years ago.”  Her hand flicked to the right.  “And that one last year.  The house was originally just a two bedroom two story farm house.” 

“Wow.  That’s impressive.”

The front door banged open and three tan boys ranging in age from four to eight ran towards them with sticky faces, and dirty clothes. 

“
Brooke!
”   They yelled at once. 

“Hi, guys!”  She beamed at them.  “I didn’t realize you’d be here today!”

The oldest boy with reddish hair and freckles splattered over his tan nose nodded.  “Momma brought us last night.  She’s coming to get us soon.” 

The two youngest tugged on her shorts. 

“You didn’t bring us anything?”

Brooke laughed, looking down at their faces.  “Looks like you
already
had a treat.”  

“Who’s that guy?”  A small voice asked. 

“Yes, who
is
that guy?” 

A wiry man in a work shirt came down the front steps.  His dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and Blaine could make out strands of gray running through it.  His dark tanned face, told the tale of a man who worked outdoors, but paired with the hair and high cheekbones promised a Native American heritage.  He held his hand out to Blaine. 

“I’m Dale.” 

“Blaine.” 

The men shook hands and Blaine became uneasy as Dale held on to his hand a second too long, his dark eyes staring at him intently.  When the contact ended, Blaine felt shaken.  He was glad when the man turned his attention to Brooke, wrapping her in a bear like hug.

“Girl, you’ve stayed away too long!” 

Brooke patted his chest.  “I’m sorry, Dale.  I’ve just been busy.” 

“What brings you out today?” 

“Hoping to catch some fish.”

Dale nodded.  “You know you’re welcome.  Just run in and say hello to Darla first.  She’s missed you.” 

The three little boys led the way. 

The inside of the house looked a little like the outside, like a work in progress.  The three little boys marched noisily down a short hallway, into one of the biggest kitchens Blaine had ever seen.  A woman with mocha colored skin was standing at a range built into the kitchen island stirring something in a large pot.

“Brooke!  Honey, come give me a hug!”  She held her large arms out and embraced Brooke similarly as Dale had.  “Who’s this?”  She asked, her eyes lightening up further.