Heat Rising: A KinKaid Wolf Pack Story by Jessica Lee Read Free Book Online Page B

face.”
    “I just wanted to stop by and see how you were after how things went down this morning.”
    “Ah…” Rosa headed for the kitchen and Landry followed. “I’m fine. You want something to drink?”
    “Any beer?” Please say yes. He could really use a dose of alcohol to smooth his rough edges. Being here with Rosa—alone—had him feeling strung too tight.
    “I think I might.” Rosa aimed for the refrigerator, her hips swayed with each step. Not intentionally. No. That wasn’t her style. She was as down to earth and unassuming as the stereotypical girl-next-door, and it made her all the more desirable.
    He couldn’t recall exactly when he’d begun to fall for the alpha’s sister. But he did remember the exact moment when he’d realized he had done just that—fallen in love with the one woman he could never have. It was the night of her eighteenth birthday. Landry had only been on the job as an enforcer for her father, the alpha at that time, for a year. Rosa’s date had arrived, and she’d descended the stairs wearing an off the shoulder dress, the tight fitting bodice a swirl of pale blue, and the skirt a solid crisp white. Her blonde tresses had hung long and straight over her shoulders, brushing her waist. He’d never seen anything more beautiful. By the time Rosa had reached the last step, she’d not only completed her journey, but she’d claimed his heart along the way. And when the other male reached for her hand, a wave of jealousy, unlike anything he’d ever experienced, had swamped him, blurring his vision and punching his fangs from his gums. Landry had ducked out of the room to keep from adding murder to the list of his family’s sins. After that night, for him, nothing had ever been the same.
    Rosa pulled the fridge door opened, and leaned in, her pink T-shirt riding higher on her waist, exposing a wide slice of the smooth, creamy skin beneath. His pulse leaped at the sight. Reflex coiled his fingers into tight fists. He had to, or risk closing in and acting on what his body screamed it wanted to do—to touch.
    Take.
    Claim.
    Down, Dog! She’ll never be yours. She’s Evin’s twin sister—a member of the alpha family. Why would they ever approve of her bedding a bastard male? Shit. Why the hell would she ever seriously consider a relationship with a shifter possessing such a tainted pedigree? Not to mention the questionable judgment he had when it came to his sexual appetite. Landry squeezed his eyes shut and mentally shook himself.
    “Yup,” she said. Landry popped his eyelids open as Rosa straightened and whirled back around. “I was right. I did have one left.” She handed over t he Bud Light.
    Thank God. In a swift one-two action, Landry had the cap off and downed a long gulp.
    “Guess you were thirsty.” Rosa chuckled.
    “Been an extra long day.” Landry sighed. “Speaking of that and how my day started, since when have you wanted to learn how to fight?”
    “Why do you ask?” She shrugged and strolled off toward her den. “I think it’s probably been long overdue that I learn a few defensive moves. Don’t you?”
    Landry joined her in the room, but headed over toward one of the dark windows that overlooked her backyard. Better this way if he kept his focus trained on something else besides Rosa. He was much more comfortable in the role of protector than as a covetous male.
    “That’s true,” he grumbled, watching the shadows dance across the lawn as the breeze rocked the leaves in the trees. “But why Kaleb?” There. He’d said it. That was the real root of his problem, wasn’t it? The sore spot he’d been nursing all day—why she hadn’t called him.
    “What?”
    He spun, facing Rosa. “Why Kaleb? Why didn’t you call me? You know I would have been happy to train you.”
    “Because you’re my brother’s lead enforcer. You have better things to do with your time.”
    “Bullshit.” He jammed the bottle of beer onto one of end tables with a smack