Brink Of Passion (Alpine Woods Shifters) by Sondrae Bennett Page A

saved enough money over the years to accommodate their hedonistic tendencies. Money would never be a problem.
    He’d always thought they went a bit overboard when it came to the Premier quarters. The Jacuzzi tub hadn’t even been powered on since he took office. Then again, the idea of Laurie in it gave it new appeal. He couldn’t wait to get her soaking and see just what those water jets could do.
    “Stop it,” Laurie hissed as he took her hand and led her toward the stairs.
    “Stop what?”
    “Whatever you’re picturing.”
    For a moment, all he did was blink. Then the meaning behind her words hit him. She must be reading some of his emotions through the mate bond. The joy of the revelation had a shit-eating grin curling his lips. A good sign that things were already progressing between them.
    “Sorry,” he managed without an ounce of remorse. Somehow, he succeeded in holding back the chuckle.
    When they exited the stairwell, Max immediately noticed the small group gathered in the lobby of the building. He bit back a sigh. His cousins had probably been notified the minute their car pulled into the garage. At least only family waited for them, but ideally he’d have been able to sweep her up to his apartment without interference.
    “Max!” His cousin Leah ran over and gave him a hug he was only able to return by letting go of Laurie’s hand. Ridiculous to feel so resentful over the fact when his cousin had meant no harm, but he couldn’t help the feeling from creeping up. “Did you have a good trip?”
    “Long, but uneventful.”
    “Uneventful?” Laurie asked, sarcastic amusement in her voice.
    Max could have slapped himself. He had left for the convention last week single and come back mated. That would qualify as pretty eventful.
    Had that really only been last week? Already Laurie seemed to be a permanent fixture in his life.
    “I meant the trip from Colorado, of course. Meeting you was very eventful, pookie.”
    “Pookie?” Colin and Laurie asked at the same time.
    “Not pookie?” Max asked. The woman had already nixed ‘sweetheart’ and ‘baby’. He thought something a bit less conventional would suit her.
    “I’m not a stuffed teddy bear.”
    Colin laughed. Leah smiled. Even Tyler’s lips twitched a bit before firming into their usual straight line. Proof that he had a sense of humor, even if he didn’t like showing it.
    “Everyone, this is my lady love—”
    “Definitely not lady love .”
    “—Laurie,” he continued, choosing to overlook her denial. Eventually, he’d find something she didn’t object to. He just had to try harder. “These are my cousins Leah, Colin, and Tyler.” He was a little surprised Ryan, his brother, was nowhere to be found. Then again, it was late, and they had already met back in Tucson during the convention. After which, Ryan had come back as originally scheduled, while Max had accompanied Laurie to Alpine Woods. “We’d love to stay and chat, but we’ve been on the road all day and are tired.” Max emphasized his point with an exaggerated yawn. They didn’t need to know he was more anxious for Laurie than for bed.
    Tyler scowled. “We need to talk for a moment.”
    “Can’t it wait?”
    “No.”
    “You can’t handle it yourself?”
    Tyler hesitated, glanced at Colin, before shaking his head. Max glanced between his cousins and saw the regret lurking in their gazes. Regret for more than just waylaying him immediately upon his return.
    Max sighed. So much for taking a break. He glanced at his watch. That resolve had lasted all of an hour. But duty called, a harsh mistress to be sure, but one he was sworn never to ignore. He wouldn’t be a good leader if he did.
    “Leah, can you show Laurie our apartment, and help her with anything she needs?”
    Laurie leaned up and pecked his cheek before taking their overnight bags from him and following Leah. He wasn’t sure what he expected from her, after all but ditching her as soon as they walked