Savage Sanctuary 2: Panther Moon by Regina Carlysle Page B

room, she smiled faintly at their guest, more than a little
    unsure of herself. “These are so pretty.” Trea held up the lovely flowers. “Better give
    ’em a drink, huh?”
    Turning away she crossed the kitchen and opening a set of cabinet doors went to
    her tiptoes as she tried to reach a vase on the top shelf. Suddenly Rio was there and before she could blink, he held the tall glass container out to her. “Allow me.”
    “Wow, so fast.”
    His grin flashed white and just a little bit wicked. “I can do things slow too.”
    “You’d better not be flirting with me, big guy. Hudson might have something to
    say about that.”
    78
    Panther Moon
    Rio turned suddenly serious. He stroked one finger down the side of her cheek, his
    black eyes intense. “I would never, could never, poach on Hudson’s woman. I’d rather
    be shot dead. He’s the best man I know and I owe him my loyalty, along with my
    friendship. We are closer than brothers.”
    Flustered, Trea shook her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply anything of the
    sort. I was just teasing.”
    He smiled then shocked the hell out of her by pressing a quick kiss to her lips.
    “Come on. Let’s see about getting that grill out back fired up. I’m starving.”
    And just like that the mood was lightened. Several hours later, the three of them sat outside under the bright Texas moonlight, the only other illumination coming from a
    yellow citronella candle burning atop Hudson’s brightly colored tile-topped table. Trea couldn’t remember a time in recent weeks when she’d felt so utterly comfortable.
    Hudson and Rio regaled her with stories of youthful exploits, some humorous and
    others downright hair-raising. Their history as friends and warriors unfolded for her as the minutes ticked by and though she was beginning to feel closer to Hudson, now she
    felt she knew him. Knowing your mate was a good thing. The two of them drew her
    into their tales, answering her questions with an ease that made her feel included,
    accepted.
    Trea took a sip of her wine and smiled as Hudson carefully worked on peeling the
    label from his longneck bottle of beer with the edge of his thumbnail. Rio set his empty on the table and reached into a small, galvanized bucket to pluck a fresh brew from the ice.
    “So you two first met fighting in the Civil War?”
    Setting the empty bottle aside, Hudson nodded and reached for her hand. He
    rubbed his thumb along her palm sending a sexy tingle up her bare arm. “Yep. Damn
    awful war. We were both cavalry and in the same unit.”
    “You fought for the South?”
    79
    Regina Carlysle
    Rio took a swig of his beer. “We’re Texans, so yeah. The way I figure it both sides
    lost. Americans fighting Americans. Terrible thing, querida . At least slavery was ended when all was finished.”
    “And you two were unscathed,” she said softly.
    Hudson pressed her fingers to his lips. Pleasure whispered over her flesh and her
    heart squeezed. For such a big, tough man he could be so gentle.
    “You have a sweet heart, darlin’,” Hudson said. “No wonder your father protected
    you.”
    Trea rolled her eyes. “Boy, did he ever.”
    “Smart man,” Rio added. “We believe in protecting our women.”
    She laughed. “Overprotect, you mean. Hmm. Maybe it’s about time some woman
    took care of you big tough guys for a change.”
    Hudson grinned. “I have a feeling if any woman could, it would be you, darlin’.”
    Tough? Her? No one in her life had ever applied that word to her but his teasing
    warmed her to her toes and she had to admit it would be wonderful to come fully into
    her beast and test her skills. A shiver swept her as a low roll curled through her belly.
    Heat rose at the touch of fur and the feeling of her cat preparing to make her
    appearance. Instantly, her panties went wet and her clit pulsed against the silk of her undies. She caught her breath and held it. Beside her Hudson went still and his nostrils flared as she