Second Chance Mates by Sabrina Vance Page A

erection from pressing hard into the small of her back
because he didn't want to alarm her.
    No, her scent had definitely changed,
like she was actually considering him for a mate. Not only that,
but allowing him to gauge how receptive she would be. Very
receptive apparently, if he wasn't wrong. The realization had made
him harder than hell, then hesitant, and now he was just plain
determined.
    Clara was going to be his, and soon.
She wanted him. He wanted her, and he knew he would give her
anything she wanted, would gladly commit to her right now, even
though he'd never lain with her. That would be something else he
would gladly rectify, preferably as soon as possible.
    "What's gotten into you, man? You've
gone all moon eyed."
    "Nothing," Luke said gruffly. "You
really think taking her out is a good idea?" He had a much better
idea. Cade could go out and leave him and Clara alone. He'd cook,
they'd drink wine, they'd talk and when the time was right he would
kiss her, hopefully even take her to bed where he would spend all
night loving her.
    "I promised her family I'd get her out
more."
    Knowing that her family knew what was
best for her didn't stop Luke adding a mental ‘probably’. Damn it,
if he was to be her mate, he would help her all he could, at her
pace. He wanted to protest but didn't want to come over possessive.
After all, he realized with annoyance, when it came to Clara he was
pretty much last in line. The idea chafed at his heart. When it
came to her, he wanted to be first. He wanted to love her, adore
her, protect her and hear her loving words whispered to
him.
    "Think I'm going to take a shower,"
Cade said. "That barn is dusty."
    "You reek too."
    "Thanks, man. Can always count on you
to keep it real. Get ready, okay? We'll grab something to eat in
town then work on putting a smile on Clara's face."
    Luke couldn't be certain, but he was
fairly sure he had a good shot at putting a smile on Clara's face.
Not that he would rub it in, but if she chose him, he would work
every day to bring happiness to her life. But even that didn’t push
back the realization that Cade was thinking exactly the same
thing.
    To hell with it. He’d find a way to
cope. Anything for Clara.

Chapter Ten
     
    As Cade drove into the parking lot,
Clara firmly wedged between him and Luke on the bench seat, she
couldn't recall why she had agreed to this evening out. For that
matter, she couldn't even remember when she'd last been into town
for an evening, never mind cared enough to want to. Her nerves were
shot to pieces. Clearly she’d been a hermit for way too
long.
    She and Colton went out all the time,
more so before they got married, but that all seemed so long ago
now. There were always parties, and bars to go to, and evenings at
the movie theaters or hiking and other places with their friends.
Of course, some of that tailed off after they got married when all
they really wanted was each other, and tailed off a little more
when they bought the farm and were working hard. That said, they'd
still managed to host barbecues and picnics and movie screenings in
the comfort of their own home. Like so many things, that had all
ended when she lost Colton and lost the will to live.
    For a moment Clara closed her eyes and
just breathed, counting silently to herself, a coping mechanism she
employed whenever she felt panic overtake her. A squeeze of her
hand just as she reached number nine reminded her who she was with.
Cade and Luke. They'd protect her. They wouldn't let her flail
among their friends.
    "You okay?" asked Luke as Cade pushed
open the door and climbed out. "Don't panic," he added before she
could answer as if he could read her mind. "I'll be right beside
you. I promise."
    "I'll be fine," Clara replied softly,
sliding across the seat to place her hands on Cade's shoulders as
his hands settled on her waist. He lifted her gently and set her
down.
    The parking lot was already half full,
despite it not even quite eight, and she could