He moved closer, sliding his hands around her waist. His teeth sank gently into the side of her neck just above his mark. “Are you sure you want to go out tonight?”

The doorbell rang. She laughed as he groaned. “You’re the one who invited Max and Emma, remember?”

“Don’t remind me.”

He’d made the invitation when Emma had shown up on his doorstep, practically bouncing, and announcing she was kidnapping Becky for the day. She’d agreed quickly and dragged Becky out of the house, Simon’s hearty laugh following them all the way to Max’s car. Emma had taken Max’s car because she’d decided they were going shopping.

Becky had laughed. Knowing Emma, she’d known they’d need the extra room Max’s Durango provided. She’d been right. She just hoped Max hadn’t been too horrified when Emma got home, bags and boxes piled in the back seat.

She followed him to the front door. “Hi, Emma, Max.”

“Hi, Becks. Hi, Simon.” Emma looked gorgeous in a caramel colored turtleneck sweater and heather gray slacks that complemented her golden skin tone. She wore her favorite black pea coat.

“Rebecca.”

If anyone could beat Simon in a Hottest Man in Halle contest it would be Max Cannon. Golden blond hair framed the face of a wicked angel, the only flaw being a small scar on the side of his nose. She could see a sapphire blue shirt under the bomber jacket he was wearing, and his long legs were encased in black slacks. His sunny blue eyes and easygoing grin hid the fact that he was one of the most powerful men in town. Without even thinking about it she bowed her head slightly in respect to the Pride Alpha and his mate; the smile was for her friends.

Max poked his head in the door and stared around at the floor, a puzzled expression on his face.

“What the hell are you doing?” Simon asked, frowning.

“Wondering where you stashed the piles and piles and piles of bags Becky must have brought home.”

Simon’s brows rose up. “You did know they were going shopping today, right?”

“By shopping, I thought they would pick up a dress, maybe get some shoes or a purse. Instead I could probably open a boutique in my living room.”

“You know, all Becky brought home was one itty bitty bag.” Simon smirked as Max growled good-naturedly. “She took the Durango shopping, Max. That should have been your first clue.”

“Yeah, especially when she folded the seats down right before leaving.” Max dodged the blow Emma aimed at his arm with a chuckle. He turned to Becky, still chuckling. “How are you feeling, Becky?”

Max’s gaze zeroed in on Simon’s bite mark, visible through the straps of her halter dress. With a pure male grin he high-fived Simon, who grinned right back.

Becky shook her head. “Are they always like this?” she asked Emma.

Emma sighed. “Yup. Except when you throw Adrian into the mix. Then they get downright third-gradeish.” She grinned up at her mate. “Rumor has it that it’s amazing they ever got Simon’s place fixed up. There should be glue and nails and other stuff just sticking out of everything, with the three of them buried under the wallpaper. I can almost see Wile E. Coyote holding up the ‘HELP!’ sign.”

“We got it done because we’re very good with our hands,” Max purred, leaning in to place a quick kiss on his mate’s neck.

Becky wrinkled her nose. “Ew.”

Max laughed, obviously tickling Emma’s neck, judging by the way she shivered and giggled.

“Where are we going to dinner?” Becky picked up her jacket and was surprised when Simon took it out of her hands and held it out for her. “Thanks.” She blushed, putting it on. He pulled her hair gently out of the back of the jacket, caressing her curls with a soft, gentle touch. The fact that Simon wanted to touch her almost all of the time still had her head spinning. He’d barely let her out of his sight the entire time she’d been in his home.

His arm settled around her shoulders and guided her out of the house. “Noah’s. It’s Max and Emma’s favorite place, and I always bow to the wishes of my Alpha.” He locked the front door. She could tell from his expression he was doing his best to keep a straight face.

Max choked. “I wish.” Simon’s barked laugh was loud as Max led them to his Durango. “Like Noah’s isn’t your favorite place to go when you’ve made a big sale, right, Simon?”

“Nope, not at all.”

Max helped Emma into the front passenger side as Simon helped Becky into the back. “Let me guess; his favorite food is lasagna.”

Max looked at her, surprised. “How did you know?”

Becky grinned at Simon as he stuck his tongue out at her. “Lucky guess.” She put on her seat belt and relaxed back into the butter soft leather. “Oh, Emma, thanks for going with me to get my baby back from the mansion.”

“No problem. Besides, I enjoyed the shopping trip.”

Emma grinned as Max and Simon shared a look in the rear view mirror. “You do know she drives a convertible, right?”

“So do I.” Emma crossed her arms over her chest. She tried to glare fiercely at him and failed miserably as her lips kept trying to curve up in a smile.

“ I know. ” The glare Max sent Emma had Becky stifling a laugh again. The two of them were just too cute for words. “At least Becky’s isn’t candy apple red.”

“Hey! I love my Cruiser, especially the candy apple red convertible part.”

Becky turned to laugh with Simon and realized he was giving her the evil eye. “What?”

“Since when do you drive a convertible?”

“Since three weeks ago, Garfield.” She ignored the twin snorts of laughter from the front seat and focused her attention on the big goob next to her. “You got a problem with that?”

“Hell, yes! Those things aren’t safe!”

“My point exactly.” Max nodded righteously and ignored the poke Emma gave him.

“How are they not safe?” Becky stared at Simon, one brow rising in challenge.

“Red lights. Maniacs with knives. Need I say more?”

“In Halle?”

“Didn’t Emma get mugged right outside of Wallflowers?”

“Your point?”

“Crime happens even in Halle!”

“A mugging by a drunken college kid is a lot different from maniac, knife-wielding convertible killers.”