inconvenience having to share his bed with a stranger even if he did like her. At least she thought he liked her. Maybe he liked all of his females. Cindy said that he put them on a pedestal. “Hey, I can hear the wheels spinning out of control.” He smoothed a hand over her hair. “What’s turning around in there?” “Shit Ryder, you probably just confused her to bits. You claimed her publicly, slept with her last night and now you’re sending her to her room.” He growled lightly. Cindy cocked her head at him then dropped it and returned to spreading mayonnaise over the slices of bread she had laid out in front of her. Harper worried her bottom lip but said nothing. This she-wolf was psychic. “That so?” Harper fidgeted. “I don’t want to force you into my bed. Your room gives you a choice. If you want to sleep with me by all means, do. I’ve staked my claim and I haven’t changed my mind. I want you. I don’t think you’re ready for a mating yet but if I’m wrong just say so and we can begin now.” His face was right next to hers and she felt him smile against her cheek. Her skin flushed and she was sure that she turned puce. “I love to watch your skin turn pink, it’s beautiful.” He didn’t move away and she didn’t move either. Cindy kept spreading mayo and mustard glancing up nervously every so often. “Have I cleared up any questions you may have had Harper.” His voice caressed her name like no one’s before. It sounded so sexy on his lips and she wondered if he said it like that when they did mate would make her climax. She was close now and she had all of her clothes on. “I want to kiss you, do you object?” Cindy’s eyes widened and a corner of her lips lifted slightly when Harper glanced up at her. She shook her head. Ryder nuzzled her neck and kissed her throbbing pulse there. “Easy girl.” He said against her damp skin. An electric sizzle raced over her nerves and he kissed her cheek chastely then suddenly he was gone. She let out a pent up breath. “He’s pretty intense.” Harper finally said after looking around and not seeing him. “Yeah.” Cindy’s brows climbed up her forehead. “I’ve never seen him like that, all sexy Alpha. He’s always just been Ryder.” Her eyes widened then she sank her teeth into her bottom lip. “I hope Mathew comes home for lunch.” Harper grinned at Cindy’s flushed face. “I’d hate for him to miss out on my…state.” They both giggled while Cindy fanned herself. “He’s a good guy though right? Ryder I mean.” “The best honey. The best. He’s been looking for a mate for a while, and no one fit the bill. You’re the first he’s brought to the pack. None of them held his attention for more than a few seconds.” “How many? I mean, were there a lot?” Harper had only been with one wolf, had only intended to be with one during her life. Now, she hoped there was one more. She wasn’t sure how she felt about a mate that had been with many. “I’ll bet there were a bunch huh?” Harper looked around nervously. “Nah, I can count maybe five, there could be more but I don’t think so. I’m just glad the last one is gone. Her name was Fiona or something. Ryder dallied with her for a while and I thought he was going to ask her to come here with us but then he didn’t. I guess he came to his senses. I glad she stayed there and I’m glad that you’re here instead. You’re a lot nicer than she was and you don’t seem like a slut. I heard she was doing half the men in town. Ryder could never find any proof but where there’s smoke there’s fire.” Harper chuckled when Cindy waggled her eyebrows. “No, I was never that. I looked like one last night though. My friend Sidney dressed me and took me out to that bar, she thought that I needed to get laid.” “Ryder pretty much offered. If that’s what you need…” Cindy giggled when Harper covered her face. She was loading the sandwiches with cold cuts