Page 73 of Primal
“They’re going to love you,” I said.
Her gaze flicked from the picnic that was already in full swing to me. Rob had called and invited us to a whole-pack picnic. He hadn’t said it was because I’d found my mate and marked her, but that was the reason for the celebration. Everyone wanted to meet Riley, and I sure as hell wanted to show her off. It’d been two days since the shooting, a day since I marked her as mine.
The bite on her butt had heeled, but the mark was there for me to see. To know she was mine.
She bit her lip. She’d been nervous ever since I told her about the picnic. That she’d meeteveryoneall at once. As far as I knew, the only shifters she was aware of were Rob, Willow, Levi, Boyd, and Audrey. And Tyler. Knowing all of them didn’t seem to make it any less nerve wracking for her to get a pack crash course over barbecue and coleslaw.
“Pull up your skirt.”
Her mouth fell open. “What? Here?”
We were tucked in the quiet confines of my Jeep, but everyone was a short distance away.
“I fucked your nerves away only fifteen minutes ago back at the cabin,” I said. “Obviously, I didn’t do a good enough job.”
Her wide eyes met mine. “You want to fuck mehere?Now?”
“Hell, no. People are fifty feet away. But I’ll finger you good and well and get rid of those nerves. No one will know what we’re up to.”
She stared. And stared. “You’re serious.”
“I never joke about my fingers in that perfect pussy.”
Her cheeks flushed. “I’m… I’m good.”
I cocked my head. “You sure? I’d love to go out there with your scent all over my hand.”
“I don’t know if I should be appalled or turned on.”
I shrugged. “I distracted you, didn’t I?”
She bit her lip and understanding lit her face. “You’re good, Cody McIntire.” She reached for the handle and opened her door.
“Wait, sugar.”
I hopped from the Jeep and rounded it to get to her. She’d learn I open her door for her. When she did as asked, I helped her down then kissed her. “Good girl. Let’s go meet the pack.”
She took a deep breath. Nodded.
Leaning in, I whispered, “Later, I’ll get my fingers in you. That’s a promise.”
I took her hand and pulled her toward everyone knowing her mind was thinking about sex and not meeting a packful of strangers.
Picnic tables were scattered in the shade behind the barn given by a huge cottonwood tree. A stream meandered, and the pups were splashing and playing in the shallow water. Buffet tables were loaded with food, laid out for this potluck. Two grills had smoke rising from them, and the scent of burgers and cooked meat filled the air.
There were probably fifty in attendance. Not theentire pack but a good crowd. A newly mated couple was a good reason to meet. Especially when one of them was human.
Rob was by the grill, spatula in hand. Tyler held another one. The new guy, Wes, held a platter loaded with burgers and set it out for people to take. Rob’s brother, Colton, was with them, taking a swig of a beer. So was Marina, his mate. At one table were the other human mates, Audrey, Charlie, and Becky, laughing at something Johnny said.
I’d get my mate to meet everyone, but a little at a time. But first…
I squeezed Riley’s hand and tugged her, so I could wrap my arm around her waist instead. “Look who’s here,” I murmured, when I leaned down. I pointed toward the grills.
Riley’s eyes bugged out. “Dad?”
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RILEY