Read Claimed by the Mate, Volume 1 for Free Online

resuscitation, and by the time the first one was breathing and squirming to find Mama she’d delivered the other two.”
    â€œI’m glad you were there.” Brad clapped Cain’s shoulder.
    â€œMe, too.” Cherry watched him with her heart in her eyes. It appeared she was as big a softy as Cain. At least when he wasn’t acting all badass. “How did you know she needed help?”
    Cain merely shrugged. “We keep an eye on them, make sure everyone’s healthy. This is her first litter, so I’ve been checking on her. Plus, they’re used to us. We can get close enough to help when there’s a problem.” He described the den under a fallen tree near the creek, the way the mother had licked her pups and nuzzled them close against her to nurse. Cherry hung on every word.
    Brad leaned close and kissed her cheek. “Be right back,” he said, and stepped inside the lodge to grab a goblet for Cain. When he got back, Cain and Cherry had moved to the big picnic table, Cherry at the end, Cain on her left. Brad sat on the other side, across from Cain and next to Cherry, and poured a glass of port for Cain.
    â€œHere’s to new life,” he said, raising his glass. Cherry and Cain raised theirs. The crystal chimed softly when they touched glasses.
    â€œWhere’s the chocolate?” Cain stared at Brad and shook his head. “Don’t tell me you shared some of Trak’s port with Cherry and didn’t offer chocolate!”
    Brad shrugged. “I did, but she didn’t want any.” He dug it out of his pocket—only he’d added a couple of extra pieces and put one in front of Cain, another in front of Cherry, and kept one for himself.
    â€œYou’re trying to sabotage my diet.” Cherry sipped her port, but she stared at the small piece of dark chocolate in front of her.
    Cain picked up the chocolate and held it in front of her lips. “You don’t need to diet. I love the way you look. Your breasts are begging for my attention and my hands really want to clasp those incredible hips You are a voluptuous woman, Cheraza DuBois. You would not be the same without your curves. They make you absolutely perfect.”
    No man had ever said she was perfect. Not ever. Now, tonight, two hot as hell men had told her just that. “Just a taste,” she said, and she wasn’t sure what gave her the courage, but she nibbled at the piece Cain held for her.
    â€œNow the port,” Brad said, smiling at her over the rim of his glass.
    She took a sip, closed her eyes, and moaned. And to think she’d almost missed this. “Amazing,” she said. Brad held a piece to her lips, and she nibbled that one as well, sipped her port, and then yawned. And blushed. Damn. She so wished she didn’t blush over everything.
    â€œI think someone’s sleepy.” Cain stood. “I’m going to find one of the wolves, have him walk you to your cabin. Is that okay? I need Brad to help me with some stuff before he gets too cozy with the rest of Trak’s port.” He leaned over and kissed her and, just as quickly, disappeared around the back of the deck.
    Brad wrapped a curl of her long hair around his little finger.
    Cherry’d never been with men who kissed and touched so easily, so naturally. She took a sip of port and merely enjoyed the slight tugging as Brad played with her hair.
    â€œI hope you don’t think we’re running you out,” he said. “Cain asked me earlier to help him with a couple of projects tonight, and I totally forgot.”
    â€œNo. I think I just hit the wall, anyway.” She yawned again, covering her mouth with her hand, her skin flushing hot and probably beet red. Again. “Trak’s port is better than sleeping pills.”
    The silver and gray wolf trotted up the steps and sat beside Cherry and she quit worrying about blushing.
    â€œIt appears Cain found my escort. He’s so