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changed the subject to Kenzie’s mate and baby, the woman’s eyes nearly danced. Ashley would give anything in the world to feel as happy as Kenzie clearly felt.

Chapter Six
    Evan watched his mate out of the corner of his eye. She sat in an intimate huddle with the other three ladies for a long time, though he couldn’t hear anything they said.
    From the living room, he could keep an eye on her and still pretend to be engrossed in the conversation with the four men.
    Finally, Ashley stood and hugged all the women. He assumed she was planning to leave. No way was she leaving without him. Even if he had to woo her for months, she was his and their connection couldn’t be denied.
    Josh slapped him on the back and brought his attention to his friend. His eyes sparkled. “Will you take her home? I intended to, but it seems things have changed. If she agrees, that is.”
    “Of course.” Evan waited while Josh headed to a bedroom to grab their coats.
    Ashley approached him, her gaze nailing him to his spot. “I guess my brother asked you to give me a ride.”
    “He did. I would have insisted anyway.” Just so we’re clear.
    He hadn’t touched her and he knew he couldn’t until she was ready. But he needed her to know they would be moving forward at her pace, not his. Hopefully that would erase the fear in her eyes.
    Josh arrived with their coats. It was cold outside, a typical January winter day in St. Louis. She wore a skirt and he wished he’d heated the car before they went out. But she was already slipping her arms into the sleeves of her jacket.
    “Take care of my sister, please.” Josh gave Evan a glare. They were friends but Josh knew all too well what it was like when a man met his mate, and he was rightfully worried about his sister.
    What he didn’t know was Evan would never harm a hair on her head. He’d worship her for the rest of his life or walk away if she demanded it of him.
    Without a word, Evan opened the front door and stepped outside. The ground was slippery. He turned toward Ashley and grabbed her arm before she could fall on the slick steps and the front walk. It was a gesture he would extend to any woman.
    She flinched, but soon relaxed her muscles and allowed him to lead the way to his car. “Thanks. I’m useless in heels.”
    “I don’t know why you women wear those things. Especially in this weather.” He stared at her feet, wishing he could peel those shoes off and massage the muscles that would be tightened from the trapped confines.
    Instead he jerked his gaze back toward the street and pressed the button to unlock his car. He drove a silver Infiniti G37, his baby. It would warm up fast and the seats were heated.
    As quickly as he could, he opened the passenger door and waited while Ashley lowered herself into the seat. He shut the door and rounded the car at a jog. Damn, it was cold.
    In moments he had the heater running and the seats warming. He rubbed his hands together and blew into the cup he’d formed with his palms.
    Her teeth chattered and he doubted it was entirely from the temperature. He turned toward her. “I’d never pressure you, just so you know. Whatever happens between us is completely up to you, and we move at your pace. I’m not an ass. If I were, your brother never would have let me take you home.” He lifted on eyebrow and grinned as he used his best logic on her.
    “Okay.” She leaned more comfortably into the seat, but didn’t fully relax.
    There wasn’t a thing he could do but spend time with her. The only way for her to get to know him and trust him was to prove himself over and over until she believed.
    The circumstances of this mating were less than ideal, but Fate didn’t ask his opinion when She put Ashley in his path. She had Her reasons.
    He pulled away from the curb and headed toward the highway.
    “You haven’t asked me for directions.”
    “I know where you live.” He smiled at her.
    “Of course.”
    “Not that I was stalking you,