Page 38 of Meant for Her

Ryan grinned. “We’ll be there.”

* * *

Malia was a little nervous. While she loved to cook, she didn’t have time to make something fancy. The best she could whip up was a chicken casserole with a tomato and cream sauce, a vegetable medley of carrots, potatoes, and peas, buttery rolls, and an avocado salad.

No sooner had she set the table than the men showed up. Malia smoothed her red mohair sweater and adjusted her gold chain necklace that had been a present from her mom.

With her head held high, she answered the door.Oh, my. Malia’s heart soared, and her pussy did things it had never done before. She stared.

Ryan nudged his brother. “I told you she’d be pleased.”

“Yes. Pleased. That’s it.”Jeez. Malia was never tongue-tied. She couldn’t afford to be in her line of work. “Come in.”

To her delight, the men had dressed up. Underneath his coat, Luke wore a white button-down shirt. Naturally, the top three buttons were undone, which sure made it look like he was trying to impress her. Perhaps the most surprising thing about his attire was that he had on what looked like new jeans. And even his boots were polished.

Ryan was dressed similarly, except that he had on a black shirt under a light blue pullover sweater. His black pants looked new too. However, she doubted they’d had the chance to shop today since they were still in hiding. For some reason, she hadn’t expected them to have that kind of clothing in their wardrobe.

“Something smells amazing,” Ryan said.

“Thanks. My mom is a great cook, and being the only girl, she wanted to pass on her genius to me. It didn’t really stick, but you won’t be poisoned by my food either.”

“Good to know,” Luke said as he looked around. “Nice place.”

“Thanks.” Malia was used to living in a spacious home since she came from a large family. This two-bedroom apartment suited her needs perfectly. While her parents were into the rustic look, a more contemporary design appealed to her.

“Let me take your jackets.”

“Sure,” Luke said.

Once they slipped them off, she headed to the guest room, which was down the hall to the bedroom on the far left. She placed their garments on the bed and then returned.

“Anyone want a beer or some wine?”

“Beer for me,” Luke said.

“If you’re having wine, I’ll join you,” Ryan said. “We would have stopped to pick up a bottle, but we didn’t think that would have been smart.”

“No, not considering how injured you both are supposed to be. I do appreciate the thought though.”

She had already placed three wine glasses on the kitchen counter just in case the men wanted some. Her brothers all drank beer, but that didn’t mean all shifters did.

“Great. I’ll pour us a glass.”

“I’ll help,” Ryan said. He then glared at his brother. “I am not a suck up.”

She laughed. “Luke, your brother is being a gentleman. You should try it.”

“Ha,” Ryan shot back at Luke.

Malia hadn’t meant to start an argument. “On second thought, why don’t you two sit down, and I’ll get the drinks?” It didn’t matter that she could have used Ryan’s help.

She poured both glasses of wine, grabbed a bottle of beer from the refrigerator for Luke, and carried them to the living room on a tray. Once she set it down, she sat in a chair, even though Ryan was alone on the sofa.

“You can join me,” Ryan said.

“I don’t want to be tempted.” That had just slipped out, but it was the truth.

Ryan grinned. “This dinner is going to be fun.”