New In The Territories (Book 1) COMPLETED

Chapter 20 Mady

 Watching Sam smile made my heart soar, the happiness that exude off me was as bright as the stars. The way the others have accepted her was beyond my wildest dreams. The way Sam was so comfortable with them was out of this world. It was if she was the missing piece of the puzzle that was finally found, the one we never knew was missing. I did have some reservations on how they would treat her; the pack, well most of the pack, were great and amazing people but they were cautious around outsiders.

Dmitri was a great guy; enjoyed his fun with the lady's a little too much at times, but with Sam it seemed to bring out something more. I have never seen him as happy since Sam had arrived. Now I just hoped he took things slow. Very slow for a couple reasons, she doesn't know what we really were and if you pushed Sam she would push right back or just leave. Maybe, just maybe a future mating? It was a nice thought. Only if there wasn't so many obstacles in the way. I needed to talk to Dmitri soon without bringing up the mating.

Then there was Mason, always a live-life-at-the-moment kind of guy, he too had gotten close to Sam. Well showed an interest. How close can you really get in 30 hours? Unless it was meant to be. That I knew all too well. The way Sam looked at Dmitri was different from Mason, but I wonder if it may cause a problem in the near future. Sam was always family to me but in such a short time to have the feeling of family grow was amazing and scary. I just hoped she didn't run. Listening to my mate, Sam, Dmitri, and Mason taunt and tease each other had put a permanent smile on my face. My cheeks were actually growing numb with all the smiling. I could not remember the last time life was this fantastic.

"Hey Mady, come help me get another round of beers," Sam asked, heading for the house.

Nodding, getting up to follow, I caught the dreamy look in Dmitri's eyes as he watched Sam walk away. Covering up a giggle that passed through my lips, Dmitri knew he was busted. He tore his gaze of Sam's butt and winked at Mady with that sly smile of his.

"So how are things going?" I asked Sam as she passed a couple beers in my direction as soon as I walked in the door.

"I'm doing OK. Do you want to tell me what's with that goofy grin you have had plastered on your face all evening?" Sam stared me down, raising her eyebrow.

Shrugging a shoulder. "I don't know. In a good mood I guess," I responded, trying to dial it down a few notches.

Shaking her head, Sam said, "Madelyn Cathrine Malone don't you lie to me. What do you have going on in that little beady head of yours?" half-hearted scolding me.

Wide eyed innocent look, mouth gaping. "Me? Absolutely nothing! It's just nice to see you happy and the way you get along with everybody is all that much better," I confessed.

Ignoring the "happy" comment. "I agree it's kind of weird in a good way how at ease I am with your friends and extended family. Hey I'm not going to kick the gift horse in the mouth; I'm just going to go with the flow."

Hearing a ruckus outside before Nate's voice over powered it, "Hey Ladies, bring out a couple more beers, please. Quinn and Braydon are here."

"I can guarantee you that one of them will bring up having a game of football as soon as we get out there," I said, with an eye roll.

Mouth open wide and her own eyes going large this time, Sam gasped, "You so need a slap on the back of the head for that eye roll," she teased.

* * *
SAM

Before Mady could respond, Dmitri's, booming voice echoed through the yard. "Come on women, where's our beer?" Following that there was some laughter and a, "you are in trouble," from Nate.

Mady looked at me knowing I was about to do something. Hearing the, "Just a minute dear," in a sickly sincere voice, which immediately came from my mouth, at the same time Mady said, "Oh Shit!" The girl knew me all to well.

Giving Mady my most bashful smile, bending over to retrieve two buckets from under the sink. Turning on the cold water, I filled up the other bucket with ice followed by a few beers handing it off to Mady. Grabbing the other bucket I started to fill it up with the now cold running water. The whole time not saying a word; insisting that Mady go first when we headed back out to the men.

Nate was the only one who paid a little more attention. Coughing I think to cover up the smile he was trying to hide was the only thing that could have gave him away but the others were too busy chatting. Maybe I needed to school my face a little more as well. I wondered what Nate saw to give away I was up to no good?

Coming up behind Dmitri, I bent down, kissed the top of his head and passed him that lonely beer I held and said, "Here's your beer honey." The last word was spat between clenched teeth. Raising the bucket of ice-cold water, I dumped it over the unexpected Dmitri head.

I think Dmitri knew he screwed up, just as the first drop of water left the bucket. The word "shit" was not even half way out before he was soaked. Standing there pleased with myself waiting for any remark Dmitri might have.

Everybody went quiet as the water hit Dmitri then burst into a roar of laughter that could be heard from a mile away. Nate had tears running down his face, Mason actually fell off his chair, and the newcomers, Braydon and Quinn, seemed to be somewhat shocked before joining in the laughter.

Not moving to get up, Dmitri let his head flop forward, "I so deserved that. I guess no "women" comments?" he asked.

"Oh, you can say them if you don't mind the consequences," I replied, unsuccessfully keeping the amusement out of my tone. Taking a casual step back as Dmitri began to stand, ready to run for the house and lock the doors. Unfortunately I never know when to stop, I added, "So Dmitri, drowned rat kind of suits you." All it took was one look in his eye when he rose from the chair to know I was in trouble. "Whatever you are thinking big boy, don't." I was already five steps closer to the house.

Needing more space I was lucky to get in another three steps before he was beside the chair. He was stalking me! Hands up facing towards him I let out a nervous giggle. "Ah...anybody want to help me out?" There was no way I was taking my eyes of the man in front of me. One of his steps equaled three of mine. I was losing ground fast and by the giggles from the peanut gallery I was on my own.

"Who wants to play football?" That was Mady's lame attempt. Her heart was not in it all. The traitor.

"Dmitri!" Was all I got out as soon as I seen him tense and that predator smile grow wider. For a split instant, I swore his eyes flashed a lighter blue, making me falter one second then flat only back the next with him straddling my hips. It should have hurt but I was in more shock at the speed then anything. Then just like a teenage boy he started to tickle me while shaking his wet mane over me. Gasping for breath as he had me pinned good I tried to gasp out words. Some actually made sense between the laughter. "I give! I give!"

Getting up with grace I thought was impossible for a man of his size, he grabbed me by under the arms, picking me up as if I weighed nothing. "This is so not done," I informed him, brushing my messed up hair out of my face.

Pulling me close, he whispered, "You're right, this is just the beginning." Winking before turning around and said to their pleased spectators, "Did someone say football?"

Watching the men run off with football in hand, catching my breath from the extreme tense sexual urge that ripped through my body as soon as Dmitri tackled me, I wondered how the hell I lost that round of pay back. Well it wasn't that hard to figure why I lost. I always will when it came to him, I suspected. That was not a reassuring thought. Joining Mady, to observe the burly man play, I snapped out of what could be dangerous thinking. "Well hell, that didn't turn out quite as I expected."

All Mady did was laugh, what else could either of us do besides sit back with our beer in hand and enjoying the rest of the beautiful night.