as my target.”
Travis could scent Libby’s anger.
“He’s fully capable of doing whatever he chooses. Always has been,” Libby said.
“Libs?” Travis called out, starting to walk toward her again.
Libby didn’t answer, but the moment he turned the corner of the aisle he realized the woman she was speaking with had once been the crown princess of the mean girls of her graduating high school class. He ignored her and went straight for Libby.
“Couldn’t find you,” he said, barging right into her space and taking her into his arms. He didn’t hesitate, he held her tight while he devoured her mouth, kissing her in a way that should only be done in the bedroom. Then he took the kiss down a notch, moving over her lips more slowly before pulling away just enough to drop a couple of pecks on her lips.
“Well!” the woman said. “I thought you two weren’t an item any longer.”
Travis didn’t look away from Libby. He continued looking into her eyes while he answered the little bitch he’d always hated and resented for looking down on everyone. “Always together, even when we’re not. Never loved anyone but Libby, and never will.”
“You ready, my love?” he asked, slipping an arm around her waist and turning to guide her out of the aisle.
Libby looked up at him, stunned completely speechless.
“I see you got a cart full of lights. Planning to decorate the house, too?” he asked.
Libby nodded, still looking up at him.
“Cool. Let’s see what else we can find,” he said, leaving the former mean girl behind them, not even an afterthought.
Chapter 7
Maia was putting away the leftovers after dinner. They’d eaten right away as soon as Riley got home, thinking no one else would be coming, but a voice calling out to her, let her know they’d thought wrong.
“Riley? Maia?”
“In here, Lucas!” Maia answered, pausing in putting the gumbo pot in the refrigerator to place it back on the stove instead. “Riley is upstairs bathing the kids, and getting them tucked in.”
Lucas walked into the kitchen with a look on his face like someone had kicked his puppy.
“You okay?” Maia asked.
“Yeah,” he said, his voice indicating his solemn state of mind.
“You don’t sound okay,” Maia said.
“I’m alright. I’m just a little down,” Lucas said.
“How about some gumbo?” Maia offered.
“Gumbo? Yeah, I could eat. I can wait ‘til ya’ll have dinner though,” he said.
“We ate early. I didn’t think anybody else was coming,” Maia said, walking over to the cabinet to take out a deep soup bowl.
“I can run over to the diner, or have a sandwich at home,” Lucas said hurriedly, not wanting to impose.
“Sit down, Lucas! You know I cook enough for eight of ya’ll each time I cook,” Maia scolded.
“I don’t want to be any trouble, Reigna,” Lucas said.
“Good. Then sit down,” she snapped. Maia filled the bowl with gumbo and rice, then placed it in the microwave before taking several hunks of buttered French bread out of the refrigerator and placing them in the microwave for the last few seconds to warm them, too. She placed the bread and the gumbo in front of Lucas who’d sat in his usual spot. Then she handed him a spoon and took a seat across from him.
“So, what has you so down?” she asked.
Lucas spooned up a bite of gumbo and moaned appreciatively. “Oh, man. This is so good,” he remarked.
“Thanks. Now, why are you so down?” she repeated.
“No reason in particular,” he lied.
Maia called him on it. “Lie,” she said simply.
Lucas’s eyes snapped up to meet her gaze. Slowly a grin formed on his perfect, pouty lips.
“It’s not a big deal. It’ll pass,” he said.
“I’m sure it will. Especially since she’s not your mate,” Maia said.
“Some species don’t know a mate on sight. They choose their mate, and become addicted to them over time,” Lucas said.
“I know. And I know that’s how Kodiak Bears operate. But she still isn’t yours. She’s Travis’s. Always has been,” Maia said.
“Then he should have treated her better,” Lucas said, taking a bite of French bread that he’d dunked in his gumbo.
“I agree. But, for whatever reason, he seems to have gotten himself together. If there’s a chance for them, you have to let her take that chance. Libby’s never gotten over Travis — as much as she denies it, she still loves him. If she was interested in a future with you, she’d have moved past the friend zone with you a long time ago.”
“I know that,” Lucas said. “Really, I do,”