“Incoming,” he said.
Noelle jerked her head up as something came flying toward their heads. Her hand came up on instinct, the bouquet landing in her palms. She gawked at it, then at Ridge. Several female groans sounded around them.
She tried to hand it off, but the woman closest to her shook her head. “That’s not how it works, sweetie. It appears as though you’re next.”
Ridge winked at the woman then tossed the bouquet to a young girl who was crying. “We don’t need a bouquet tossed at us to tell us if we’re next or not, Katjie.”
“Ah, for shitssake, you don’t need to give her a cat nickname.” Mac walked up to them, handsome as always in his dress denim and button-down shirt.
“Be nice, you two.” Zelda and Sassy appeared in front of them.
“Hey, you two, ready to get out of here?” Miko asked with the woman he’d been with next to him.
“I’d love to, but I think I need to stay until the bride leaves at least.” Noelle glared at her sister who was wobbling on her feet. Of course, she won’t leave, she has to shut the place down. Goddess, she really hated being a bitch to think such of her sister.
“Miko, you can go on if you want. I’m gonna wait and see Noelle home,” Ridge offered.
Miko raised one brow. “We rode together, brother.”
Ridge grinned. “Well, shit. I guess you’re either hoofing it, or waiting.”
Miko flipped him off, but then he and his female went back to the bar.
“You really don’t have to wait for me.” Noelle bit her lip when she said the words, and he growled.
“You’re right, I don’t. I want to. Besides, I like being with you. Come on, let’s dance. I think the bride and groom are getting ready to leave.”
She liked that he was so observant and never had them on the dance floor when her sister was, yet when they were, he held her close and moved like a dream. Thoughts of what it would be like to dance with him, naked, made her wish they were anywhere but there. “I think we can go.”
Chapter Six
RIDGE WANTED TO SWEEP Noelle into his arms and do as she suggested. The only thing stopping him was the evil-eyed glare her sister was giving them. “Katjie, your sister would notice, and I fear she’d never let you live that down. Come on. Let’s go have a word with her before she leaves.”
Noelle pressed her face against his chest. He felt her take a deep breath and swore he felt their connection all the way to his very soul. This female was made for him. “Fine, but don’t say I didn’t offer to run away with you.”
His chuckle was a little forced as they left the dance floor. Miko caught his eye, giving him a subtle nod.
“Hello again, Merry. Carlton, wonderful evening. Congratulations, man.” Ridge held his hand out, waiting for the smaller man to take his outstretched greeting. As he did, the clammy hand gripped his in a surprisingly firm grip.
“Thank you for coming. We were just getting ready to say our final goodbyes. Noelle, thank you for standing up with us. Have you seen Jerard?” Carlton asked, frowning at Noelle.
Ridge pulled her against him. “Can’t say that we have. You two have a good time. Maybe when you get back from your honeymoon, we can get together.” He didn’t let either of them say another word, already having to force his cat back as a strange scent wafted from the couple.
“We’ll do that,” Carlton agreed.
He made sure Noelle was on the outside of his body so that neither her sister nor Carlton were near enough to brush against her. His instincts were screaming at him to get her far away from both of them. Gazing around the crowded room, he tried to find Zelda or Mac. When he couldn’t spy either, he maneuvered Noelle and himself toward the exit shortly after the bride and groom were ushered out to a loud fanfare.
“What’s wrong?” Noelle asked once they were outside in the parking lot.
Ridge could still see the red taillights of the limo taking Merry and Carlton to the airport. A tingle went down his spine, a warning of things to come maybe. “Are you and your sister close?”
“Not really.”
He lifted his head, allowed his leopard to come forward slightly, and inhaled. As the night air surrounded them, he smelled human sweat, alcohol, and feral shifter.
“I want you to come home with me, Noelle. You can sleep in my sister’s old room. I promise to keep my distance, or if I can’t, I’ll go for a run.” She had to know he fought the greatest urge to mate with her, but his leopard also had a greater need to protect her, mated or not.
“Where’s Zelda and Mac?” Noelle’s voice shook.
Ridge moved in front of her, his body acting as a shield between them and the parking lot. “I know you trust Zelda and her mate, but I promise you, if you put yourself in my care, I’ll protect you with my life.”
“I know that. I sort of expected the two of them to be here with their superhero capes on.” She smiled up at him.
He pictured the tall red-haired witch and her mate in a leotard and cape; a grin flitted across his face. “I think I’ll have someone draw a picture of that and send it to Mac for Christmas.”
“Can we stop by my house? I need to grab a few things, including my cats.”
Ridge pulled her body flush with his. “So, you like cats?”
She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I love cats. Um, I should warn you though. Mrs. Noseby and FatFat are my...familiars.”
He thought of his sister’s talking baby goat Mr. Bixley. “Do they talk?”
Noelle sucked her bottom lip inside her mouth and nodded.
“My sister Torrance has a familiar. He’s a goat that talks like a very proper English butler. Trust me, nothing your familiars can say
