Free Unconditional by Lauren Dane Page A

notes and ended up staring out the window again.
    The loneliness seemed to flow from her in waves. He could fix that. Or try anyway. Gina was awesome. Funny, warm and totally accustomed to being surrounded by Others. She was exactly the kind of person who’d extend friendship. And clearly Michelle needed it. He wanted her to understand it was possible to live in a vibrant community of likeminded Others. Sure she couldn’t announce that witches existed to the world, but she didn’t always have to hide it either.
    Damon and Gina arrived, and as he’d figured, Gina was warm, holding her hands out to Michelle.
    “You’re Michelle. I’m so happy to meet you. I brought cake. I’m sure he’ll make you a lovely dinner, but he won’t have cake and one needs cake.”
    “It’s the rules.” Michelle nodded with a smile.
    Damon watched his woman, affection clear on his features, before he turned to Josh and thrust bags at him. “She wasn’t kidding. Dips and chips and cake. Oh and beer.”
    Josh happily took in the way Gina drew Michelle out, chatting with her about every day things as well as magick and witches.
    “Thanks for coming over.” Josh told Damon this as he poured chips into a bowl and Damon opened the dips.
    “Gina would have barged in anyway. I filled her in…a little so don’t get that look.” Damon said it low enough that only another wolf would have heard. “It’s not a secret to anyone with eyes, Josh. Looking at a beautiful woman is one thing. Looking at your beautiful woman is another.”
    Josh smiled. His. Yeah. “I’m taking things slow. She doesn’t know so keep your mouth shut about it.”
    Damon grinned. “I like seeing you this way. All flaily and out of your element.”
    “ Flaily? I’m not flaily.”
    “Ha. You are. And it’s good for you.”
    Laughing, Michelle looked across the living room to where he stood with Damon in the kitchen. He held up the tray of food and she smiled.
    They joined the women, and he settled in next to her on the couch. “Dinner is in the oven.”
    “I was just inviting Michelle to our weekly get-togethers. The Owen witches who live down here, that is. They’re usually at our house, so you know they’ll be well guarded by a big, badass grumpy werewolf.”
    If Michelle was there, Josh would be there too.
    “I don’t know how long I’ll be around. I mean, once I find Allie she’ll need me in Roseburg. I have a job there.”
    Gina’s gaze cut to Josh quickly and then back. Did everyone on the planet know Michelle was his mate or what? “I get that. I hope you’ll reconsider maybe settling up here. Once you get Allie back and safe. And in the mean time, you can drive up, right?”
    Michelle nodded but her happiness had ebbed a little.
    His life was in Portland. But she was to be part of that life. The center of it, of course. He couldn’t protect her if she lived in Roseburg. They needed to talk in-depth about all of this stuff. There was a lot to discuss. She was under a great deal of pressure, and he didn’t want to add to that stress.
    So he’d take it baby step by baby step.
    Gina and Damon stayed for dinner and cake and left shortly after that. It had been a really good several hours, and Michelle seemed lighter once he’d closed his door.
    “I know today’s been a long one. Yesterday and the day before too. Did you know I have a giant soaking tub? It’s a good place to relax a while.”
    One corner of her mouth quirked up. “Is that an invitation?”
    He moved closer, his body brushing hers. “Do you want it to be?”
    She took a deep breath, her eyes closing for long moments before she opened and snagged his gaze again. “I…” She licked her lips and he bent to do the same. She exhaled, and he pulled it into his lungs, heady with desire.
    “We’ve known each other a long time, Michelle. That means something to me. More than what we were back in high school. You’re my friend. You can tell me anything. I am here for you, not