Brink Of Passion (Alpine Woods Shifters) by Sondrae Bennett Page B

clinked, and more drinks were poured. Laurie’s head swam, both from the alcohol and the intense feelings fighting for attention inside her.
    Max’s lips brushed the back of her hand. Supporting her.
    A wave of understanding swept down their mate bond. Thank God she’d gotten someone as easy-going and caring as her mate.
    As hard as it was for the human side of her to trust such an instant connection, her wolf had picked him. For better or for worse, they were tied together. In the end, it was her wolf she had to trust not to steer her wrong. She clung to that belief, even as she clung to Max’s hand.
    New York, here I come.
     
     

Chapter 5
     
    “What are we listening to?” Laurie let loose a long groan as the sunlight sent shards of pain into her skull straight through her eyeballs. She fumbled through her purse at her feet until she found her sunglasses, sighing as they shielded the harsh rays of death. Not enough to stop the pain, but it helped a little at least. Damn Julie for handing her that fourth margarita. Next time, she’d return the favor.
    A vague memory from the morning surfaced of Max waking her up and pouring her into the car before the sun had risen. She’d chalked it up to alcohol delusions, except here she was. In the car. With some godforsaken noise pouring out of the speakers. Every crash or bang sent fresh waves of pain through her head.
    “Dub step.”
    “Whatstep?” Unable to take it any longer, Laurie reached over and turned down the volume. Worst. Hangover. Music. Ever. If it could even be called music. It sounded more like a child banging pots and pans together in the kitchen.
    “Dub step. It’s a type of techno.”
    Laurie snarled at the note of amusement she heard in his voice. “That is not music.”
    He laughed, and Laurie wanted to punch him. Hard. Maybe his pack, or leap, or whatever, wouldn’t notice if he showed up with a black eye or a fat lip. She just needed one good punch. It would make her feel better.
    “I don’t know what exactly you’re thinking, but I’m getting a hint of something vicious through our bond. Here.” He handed her a Styrofoam cup from McDonalds full of liquid gold.
    “You’re a God,” Laurie moaned as she raised the coffee to her lips.
    “There’s a breakfast sandwich in a bag in the back for you as well.”
    Chuckling filled the cab of the car as Laurie all but dove over the middle console to get to the bag. The sandwich was cool, but Laurie didn’t care.
    “Bless you,” she said on a moan as she pulled out the bacon and cheese McMuffin.
    “As if I’d get you anything but bacon.”
    Laurie unwrapped the sandwich and took a bite. Even cold and who knew how old, it still tasted like heaven to her. The black coffee helped wash down the first bite. She’d have preferred something light and sweet, but the bitter flavor of black coffee suited her needs. And her mood. Although the caffeine and food were going a long way toward lightening the black cloud she’d woken up in.
    “I’m not really obsessed with bacon, you know.” She paused, thinking about the statement. “Okay, I kind of am. But not really.” Another pause. “I’m not making any sense. It’s too early in the morning.”
    “It’s almost eleven.”
    “Really?” She glanced at the clock on the radio. She distinctly remembered it being dark out when they left, as much as she could distinctly remember anything in her hazy stupor. She was pretty sure she’d still been drunk when she woke up. Hell, she might still be a bit buzzed. “How long have we been on the road?”
    “We left around six. You’ve been out of it for a while. Snoring away.”
    “I do not snore.”
    “Just a little.” But she caught the smile he tried to hide from her.
    “Liar.” Another bite of the sandwich. Another sip of coffee. “But do you understand about the bacon thing? It’s not really a big deal for me.”
    “I’ll feed you bacon every morning if it’ll make you happy. As much as