Cade: Le Beau Brothers: billionaire Shifter Series BBW mates (Le Beau Series) (3 page)

Anna paused her angry tirade and glanced up as she felt the presence of someone behind her. She sensed a major shift in energy which made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Slowly she turned and her breath caught in her throat. Never in her life had she seen a more gorgeous man.

He stood not more than five feet from her with his powerfully built arms crossed.  He stared at her in a strange way that made her shiver in the May heat. She’d swear he was ready to pounce at any second. His head was lowered to peer down at her. She practically swooned as she looked him up and down from his long muscular calves and thighs encased in tight denim to his taut stomach and wide shoulders.               

She was openly staring at him. His handsome features were chiseled, with a strong jaw line and high cheek bones. His face was freshly shaven and so smooth she wanted to caress his cheek.

My God, his blue jeans and T-shirt hugged his chest and hips with a precision that was almost sinful. He had a body only seen in magazines or on romance covers. That body was meant for sex. Tall and muscled, it just begged her to reach out and pet it.
I know I’m thinking in circles, but I mean look at him,
she thought.

I want to stroke him like a cat.

Repeatedly.

And as often as possible. 

She sensed his gaze, though she couldn’t see his eyes through the dark sunglasses he wore. She was mesmerized like a deer caught in headlights. His intense gaze felt like a fiery touch and his grin could knock a woman’s socks off.

She stared with a shocked expression on her face.
It’s him! This is the man I made up in my mind. The perfect man of my dreams. The one that I’ve been dreaming about for years, with that amazing six-pack of abs. How could this be possible? I made him up, there’s no way he’s real. Oh shit!  We’d done ‘things’ in those dreams and I had just been kissing him in my fantasy!

Holy Hannah!
He is completely sinful from top to bottom.

He heard her say “Holy Hannah” in his head. A wolf shifter is only able to hear the voice of one person telepathically. MATE!  This glorious, sexy, curvy woman was his one true mate, the other half of his soul. No wonder he’d been so frantic to find her a year ago. The instant attraction that had pulled at him had been the call of one mate to the other.

He grinned, his eyes twinkled with amusement hidden behind his dark sunglasses. He almost felt guilty eavesdropping on her thoughts, but dang she thought loudly.
Hold on - she thought she was just kissing me in her fantasy? Is it possible we are sharing these dreams?

“Hello,” she smiled at him nervously.

He closed his eyes as her voice hit him like a rogue wave at sea. The sensation knocked the breath out of him. For his kind, there was only one true mate for each male. The male recognized his mate by a special scent designed specifically for him. The essence would draw him so strongly he wouldn’t be able to deny its pull. And when he heard his mate’s voice, the effect would be like the world opened for him. His animal soul would recognize its other half and there would be no doubt.

And right now his animal soul rejoiced and hopped around like an excited puppy. Lastly, he would be able to communicate with her telepathically. Check, check, and check.

She was his mate. With one simple word she had reached deep into his animal soul, enchanted his animal half and changed his life forever.

Just gazing at her made his whole body burn. He was instantly swamped with need and desire. Swollen with a feral urge to take what was his. But she was human and his bizarre behavior was making her nervous, his wolf sensed her unease. And it was the last thing he wanted. He pulled his sunglasses off and offered her a small smile.

“Hi,” he said softly. He tried to appear as nonthreatening as possible. It didn’t help. If anything, the sight of his eyes made her heart race even faster. He heard it thumping wildly in her chest.

She was astounded. His voice was deeply hypnotic, flowing over her in a soft caress. She could have listened to him speak for hours. His deep tambour made her instantly hot.

And those hazel-green eyes, amazing!  She didn’t think he could be any hotter. Boy, was she wrong. His intense, hungry stare made her stomach fill with butterflies, and her temperature rose a thousand degrees. Never in her life had she seen a man half this good looking. At least not in real life, men like him only lived in fantasies, hers apparently.

Finally she got a hold of herself. “Hi,” she said again, she instantly felt all kinds of stupid.
Geez, did I really say hello a second time? He must think I’m a complete moron. You have a vocabulary, Anna, you idiot, use your words. You really need to work on this if you’re going to start dating again.

He coughed and it sounded like one of those fake coughs when you’re trying to hide a laugh.

His gaze finally left her and went to the bar chair next to her. “Is this seat taken?”

“No, not at all.” She was sure she would die from complete embarrassment. The moment he was next to her, his scent surrounded her, it made her heart pound harder.
Wow, he smells amazing, like warm chocolate and fresh baked bread.

Richie came over and smiled at him. He’d seen the whole thing play out.

“Well, hello, Mr. Le Beau, it’s nice to see you again.  By the way, your father called ten minutes ago. He was called into a meeting and has to cancel your lunch.”

“Hello, Richie, I guess that leaves me without a lunch date.”  He was more than happy to hear his father had other plans. This made spending time with his mate so much easier.

He turned to her. “If I may ask, which beer are you drinking?” 

She glanced at her glass and then back at him. “I’m having the Pilsner. What kind of beer do you normally like?”

He nodded his head in approval. “I generally enjoy Pilsners, as well. Dark beers don’t hold much appeal for me.”

He glanced at Richie. “The Pilsner, please.”

He was hardly able to keep the silly grin off his face. He was sitting with the woman he had fantasized about for years having a beer! Everything about the situation seemed so easy and normal.

He turned to her and extended his hand. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Cade Le Beau.”

She reached out and blushed a little as she took his hand. “I’m Anna, Anna James.”

Holding her gaze, he raised her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on the back. “It’s a pleasure to meet such a lovely lady.” He had to stop himself, his wolf wanted to lean forward, nuzzle her neck, inhale her scent until he was drunk with it. He imagined what she would taste like. He remembered the pleasure of making her lips swollen from his kisses and having her scream his name in ecstasy. His midnight fantasies of him taking her in every position known. Of him exploring every inch of her succulent body played through his mind. Would she be like in his dreams? His wolf growled imagining her lush soft body pressed against his just like in his visions.

He released her hand reluctantly. “Have you eaten lunch? I’m starving and I’d love to have you join me.” 
Please say yes…

The gallant kiss to her hand made her grin like a school girl and heat exploded across her face.
Now, this is the perfect man. Wow, that didn’t take long, she giggled to herself. Who’d have thought perfect men fall into your lap in NOLA.

Startled she stared at him wide-eyed.
Wait a minute, did she just hear him in her head, or had he said the last part out loud?
She wasn’t sure because she’d been staring at the hand he’d kissed. She hesitated for a moment. “I would love to have lunch with you.”

When Richie returned with his beer, he turned to him. “I’d like to enjoy the wonderful weather with this beautiful lady. May we please have a table on the second floor deck?  I see the area is closed, but I’d take it as a great favor if you would make this happen for me.”

“For you, Mr. Le Beau, anything.” As she watch the exchange the manager walked over and greeted Cade shaking his hand like an old friend.

Now her curiosity was piqued. Who was this guy and how did he get all this special service? She was going to ask him once they were seated. The manager waved the hostess over and instructed her to take them upstairs to the balcony and send a waiter to them immediately.

On the upper level, she scanned the area as she took her seat. The riverboats played music to attract tourists for a ride. Squinting in that direction, she tried to see the ship but a building blocked the view. The sound of pedestrians drew her attention to the sidewalk below, people were walking to and from Jackson Square.

Once they were alone, she peered at Cade. “If you don’t mind my asking, who are you and how do you get such great service?”

He grinned a slow, slightly lopsided grin. “I’m part owner of this restaurant. I actually own bits and pieces all over the French Quarter, but this is one of my favorites.”

Ho…ly….Cow!!!

Smokin’ hot and loaded!!!

She suddenly felt very inadequate.
What the heck is this guy doing having lunch with me?  He looks to be about thirty years old and I’m forty-five not to mention a solid size sixteen. Granted, I look closer to thirty-five but still. Is he some kind of cougar chaser?

Hearing her concern, he realized he needed to fix this fast before she decided to get up and leave. As he searched for something to say…

She cleared her throat. “I’m going to be blunt here. You’re a very handsome young man and obviously wealthy. Why is someone like you asking me to lunch instead of some gorgeous runway model?”

He resisted the need to reach out and take her hand into his. It took all his strength to hold back his wolf and take this slow. He wouldn’t take the chance of losing her again.

He gazed into her eyes. “I’m told I look younger than I am. Must be really good genes. As for who I choose to have lunch with, I don’t want some bony model with fluff for brains. I want you. A beautiful woman with a woman’s body and a sharp mind.” As he said the last part, his voice became low and held a hint of a growl.

Wanting to learn all about his mate, it was time to ask some questions. If by chance he did lose her, he wanted to know as much about her as possible so he could track her down. “So, Anna, do you live here in New Orleans, or are you here on vacation?”

“I moved here about six months ago.” She wasn’t sure how much more to add.

“Do you live here alone, or do you have family?” He wanted to know upfront who he may have to fight to claim his mate. Last time he’d seen her, she was with that man. He’d better be out of the picture. Just the thought of Anna with another male made him growl. His wolf practically went feral at the thought.

Anna's eyes rounded as predatory growls rolled from Cade.
Is he insane?  Maybe I should make a run for the stairs?
When no visible threat came from him, she decided maybe it was nothing after all-- she must have been hearing things.

Well, time to air out the dirty laundry. Unable to look this gorgeous man in the face as she confessed the failure of her marriage
, she wrung her hands in her lap.

“Actually, I’m single now. So no, I live alone.
”

“Single now?”

“To tell the truth, my divorce was final about six months ago. I moved here for a fresh start. Problem is my ex followed me. Right before you walked up, I received an email from him. He wanted money as usual.”  

His eyes narrowed dangerously. “That man is an idiot and a bastard.”

Feeling like she needed to change the subject, she added, “I also have two grown sons who still live in Denver.”

“Thomas turned twenty-four in May. He majored in law enforcement in college and worked at the local sheriff’s office all four years of school. When he graduated, he decided he didn’t want to be a policeman. Maybe it was all the Sherlock Holmes he watched as a kid, but he struck out and opened his own private investigator service. He’s doing really well too.
”

“He sounds like someone I would really like
to meet.”

“John turned twenty-one in March, and as soon as he graduated college with his business degree, he joined Thomas at his PI agency. They’re young, single, running their own business, and have the world by the tail. I’m so proud of them.”
I should ask them to come and visit
, she thought. 

Right then the waitress came to the table. “What may I get for you today, Mr. Le Beau?”

He gazed at her and smiled gently. “Would you like to share a couple of my favorites?”

She glanced up from her menu and a smile lit her face. “That would be wonderful.”

“Please bring us the crawfish etouffee and crabmeat stuffed shrimp.”

The waitress hustled away to take care of their order, leaving them alone again.

His voice grew soft. “I’m sorry to hear about what happened to you today. Is there anything I can do?” He quietly waited for her to look up so he could gauge how she was doing. His wolf growled softly as he sensed her unease.

She couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you, no. He’ll give up eventually.”

He almost couldn’t breathe, she was so beautiful when she smiled. A smile in his opinion that could outshine the sun, and he was going to do whatever it took to make sure she was always happy from this day forward.

He decided a game might be a good way to learn a bit more about his lovely mate without stepping on anymore landmines.

“How about we play a little game?  I’ll tell you something about me, and you tell me something about you.”

She nodded and studied him expectantly, and waited to hear what he
would tell her about himself.

“I’ll start, I’ve lived here all my life. I’ve travel extensively but never actually lived anywhere else.”

“I was in Denver for the last fifteen years or so. I vacationed here about a dozen times over the years and fell in love with New Orleans. A dream came true when I was able to move here. If you don’t mind my asking, have you ever been married?” She wanted to take it back the minute it was out.

“I haven’t and I don’t have any children yet. I don’t have a girlfriend either so I guess that means we’re both available and this is our first date.” He grinned broadly at Anna.

She giggled and blushed a pretty pink. The sound was music to his ears.

He quickly asked another question wanting to keep the lightness of the conversation going and ease her wariness. “Here’s an easy one. My favorite color is green, not light green or Kelly green, but a deep forest green.”

She leaned forward. “Is it all right if I have two favorite colors?”

He gave her a smile and nodded. He felt like a teen on his very first date with the most popular girl in class.

“I like bright royal blue and deep purple,” she said as she nodded, as if she were agreeing with her choices. The movements made her hair shimmer in the sun. He hadn’t noticed the intriguing golden highlights in the darkness of the bar.

“Do you have any brothers or sisters, Anna? I have six younger brothers.”  He let out a laugh as he recalled his childhood. “We had a very noisy house growing up.”

“I have two older brothers. Our home was pretty loud too, but I can’t even begin to imagine seven boys at once. Your mother must be an amazing woman.”

He smiled as he thought of his family. “She is, she and my father are both incredible. I’m very lucky to have them.”

The waitress approached again with their lunch and fresh drinks.

He glanced to Anna. “Do you prefer one dish over the other, or would you like to split both?”

The table was cleared, leaving only Anna and Cade. With a resigned sigh, she pushed her chair back to stand and go.

Cade’s hand shot out and he gently grabbed her wrist.

Startled, her head shot up, and her eyes locked with his.

“Anna, may I walk you to your apartment or give you a ride home?” She heard a slight plead in his voice

“Sure, I walked, it’s not far.”
What the heck am I saying, I may recognize him from the dreams but realistically, I just met this man.

After he settled the bill, they exited onto Decatur Street and headed toward her place. As they walked his fingers entwined with hers.

This is exactly like in my dreams
she smiled to herself.
I could get used to this.

They reached her door much too soon for her liking. She paused uncertain what to do.

Do I invite him in?

Give him a kiss?

Say thank you and goodbye?

He reached for her, searching her eyes. Slowly he pulled her toward him.

Oh, man. He’s going to kiss me.

She felt his breath fan her cheek as he leaned in. He held there.

Is he waiting for me to kiss him?

Gathering her courage she met him the rest of the way,
oh my gosh, his lips are so soft.

The kiss was sweet and gentle. He pulled away a few inches and hesitated before stepping back. “May I call you?”

“Yes, I‘d love that.” A thousand butterflies erupted in her stomach. “Come in and I will write down my number.”

Fumbling with her keys she unlocked and opened the door. Quickly she grabbed a notepad sitting on a side table and scribbled her number with a shaky hand. Her writing looked like a second grader’s. Heat rose up her neck when she handed it to him.

When he reached for the scrap of paper, contact with her fingers caused a zing to run up his arm. Waiting until tomorrow to see her would kill him.

“Would you have dinner at B’s with me tonight?”

“Really? I’d like that.”

He heard a nervous quaver in her voice. She was absolutely adorable. He took the one step needed to reach her. Wrapping his arm around her waist he paused for a pounding heartbeat, a chance to say no. She held her ground, licked her lip unconsciously. The glimpse of her little pink tongue made him want to growl.

Drawing her carefully, he kissed her. More passionately, with this second kiss. Enough to satisfy his wolf, but not too much to scare her away.

“Should I pick you up at seven?”
He didn’t want to keep her out too late on a work night.

“Seven is perfect,
” she whispered.

He squeezed her hand one last time and forced himself to leave. His wolf fought him all the way out the door.

Practically dancing down the sidewalk he called the restaurant to secure them a table for 7:15 sharp.

He was getting the best table in the house. Due to owning businesses all over the city, everyone knew him in the Quarter and he had no problem getting a reservation anywhere, anytime.

Excitement raced through him and the next few hours were going to kill him.

Cade knocked on her door at exactly seven, giving them plenty of time to reach the restaurant. His sweat dampened fingers tugged at his stiff shirt collar.

Anna answered the door in a clingy royal blue wrap dress.
Perfect cleavage
was his only thought before his brain stuttered to a halt.

She cleared her throat, calling his attention to her eyes. “Hello.”

His brain kicked back into gear. “Um... Hello. Are you ready?”

She laughed quietly. “Yes, I’ll grab my sweater and lock up.”

The view from behind was just as good as the front. He felt his slacks getting tight. The walk to the restaurant might be a bit uncomfortable.

They entered B’s a few minutes later, a blessedly short walk in his condition.

The young woman reviewing the reservation ledger at the maitre d’ stand greeted them. “May I help you?”

“Cade Le Beau,” was all he said.

“Please follow me. We have your terrace table waiting.”

The hostess led them to a corner table upstairs, overlooking the beautiful courtyard below. The view was breathtaking.

He watched as Anna spent a few minutes looking at the lush tropical plants, a few were in bloom. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, prompting a small smile to play across her lips.

Anna’s attention was drawn from the courtyard when the waiter came to their table. “Mr. Le Beau,” the young man greeted. “How nice to see you again. Would you like to see a drink menu, or should I bring your usual?”

Cade turned to Anna. “I usually get a wonderful red wine here. Would you like to try it, or do you prefer something else?”

“The wine sounds perfect.”

After the waiter left, Anna asked, “How often do you come here?”

“I don’t know, once a week or so. I’m in the Quarter quite often and this place is one of my favorites. I’m a bachelor, or at least I used to be.” He gave her a lopsided grin and winked while taking her hand from across the table.
“Eating at a good restaurant is pretty much essential to survival for single guys. Most of us can’t cook and we’d just starve.” He chuckled. “Have you eaten here before?”

“I have, not as often as you, but I’m not a bachelor,” she teased back. “I must say, their food was really good.”

“I for one am very glad you aren’t a bachelor.” He laughed.