Ice Moon (4 page)

Tank kept his head in the bowl and I stared out into the darkness. If we were right, Taryn probably didn’t know why her boyfriend left her, and there was a better than average chance she thought Charlie had been born premature since the gestation for a female carrying shifter twins was only four months instead of nine.

And what about his brother?

I got up and poured a beer into my glass. I took a swig and shook my head. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this, Tank.”

He lifted his head, pretending to empathize before diving back into his dinner.

Bad feeling or not, if Charlie had a twin out there someplace, he would become a risk to himself, and more importantly to our Pack. We lived among humans who had no idea we existed, and it needed to stay that way.

Chapter Five

Taryn

I
’d managed to dodge Madison for most of the week. But sadly, I couldn’t avoid her forever. She sat, perched in the chair across from my desk, with her iPad and that damned hopeful smile. She couldn’t be much younger than me, but somehow I had lifetimes more experience than she did. She probably still believed in happily-ever-afters, with a husband, a picket fence, and a family.

Life hadn’t smacked her around much yet.

“Have you found your date for the Masquerade?”

I rolled my eyes. “I thought you wanted to discuss the budget.”

“I do.” She leaned forward like we might be friends sharing a secret. “But first I want to hear about who you’re bringing.”

“I don’t know.” I sat all the way back in my leather executive chair. “Happy?”

The way her face fell answered my question. “Please don’t cancel at the last minute, Ms. Goldstone. This is a huge opportunity and…”

I raised a brow. “And?”

Her full attention stayed focused on the iPad. “And it’s my first public event for the company. I want to show everyone I can do this. That I’m not just a naïve girl fresh out of college.”

Oh, shit. This resonated with me. I could relate to that feeling. I’d experienced the same kind of scrutiny when I moved to town with a brand new broker’s license and a little boy in tow.

I sighed, hating myself for allowing her to get to me. “I’ll be there, and I’ll bring someone even if I have to bribe my garbage man.”

She lifted her head, beaming. “Oh, please! You won’t need to bribe anyone. You’re gorgeous. You could get any man you set your eye on.”

Her declaration stunned me. Dating hadn’t been on my radar since Charlie’s father walked out of my life. It never occurred to me men might want my attention. Usually, my reputation preceded me and hackles were up before I even entered the room.

“We’ll see about that…” I rested my elbow on the desk. “Budget?”

She scooted closer, showing me her iPad so we could look over her figures, but my mind was far from her spreadsheet. I had no clue how I’d make it through an evening with a man in tow. This was a horrible idea.

B
y the time I pulled into my driveway it was getting dark. Jared’s truck was an unexpected surprise. As the days got colder, he seemed to work even later. I appreciated his commitment to finishing the deck before winter took over the mountaintop. I got out and grabbed my leather bag. When I straightened, Tank came around the corner of the house. I actually heard him before I saw him, his breathing like a freight train.

His hind quarters waggled as if I were his long lost friend. Even
I
couldn’t resist that warm welcome. I knelt down, my pencil skirt sliding up my thighs as I grasped his wide head in both hands. With animals, I didn’t have to worry so much about touching. Strong emotions unleashed my inner fire. Happy dogs made it easy for me to maintain my calm, my control.

“How’re you doing, Tank?” His lips curled into a smile, his tongue curling at the end as he panted. I chuckled and scratched behind his ears. “I don’t have anything for dogs. Sorry about that.”

He sniffed my hands and knees, clearly not believing my lack of treats.

“Tank always was a ladies’ man.”

I shot up straight, sobering instantly at the sound of Jared’s voice, but nothing could have prepared me for finding my son standing beside him. Charlie wore a small tool belt of his own, wood chips and shavings decorated in his hair, and his smile stretched from ear to ear.

“Mom, come see what I did!” He took off around the back of the house.

With my heart in my throat, I lifted my chin, struggling to bottle up my emotions. I’d never seen that look of joy and pride on Charlie’s face before. I was equally grateful and jealous all at once.

“I don’t recall being asked if you could use my son as free labor.”

Jared groaned. “Really? That’s where you’re going to go with this?” He pointed in the direction Charlie ran. “That little guy is hardly free labor. He wanted to learn how to hammer a nail. It took a few days, but when he mastered it, I got him a tool belt.” He sighed and focused on me again. Strangely the weight of his stare soothed my bitterness instead of stoking it. “I’m sorry, Taryn. I probably should have asked, but you’re never around and I was keeping a close eye on him. I didn’t think you’d mind.” He held out his gloved hand. “Come on back. He’s dying to show you his contribution to the new deck.”

I walked right past his worn leather work glove, trying not to notice the chiseled muscles in his tanned arm as I passed by. Keeping my footing in heels on the uneven ground was a welcome challenge. Anything to remain focused and maintain my composure. His apology seemed sincere, but right now I couldn’t trust my voice not to wobble. A break in a woman’s voice was weakness, and since I’d been in Tahoe, no one had ever witnessed it from me.

I intended to keep it that way.

Charlie stood beside an anchor post, beaming with pride. Upon closer inspection, there was a carved wooden sign nailed into the beam.

Charlie’s Clubhouse

“Jared said this part’s going to stay open, so when the snow melts, this can be like my fort!”

I glanced at Jared, raising a brow. “This was your idea?”

He shrugged one shoulder. “Every boy needs a clubhouse, right?”

How the hell did I know? I’d been an only child. No brothers. And my parents shipped me off to boarding school in New York to Brightwood Academy for Girls. I celebrated my sixth birthday with strangers.

Charlie was my first experience with little boys.

And seeing how quickly he bonded with Jared hurt.

“Maybe so.” I shifted my attention to Charlie. “Did you make the sign?”

He nodded, babbling so fast I could barely keep up. “Yep, well sort of, Jared wouldn’t let me work the saw, so I drew the shape and he cut it out, but he had a cool wood burner and he helped me use it to write the words, then Sherri went and got paint and I painted it.” He finally took a breath and pointed to the two nails holding the sign in place. “And I hammered these myself, Mom!”

I glanced at Jared, but he answered before I could ask.

“He was supervised the entire time.”

“So is it okay if I keep helping? Please, can I?” His big green eyes, so much like his father’s, bore into me.

I stared at the placid lake, drinking in the calm of the water. Composure meant control, and control kept everyone safe. Wishing I could make my son as happy as Jared just did wouldn’t change the reality, I couldn’t. The scar on his arm was constant proof of that. But I couldn’t deny him happiness. I wanted that for him.

Even if it couldn’t come from me.

“Yes.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “But be careful. No using tools unless Jared is watching you.”

“Yes!” He danced around, making me chuckle in spite of my dark mood.

I turned to go back up, but my heel snagged a loose rock. I teetered, and Jared caught my elbow. The cool, smooth leather of his glove sent a wave of goosebumps up my arm, but his hold on me was solid and secure.

“You okay?”

I nodded, gently freeing myself. “Yes. Thank you.”

Without looking back, I made my way up the incline toward the house. Tank met me at the driveway, but I didn’t slow my pace to visit. My grip on my emotions was faltering. I needed to be alone. Now.

“Taryn. Wait.”

I stopped just shy of my door, but I didn’t turn around.

Jared moved in front of me. “I’m really sorry. I should’ve thought… He was so excited.” He sighed. “I don’t have much experience with kids, but I never would’ve let anything happen to him.”

I glanced at the back yard. “Where is he now?”

Jared patted the head of his hammer hanging from his tool belt. “I have the tools. I left him with sand paper.” He lifted his eyes to meet mine. “It was never my intention to upset you.”

And he looked like he meant it. “I appreciate that.”

He rubbed his gloved hand along the bottom of his stubbled chin. “None of my business, but why do you spend so much energy distancing yourself from everyone?”

My back stiffened. “You’re right, it is none of your business.”

Charlie came racing around the corner, sandpaper in hand. “Jared, the wood is getting smooth just like you said it would.”

Jared tugged off a glove and mussed Charlie’s hair with a warm smile on his face that made it tough to maintain my emotional defenses.

“Good job, buddy.”

Before I realized what I was saying, a very bad idea spilled from my lips. “Sherri has a lasagna in the oven. Want to help us eat it?”

Charlie’s eyes were saucers. “We’ve never had
anyone
over for dinner before. Please say you’ll stay, Jared.”

I sighed inwardly. I couldn’t scold Charlie for being honest, but I would’ve rather kept that statistic between us.

Jared’s gaze held mine, questioning. No. Maybe he was giving me an out. “Are you sure? I’ve got Tank with me, too.”

My heart thumped, aware this was my chance to rectify my error in judgment. Tank came and sat down in front of me panting with a big bulldog smile.

I swallowed the ball of confusing emotions in my throat. “He’s housebroken, right?”

Jared nodded. “A total gentleman.”

I shook my head, praying I wouldn’t regret this. “Then I guess he’s welcome, too.”

Charlie squealed like he’d just seen Santa himself and cajoled Tank into racing after him for the front door. As they disappeared inside, Jared pulled off his other glove and tucked them into a pocket on his low-slung tool belt.

“So what’s this all about?”

That was the million dollar question. I straightened my skirt, and lifted my chin. “I want to know who spends time with Charlie.”

“Fair enough.” He nodded with a hint of a smile. “Thanks for the invitation.”

I glanced at his truck. “So there’s no Mrs. Ayers?”

He shook his head. “Nope.”

My heart thumped again. “Good to know.”

I walked toward the house, grateful he couldn’t see the way my hand trembled as I reached for the knob
.

Chapter Six

Jared

I
followed Taryn inside, trying not to replay the moment I caught her loving on Tank. Not only had she smiled with her skirt rising up a little to expose her toned thigh, but she chuckled. In the couple weeks I’d known her, I’d never heard her laugh. Underneath all her armor, there was a woman hidden inside, and there was a better than average chance no one really knew her.

Why?

The scent of fresh Italian food hit me the second I stepped over the threshold. “Smells amazing.”

Taryn kept walking. “Sherri’s Italian. She makes the sauce and the lasagna from scratch.”

“Mom says we’re spoiled.” Charlie raced to my side. “You can hang your tool belt with mine.”

I’d forgotten I had it on. He led me around the corner to the back hallway. His kid-sized belt hung on the end of the banister. I carried mine over and carefully laid it over his. This side of the house lacked the vaulted ceilings that the front had. If Charlie were a little bigger, it might’ve been too confining for me back here. As it was, I had no intention of spending any more time in the narrow hallway than was necessary. When I turned around Taryn was gone.

Charlie came closer and lowered his voice. “Mom’s not really a people person.”

I raised a brow. “Who told you that?”

He shrugged. “I hear her say it on her cell phone. She wouldn’t tell them that if it wasn’t true.”

I chuckled, resting my hand on his shoulder. “I think your mom needs to cut herself a little slack.”

He gave me a lopsided smile. “She might be doing that now, since she let Tank in the house and you get to stay for dinner.”

Charlie was a sweet kid, but I wasn’t foolish enough to think this dinner was anything more than another test. I’d over-stepped my bounds again when I let Charlie work with me, just like I had when I called her by her first name.

This wasn’t the same woman who fawned over my dog when she thought no one was looking. For that brief moment, I got to see the princess she kept locked up in the tower. I rounded the corner to find the table already set with a third spot for me. Taryn was in the kitchen, taking out the casserole dish and a tray of garlic bread from the oven.

“Need any help?”

She placed both dishes on the stovetop. “Nope. I’ve got it.”

Charlie snatched his plate off of the placemat and walked to the kitchen. “Can I have a big piece?”

Taryn cut into the lasagna. “Will you eat it all?”

“’Course I will.”

She glanced in my direction. “He’s always eaten like a horse. I have no clue where all the food goes.”

“Miss Lorna says I have a hole in my leg and the food falls out.”

Neither one of them would ever guess he had an elevated metabolism because he was a werewolf.

Once we were all seated around the table, Taryn’s gaze pinned me in my chair. “Since you and Charlie have been spending time together, I’d like to know a little more about you. How did you get into carpentry?”

“After I dropped out of pre-med in college, I needed to make a living. Math and geometry come pretty easy and I like working outside.” She started to laugh, but I shook my head slowly. “I’m not kidding.”

Taryn cleared her throat and shifted in her chair. “You gave up being a doctor to become a carpenter?”

I nodded. Most people had the same reaction, but none of them understood the real reason I gave up my dream and changed course. That was my burden alone.

She frowned. “Did the blood bother you?”

“I had my reasons, but seeing blood wasn’t one of them.” I rested my fork on my plate. “My turn.”

“Your turn?”

“Yeah. I answered your question. Now you answer mine.” I winked at Charlie before meeting her eyes again. “Why do you think you’re not a people person?”

Charlie turned toward his mom, too. We waited.

Taryn set her fork down. “Charlie wasn’t lying when he told you we’ve never had anyone over for dinner.”

I raised a brow. “I can’t imagine anybody in their right mind turning down your invitation.”

She took a sip of her water. “I’d rather be alone.”

“And you don’t like to be touched.” I put another bite in my mouth before I jammed my whole foot in it.

“I believe that’s two different questions.” She shifted her attention to her son. “Charlie, you haven’t gotten a turn.”

He swallowed the last piece of his garlic bread and grinned. “When did you get Tank?”

Hearing his name, Tank wandered over to his new friend, hoping for some snacks from the dinner table.

“I found Tank in a shelter. His owner moved into an elderly community and he couldn’t come with him. We both needed someone, so we’ve been partners ever since.”

Charlie grinned and worked on polishing off his dinner. I stared across the table at his mother. I wished she’d let her hair down, literally. Beautiful seemed too generic to describe her. Between her big, blue eyes, full rose lips, and her porcelain skin, if she allowed her long auburn hair to fall loose around her shoulders, it’d be very difficult for me to keep myself from touching her.

Probably best the dining room table was between us.

Before I could stoke the conversation again, Charlie clanked his fork onto his empty plate. “May I be excused?”

Taryn glanced at him and nodded. “Sure. Get your pajamas on and brush your teeth. I’ll be up soon.”

He bolted from his chair, carrying his dishes into the kitchen. He stopped on his way back by to pat Tank, and smiled up at me. “Thanks for letting me work today.” He ran to his Mom’s side. “Night Mom!”

I expected him to hug her, or kiss her cheek, he seemed like he wanted to, but she stiffened in her chair. He backed up. “Bye, Jared.”

“See you later, buddy.”

He hustled down the hall and up the stairs.

“He’s a great kid.”

She nodded. “He’s the only good thing that’s ever happened to me.”

I should’ve pressed for more, asked about his father. Something. But the thought of reporting back to my Alpha didn’t sit well with me. I was curious, but not for the reasons I should be.

“Thanks for dinner. I need to get on the road.” I stood up with my plate and walked toward the kitchen.

She followed, and in the smaller space, her scent surrounded me; not any expensive perfume, she smelled fresh and crisp, like the cool air after a snowstorm. I turned around, giving her room to put her dishes in the sink.

“Can I say one more thing before you go?”

I stopped in my tracks. Her deep blue eyes commanded my attention. Although she was probably younger than I was
,
the shadows in her gaze hinted at the pain she struggled to hide away. “Sure.”

“Thank you for what you did for Charlie. I was just surprised and…” She crossed her arms, and stared at the floor. “…And I might’ve been abrasive.”

I suddenly had the urge to laugh and pull her close, but I respected her wishes and kept my distance.

“Please don’t take this the wrong way, no judgment okay?” I waited, but her attention stayed on the tile and her feet. “Why does the no touching rule extend to Charlie?”

She lifted her head, her grip tightening around her middle. “Like you said earlier, I have my reasons.”

I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck as the temperature in the room rose. “Touché.” I walked into the dining room and woke up Tank. “Time to go buddy.”

Taryn trailed behind me. “Sorry, I’m pretty unpracticed at playing hostess.”

I opened the door and Tank headed for the truck, but I stayed behind, turning to face her again. “I’m no master at conversation either, just ask Tank.”

She smiled, a bashful, real, breathtaking smile that warmed my entire body. I gripped the door tighter to keep from touching her and breaking the spell.

“Before you go…I need to ask. This is really awkward, and I’ll pay you for your time.” She cleared her throat. “It’s just for show, for my company.”

I raised a brow. “Sounds great so far.”

She rolled her eyes. “My firm sponsors the annual Masquerade Ball here in Tahoe every year, and this time I promised my new community relations manager I would go.”

She stared up at me like she expected me to say something. Problem was, I had no clue what she was talking about.

“And you need me to…build a stage or…?”

Color flushed her chest. I could almost feel the heat on my skin.

“No, I need you to be my date.” I struggled to keep my jaw off the floor while she backpedaled. “Not like a real date. It’s just that tickets are sold per couple, so I can’t go alone, and I don’t want to involve Charlie. I wouldn’t ask, but you probably guessed I don’t really hang out with people. There’s no one else for me to ask. We wouldn’t have to stay long and you’ll be paid for the time…”

“Yes.” Without thinking, I placed my finger over her lips to quiet her and be sure she heard me. My heart stuttered the instant I touched her skin, and deep inside of me, my wolf howled. The lights brightened as my pupils dilated and contracted. I blinked hard and shook my head.
What the hell…
“Don’t pay me. I’ll go because I want to, not because it’ll help your business.”

I dropped my hand, half expecting her to slap me, but she didn’t move away. A fine line creased between her eyebrows. “Are you all right?”

That definitely depended on her definition.

From the depths of my soul, my wolf recognized her. Taryn was my mate. Mine. This cool, distant woman, with another wolf’s child. And yet, maybe I’d sensed it before. Maybe that was why I took this job up the goddamn Mt. Rose highway just as winter was coming in. Had I been drawn to her and her little boy?

I stared down into her eyes, my voice barely a whisper. “If I stay here any longer, I’m not going to be able to stop myself from kissing you.”

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, but she didn’t back away. Her blue eyes searched mine. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t.” I closed the distance between us, my lips claiming hers. Light burst behind my eyelids as I carefully slid my arms around her. Her body was warm right through my clothes, and while her kiss started out tentative, gradually she returned my caresses and her hands glided up over my chest, until I smoldered to have her even closer.

Suddenly, she pushed me away. I let her go, struggling to catch my breath. Her eyes welled with tears. Shit. Had I scared her somehow?

She shook her head. “This was a bad idea.”

“Nothing about that was bad.”

Her fingers trembled at her sides. Without my heightened sense of hearing, I never would have been able to make out her words. “Look at your shirt.”

I tipped my head down and frowned. There were two brown streaks on the front of my shirt, like I’d left an iron on it too long. The heat I’d imagined from her touch hadn’t been in my imagination.

“This is why you don’t like to be touched.”

She didn’t acknowledge me, just took another step away. “I’m sorry, Jared. I can’t explain, just…just go.”

I glanced down the hall. “That’s why you keep your distance with Charlie.”

“Walk away, Jared.”

I shook my head. “I’m not afraid.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You should be.”

I held her gaze and lifted my shirt. “I’m fine. Look for yourself. Not even a blister.”

She frowned, and she didn’t come any closer. “You got lucky.”

“Not lucky.” I pulled my t-shirt back down. “You’re not the only one with secrets, Taryn.” My wolf growled, sensing my retreat, but for now, I was in charge, and my animal instincts would have to wait. “I’m planning on working late tomorrow. If you make it home before I leave, maybe we can talk. Alone.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She crossed her arms and took a step backwards. “No one can know about this.”

“Who would I tell?” I stepped out and glanced back. “Don’t stay locked in that tower, Taryn.”

She shook her head. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Tank nudged my leg, probably sensing the dread and anxiety already filling my bloodstream at the thought of taking the switchbacks of the highway in the dark. Shit.

“I know more than you think.”

I went to my truck without looking back.