Shifters of Grrr 2 (72 page)

"I'm a man who wants to claim his mate but I want you to be comfortable. I know that being targeted because I believe you're my mate hasn't made this any easier on you but I just want to protect and care for you. The rest can come when you're comfortable with it."

She sighed. "I'll be honest, I'm confused. I do feel drawn to you but I have a feeling letting you into my life will change everything. I don't have a glamorous life. I'm not rich or famous and I really don't want to be. I'm just happy pursuing my art and keeping to myself. Since I've met you, my life has been upended and there's no peace of any kind. From what you're telling me that won't change anytime soon."

"Arabella, if you send me away, who will protect you? Your life will still be crazy, but it may not last long. All I ask is that you give me a chance. We're getting close to catching Chief but a cornered beast is the most dangerous beast of all. He's shown he'll target mates and families without hesitation. I'll stay with you here or you can come to my house with me."

She flushed and he knew she was thinking of the night they spent together. He remembered it himself like it was last night instead of months ago. Heat rolled over him and he tried to calm himself. He was so close to his mate and yet she might as well be a thousand miles away. The only thing that stopped him from sinking into a deep depression was she hadn't rejected him outright. She'd simply asked for time and she was human and their view of mating wasn't like that of supernaturals. They didn't understand the mating drive and the idea that there was only one mate, one perfect mate for each of them. Humans had the dream of finding a soul mate but they had no belief in it. They thought it just some romantic nonsense for dreamers.

"What about my house? Was anything destroyed during the fight?" she asked obviously trying to change the subject to something less personal.

"I fixed all the damage. Everything should be just as it was before she came here."

"I guess you can stay for now. I have a guest bedroom with a queen size bed. Will that be large enough for you?" she asked as she sized him up uncertainly.

He wondered what size her bed was but knew better than to ask. She was as nervous around him right now as a cat on a hot tin roof. Anything that sounded sexual would have her running for the hills.

"Why don't you show me the room? I'm sure it will work out just fine."

She led the way and he noticed the room was right across the hall from the master suite. He felt good to be so close. The room was nice and neutral, neither feminine or masculine and the colors were Earth tones. The bed looked long enough or nearly so and though he'd rather sleep in her bed with her, he'd make do. She hovered around as if she was waiting for him to say something.

"It's a nice room. I'm sure I'll be just fine."

"Right. It's not like you can't just magic it to suit you."

"I see you know little about magic, Arabella. Every time it's used pulls away energy that might be needed if we're attacked. My fight with Serena used some of my reserves and even though I absorbed some when she attacked, it didn't offset what I lost. I'll be able to protect," he said when he saw the fear flash across her face. "But I won't waste any magic on luxuries. You're too important to take any risks."

Chapter 6

Aftershock

She left Zorth in the guest room and she was trembling as she made it to her room. It was just hitting her that someone had died in her house. Maybe the woman was evil and deserved it, but in
her
house? She'd had the house built a few years ago so she knew no one had ever died here before. Her whole life had taken on a dose of the surreal. Other than being a white wolf, nothing odd or more than ordinary had ever happened to her unless you counted the success of her art.

She admitted to herself the threat against them scared her. She went to her safe and put in the combination unlocking it. She pulled out a box and got out her gun. She made sure it was loaded but left the safety on. She might not have any magic, but she figured a bullet could slow down anyone. She'd taken some military courses in college but decided not to enlist. It had still been a good experience and it taught her some self-defense including how to shoot.

This whole situation was more than she knew how to handle. Not only was her life threatened, but she had a sexy mountain of a man claiming to be her soul mate. She'd never had a relationship that she'd considered making permanent before and the thought scared her. Her parents had divorced when she was young and maybe that had given her commitment issues. She'd never really delved into her single state before or even given much thought to settling down.

Just the thought of it scared her and it scared her even more that she felt drawn to him on a deeper level than she'd ever felt before. He had a lot going for him besides just looks. He was strong, caring, and from the little bit of intimacy they'd shared, she bet he was hell in bed. Just the thought heated her blood and made her want to invite him into her room. It was a foolish thought because she knew once they took that leap, there would be no going back.

It was just one of the things she seemed to instinctively sense. She also sensed that whatever he was, it was something powerful and he was one of the strongest of his kind. She should have pushed him about what he was since that was kinda important. It was obvious he'd been avoiding telling her and he' distracted her when she'd ask. It made her want to know even more. If he wasn't a witch, just what the hell kind of magic user was he?

She decided that he was probably trying to sleep at this point and she felt exhausted but sure sleep would never find her. She took a relaxing shower and fought the urge to find some relief. What she knew of supernaturals, he might be able to smell it and she would die of embarrassment. It was bad enough that he probably knew how much she wanted him and she did want him almost desperately at times.

Her shower done, she put on a t-shirt that she liked to sleep in when someone else was around. Normally she slept naked since she lived alone but she thought that might be a mistake under the circumstances with Mr. tall and super sexy right across the hall. She slipped under the covers trying to relax in her comfortable bed. It was hard to do knowing he was so near. It left her wondering if he had trouble sleeping too. Eventually she slept and when she woke she smelled coffee and bacon cooking.

She'd never had a man around that cooked and made coffee that wasn't related. She dressed hurriedly and went out to see what Zorth was up to. He was at the stove cooking bacon and eggs but a plate already sat on the table. She filled a mug with coffee, got some cream and sat down to nibble on her bacon. He finished up and set his plate down on the table.

"Good morning, Arabella. I hope you don't mind me using your kitchen?"

"No, not at all," she said as she enjoyed her coffee. "You can cook for me anytime." He raised his brow as if in question and she realized how it had sounded. "I didn't mean, I mean it was innocent."

"I understand completely, Sweetheart." His smile was devilish as he looked at her with heated eyes. "Do you have plans for today?"

"I was going to work on a campaign from home."

"Advertising, right?"

"Yes, it's nothing you'd be interested in." At least she hoped he wouldn't be.

"Maybe if you tell me about it, I could help."

She turned bright red. "Thank you, but I've got it under control." He looked at her confused, but it was a condom commercial and he was the last one she'd want to have help her on something so personal.

"Is there anything else I could do around here that might be a help?"

"No, not really."

"So this list of things you need to get done are all already finished?"

"Well, no. Are you a handyman?"

"I've been told I can be very handy indeed."

Again she blushed and she was getting tired of it. If he kept teasing her she would turn a shade of red permanently. "If you want to take a shot at the list, everything you need will be in the shed." That should keep him busy and out of her hair for a while.

He headed out to the shed and she felt relieved. She knew he'd make a comment if he saw the pile of various condoms in her office. The company made them in every size, shape, color, and texture imaginable. The table she had set up with the samples looked like the condom section of a store. After a little serious thought, she came up with a slogan.
It's the next best thing to being bare.
The more she thought about it, the better she liked it.

She worked out the advertisement where the lovers started having sex and the woman kept asking,
are you sure it's on
? Then an announcer said the punchline,
it's the next best thing to being bare
. She put everything together and emailed it off to Joey. She would take a break now until she heard back from her. Maybe a glass of sweet wine. She glanced at the clock and saw it was past lunch time. She swiveled around in her chair ready to get up and go to the kitchen when she saw Zorth there examining the condoms.

"It's not what you think."

"Hm," he said. "Are you a condom tester? I'd offer my services." His goofy smile told her he had a pretty good idea what she had them for. "Joey really does get the sexiest accounts, doesn't she?"

"Yes, she does. I think this campaign is done anyway. I was going to fix something for lunch. Are you hungry?"

"I could eat. Aren't you going to tell me what you came up with? I'm dying to know."

"Trade secret."

"Chicken," he whispered low.

She heard him but pretended not to. "What did you say?"

"Nothing, just clearing my throat."

She knew better but she let it pass. Still, he called her a chicken? He followed her as she led the way to the kitchen and she motioned him to sit at the small table in the corner. She went to the fridge grabbing everything needed for a chef salad for two.

"What kind of dressing do you like?" she asked him as she mixed the lettuce, cherry tomatoes, sliced onions, sliced cucumbers, cheese, sliced ham and a sliced boiled egg.

"I like them all."

"That's the first time I ever heard anyone say that." She poured ranch on both hers and his and carried them to the table. She went back, quickly put everything up, and getting two bottles of water before rejoining him.

"That was quick."

"Don't worry, I didn't serve you any dirty salad. Most of this is from my greenhouse and I already had it trimmed, washed, and ready to make salad with. I eat it for lunch often."

"I wasn't worried, I just meant you're very efficient in the kitchen." She raised one brow at him questioning his sincerity. He was too busy eating to notice. "At least you seem to like it."

"It's very good. I can tell the ingredients are fresh and that's very good ham."

"It's smoked locally. It's honey ham and my favorite."

They finished eating without talking anymore. She didn't know what he was thinking about but she was wondering what she'd fallen into and how long he would be her shadow. At least he was pretty to look at. She couldn't help but smile at the thought knowing how he'd feel about being called
pretty
. He'd feel his masculinity was in question.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing." Now he looked at her suspiciously. It made her want to giggle which was even funnier because she never giggled.

They were through eating so she started to pick up the dishes. "Hold on a second. I'll help you."

That was just great. It looked like he was going to stick to her like glue. "I thought you wanted to work on the repair list?"

"I already got all that done."

"Magic?"

"You don't think I can do repairs without magic?" He looked like his feelings were hurt.

"I'm sure you can, it's just that you got them done so quickly. So what now?"

"I did, didn't I?" he asked with pride. He moved right up to her and she just stood there unable to move. "What now?" He moved his hand to stroke her cheek as his lips dropped down onto hers. He wasted no time branding her mouth and staking a claim on her body as his hot hands moved all over her.

She shivered and her tongue met his in a dance as old as time. Her temperature became feverish and her ability to think disappeared. She could feel his large hands and nimble fingers stroking and pinching her nipples until she felt like she would explode. He was not like any other man she's ever been near and that was just more noticeable the longer she was with him. She was panting and her heart beat like a drum. How had he gotten her so worked up in mere moments?

She tried to say she needed to go but it came out in a murmur that was indistinguishable from her sounds of pleasure. She felt cool air hitting her skin and realized he'd removed her shirt but she was still burning up. She was dizzy with desire and she'd never felt this way before. He completely took her will away from her making her want whatever he wanted, need whatever he was prepared to give. She felt heated to the core and soaking with need for him, only him. His mouth dropped to one breast and he licked her nipple making it hard and aching for more. When he sucked it into his mouth, she thought she'd die on the spot as pleasure shot through her.

He moaned and the vibrations only added to the pleasurable feelings. Her hands sank into his hair and she held his head there afraid he'd stop. His hands moved down nimbly undoing her pants and sliding them down. So talented he didn't even stop sucking her nipple as he stripped away all her clothes and his hands cupped her ass.
Mm, that felt so damn good
. She was torn between the pleasure she felt now and the need for more.