Sondrae Bennett - Alpine Woods Shifters 4 (13 page)

“No.” She gestured around them. “For all of this. Guess I spoiled the romance. You had flower petals and candles in mind, and I turned on the porn.”

He laughed and pulled her into his arms, tucking her head underneath his shoulder. “So not only did I get credit for the romance, but I also got to act out a porn movie with you. You were right last night, I did win big.”

Nuzzling his throat, she smiled against his skin, then peeked her tongue out to taste. Hot, male, and musky. As his strangled moan rent the air, she felt powerful.

“Food first, then more of that.” But he swore, seeming unhappy with his decision.

With a final nip, she backed out of his arms.

“What can I do?”

“Nothing. It’s ready. All you need to do is sit down and enjoy.”

“My favorite kind of breakfast. One where I don’t have to work.”

He laughed as he set the plates on the table and held her chair out for her. “Not hunting?” he asked.

She didn’t even dignify that with an answer. Just stared at him until he laughed again and grabbed her hand.

“Forget I asked.”

“Already have,” she chirped, shoveling eggs into her mouth. She was famished. Incredible, considering she’d eaten an entire pizza by herself last night.

“So what’s on your agenda today?” he asked.

“I’ve got classes from noon ’til five today. You?”

“Prep for tonight’s town meeting.”

“Oh, shit. That’s right, I completely forgot.”

“What would you do without me?” He smirked at her from across the table, but whereas normally that look would piss her off, today it flooded her with warmth.

“Without you? Wear out my vibrator trying to get half the pleasure you gave me last night.”

The fork missed his mouth, but he didn’t seem to notice as he stared at her. Then in a rush, he jumped forward and pulled her up with him.

“Breakfast is over. Time for a shower.”

She laughed as he led her out of the room and down the hallway to his bedroom. The man had amazing stamina. And she didn’t even care that she hadn’t finished her eggs. Breakfast could wait.

* * * *

Despite arriving fifteen minutes early, Misty found a crowd waiting outside town hall. She waved to a few people as she scanned the group for Cody, but gave up after the second sweep. He was probably busy with the skulk’s elders or the fire chief. Rumors were running wild after word had gotten out about the fire. No doubt tonight would put those to rest.

She caught sight of Jen and Jarrod standing with a group of people. But as she moved toward them, a feminine hand curled around her arm.

“Misty, dear. We haven’t seen you in ages.”

Warning bells clanged loudly in her head, but it was too late. There was nothing she could do now but face the woman. With a deep breath, she turned to face Cody’s mother.

“Hi, Mrs. Mattherson. How are you tonight?”

“
Mom
, dear. I told you to call me Mom.” Their conversations always started this way. For years, she’d been asking Misty to call her Mom. But now, it was especially awkward considering all that had happened between Cody and her.

“Yes, of course,” she mumbled. “If you’ll excuse me, I see someone I need to talk to.”

But Mrs. Matherson tightened her hold, leaned in, and sniffed her neck. After her yoga classes, she’d gone home and taken another shower. Surely she didn’t still smell like the man? After showering at his place before her classes, she’d caught some speculative looks from some of her students, but no one had dared to comment.

“Well, I wish I had caught you before you washed my boy’s scent off, but I can’t tell you how happy I am you two have finally gotten together. Took you long enough.”

Someone must have called her. This was not good. All she needed was for Cody to blame her for his mother learning his bedroom habits.

“It’s not what you think–”

“Stop that now. As if I didn’t see the way you two always stare at each other. I expect both of you for dinner sometime soon.”

“We’ll be there on Friday,” Cody said from behind Misty, his arm circling her shoulders. The voice rolled through her, sending a bolt of pure lust spiraling down her gut.

She shivered and felt his arm tighten around her.

“Friday it is. Bring dessert.” Then she left them alone.

“I wasn’t the one who told her,” she said, turning to him.

“I know.” He leaned down and placed a firm kiss against her lips. “I missed you.” And wasn’t that just perfect?

“I missed you, too,” she managed before his lips swooped down again, this time ravishing hers. His tongue swept inside, burying her under a tidal wave of need. All she could do was grip his shoulders and trust him to see her through.

A couple people around them clapped after they broke apart. A part of her wanted to hit him for the boorish display of possession–he might as well have told the skulk, “hands off, she’s mine.” But another part of her leapt for joy. It wasn’t as strong as marking her, but they had just had sex for the first time last night. To think two nights ago, she’d been ready to leave. All things considered, she’d made remarkable progress.

“Come on. Let’s get this show on the road.” Leading the way, he pulled her into the building and sat her in the first row. The rest of the skulk filed in behind them. Cody took the stage and quieted the crowd.

At first, Cody’s words flew past her as she studied him, devouring him with her eyes. Everything about him showed control. Power simmering just beneath the surface. As a fox, he didn’t have the strength of the wolves or the speed of the cats, but in a fight, she trusted him to hold his own. By whatever means necessary. And he was all hers.

Without warning, the hall exploded in whispered conversations. Misty looked around as tension blanketed the room. Maybe she should have been paying attention instead of ogling Cody.

“Did he say the fire was deliberately set?” Jen asked from her right. When had she gotten there?

“Everyone calm down. We are still investigating the matter. But until we figure this out, we need the whole town to be on alert. If you see anything suspicious, call me, or Brad. For now, it would be best if everyone stick close to home for a few days. Don’t go out of town unless absolutely necessary. If you do leave skulk land, be extra vigilant. That’s all we can do until we have more to work with. As long as we stick together, there’s nothing to fear.”

A sense of peace filled her. Such confidence infused his voice, she had no choice but to believe he would make everything okay. As she looked at the other members of the skulk, she noticed a few worried faces, but most held a trust similar to what filled her. Cody was their Premier, not because he was among the strongest–although he was–but because he inspired confidence. They would all follow him wherever he led.

Chapter 10

“Would you stop fussing? You look fine. It’s just my parents.” Cody grabbed Misty’s hands to still them as she fiddled with her hair.

“Exactly! I’m meeting the parents. I need to look perfect so they’ll like me.” Her eyes were earnest.

“You aren’t meeting the parents. You’ve already met my parents. Last week I saw you and my mother having lunch.”

“But that was last week. Now I’m the girlfriend. If they don’t like me, they could order you to stop seeing me. I need to make a good impression.”

His heart jumped a bit at the word girlfriend.

He shuffled his feet a bit, trying to ignore his discomfort. They’d yet to discuss the terms of their relationship. Considering they’d spent every night together the past week, it wasn’t a leap to call Misty his girlfriend. But something held him back from fully committing. There were questions he needed answered.

“You’re being silly. They already love you. Come on.” He tugged a bit to get her up the porch stairs. As he rang the doorbell, she made a strangled sound, almost as if she were in pain. Amazed, he studied her profile. She really was nervous. Raising her joined hands to his lips, he offered her comfort. Maybe she knew something he didn’t. Should he be nervous?

“There you two are,” his mom said as she opened the door. “Well, come on out of the heat.”

“Hi Mrs.–” Misty began.

But his mother cut her off. “How many times do I have to remind you to call me Mom?”

He rolled his eyes at the shock on Misty’s face. It seemed silly that he’d ever doubted their reception. His mother had treated Misty like a member of the family for years. Things wouldn’t change now that they were an item.

“Your father is waiting in the living room. I’ll just stick this in the kitchen.” And grabbing the pie they’d brought, she disappeared down the hallway.

“She still wants me to call her Mom.” Misty spoke slowly, no doubt considering the implications.

With a smirk, he leaned against the wall and remained silent, letting her come to her own conclusions.

She glanced up, caught the look on his face, and frowned. “Don’t you dare say ‘I told you so.’”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Although of course, he had considered it.

* * * *

Laughter drifted from the direction of the dining room as Cody plunged another plate into the soapy water. It always amazed him that Misty was able to get that kind of laughter out of his father. Although not an uncaring man, his father had always been a bit aloof. Few things made him smile and even fewer made him laugh. But whenever Misty came around, the intimidating facade cracked.

“Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?” His mother placed more dishes on the counter for him to wash.

“How do you know something’s bothering me?” He thought he’d hidden it pretty well.

“You’re my son,” she said as if that explained it all. And perhaps it did. As his mother, she knew him as well as he knew himself. Maybe better.

“How did you know Dad was your mate?” he asked after a pause.

“The moment I met him, I knew. Of course, we took some time before we tied the knot. It took longer for the human side to fall in love. But my fox knew immediately.”

And there was the root of the problem. Everyone he’d ever spoken to said that their inner animals knew their mates instantaneously. But his fox had recognized Samantha. Not Misty. No matter how drawn to her he felt now, he’d felt nothing until recently. Years had passed before he’d even noticed she wasn’t one of the guys. How could he trust what he felt now? Especially on the heels of meeting and losing Samantha.

“Why?” she asked, pulling his head up until their eyes met.

“I didn’t recognize Misty until recently. How do I know what I feel is real?”

Emotion flooded his mom’s eyes. Sorrow mixed with a touch of pity. He hadn’t meant to be so blunt. But he needed advice. Every night, it got harder to resist bonding with Misty. When he was with her, he felt right. Whole. But mating lasted forever. The bond would never be broken. How could he tie them together without being one hundred percent sure?

“Sometimes, familiarity blinds us and our inner beasts. When you met Misty, you didn’t even know about those needs. It’s possible your fox didn’t connect what it knew before, to what it needed after. But only you can know whether or not she’s the mate for you. Be sure before you act on it, because once you do, there’s no going back.”

Before he could process her words, he saw a figure standing in the doorway. He hadn’t noticed the lack of laughter until then.

“We should get going. I have an early class tomorrow.” The hurt in her voice had him rushing forward.

“Misty…” He grabbed her shoulders.

“Thank you so much for dinner, Mrs. Mattherson. Everything was lovely.”

It frightened him that she wouldn’t meet his eyes, staring over his shoulder. How much had she overheard? He squeezed his eyes shut as he scrolled back through the conversation. Shit.

On the ride home, he tried to talk to her but she sat next to him in silence. Even once they’d arrived at her place, she didn’t speak.

Not knowing what to expect, he followed her inside. The only time he’d ever seen her this quiet and composed, she’d shut him out and planned to move away from him.

He had to explain. Needed to do something to take that dazed look off her face. “I was trying–”

“Stop.”

Reluctantly, he complied. At least she wasn’t crying. Although he’d prefer tears to this silence. Why wasn’t she at least raging at him? He’d prefer
anything
to this eerie silence.

“So you’re still not sure of me, huh?” There was something odd in her voice. Something that had his pulse hammering in his veins and his throat tightening. She didn’t sound sad. She sounded…resigned.

“Misty.” His throat tightened to the point of pain.

“When you came to me last week, I thought you’d realized you loved me as much as I love you.”

His heart skipped a beat before leaping in joy. She loved him. Everything else was forgotten. All that mattered was the woman he was coming to realize meant the world to him, just told him she loved him. The overpowering urge to tell her he felt the same way assailed him.