Tempted by the Bear - Complete (4 page)

I
sabelle

T
he Le Roux
think I’m out for another night on the town. I’ve played my part well, and now that they’re convinced my goal in life is to destroy my liver and reputation, slipping off to meet our contact face to face is going to be a breeze.

Annie’s busy with Tristan tonight, and their inevitable mating is the perfect disguise for my excitement. I try to contain it as I make my way to the kitchen and another delicious dinner prepared by my future sister-in-law. She’s going to be a great asset to the De Roziers in more ways than one.

I enter into the chaos of triplet-feeding time. Three high chairs are set up, and Annie, Carly, and the nanny are spooning vivid-colored goo into tiny mouths. Although it seems to cover their faces better. Squeals sound, and I grin at the adorable children. I ask, “Annie, do you need me to check on dinner?”

“Yes, please. Can you pull the tinfoil off the lasagna to let the top brown?”

“Sure.” I open the oven and let the hot steam escape before bending down to tug at the aluminum cover. Bits of cheese stick to it, and I pull them off to sample the pasta. Salty flavor coats my tongue as the stove door thumps shut.

Dinner for the babies is followed by bath time, and I often finish preparations for our meal to let Annie help. I say, “I’ll make the salad and garlic bread while you all go for a swim.”

Annie stands up first to pull a child from the high chair. I don’t know why it surprises me that she’s in a nice dress with only the sleeves rolled up and still remains spot free. That woman seems to be good at everything she does. Even the kid she fed is the cleanest of the bunch. She says, “I won’t be taking a second bath tonight. I’ll let little Elliot’s mother do that.”

Carly chuckles as she leads the way out of the kitchen. I think about the brats who are Tristan’s children. He’s got five-year-old triplets who are holy terrors. Their mother didn’t take to child-rearing, and my brother was too busy trying to save a clan to deal with them himself. Now they reside with my mother, who farms them out to a revolving door of nannies. Annie’s going to have her work cut out for her when they come to live here.

A tray clicks as I remove it from a high chair, and I deposit it in the sink. Water rushes when I flip it on. My thoughts make me wonder if Annie knows about Tristan’s kids. If it weren’t important that the two mate soon, I’d be happy to toss out that little grenade at the table tonight, but I’ll resist because I’d be hurting myself too by trying to sabotage their relationship just for the satisfaction of watching my brother squirm.

I’m still cleaning when Annie returns. She says, “Thank you, Isabelle. It’s been really nice having your help these past few weeks.”

“You’re welcome. It’s the least I can do. Tristan and I really appreciate your hospitality.”

Wheels rumble over the tile floor as Annie moves the high chairs against the wall where they currently live. “I’m probably speaking too soon, but since we know I’m eventually going to be a De Rozier, I hope you realize I’d like for you to live with us.” She turns to me as I open the fridge to get the vegetables for the salad. “I have a thing about family being close.”

“I’ve noticed. And if you plan to keep me well fed like now, I’d be happy to live with you.” I throw in a bit to go with my cover story and my alibi tonight. “But I wonder if you’re thinking clearly. I fear you don’t approve of my wild side.”

A large bowl clatters on the counter, and Annie says, “Oh, no. I’m sorry if I gave you that impression. I’m quite aware of our animal urges. I’m more concerned about what drives you to be so reckless.”

She hands me a cutting board, and the wood handle is cool in my palm. I turn from her gaze abruptly so she doesn’t discover my shock. I can’t recall a time that someone really cared enough about my well-being to be worried about me. “No reason. I’m a free spirit and want to taste adventure before I settle down.”

My knife chops steadily as I slice a cucumber. I stop and resist the urge to glance over at Annie. “I’m merely sowing my wild oats, as my grandmother would say.”

Annie smiles at me. “Glad to hear it. Because I care about you.”

My ice cube of a heart might be glistening as it melts a little at her kindness. “I care about you too. I’m glad you’re Tristan’s true mate. He deserves a good woman like you.”

She snorts. “I’m not sure about that. I think I’m about to test him as much as he tests me.”

Without thinking, I reply, “That’s a good thing. Tristan needs someone to call him on things and remind him that being the alpha doesn’t always mean he’s right.” I wince internally at my words. I’m supposed to be playing him off as carefree and make her think he’ll be easy to manage.

Annie just nods, and it occurs to me she already knows about his need for control. She confirms it when she says, “I suspect our first fights are going to be epic as we battle for power over running the household.” She flicks the bread knife at me in jest. “I hope he’s prepared to die before I compromise over anything in the kitchen, because this is my domain.”

I grin at her. “As long as you promise to keep cooking, I’ve got your back.” Surprisingly, I think I do. I like Annie and want to be her friend. But dread wraps around my insides with a firm grip as I think about the next phase of the plan I’m about to set in motion tonight. Eventually, friendship with Annie will be out of the question.

Heat blows Annie’s curls as she puts the bread in the oven. She’s welcomed us with open arms since day one. It’s unfortunate she won’t trust so easily when we’re through.

I catch myself before I sigh. I’m getting too involved if I’m beginning to care about what happens to Annie. I focus on the prize, and my encounter later tonight. One thing the De Roziers do well is win. And nothing’s going to stand in the way of Tristan and me getting what we want.

A
nnie

T
he moment Tristan’s
foot finds mine under the dinner table, I know we need to finish things up quickly, before I lose myself in the intensity of our attraction. I still need to clear up the issue of his children he neglected to share. Although once we mate, I might be able to think more clearly.

My chair scrapes on the tile as I push away from the table to begin to clear dishes. Carly says, “Just one trip. You have a date.”

I set my plate on the counter and turn to her. “Thank you.” I glance at Tristan and try not to focus on the plump lips I’d like to sample for dessert. “I’m going to go upstairs and get my things.”

“Me too,” he says and gets up to follow me.

A low growl comes from him once we begin to climb the steps, and my insides twinge in reaction to the sound and the knowledge that he’s looking at my bottom and likes what he sees. I’m not a thin woman, like most werebear, and I know my round backside tempts many a male’s hands. But right now, there’s only one I want touching it, and it would be so easy to yank him into my bedroom and skip the pretenses.

I shake off my lust and focus on the conversation we need to have before I give him my physical commitment. I pause by my door to turn and speak to Tristan. “I’ll meet you in the Hummer.”

Tristan shakes his head. “This is a date. Wait by your door if I’m not back before you’re ready. I’m walking you to the car, and I plan to drive.”

I smile and give him a tiny nod before entering my room. He does know how to court me. I walk over to the bathroom to brush my teeth and check my makeup. Lipstick slides slowly over my lips as they burn in anticipation of being kissed. I take my time so Tristan will be waiting when I’m done.

When I’m ready, I sense he’s outside my door, and I pause to inhale his scent before I open it. I savor the electricity that races through me. Soon I’ll associate his smell with an intense reality, but for now the fantasy of what’s to come is a darn good motivator to remove the barrier between us. I exit my room.

Tristan offers me his arm, and we descend the stairs side by side, as if we’ve been doing it for years. “You fit next to me well. Just like when we were running together as bear.”

I gaze up at his icy-blue eyes. They’re like the pools of crystal-clear water I imagine exist in his homeland. “It’s a true mate thing. But I fear we’re going to have more struggles than most.”

Tristan grins at me, and his teeth sparkle in the entryway light as he pulls on the heavy front door. “Nothing we won’t be able to handle, love.”

I step through, and the contents of my purse rustle as I reach in and find the compartment that contains my car keys. I hand them to him. “Good. Now here’s my first compromise. I’ll let you drive my car.”

Tristan takes the keys with one hand and holds my fingers with his other as he brings it up to his lips. He kisses the back of my hand and whispers, “To many more.”

I smile as he leads me to the passenger’s side and lets me in. The engine roars softly when he turns it over and says, “I think we should go get dessert. I’m afraid I won’t be able to concentrate on a movie with you next to me in the dark. I may not be appropriate.”

I know what you mean.
“Good idea. A table between us might help me keep my focus. I have something I need to ask you.”

“No need to wait. I’ll tell you anything. Ask me now.”

“Okay.” I take a deep breath. “Tell me about your children.”

Tristan cuts me a quick glance, and I notice he doesn’t appear surprised. “I wondered when that would come up.”

“I only just found out. Why didn’t you mention it sooner?”

“I thought you knew.” The Hummer bumps over the snow-covered dirt road toward town.

“Why would you think that?” I ask.

“Because I expect your family researched mine the way we did yours. I doubt I have many secrets.”

“You haven’t been easy to research. You’ve lived a pretty secretive life by nature of your location.”

The car slows, and Tristan pulls over to a section of the road that has a wide shoulder designed for heavy equipment to get out of the way of traffic or for turning around. “Let me give you my full attention.”

His action surprises me. “Thank you.”

He takes my hands and rubs over the backs with his thumbs. “While you’ve had a true mate you lost, I never found one and married for the sole purpose of carrying on my family name. As you can imagine, it didn’t work out so well.”

I think I see sorrow in his face and say, “I’m sorry. Was your breakup painful?”

“It was messy. Magda left the clan.”

“Did she take your children?” I notice how warm his hands are as he continues to hold mine. They’re almost hot.

“No. My mother cares for them.”

“You must miss them.”

He shrugs. “They’re better off without me. I don’t have time to devote to raising children.”

The man has been with us for more than two weeks doing as he pleases as if this is a vacation, and he doesn’t have time for his kids? I pull my hands away. “Children need their father, even if it’s only for brief periods of time.”

“You haven’t got any idea what my kingdom is like, Annie. Our kind is dwindling in numbers, and those who are left are working like dogs to survive. I don’t have time to play games.”

My mother bear instincts kick in, and I react to his dismissal of his children’s needs. “But you’ve had no trouble treating your time here like a holiday.” As soon as the words come out of my mouth, I wish I could take them back. I’ve always had a roof over my head and food in my belly. I’ve had more than most, and I cringe that I reacted so callously.

He glares at me. “That’s what you think we’ve been doing? Your clan just killed an enemy, and the Veilleux eliminated one of your best warriors. Isabelle and I have been patiently waiting to make our arrangement and trying to be sensitive to your loss.” He thumps a hand down on the steering wheel, and it shudders under the impact. “But hey, let’s call your brother and get the deal done. Because we wouldn’t want me to be frolicking in the snow while I should be reading bedtime stories to my children.”

Tristan grabs my face in his hands. “And we might as well get the true mate bond over with too.” His kiss is rough, and I try to pull back. His tongue plunges into my mouth, and while my body is responding with urgency, my mind is furious at his attack. I pound on his chest, and he loosens his hold.

I break away. “Stop.”

His release is abrupt, and I realize he had no intention of taking things further. He asks, “What’s the matter? Don’t you want efficiency?”

Hot shame burns my cheeks, and I’m grateful for the near darkness surrounding us. But I know it’s not hiding anything, because moonlight illuminates Tristan’s face, and the muscles in his jaw are flexed as I say, “I’m sorry. You’re right. I don’t know what it’s been like for you. That was a careless thing for me to say.”

Tristan turns the key and shifts the car into drive. He pulls out without speaking, and we drive to town in silence. As tempted as I am to speak, I refrain and let his anger dissipate. I gaze out at the widening funnel of light that bounces off the snowbanks and dark shadows of pine trees that line the side of the street. My lips are swollen and burn under my tongue when I lick them. Eventually the car tires crunch over the frozen bits of snow in the parking lot of the Sweetery, a local bakery and coffee shop that caters to the college kids in town.

Tristan pulls into a spot, and when he turns off the car, he says, “I’ll answer any questions you have. But I’m beginning to doubt the wisdom of our union.”

I want to crawl in a hole with the guilt I feel. I’m embarrassed at my elitist attitude, and any appetite I had for dessert is gone. “I’m so sorry, Tristan. I’ve ruined our date. Why don’t we go home?”

He sighs, “That’s a good idea.”

We ride home in silence, and I mentally kick myself as I replay the mean things I said in an endless loop. I recall Carly saying the spirits are supposed to give us what we need. Did they think I needed to be knocked off my high horse? Consider me on the ground, wiping off the dirt, because I feel about as worthy as a pile of manure right now.

I sigh too and hope tomorrow I can make up for my selfish ways.