The Perfect Mate (4 page)

“Paul, tell me what happened out there.”

“Sir, I was watching Susan like you asked. She left work at her usual time, but she went the opposite way.” Paul looked at me like this was my fault. That raised my hackles.

“I was going shoe shopping. I had no idea someone was following me that wasn’t supposed to be.” I harrumphed at the end for good measure.

“Anyway, I smelled werewolf right away. They were not of our pack sir. I got her out of there as quickly as possible.”

I almost snorted. Quickly as possible my ass, he was feeling me up for probably ten minutes before we booked it.

Paul must have known where my thoughts had gone because he glanced my way. He turned back quickly, but I could have sworn I saw a red flush creep up his neck.

”Alright, Susan, I hate to tell you this, but you‘re going to have to stay here for awhile. It‘s the only way to keep you completely safe,” Nathaniel said.

”What?” I was too angry to keep up formal appearances. ”You can‘t....”

”I can and I will,” Nathaniel growled. ”You came into my territory. You told me what was going on, and we’re all grateful. But I can’t let you leave just so you can try and hide again. They will find you, Susan.” His tone softened a bit when he said, “You’re under my protection now and I will keep you safe. It’s the least I could do for your father.”

That took the wind out of my sails, momentarily. I was still angry at being told what to do, but I understood where he was coming from. He was my parent’s friend and he felt he was doing the right thing. I just hoped he was right. This was the safest place for me to be in the city; I knew that, but I’d prefer more miles between Gray and me.

After dismissing me, he asked Paul to stay and I left. It had turned out to be a pretty confusing day. I didn’t know what I was going to do about my situation. I knew Nathaniel wanted me to wait and let them handle Gray. And as much as I hated it, I knew it was for the best. But what was really bothering me was the situation with Paul. I didn’t want to get involved with the big guy, but my body wasn’t listening to my head. Every time he was around it was like my brain shut down. The only thing I knew to do was to stay away and that was going to be almost impossible with us under the same roof. I would try, I had to. I did not want to get into any kind of relationship right now. Things were too complicated in my life and werewolves like Paul, were too demanding.

If he were to be my mate, then everything would be different, but...no, I thought. Things couldn’t be different. I wasn’t ready to settle down. I wanted to explore the world, to be free and having a mate meant being strapped down with a husband and babies and I just wasn’t ready. I would definitely be staying away from the big guy. He didn’t seem like the mating type, but I didn't’ want to take that chance.

Chapter 4

Weeks went by without drama. Gray could have given up, but I seriously doubted it. He was probably lying low waiting for the right moment. It was a good time for me to leave town, but Nathaniel wouldn’t hear of it. He insisted I stay there until Gray was taken out completely. I was starting to get cabin fever. I hadn’t been to work in three weeks. Nathaniel called my boss and explained the situation. Mr. Boughtwright, my boss, was a werewolf, which of course was how I got the job, but it also meant he had to obey his Pack Master. So I was stuck trying to find ways to keep busy.

I spent most of my days walking around the mansion. There was so much of the house to see. The staff was great letting me hang out with them and I even helped out with some of the chores. I found a game room, which was awesome. It had pool and foosball tables as well as table tennis. There was a poker area and a movie theater as well as a bar and many comfy couches. I hung out there most evenings with the guys and a few girls as well.

I also spent my time avoiding Paul. If I even caught a glimpse of the big guy I ran the other way. There were a few close calls and once I even heard him call my name, but I just pretended not to hear. I knew that was immature, especially since he knew I could hear him just fine. I was a werewolf after all and my hearing was better than a human's. He never sought me out though, so I knew whatever he was going to talk to me about, must not have been important. I'd been pretty successful at keeping my distance, but I wasn't sure how much longer that success would last.

I hadn't dreamed of him since I came here either, which was strange. For three months I had that dream, almost every night. I wondered why it stopped. I was glad it had, but at the same time, I was confused.

I went for runs a lot. The woods around the mansion were perfect for us werewolves. They were dense and filled with streams. The abundance of wildlife was also excellent.

I did meet a really nice young woman named Rebecca. She was sweet and shy, so totally opposite of me, but we hit it off and became fast friends. She knew all the gossip in the pack. Because she was so quiet, no one seemed to notice her when things went down. I showed her how to play poker and soon we were teaming up to kick werewolf ass.

One night I grabbed Becky and tugged her up to my room. Sitting her down on the bed, I went to my closet and pulled out a shoe box. “What are we doing?” She asked in her sweet voice that should have had men running after her, but she didn’t speak enough for them to hear it.

“I am so bored, Becky. I’m not used to sitting around all day, so I was thinking we should liven things up around here,” I said with a grin.

“Who says we’re going to get into any trouble?” Becky snorted, but I ignored her. “I just want to have some fun. Look what I found.” I pulled the top of the shoe box off and grabbed the smaller box that was inside. When I lifted it up Becky gasped. It was only a box of condoms, but I still giggled like a school girl. This was already fun, but Becky was starting to look worried.

"Don't look at me like that. We're not going use them the way your thinking. You have a dirty mind, Becky." Her face turned bright red and she gave me a sheepish smile.

"So what are we going to do with them?" She asked.

"Well, we're going to give some of the guys a big surprise." I grinned wickedly. "We're going to fill them with water like water balloons."

"Oh, no," Becky moaned but I kept going.

"Then, we're going to go up to the balcony and drop them on the guards."

Becky burst out laughing, which was my intention. "Suzy...," she started, but couldn't stop laughing to finish. I waited until she calmed down and pleaded, "Come on, Becky. It's going to be so fun. They won't know what hit'em. Are you in?" After a long pause she finally agreed.

I emptied my laundry basket and headed to the bathroom with Becky on my heels. We filled all the condoms up with water until almost bursting, giggling the whole time. The box was the economy size and was mostly full, so there were a lot of condoms.

"Why do you have all these condoms, Suzy? Do you really go through all these?" Becky asked trying to sound nonchalant, but failing when she turned her head away covering her face with her long blonde hair. I knew she was blushing.

I nudge her in the arm with my shoulder playfully. "No! I don't go through all these. In fact I didn't have any. I stole these."

"What? From who?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I found them when I was helping the maids clean the bedrooms. They belong to one of the guards."

Becky snickered. "You're crazy. Whoever they belong to is going to find out what happen to his condoms once he hears about this."

I shrugged again. I didn't really care. I'd pay the guy for them if he got that upset. "I would like to know who they belong to though." I mused.

"Why?"

I held up the box. The front said Magnum size. "Whoever bought these has an ego the size of this house or is hiding something very impressive in those black cargo pants," I said batting my eyelashes.

Becky giggled and we left with our basket filled with goodies. We had covered the top with a towel so no one would notice the condoms. We got to the balcony that overlooked the back yard. I looked over the rail and a saw four guys standing around talking with their backs to us. They were probably off duty which was for the best. No matter what Becky thought I really didn't want to get into any trouble.

I looked back at my friend. She was waiting with the basket by the opened door. I put my finger to my mouth to remind her to keep silent. I nodded my head and pointed toward the guys below. Becky quietly came over with the basket and set it down between us. After lifting the towel off, we both grabbed a couple of condoms. We were trying not to laugh and were finding it difficult to hold on to them.

We both leaned over and dropped all four condoms. They hit their marks. All four guys let out curses and looked up. Becky and I didn't waste time. We grabbed more and started hurling them over the rail laughing the whole time.

"What the fuck?" One guy yelled.

"Who's doing that? Said another.

"Are those my condoms? They're the ones who stole my damn condoms." At that one Becky and I bent over laughing so hard, tears were streaming down our faces.

"I know who they are." I stopped laughing immediately. My eyes widened at the sound of his voice. It was the big guy and I was going to be in so much trouble. I turned quickly and grabbed the basket just as I heard a door slam. Becky and I rushed back inside and headed for my room.

"We should spit up," I said. Becky nodded and ran the other way. I didn't know where she was going, but I was sure she'd be fine. No one would ever believe she had anything to do with a prank. I continued down the hall toward my room. I tried not to run. I didn't want to look suspicious but I also knew I needed to hurry. If Paul caught me he would, well, I didn't know what he'd do, but I knew it wouldn't be good. He was the serious sort and probably couldn't appreciate a good prank. That thought proved he wasn't the one for me. I could never be with someone who couldn't have fun.

I almost made it to my door when a voice stopped me in my tracks. "Going somewhere?" Paul said as he stepped out of the shadows in front of me. He had been leaning right by my door and I didn't even see him.

I gasped and put my hand over my chest trying to calm my pounding heart. "Paul! I didn't see you there." The big guy just stood in the middle of the hallway with arms crossed, staring at me. I knew what would happen if I made eye contact, so I kept my gaze on his damp chin instead.

I started to feel a bit ridiculous just standing there so when he didn't say anything I said, "Well, I was just going to my room. I've got laundry to do." I lifted the empty basket for him to see. When he kept silent I started walking to my door. "Excuse me," I said when he didn't move out of my way. He didn't budge.

There were a couple of feet between our bodies, but it didn't feel like it. I could feel the heat of him and closed my eyes as awareness tingled down my spine. It would only get worse if I looked into his eyes, so I kept my gaze fixed on his arms that crossed his chest. I could see the tendons bunching as he flexed his hands. He must have been angry, but I was too preoccupied by watching water droplets run across his muscles to really care. Even the dark hair on his arms was sexy. And just the sight of the wet t-shirt molding his chest gave me goose bumps.

"You want to tell me what that was all about?" He suddenly asked. I lifted my eyes from his chest, but caught myself in time and focused on his chin again.

"What are you talking about?"

"You know damn well what I'm talking about Susan. Look at me."

I looked up and burst out laughing. His hair was plastered to his head. Water dripped off the ends and his shirt was soaked. It was hilarious to see him so disheveled.

"I'm glad you find this amusing," He said stiffly and I covered my mouth with my hand trying to stop another round of giggles. When he continued to glare at me, I had had enough.

"Oh lighten up big guy. Can't you take a joke?" I glared right back at him and put my hand on my hips giving him my best 'don't mess with me' attitude. As I stared into his amber eyes I realized the heat he was radiating wasn't caused by anger. I knew that look. I tried to step back, but he was suddenly right in front of me. He grabbed my hips and spun me around until my back was against the wall.

My eyes widened as his body pressed against mine. My hands had flown to his chest when he grabbed me and I could feel the hard muscle bunching under my palms. I gripped his shirt in reaction. My gaze was still locked with his and the desire I saw nearly knocked me down.

"Not so brave now, are you?" He said. My back stiffened, but he cut off my retort with his lips. His kiss was hard, demanding me to submit. I couldn't resist. My eyes closed and my hands slid to his shoulders, wrapping around his neck as I kissed him back. He nibbled on my bottom lip then licked the sting away. I parted for him and he plunged his tongue in deep. I angled my head and met each thrust with one of my own.

His hands gripped my hips, pulling me closer. All thought of how we shouldn't be doing this was gone when his hardness pressed against my belly. I moaned at how good it felt. I moved against him and he pushed back. My breast were smashed against his chest; my nipple stiff and aching. His wet shirt was cold making the tips of my breast even harder. The need for his touch was so great I began to rub my chest against his.

He glided his hands up my sides to cup my breasts between our bodies. I moaned into his mouth as his thumbs brushed my nipples. He pulled his mouth away nibbling down my chin. I gasped for breath as he licked a long stroke with his tongue down my neck. I leaned my head against the wall savoring the touch. He bent his knees slightly and put his mouth over the center of one breast. My breath caught when he sucked on my nipple through my shirt. Even through the layers of my bra and t-shirt, the feel of his mouth sucking me made my lower abdomen clinch.