by S. K. Yule
Chapter Seven
Kish watched as Georgia tightened her fist in a death grip around her seatbelt as the truck slid sideways once again. She kept her other arm around Lucy as if she could save the dog from harm, the dog that weighed nearly as much as she did. Motherly instincts never failed to amaze him. Motherly? The thought of Georgia holding a tiny baby girl with golden-blonde hair and big green eyes stole the breath from his lungs. His baby? Yes.
The thought of having a baby had never crossed his mind until now. Because you’d never met your mate until now. A strange pang fluttered in his chest.
No. No matter how much the idea appealed to him, he didn’t want to go through yet another rejection or worse, saddle Georgia with a scarred man like him.
He reached over and squeezed her gloved hand gently.
“It’s okay, Georgia. I know to your heightened senses it probably seems as if we are completely out of control, but I promise Baby is doing just fine. We won’t wreck. I’ve made this drive hundreds of times in snow like this, occasionaly worse.”
He wanted to comfort her, to reassure her that he’d never let anything happen to her, but at the same time, he didn’t want to give away the true depth of his feelings because he never planned to act upon them.
“I trust you, Kish. It’s just my reflexes.”
“The snow looks as if it might be slowing up. If it stops soon, I might be able make the trip to town tomorrow and pick your friends up.”
“That would be nice, but wouldn’t it be easier to simply take me to town? We could find a hotel to stay at.”
He laughed. “No hotels around here. Not a big enough demand for them with al the cabin rentals.”
“Oh.”
Her lips formed a perfect O and he ached to kiss them, had almost done so earlier, would have done so if that damned tree hadn’t falen on the house. The wolf was itching to claim her, but he refused to alow it. She wasn’t for him, and his ugly mug wasn’t for her. Maybe the tree faling was Mother Nature’s way of teling him to keep his paws off. He almost laughed out loud at that thought. Fate and Mother Nature going head to head, scratching, hair puling, and al.
One trying to get him to claim Georgia, one trying to get him to keep his hands off such a thing of beauty.
Which one was right? He scrubbed his hand over the stubble on his face. Didn’t matter. He would do what was right for him, which meant protecting his heart from being broken again.
“I don’t mind if you and your friends stay at my place until it’s safe to travel again. I have plenty of room.”
“That’s kind of you. Thank you.”
That was a new one. A woman thanking him for something. He thought back to his relationship with Connie. He’d given her nice things, had cooked romantic dinners for her, had given her nearly everything she’d asked for, yet he couldn’t recal one single time she’d thanked him. In fact, if memory served him right—and it did—she’d always acted as if she expected those things from him, as if she was entitled to them somehow.
He barely held back a disgusted snort because it just dawned on him that none of the women he’d been with had thanked him for anything. Not that he expected to be praised for everything he did because he’d done the things he had out of love, not for the gratitude he hoped to gain in return. But fuck, was it wrong to want some appreciation now and then?
Hadn’t he shown appreciation when Connie had . . .
He almost snorted again. Connie had what? Done something nice for him? Nothing in particular he could recal that she’d done just for him. Why hadn’t he noticed that before? Why hadn’t he noticed it with the women before Connie? Why hadn’t he noticed that he had been dating a bunch of shalow, self-righteous bitches from hel who had no care other than what they could get out of the world?
“Is something wrong?”
Her voice puled him back to the present. “No.
Why?”
She shrugged. “You got awful quiet, and the vibes got a little heavy in here.”
“The vibes?”
“Yeah. I tend to feel it when people get tense too.
Kind of like when a storm is brewing. The air gets heavy.”
He understood that perfectly. He felt the heaviness in the air before a storm as wel, but he’d never applied that analogy to people.
“Nothing is wrong.”
“I’m glad, but if something is bothering you, I’d be happy to lend a listening ear.”
“Why would you do that?”
She frowned. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“People don’t tend to care al that much about other people’s feelings. They are mostly too worried about their own to bother.”
“I think you’ve been hanging around the wrong people, Kish Frahm. Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who care about other’s feelings. I’m one of them. How sad it would be if humanity were bled dry of sympathy, kindness, and love of his felow man.”
He did snort this time. “Happens every day. I’ve run into more people that don’t give a shit than those who do.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve met people like that as wel, but I’ve met more who care.”
“Lucky for you.”
“Yes.” She smiled. “Hmm.”
“Hmm, what?”
“Maybe that’s why we met?”
“And why would that be?” Because you’re my mate and fate threw us together at the worst possible time?
“Maybe Karma knew you needed someone who cared.”
“Karma? I thought Karma was what kicked your ass when you wronged someone else?” Of which he thought was total bulshit because he doubted Karma would fuck with Connie or any of his other exes for what they’d done to him. But hel, he must have done some serious shit to piss Karma off for saddling him with the uncaring bitches it had.
“Yeah. Maybe, but it also brings good things to those who deserve it.”
“If you say so.”
“I do.”
Did he deserve good things from Karma? If so, it sure had a piss-poor way of showing it up to this point in his life.
“Hang on. I’m turning down my drive now, and it’l get bumpy.”
“I thought it already was bumpy.” She laughed.
It took him longer than normal to get to his house, but Baby had cut a respectable path through the deep snow on his way out. Getting back in or out would be much easier now providing another wave of snow didn’t completely cover the tracks.
He pressed the button on the garage remote on his visor when the garage came in sight, and the door eased open. He puled inside then hit the button again to close it behind them.
“Home sweet home.”
She let out a long, slow breath of what he took to be relief.
“I’l need to take Lucy out again before we go in.”
“Is it al right if I take her?”
Georgia nodded. “It is, but realy, if you can point me to a place she can go, once I give her the command, she’l go on her own. She won’t go far from me.”
“Good enough. Stay there and I’l come around and help both of you out.”
“I can manage.”
“Please. Wait for me. The step on Baby wil be wet and slippery. I don’t want you to fal and get hurt.”
Damn, this woman was independent. He liked it, but not at the cost of her getting hurt. Yeah. That and maybe you wouldn’t mind if she was dependent on you a little? He didn’t want to mul that thought over any further and promptly got out of the truck. He went around and helped Georgia and Lucy out. He then led Georgia to the side yard. “If you promise not to move from this spot, I’l get your things and take them inside.”
“You know, Lucy is trained to guide me, Kish.”
“I know, but with her paw situation and the deep snow, I would be more comfortable if you would wait. It’l only take me a couple minutes.”
Georgia sighed. “Very wel.”
He shook his head and muttered, “Damn stubborn woman.”
/> “Hey!” Georgia said indignantly.
“Damn, you have good ears. I’m going to have to remember that.” Why was it so hard for him to remember? He could hear even better than she could.
It was hard because he didn’t come across many— actualy any—humans that could hear as wel as Georgia.
“Yeah. You do need to remember that.” She laughed. “And, yes. I am stubborn and proud of it.”
“That’s a loaded statement coming from a woman.”
“Why’s that?”
“Independent women tend to get into lots of trouble.”
“Kish Frahm! That is one sexist remark that I refuse to alow to persuade me into an argument with you.”
“It’s not sexist. It’s the truth.” He found the playful banter amusing, liked it even.
“Hmmph. Go take the bags in before I do something horrible like throw a snowbal in your face.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And stop caling me ma’am. It makes me feel old.”
“Panties in a bunch,” he muttered as he walked back to the truck.
“I heard that!”
“I know,” he caled over his shoulder.
She was something else. Yeah. And she’s yours.
The wolf caled to him. No. Ain’t going to happen.
Forget it.
Once they got inside Kish’s house, he settled her into a spare bedroom and helped her rewrap Lucy’s paw before she tried Henry’s cel number from the landline. Finaly, on the fifth ring, he answered.
“Henry?”
“Georgia! Oh my God.”
“Is that Georgia?” Joey’s voice came softer in the background.
“Yes. Are you okay? We are stranded in town.
We’ve been trying to cal you, but we can’t get through on your cel.”
“I know. I don’t have a signal. I’m okay. Are you two okay?”
“Yes. Mr. Kemp, the man who owns the grocery store, is letting us stay in his spare room until the storm passes.”
“Good. I’d hate to think you two were stranded in the SUV.”
“What about you? The firewood has to be getting low by now. I know the electric is out up there.
Frank has a generator, but—”
“Whoa, Henry. There was a little accident at Frank’s”
“Accident?”
“What accident?” Joey said in the background.
“Quiet. I’m trying to find out. What accident, Georgia?”
“A tree fel on the house, put a hole in the roof, and destroyed the generator, but everything is fine. A neighbor came to see if I was okay. I’m staying at his house. He said if the snow continues to let up, he might be able to get into town to pick you two up tomorrow. If it doesn’t, it might be a couple days.”
“You are at a strange man’s house?”
“What?” Joey.
Argument ensued between Henry and Joey.
“Hey. Hey! Guys! Guys!” Once the other end of the line got quiet, she continued. “I am okay. Kish has been nothing but kind to me. Besides, I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself. I wil cal you tomorrow if we are able to get out to pick you up.”
“We’re just worried about you, Georgia.”
“I know. But there is no need. I’m fine. Besides, there isn’t anything you can do about the situation so it’s useless to worry. I’l give you Kish’s number in case you need to get in touch with me before I cal you tomorrow.”
After giving Henry the number and talking to Joey for a few minutes, she assured them both once again that she was fine and hung up.
“They sound like they care about you.”
“Yes, they do. I’ve known Henry and Joey a long time.”
“I wasn’t eavesdropping. But it was hard not to catch some of the conversation when I’m right here in the kitchen.”
“It’s your home, Kish. You can do as you wish.”
“I know that, but I prefer if you are comfortable while your here. I wouldn’t want to do anything to make you otherwise.”
“You’ve been nothing but kind to Lucy and me. I feel at home.”
She did too. Kish had gone out of his way to take care of her, and she appreciated the gesture. He was a good man. She never got anything but good vibes from him. His scent was another story. She stil couldn’t determine what that hint of wildness about him was. She had nothing to compare it to other than animals, and it bothered her that she couldn’t figure it out.
She also didn’t like the way he withdrew from her under certain circumstances. Like the way he didn’t want her to touch his face, or the way he talked about Karma. If she wasn’t mistaken, someone had hurt him in his past, maybe recently. The way he expressed his feelings about uncaring people made her sad. Why would anyone hurt Kish? No one would do the things for her, a complete stranger, that he had if they were uncaring. Therefore, he didn’t deserve to be treated badly.
Whoa. Slow down there, Georgia. Jumping to all sorts of conclusions here. She had a bad habit of doing that. Although she was rarely wrong about the vibes she picked up from others, it didn’t mean she was always right about the details.
“Would you like something to eat?”
Her stomach gurgled right after he asked the question and they both chuckled. “I think I would.
Can I help?”
“Nope. I set down a bowl of water and food for Lucy as wel. Hope that was okay.”
“Yes, but I wish you’d let me help.”
“No need. I’m going simple. Omelets and salads.”
“That sounds good, but I kind of had you pegged for a meat and potatoes kind of guy.”
“Realy?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Just so happens that you are right, but since I had a huge steak earlier, I think I can survive with an omelet.”
Georgia covered her mouth as she yawned.
“Sorry. It’s been a long day.” Not to mention that the excessively long, bumpy, and gut-wrenching ride from Frank’s place to Kish’s had drained her.
“Yes, it has. I have onion, tomato, cheese, and mushrooms for the omelets. You okay with al of that?”
“No onion, please. I’d prefer not to have dog breath in the morning.” She giggled.
“Dog breath?”
“Yeah. Henry and Joey have always said that I have breath that could kil a dog in the morning if I eat onions before going to bed.”
“I think Henry and Joey are giving you a hard time.”
She nodded. “I think so too, but since they aren’t here to do so, I’l skip the onions in their honor.”
Kish chuckled, and her tummy clenched. The more she talked to him, every passing minute she spent in his company made her aware of the growing attraction she had for him. She longed to run her fingers over his face, yearned to see the man she was drawn to. Not that his looks mattered al that much to her because she was more interested in what was on the inside than the outside of people. She simply wanted that knowledge, that intimacy with him.
“What brought you and your friends up here, Georgia?”
“Oh. Wel, that’s kind of hard to answer. Frank married Henry’s sister, and since Henry’s sister doesn’t like nature al that much, the cabin hasn’t been used. We have talked in the past about al the things we’d like to do one day, and roughing it out in the woods was one. It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment, spontaneous thing actualy. I think we bit off more than we could chew, though.”
“It’s not bad up here most of the time. I have to agree that you probably shouldn’t have come up in the winter, though.”
“Yeah. Can’t argue with you on that one. We checked the forecast, and it was supposed to be nice.”
“Never trust the forecast for northern Wisconsin in the winter. They are rarely accurate, as you can see.”
“Yes, I certainly can. I’m glad you were here to help me, Kish.”
Georgia frowned when he didn’t say anything. He seemed guarded around her, but she wondered if he realized how
much info he gave her with his responses. Probably not. Most people wouldn’t have read much into the earlier Karma conversation because they wouldn’t have noticed the tone of Kish’s voice, the tone that indicated people’s uncaring nature was a serious sore spot with him. Nor would they have caught on to the way he seemed confused by her gratitude Even people who weren’t used to receiving much gratitude usualy stumbled around a thank-you or otherwise, but Kish truly seemed perplexed, speechless by it. Had no one in his life thanked him for his kindness?
Ten minutes later, they were eating their meal. The texture of the omelet was perfect and gave way to melted cheese, tomato, and mushroom.
“My goodness. This is the best omelet I’ve ever eaten. You are a wonderful cook.”
Silence met her, and she thought she could hear the faint sound of him shifting in his chair. So he didn’t do good with compliments either. That made her sad.
Kish seemed like a kind, decent man. You just met him, Georgia. You have no idea who he is or what he’s done in his past.
But something deep inside her argued with that statement no matter how logical it may be. She knew in her heart that he was exactly what she thought.
Kind and decent.
Chapter Eight
Kish shifted uneasily in his chair. He’d only known Georgia for a few hours, and she’d already complimented him and thanked him more times than al the women combined in his past. When she did so, it gave him a warm sensation in his chest, but he had no idea how to respond.
How about thank you? You know? Thank you?
Nothing like caling yourself a dumbass. He always was his own worst critic.
He enjoyed watching her eat her meal. She roled each bite around as if savoring it for every moment she could, but when her pink tongue darted out and licked the fork between each bite, he had a much different response. His cock hardened painfuly, and his fingers itched to touch her. He wanted her. He could not deny that, but he didn’t want to be hurt.
Maybe it would be worth it to have her under him, to feel the silky skin of her thighs wrapped around his waist as he slid deep inside her slick pussy.
He closed his eyes and took in a slow breath. Cut it out. This can’t happen. If he made love to Georgia, he would be a lost man. Deep down, he was certain that if he crossed that line with her, he’d never be able to let her go, and he wouldn’t do that to her. But what if she did want him? What if she agreed to be his mate, let him change her, spend her life with him? He could give her her vision if he changed her. Didn’t she deserve that?
