by Milly Taiden
Summer nodded.
“It’s passed down in a family line, but others can challenge us for the right to be alpha. As you’ve heard, size isn’t everything. You have to know how to use what you’ve got.”
Quinn laughed and Summer shook her head. He had to say it. It just went along with his earlier size comments. He ran the loofah down her arm and Summer shivered. “Very cute, but I get what you’re saying. When we were having sex, you called me mate. Several times actually. Was that an endearment?”
Summer shifted in the tub so she was now facing him. She held a hand out for the loofah. “I’m sorry. I just felt a connection to you right away, so I was curious if you did, too.” Summer was embarrassed she asked, but everything felt right and she wanted to be sure it wasn’t in her head. She leaned forward and ran the soapy loofah over his chest.
“Summer, you’re my mate. That means my bear and I knew right away you were the one for us. There’s only one person who could make my bear happy and that’s you. So, yes, it was an endearment, a possession, and a declaration of love.”
Summer didn’t know what to say. She felt tears sting her eyes. “Wow, okay.” Summer nodded. She realized she probably looked stupid, but she was a bit shocked by his declarations.
“Summer, that doesn’t mean you are expected to change your whole life just because I love you. We can take this slow. As slow as you need. I know the physical side of a relationship can be less stressful, even easier, than the emotional. Let’s finish cleaning up, and I’ll give you a tour of my place. We can get to know each other.”
Summer picked up the loofah she hadn’t realized she’d dropped. “I think I’m ready to get out. I would love a tour. Maybe you can tell me how you became the successful owner of the Beary Comfortable Bed and Breakfast.”
Summer watched as Quinn threw his head back and laughed. He stood, letting the soap and water run down his body. He stepped out and grabbed an oversized towel.
“Keep looking at me like that and our tour will be delayed.”
Summer licked her lips and watched Quinn wrap the towel around his waist. He turned and grabbed a second one off the rack. “Come on, beautiful, let me get you dried off.”
Summer stood in the tub and Quinn took her hand, helping her step out. When she stood next to the tub, he bent down and ran the towel across her feet and up her legs. Summer had never been pampered like this. That it was a man like Quinn spoiling her made her heart full.
Quinn moved to her stomach and breasts. She watched his eyes as he inspected her flesh, but he never paused. “Turn around, I don’t want you to get cold.” Summer turned and watched him in the mirror. Quinn ran the towel down her back and across her ass, then down each leg. “All right, you’re dry and can get dressed.”
Summer started to walk out of the bathroom and realized he had to put on the same clothes from earlier. “I’m sorry you don’t have clothes here to change into.”
Quinn put his hand on the back of his neck and squeezed. “Uh, yeah, about that. This is my room. I stay here when we are short-staffed or if I’m working late.”
Summer walked over to the bed and dropped on it. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. I mean this room is too big and too nice to just to give to anyone.”
Quinn walked over and knelt in front of her. “This room isn’t good enough for you. As my mate, I would move heaven and earth to make you happy. This is your room and yours alone as long as you want to stay here. The key is in my jeans and it’s yours.”
Summer wrapped her arms around Quinn and hugged him tightly. Quinn scooted closer and Summer felt him nuzzle her neck. “Quinn, take off your towel.” He didn’t say anything just released the knot at his waist and his cock popped up between them.
She scooted forward on the bed and pushed him until he lay on his back on the floor. “I need to feel you inside me. I want that connection, the physical one, right now.”
Summer moved to straddle his hips and slide his cock inside. “You set the pace, take what you need,” Quinn murmured and Summer rocked on his cock, staring into his eyes. “That’s it, baby, ride me.”
She moaned and threw her head back. Quinn leaned up and ran his hands over her shoulders and down to her breast. He let them trail down and Summer gasped when he palmed one breast. His other hand she felt slide down her stomach and gasped when he flicked her clit.
“Keep moving, Summer. I love watching you like this.” Quinn groaned and Summer smiled down at him. She ground her body into his and leaned forward to put her hands on his chest.
“I’m coming, Quinn. Come with me, please.” He moaned and Summer clenched her walls as tightly as she could. She let out a muffled scream and dropped on to his chest. Quinn wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Summer felt loved and protected.
Chapter Twelve
Twenty minutes later and they made it down the stairs fully dressed. “Quinn, how many rooms do you have here?” Summer wanted to see everything and felt like her head was on a swivel.
“We have three guest rooms on the second floor and two on the third floor. One is the master bedroom, as you saw. The other up there we use as a honeymoon suite type room. On the first floor, you saw the check-in area, and we have a living room for guests to sit and watch TV, play cards, or just hang out.
“The dining room is connected to the kitchen. We have one more room. It’s called the sunroom, but for me, it’s really a back porch. We like to serve breakfast out there for the early risers. It’s cool and the view can be amazing.” Quinn glanced at her and smiled.
“This really is amazing.” They reached the bottom of the stairs and a tall man came around the corner and sighed.
“I wasn’t sure where you were, Quinn, but Mrs. Dobson called me. She said the new guest’s car was vandalized. She was rambling but said we only had one guest checking in today and you were probably escorting her around the property. I came over to see if I could help.”
Summer gasped when it registered what he said. “My car was vandalized?” She rushed toward the front door and Quinn’s growl stopped her in her tracks.
“Wait, let me check it out first. Donovan, keep her inside for a minute, please.” Summer spun around and glared at Quinn.
“It’s my car and I’m capable of protecting myself.” Summer refrained from stomping her foot. Mostly because of the smirk on Donovan’s face.
Quinn walked up to her. “I know, sweetheart. But you’re my mate and I was serious when I said I would always watch out for you. My bear would not be happy if I let you go outside before I made sure it was safe. Please, give me a minute to look around and then Donovan, my beta, can bring you outside, okay?” Quinn leaned in and gave her a quick kiss, then walked out the door.
Summer was both pissed and bemused.
“Mate, huh? I guess I need to introduce myself before you get a bad impression of me.” Donovan stretched a hand out and Summer took it. “My name is Donovan Kane, I’m a brown bear shifter and Quinn’s beta. It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”
Summer figured he was probably trying to stall, but it seemed like something else was on his mind, too. “Summer Delgado, nice to meet you, Donovan. Can I go outside now?”
Donovan glanced out the front window and back at her. “See, since you’re Quinn’s mate, I now have to answer to you, but I can’t let you go outside until he says it’s safe. Your safety is the den’s most important job.”
Summer was shocked. She had too much information thrown at her in such a short time. She needed to check on her car and think, preferably alone for a few hours.
“Summer…Quinn said it was safe to come outside.” Donovan stood at the front door and waited for her. She rushed forward and out the door.
She ran down the steps and froze in her tracks. On the side of her car were long scratches and the windshield was bashed in. Quinn held a piece of paper in his hand and watched as she got closer.
“Summer, someone wants you to stop looking into Gerri Wilder�
��s break-in.” Quinn was agitated and his bear was fighting to get control and protect their mate.
“I haven’t really investigated much yet. I only spoke with Barry at the apartment complex.” Summer’s voice trailed off. The doorman seemed like a good lead to check on. Maybe Barry had gathered some information while talking to the other employees.
“Summer, I’ll get your car towed to a shop and pay for the damages. It happened on my property so I’m responsible. Please, don’t go do anything stupid until I can go with you.” Quinn grimaced and Summer stalked up to him.
“What did you say? Don’t do anything stupid. Really?” She stomped a few steps away. “I should’ve known you sounded too good to be true. I’m calling Winter, my sister, to come to pick me up. I’ll be back later, but I need some time to think about all the information piled on me today. Don’t follow me or send your lackey after me, either, dammit.”
Summer fumed and walked up to the porch swing by the front door. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and texted Winter.
I’m at Beary Comfortable B & B. Please pick me up ASAP. I’ll fill you in after, HURRY!
Summer set her phone down and glared at Quinn as he inspected her car.
Chapter Thirteen
Winter couldn’t believe her sister got her a job working with Gerri Wilder of the Paranormal Dating Agency. This was a dream come true and more than she ever expected to find. Winter needed to visit with Gerri. She wanted to meet the woman. You could gauge a person’s personality and expectations better that way. After lunch with her sister the previous day, Winter had called Gerri Wilder and asked to set up a meeting.
Winter parked outside the apartment complex and stared up at the building. “Come on, girl. Get out there and take this step to make your business grow. It’s a party. Turn on the outgoing Winter and let’s do this.” After her pep talk, Winter felt ready to play her role.
She walked up to the lobby and a man opened the door. “Hello, madam. How can I help you?”
“I have a meeting with Gerri Wilder. Last name Delgado.”
He frowned. “You’re Ms. Delgado?”
She nodded with a grin. “That’s me.”
He laughed. “I was just going to call you.”
She frowned. “Shit, is Gerri rescheduling our meeting?”
He gave her a confused look. “No, no. Not that I’ve been told. I thought you were a different person. An investigator with the same last name. I was going to call about the break-in.”
Winter realized he’d assumed it was Summer meeting with Gerri. “Ah, I get it. The private investigator is actually my twin. I’m just a party planner.”
He nodded in understanding. “That makes perfect sense. I was confused wondering the odds of two different women with the same last name meeting with Mrs. Wilder. Please forgive me. I won’t bother you anymore.”
Winter shook her head and walked by him. “No big deal. I’ll let my sister know you wanted to talk to her, though.” She glanced back over her shoulder as she waited for the elevator to find the man staring at her intently. He gave her the heebie-jeebies, but she wasn’t sure why. He was friendly enough, but why did he pale when she said she wasn’t Summer?
The elevator dinged and she put him out of her mind as she prepared for the meeting with Gerri Wilder. This would be a huge accomplishment and she wanted it to go perfectly. Reaching the floor, the doors opened and Winter walked down the hallway, shaking out her hands and muttering to herself. “Just smile, be friendly, you got this.”
She stopped in front of the apartment door and took a deep breath. She lifted her hand to knock and the door swung open. Winter jumped and her hand automatically covered her mouth. “Um, hi. I’m sorry, you startled me.”
“No worries, dear, you must be Winter. Please come in. Summer told me so much about you, I feel like we are old friends already.”
Gerri stepped back and waved Winter in. She tentatively stepped inside and realized she wasn’t portraying a confident woman. She needed to be the party planner, not the Winter she was the rest of the time.
“Thank you for meeting me on such short notice, Mrs. Wilder. My sister said you wanted to throw a Christmas party and since we are nearing Halloween already, I wanted to get a jump start.” Winter walked to the table in the middle of the room and set her bag on it. “I’ve made a few notes already but would really like to find out what you had in mind first.”
Gerri shut the door and chuckled as she came over to the table. “Please, dear, sit. Would you like tea or brownies? I’ve been baking and they are delicious if I do say so myself.”
Winter smiled and pulled out a chair. “That sounds lovely. Thank you.” She watched Gerri walk into the kitchen and she turned to her bag to pull out a notepad and pen.
Gerri walked out with a tray and the aroma of chocolate wafted through the room. Winter could feel saliva pooling in her mouth. Gerri laughed. “Chocolate seduces better than most men. Mind you, not most shifters but men.”
Winter felt heat fill her cheeks and she glanced down at her notebook. She cleared her throat. “Do you have a particular theme in mind for the party? I know you wanted it around Christmas, but is there anything specific you are looking for?”
Gerri poured milk into her tea and took a sip. “Perfect. My vision of the party... Well, I want to match as many couples as I can. Not for the night, don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with hooking up for a release, but my goal is for everyone to find their happily ever after. I plan to invite the local alphas of the different packs, dens, and clans in the area. A few members of their groups. Humans, of course, men and women. Plus a few politicians. I can’t forget them, but they are not my focus.”
Winter quickly wrote all this down and reached for a brownie. The first bite melted in her mouth and she moaned. “Oh, I’m so sorry. That was embarrassing.”
Gerri burst into laughter. “Never apologize for pleasure. You will find it’s one of life’s greatest joys. Whether it’s found in food, sex, or something else.”
Winter choked on the brownie and stared at Gerri. She was shocked and didn’t know what to say. “Um, so, do you want it winter themed or Santa, elves themed?” Winter finished her brownie and grabbed her own cup of tea. She looked at the tray for the sugar and a spoon, Gerri held both out to her. Then she moved the milk closer to Winter. She smiled her thanks at Gerri.
“Winter, I trust your judgment. I’ve done my research on you and your company. My only requirement is that you have security on-premises and they are involved in the early planning.” Gerri picked up a brownie and took a small bite.
“That’s no problem. Do you have a specific company you want me to use? Also, if I may ask, why security? Is it because of the break-in here or...” Winter shouldn’t have been so nosy, but she wanted to know if she should expect trouble.
“Because of my guests. I’m sure you are aware of the anti-shifter group in the area. I swear they try to sabotage every event I host. Plus, when you have politicians on the guest list, security is a must.” Gerri wiped her hand on a napkin. “I wrote down the company name and the contact person I would like you to use. Also, would you take these brownies with you? Summer could use a pick-me-up.”
Winter nodded but was confused. What did she mean Summer needed a pick-me-up? Had she talked to her today? As Gerri took the tray into the kitchen, Winter’s phone dinged and she pulled it out of her bag to check before Gerri came back.
Summer: I’m at Beary Comfortable Bed and Breakfast. Please pick me up ASAP. I’ll fill you in after. HURRY!
Winter gasped and typed out an okay, then dropped the phone in her pocket and quickly packed up her things and chugged her tea. She didn’t want to be rude and not finish it. Gerri walked in with a plastic container.
“Go, darling. I’ll be in touch if I need anything. Finn is your contact at the security company. His card is on top.” Gerri tapped the business card on the container she handed Winter.
Winter was beginning
to understand how Gerri Wilder was such a successful matchmaker. She was...different for sure. “Thank you. I’ll get started right away and call Finn first thing.”
Gerri smiled and walked to the door. “Be safe on your drive. Talk soon, darling.”
Chapter Fourteen
Quinn watched as his mate drove off with her sister. He didn’t get to meet Winter.
“Mate, Quinn? When did you meet her? How did you meet her, man?” Donovan stood at his side, watching them drive away.
Quinn sighed and turned back to her car. “Yesterday, at Gerri Wilder’s apartment. She ran into me in the elevator. She showed up today to dig up dirt on me.” Quinn smirked and glanced at Donovan. “She’s a private investigator looking into the break-in at Gerri Wilder’s apartment. The new doorman told her I visit weekly and she said she needed to weed me out as a suspect.”
“Not to be disrespectful to your mate, but that’s an interesting way to rule out a suspect.”
Quinn groaned.
“Shifter’s noses can be a pain in the ass, man. I explained why I was there and then asked her to look into my mother and brother’s disappearances. The rest... Well, I told her she was my mate and we would take it as slow as she wanted. Don’t be an asshole. Wait until you meet your mate and see how easy it is for you to resist her.”
His bear was antsy and pissed he let her drive away, reminding them both that her investigating two cases wasn’t helping anything. Someone vandalizing her car was a warning to stay away. He had distracted her from the note when he told her not to do anything stupid and while it wasn’t his intention, it was a good thing.
Quinn handed the note to Donovan. “Can we get someone to follow her and make sure she’s safe? I don’t know what she stirred up, but someone clearly wants her to go away.”
