“What are you thinking about, kitten? Are you worried that Emily won’t like it there?”
Shame swamped her. Here she was worried about her inexperience, when her little sister’s safety and happiness were at stake. Charli couldn’t imagine Emily disliking a place where she could be herself. Especially if that place meant the needles and tests would stop.
Looking up, she opened her mouth to talk but nothing came out. How could she explain her thoughts in front of company? It was bad enough she was going to have to admit them to Judge. She feared he would view her as a child. And who would blame him.
Nikki came to her rescue. “Come on, Viper. I think I need a rest,” she said. Charli looked back at her and sent her a smile in thanks. It was answered with an understanding wink.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I knew you were pushing yourself,” Viper gently chastised Nikki as he swung her into his arms. She gave a giggle. Viper turned to Judge and said, “Call me if you need anything.”
“Thank you, brother. But I think we’ll be fine for the night. We’ll be heading off to see Emily soon anyway.”
Suddenly, Charli felt even more nervous. Maybe it was a bad idea to be left alone with Judge. Her hormones danced at the idea while her heart climbed into her throat. How could she tell this gorgeous man, who was expecting her to mate with him, that she had no experience with men? She wasn’t sure she could handle his laughter after the day she’d had.
Chapter Twelve
Judge watched his brother carry Nikki out of his quarters. The closer Viper and Nikki got to the door, the tenser Charli became. With his arms full, Viper pulled the door with his foot. In doing so, the door slammed shut, causing Charli to jump up from his lap. She began to pace. With each passing, she moved farther away from him.
Walking over to stand in front of her, effectively stopping her nervous wanderings, he placed his hands on her shoulders. “What is it, kitten? You can tell me anything.”
“You’ll laugh,” she said softly, ducking her head.
“Charli, if it worries you, then it’s no laughing matter to me. Your happiness is now one of my top priorities.”
“What are the others?”
“Your health and safety,” he replied quickly. “Along with Emily’s, of course.”
“But why?”
“Because we are mates, and Emily is now my family,” he told her. But the confused look on her face suggested he had misinterpreted her question.
“I don’t mean, why is Emily so important to you. Though in a way I do,” Charli informed him, embarrassment and confusion the two battling emotions in her eyes. “I mean, why are you worried about us at all?”
“Because we are mates,” he repeated. Now it was his turn to be confused. It was not an emotion he usually allowed into his life.
“Is that the only reason?” she asked softly, dropping her gaze. He caught a glimpse of the shyness that now resided in her eyes, replacing the strong woman he was used to seeing.
It finally hit him what she was asking. She had previously hinted at her lack of relationship experience with men, which he silently reveled at. He suspected her worry revolved around her innocence. And if she was anything like Gabby, she would probably also come to question his attraction to her, if she hadn’t already.
Devil had had trouble admitting his feelings to himself, let alone Gabby when they had first mated. He’d insisted that he intended on keeping her in his life because they were mates. And that was the only reason he wouldn’t let her go. It had caused Gabby unnecessary hurt—something Judge refused to allow his mate to experience.
“Charli, look at me,” he gently ordered. Her compliance was slow in coming, but eventually he was gifted with her violet gaze meeting his. “While the mating bond helps the attraction between mates build, it has nothing to do with my need for you. You’re my own personal siren, who calls to everything within me. No woman has ever affected me as you do. The power you hold over me is unmoving and complete. Please never doubt that my feelings for you are real, and not some chemical response to the mating bond.”
“But how can you have feelings for me when you hardly know me?” she asked before lowering her gaze again. “How is it that I’ve accepted you as a part of my future when I barely know you?”
“Kitten, we know more about each other than you realize. I know that you are a smart, caring woman who is protective of what she views as hers. Those qualities alone guarantee you would be the perfect alpha’s mate. Then let’s not forget that you’re tenacious with your values and generous with your time.”
“How can you be so sure of all of that?”
“Look at how hard you have fought and what you’ve given up for a sister you had never met before. And what about your previous boss?” Judge replied. “But I do have one problem with what I know of you.”
“Oh, and what’s that?” Charli’s gaze met his in challenge.
“It’s that stubborn independence you continue to insist on,” he answered, offering her one of his best grins. While he was hoping to use it to soften her response, he meant every word he spoke. He was a man who was used to being obeyed, and Charli had already demonstrated several times her inability to follow his orders.
“I didn’t bow down to Delgado, and he held a gun to my head. I somehow doubt your punishment could be any worse than that,” she asserted, lifting her chin in the air.
“Oh, kitten, how you tempt me,” Judge said, trying to keep the mood light. His true feelings about Delgado’s actions would have to remain hidden. His mate was anxious enough without coming face-to-face with his inner animal. The same beast who had plans for Delgado.
“Exactly how am I tempting you?” Confusion once again marred her beautiful eyes. He was reminded of her innocence in the way of relationships.
“My punishments would never place you in harm’s way, but they will have you screaming by the end,” he promised.
“Punishments?” she stuttered.
“Oh yes. You have already racked up several,” he explained before rubbing his hardened cock against her lower stomach. “And while they will leave you hoarse from your scream, they will also leave you satisfied.”
Her eyes glazed over, while her cheeks reddened. Her excitement and embarrassment had him hissing his own enjoyment. The aroma of her juices surrounded him, drowning him in her scent.
He wouldn’t have been able to help himself, even if Charli’s tongue hadn’t poked out between her lips, inviting him to continue with his plans. Leaning forward, he paused just before their lips touched. He didn’t have to wait for long. Within seconds, Charli closed the gap between them, smashing her lips to his. Their mouths moved together in an uncoordinated frenzy, their tongues dueling for supremacy.
His previous experience didn’t prepare him for his first embrace with his mate. He felt as untrained and unschooled as he knew his mate was. He forced himself to pull back from the kiss slightly, softening his lips and slowing his tongue’s motions.
She followed his lead, her tongue taking time to taste every inch of the dark, wet cavern. He caught it between his lips, sucking it further into his mouth, refusing to let it recede. She became pliant in his arms, offering him her submission. Taking control of the kiss, Judge released her tongue before stealing his lips from hers. They traveled down her chin to where her neck met her shoulders. A soft, feminine moan fell upon his ears, singing to him of his mate’s enjoyment.
Placing a gentle kiss onto the bright red mark he had left, he brought his gaze to meet his mate’s dazed one. “That is where I intend on leaving my mating bites.”
“Bites?” she stammered.
“Yes. For our mating to be recognized in the shifter world, I will have to bite you three times. The first is to inform others who you belong to. The second speaks of your significance to me as well as my intentions. My scent becomes imbedded into your every pore. And the third permanently entwines our lives as one.”
“Oh, so it’s kind of like
going steady, being engaged, and then married?”
“I never really thought of it that way,” he said, laughing. “But I guess you could be right. Now are you ready to go and see what mischief Emily has been up to in our absence?”
“Yes,” she replied, suddenly tensing. “But I have to ask you, can we move slowly into this relationship? I’ve never been in one before.”
“Kitten, we can move as slowly as you wish,” he replied in earnest, while his mountain lion and cock silently protested. “Is that what you thought might cause my laughter earlier? The fact that you come to me innocent.”
She nodded, looking down at her hands.
“Charli, I am honored and relieved that your body will only belong to me. I will cherish your gift,” he vowed.
“Why are you relieved? I know why I am, but not you.”
“Because our first time together will consist of my attention being solely on getting to know your gorgeous body, instead of me tiring you out in an attempt to remove the scent of every male who has ever touched your body,” he admitted.
A blush tinted Charli’s cheeks. Offering her a reprieve, he took her hand and walked them toward the door of his quarters. He headed for the private lift, then ushered her inside and allowed it to carry them to the underground car park. He knew his mate needed to see her sister as much as Emily needed Charli. And there was no way he wanted to see either of his girls upset.
Chapter Thirteen
Charli had no idea how he had done it, but Judge had convinced her to move both herself and Emily into his quarters until his house on the pride lands was ready for a six-year-old girl. The previous night, after visiting Emily, they’d driven to the apartment she shared with her little sister and packed up the measly possessions. It had come fully furnished, so the only things that were taken from the apartment were four suitcases and a box of Emily’s toys. Everything had been transferred to Judge’s quarters for the interim, Charli and Emily included.
“Is this where we’re going to live from now on?” Emily asked as she settled into the large double bed in Judge’s spare room. It was her first night out of the hospital.
“No, princess,” Judge said, walking into the room carrying the only item Emily had left of her former life—the stuffed rabbit her mother had given her. “Do you remember me telling you about all those kids in my pride?”
“The ones who play outside and go exploring?” Emily’s tired-looking blue eyes brightened with excitement.
“Yes, that’s the ones,” Judge replied, sitting down on the opposite side of the bed from Charli. “Well how would you feel about living on the pride lands with them?”
Looking up at Charli, she asked, “Will you be coming too, Charli?”
Charli grabbed her little sister’s hand. “Yes, honey. Judge has a house there, and we thought we all might live there together. Would you like that?”
“And that means no more doctors or hospitals, right?” she asked. “You said last night that I won’t have to go back to the hospital.”
“Princess, can I tell you something? But it has to be a secret, okay?” Judge asked. Emily sat up straight, nodding. “Well just like you’re a little different from the other kids, so are the children on the pride lands. They can turn into mountain lions.”
“Really? How?”
“Shall I show you?” Judge asked, standing. Emily edged closer to Charli as her little head bobbed up and down. “Now I want you to remember that no matter what happens in this room, I want you to understand that you are safe.”
“Okay, but what you gonna do?” Emily asked, tilting her head to the side.
“Just watch,” Judge replied as he stepped back from the bed.
Charli had seen Judge shift before but only partly. Like her sister’s, her gaze was transfixed on Judge, who was visibly vibrating. Something seemed to be moving under his skin, crawling throughout his entire body. Golden fur, the same color as his hair, sprouted from his pores. His nose began to lengthen as claws pierced his fingertips.
So absorbed in the changes in Judge, Charli screamed in surprise when the large mountain lion pounced on the bed. He sat on his hind legs, staring expectantly at her, his eyes begging her for something.
Beside her, Emily was bouncing in excitement. “Can we keep him?” she squealed before throwing her arms around Judge.
Charli didn’t have time to question whether her sister was in danger being so close to such an animal. Judge’s mountain lion began to purr in response to her nonsensical cooing. In her six-year-old eyes, her primary desire to have a pet had been fulfilled.
“Honey, you have to remember that Judge and his pride family are humans too. They aren’t pets,” Charli gently reminded.
“But, Charli, you know I always wanted a cat and this way we get a big one who’s scarier than any dog and can protect us from the bad guys.”
Charli’s heart broke at Emily’s words. She had tried to shield her from the worries of the danger that constantly stalked them. But it would seem she had failed her little sister. Judge once again came to her rescue. He changed back to his human form in a blink of an eye, fully clothed with Emily still clinging to him.
“Princess, I will protect both you and Charli with my life. I won’t allow the bad guys anywhere near either one of you.” While he had addressed Emily, Judge’s gaze held Charli’s. The promise his words held was mirrored in his eyes. His focus then returned to Emily as he added, “And you can ask anyone on the pride lands, I’m stronger and scarier than any dog.”
“You won’t let them take Charli from me too?”
“I won’t let anyone take you or Charli from me. The three of us are a team, a family, and we can’t be separated, okay?” Judge vowed, gently pulling on Emily’s hair.
Emily appeared to consider his words before replying. But when she did, Charli couldn’t have been more proud of the maturity her sister showed. It was far beyond her six years.
“Okay, Judge. But if you’re part of this family, you have to follow Charli’s rules,” Emily replied, yawning.
Charli’s heart melted at Judge’s response. This alpha of a mountain lion pride and head of security of the hotel and casino was a man who made the rules rather than followed them. But still, to appease a little girl, he bowed down and agreed to abide by the rules that had kept both Emily and Charli safe for the last two years.
“If it keeps my girls safe, then I will do as you wish,” he agreed, lying down beside Emily. “But you must tell me the rules so I don’t get them wrong.”
“They’re easy,” Emily stated before another yawn escaped her. “Number one: Don’t talk to strangers. Number two: Don’t talk about family. If someone asks, I have to tell them that we have none. Number three: Around strangers, Charli is my mom. Number four: Don’t tell anyone about our magic eye. And number five: My name is Emily, not Emma.”
Judge nodded. “You’re right, they are easy. But now that you’re six, do you think you could remember a couple more rules?”
“Uh-huh,” came the sleepy reply.
“Good girl, because I have a couple that will help keep both you and Charli safe too.”
“Okay,” Emily replied with heavy eyes.
Then, as if Charli’s heart hadn’t been given enough of a workout this evening, Judge went and backed up his sweet promises by tucking Emily into bed as if he had been doing it for her all her short life.
“Okay, now I want you to get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us if we’re going to visit the pride lands tomorrow and talk about those other rules.” Judge pulled the blankets up over Emily. “How about we start off with Chaos’s famous pancakes for breakfast?”
“With ice cream and chocolate sauce?” Emily mumbled.
“You can have them any way you please, as long as you eat them all up,” Judge promised. “Now what are you going to be dreaming about tonight? Fairies, castles, or princes?”
“No, silly,” Emily chastised gently, trying to open her eyes. “I’m
going to be dreaming about magical animals.”
“Okay, princess. Magical animals it is. Sweet dreams, Charli and I will see you in the morning.” Judge kissed Emily’s forehead and stood to allow Charli room to say her goodnights.
Pulling the door partway closed, Charli and Judge moved toward the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Charli suddenly felt exhausted. While it might not have felt like they had a very productive day, there wasn’t a moment in which Charli could honestly say that she had relaxed.
Picking Emily up from the hospital had been an ordeal. By ten o’clock she had been ready to be discharged, but the doctor hadn’t left the required prescriptions. Not that Emily would be taking the medicine, but Charli still needed to appear to be following the doctor’s instructions. Then the forms to have Emily’s care transferred to the pride doctor had to be completed, and like most people, the doctor and nurses at the hospital weren’t immune to Emily’s charm. She had worked her way into their hearts and they were reluctant to let her go.
And it would seem not even vampires were immune to her. By the time they had arrived back at Judge’s quarters, the lounge room was filled with people desperate to welcome Emily home. Not surprising, Nikki was front and center offering Emily a hug. This was followed by Gabby. Both Charli and Emily were introduced to Jewel at the same time, while the men hung back watching the estrogen levels rising in the room.
Before long, Judge’s brothers had been charmed into Emily’s web. She had them eating out of her hands by lunch. She had even incited laughter from Devil. A mission Charli had previously thought impossible.
Even though it was a new experience for Emily, she was in her element. She had everyone hanging on her every word, and she was loving every minute of it. Charli didn’t have the power to deny her sister this. The only other family she’d known had been ripped from her life in an act of greed.
“How are you holding up, kitten?” Judge asked, coming up behind her and encircling her in his arms.
“I’m tired,” she replied with a sigh. “I’ve barely done anything today, but I feel like I have run a marathon.”
Mated to War Page 8
