by Kym Grosso
“No offense taken. Doc, I like you. I’d like for you to stick around a little and not just because you have to. Can I give you a bit of advice?”
She rolled her eyes and smiled. “Yeah, sure. Why not? I sure as hell could use some.”
“Whatever is going on with you, we’ll deal with it, okay? But you’ve got to tell Tristan. Like soon. I’m gonna be honest with you. Your life is already in danger. So whatever little nugget you’ve got stowed up your sleeve, it’s not going to put you more at risk. But by not showing all the cards, you could very well be putting others in danger. I know you’re not pack, but you should consider joining our team so to speak,” he said with a grin. “And hey, it’s a pretty good team. The only requirement for membership is honesty. Other than that there’s all kinds of great benefits; not only do you get the protection of a tough Alpha wolf, you get his beta. It’s a twofer. Also, there are lots of great friends here, runs in the wilderness, although you might need a horse for that,” he joked.
Kalli laughed softly. “I’ll talk to him tonight.”
He cocked his head to the side, as if not quite believing her.
“I swear,” she promised, standing. “Okay, I think I’m going to go take a long hot shower and try to relax before he gets back. Thanks. I really appreciate the talk.”
As he watched her walk down the hallway, Logan found himself wanting Kalli to be Tristan’s mate. She was intelligent, beautiful and full of life. The more time he spent with her the more it confirmed his visions. But he worried about her reasons for lying, sensing something very, very bad had happened to her. If he had to guess, he’d say she’d been abused. Something drove her fear of wolves, yet she exhibited a knowledge of wolves that could only be learned by spending a lot of time with a pack. The subtle way she lowered her gaze around Tristan told him she’d been with an Alpha.
But up until just now, she wouldn’t readily admit she’d been around a pack. Why? Was she afraid of the ‘brutality’ she’d referred to in their conversation? Had a wolf done something horrible to her or her family? Now that he thought of it, she hadn’t mentioned her family. Her entire being was wrapped up in her work. None of it made sense. But he prayed she’d come clean soon. She was wrapped tight. And Tristan. Shit. He’d been coming unglued since the minute he’d met her. Things were getting out of hand. The pack, including Kalli, needed to be strong if they were going to prevail.
A text came across the screen of his phone, slamming him back into reality. As he read the words, he shook his head. Knowing that Tristan was receiving the information at the same time, he took a deep breath and blew it out. Things were about to get real serious but quickly, and Kalli had better get ready to provide his Alpha with the truth as soon as he got home.
Tristan slammed down the weights. The text from Logan’s investigator was the last damn straw. No past on a Dr. Kalli Williams since college. Everyone who was a real person had a past; good or bad, exciting or boring, rough or easy, it existed. On the contrary, people who didn’t leave a paper trail of their past, were hiding something, possibly using another person’s identity. They were liars. He’d like to pretend it wasn’t a significant finding, but he just couldn’t.
There was no doubt that the beautiful woman he knew, the one who’d gone to school for eight years in New York, who’d been working at UVH, was Dr. Williams. But before that, there was nothing. No birth certificate. No driver’s license. Not a high school diploma. And then poof, one day Kalli Williams is a freshman at NYU. It was if she materialized out of the freakin’ air.
Goddammit. Kalli was driving him crazy. He wanted to scream at her. Make her tell him the truth. At the same time, he wanted to fuck her senseless. The situation was maddening. What the hell was she lying about and why the hell wouldn’t she tell him? Her apartment was totally trashed, and she was as cool as a cucumber. ‘Things can be replaced’ his ass. Who says that anyway? She’d had to leave her job. Her shit was destroyed. You’d need a fucking jackhammer to get the eggshells off the cabinets. Hell, the entire apartment would need to be gutted.
And what was her reaction? She calmly went to her bedroom and packed a bag. Seriously? Oh, and she’d locked the door while doing it. The million dollar question was why and what was she doing in there? When she’d returned, she’d refused to look him in the eye. Like a cat on a hot tin roof, she’d scampered out of the building. During the torturous car ride home, she’d said nothing, pensively staring out the window.
He was so damn mad that he could have thrown the hundred pound barbell through the window. Instead, he grabbed his towel, wiped it across his face and headed toward the locker-room. Fuck. He needed to get laid. Blow off some steam. He knew Mira would be down for anything he asked for sexually; she’d do whatever he wanted. If not Mira, others were willing and ready to service him. With a text, there was nothing he couldn’t have. A one on one. Threesomes. The women were plenty. Wolves, humans and even vamps, as longs as they didn’t bite, there’d been a time when he’d have been up for it. The women were available and willing twenty-four seven. And he was an equal opportunity lover…used to be, anyway.
Therein lay the rub; he wasn’t that person anymore. For the past couple of years, he’d quietly made love to Sydney on the side; sometimes indulging with Logan and Mira. Was it a release? Yes. But was it fulfilling? Was his wolf at peace? Unequivocally no. But what was he supposed to do? Go in search of a mate? So not happening. He was happy with the freedom of knowing he could do what he wanted, when he wanted, and wasn’t about to give that up. He wouldn’t submit to a forced pairing, something that was done in the old days. It’d never feel natural. He’d be trapped like a zoo animal, never again allowed to run in the wild.
But meeting the good Doc had flipped his world upside down, and he wasn’t sure it was in a good way. Within twenty-four hours, he’d gone from cool and confident to hot and horny, unable to think straight. He wanted to strip her, flip her and fuck her and not necessarily in that order. But then there was that damn thing that was stopping him, his conscience. How could he make love with her, knowing she was lying to him? He was pretty sure that she wasn’t even Kalli Williams. Not that he needed to know the name of every woman he’d been with but when he had the Doc, he was going to make love to her hard and long. And he’d be damned if he’d do it not being able to call her by her real name when he sank deep inside her.
That settled it. There was no other option; he had to find out what she’d been keeping secret. No matter what it took, he needed to find out, deal with it and then get it together, so he could concentrate on finding the asshole who’d burnt down the club. And at this point, it wasn’t just about the club. One of Marcel’s wolves was dead, and they had no idea if it was even related. Kat was in hiding. There were too many loose ends. Unanswered questions and lies in the air.
Stomping into the bathroom, he flipped on a spigot. Tristan tried to shake off the feeling of foreboding that blanketed him as the hot spray of the shower danced on his skin. He planned to go back to his apartment and interrogate Kalli. He didn’t want to hurt her but the responsibility of the pack settled on his shoulders. The truth was coming, and he’d see it realized.
Chapter Twelve
As Tristan strode through the elevator, ready to tear into her, demanding an explanation, he stopped short. Candlelight? Garlic? Tomatoes? Shit. What did she do? And where the hell was Logan? The anger he’d spent the last three hours building was melted away within seconds as it dawned on him that she’d cooked him dinner. No one, aside from his mother, had cooked him dinner. Sure, many a woman had tried, but he’d always managed to avoid the experience, knowing full well what it represented: commitment, love, marriage. His jaw fell open as he walked toward the heavenly scent. No way. He rubbed his hand across his face in disbelief.
Shock would be the best word Tristan could use to describe the surreal situation he’d walked into. Fully anticipating questioning her until she spilled the truth, he found his mind going haywire, like
he’d stuck his finger in an electrical socket. Logically, he knew he should tell her they needed to talk now, force the argument to happen. But the food…the wine…and where did all the candles come from? He owned candles? And what was she dressed in? Boy shorts and a camisole, covered with an apron? What kind of woman cooked in underwear? He smiled, shaking his head at the sheer absurdity of the situation.
Kalli was bent over his stove languidly stirring a boiling pot. And yet again, the globes of her creamy ass beamed at him as the back of her apron rode up her back. The length of him immediately reacted at the sight of her. Of all the things he’d expected tonight, this was the very last thing he’d envisioned.
“Kalli?” He muttered, at a loss for words. “Where’s Logan?”
“Hi there. He left just a minute ago; said he knew you were in the building,” she explained, continuing to stir the pasta.
Tristan growled softly to himself, irritated that Logan had left her alone. He’d talk to him later.
“So, I hope you don’t mind but I thought I’d cook us dinner tonight. Kind of like a thank you for saving my ass from Alexandra. Nothing fancy.”
“Yeah, okay,” he responded, walking toward her as if he was caught in a magnetic ray.
Kalli stopped stirring for a minute to look at Tristan. She’d been thinking all afternoon about how to tell him everything about her past, the formula and most importantly, the stolen CLI. She was terrified of the kind of violence she’d grown up with, never knowing when her old Alpha would strike. Even if Tristan managed to control his anger, she considered the possibility that she’d lose his protection, that he would toss her out to the wolves…literally.
As her gaze fell upon him, she instinctually lowered her eyes, letting them roam down his chest to his feet and up again. She sighed and briefly closed her eyes, as her belly pooled with desire. Tristan looked incredibly sexy in his tight white t-shirt and loose jeans. She looked to his feet, which were clad in black military boots. In his left hand he carried a black motorcycle helmet, and she wondered what kind of bike he rode. Rolling her eyes in an effort to gain her own composure, she reasoned she didn’t care what kind of bike he had. She’d ride him, um, ride with him, any day of the week. She could feel her panties dampen at the thought. Clenching her thighs together, she prayed he wouldn’t know how wet she was from just looking at him. Get it together, Kalli. He’s going to know that instead of this wonderful dinner, you’d rather eat him right here, right now, she thought embarrassedly. He’s Alpha. He’ll know.
Kalli decided changing the subject was in order and looked back to the stove. She struggled to get her composure. “So yeah, I was going a little stir crazy being cooped up in here. Um, I mean not that your home isn’t beautiful. It’s really nice, warm and open feeling. I’ve never actually been to a penthouse before….you know, the kind where the elevator door just opens up into the apartment,” she rambled.
She knew things were about to come to a head and figured that maybe if she tried opening up a little about herself, just crack that steel door on her past, just a tiny bit, maybe he’d soften.
“I actually like to cook, but I’m all by myself, so I don’t ever really get to it. My mom,” her voice became softer at the memory, “she was Greek. She was a wonderful cook. Made all kinds of great stuff. She was really amazing. I wish I’d paid attention.”
“Where is she? Your mom?” Tristan asked, treading carefully, realizing that this was an in to his line of questioning.
“She’s dead. She died when I was only fourteen. It was really hard losing her. Dad’s gone too. Died when I was seventeen. I’ve got no family, well, blood related anyway.”
She stopped stirring the pasta and turned to grab the romaine lettuce that’d been drying on a paper towel. “I really work a lot. And I co-run a no-kill shelter, so whenever I get the time, I’m there. I consider the animals my family. I need them as much as they need me. I’d really love to have my own pets someday, but I spend too many crazy hours away from my apartment. And my apartment isn’t that great for animals anyway. It’s small, doesn’t have a yard, you know. Well, I guess I could do a cat, but it’s not fair to the animal if I’m not there.”
“Do you like horses?” Tristan sidled up to her, watching her chop the lettuce and toss it into a bowl. He wanted to discuss her parents, but he could tell she’d been on the verge of tears when she’d mentioned her mother dying. He figured if she started talking about her life, she’d continue to share with him what happened.
“Oh yeah, I love them. Of course, I never had any growing up, but I did do an equine rotation. By the way, I didn’t say anything at the time, but I’m really impressed that you funded the rehab center. It’s a terrific facility; helps so many horses. We should go there sometime and tour it. It’s funny, I know all about it, but because it’s so far outside the city, I just never get there.” Kalli stopped talking after suggesting plans for the future…a future with Tristan in it.
Tristan smiled, catching her slip. Before there was any kind of a future for them, he needed facts. He could tell she was trying, but he needed more. He needed honesty.
“Yeah, sure, we could go to the center. We could ride, too, if you want. Hit the trails,” he suggested.
“Really? We can ride? Oh my gosh, that would be so great. I did get to do it a few times when I was in school, but never for long, and I wasn’t with a friend,” she exclaimed excitedly.
Tristan smiled broadly this time, gazing into her wide eyes. She was like a child who’d been told she could go to an amusement park. It was almost as if she’d missed out on a lot in life and was getting an opportunity to live, experience. His heart squeezed at the tragic thought.
“Sure thing,” he replied, picking up the salad she’d created. He walked over to the table and set it down.
“Um, so, I also thought we could talk after dinner. I, uh, I have some things I need to tell you. But let’s eat first, okay?” she croaked. She was not looking forward to the conversation.
“Yeah, sounds great,” Tristan struggled to reply, deciding that it could wait thirty minutes so they could eat dinner. He could see that she was getting ready to tell him, and he preferred for her to submit on her own and tell him without a quarrel. But if it was the last thing he did today, he would have verity from her within the hour.
Somehow, they’d made it through dinner without choking or ripping each other’s clothes off. Both of which seemed possible considering the incendiary tension that threatened to combust the room. After everything was cleaned up, the time of reckoning had arrived. There were no more dishes to wash or food to put away. It was just Tristan and Kalli and the truth waiting to be told.
Tristan walked over to the sliding glass doors, sensing her hesitation. She’d cleaned the countertop and stove from top to bottom, procrastinating in order to avoid the inevitable. He was done waiting. As he was about to call her over, she nervously played with her hair then untied the apron, revealing a hot pink cami and black boy shorts. All the blood rushed to his cock, responding to the sight of the second skin material. Jesus, she was killing him. He prayed their talk would go quickly so he could peel her out of her barely-there excuse for clothing.
He pointed his finger at her and then crooked it, indicating it was time. He knew it. She knew it. He could hear her heartbeat quicken as she closed the space between them. Her breath hitched as she met Tristan’s eyes. His finger beckoned her to join him. Her legs were moving before she thought she’d said yes. By the time she was within a few feet, he slid open the door.
“Come, Kalli. Let’s talk,” he instructed. He held out his hand gesturing for her to go outside.
“I…I can’t go out there,” she stuttered. “I’m not even dressed. Well not really.” She was petrified of heights. The entire time she’d stayed with him she’d avoided the windows as much as possible. The view was lovely but her stomach dropped as soon as she got within a foot of the glass.
“Yes you will, Kalli. Truth. Now.
Why don’t you want to go?”
A test?
She looked down to her feet and then met his eyes yet again. She crossed her arms protectively across her chest. “Okay, fine. I hate heights. Satisfied? Let’s just stay in here…please,” she begged.
“No, Kalli. We’re going outside. It’s a beautiful night. Very few people get to see the city like this, alone on a Penthouse balcony. Call it my gift to you.”
“Gift? I don’t understand how…”
“As long as you live in my home, my building, I am your Alpha. You accepted this when you accepted my protection. The wolves, I protect them too. Guide them when necessary. From the youngest pup to the eldest grandwolf, I have their best interests in mind in everything I do. This is your gift. Teaching you to trust your Alpha. Now come to me, Kalli,” he demanded with a smooth sexy voice.
It seemed as if there was nothing she’d consider denying him as she reached for his hand.
“That’s it, chére. Come with me,” he encouraged as he led her outside. He chuckled as she looped her arm within his, clutching him tightly.
She tried concentrating on her breathing in an effort to calm the fear that threatened to take over her sense of reason. As her bare feet touched the warm terracotta tiles, she closed her eyes.
“See how nice it is? There’s nothing better than a warm September night.” He looked down at Kalli to see that her eyes were completely shut tight.
“Cheating are we?” he laughed. “Okay, brave girl. Close your eyes all you want, for now. But I’ve got something I want to show you, and you will open your eyes,” he stated confidently.
As he led her over to the wrought iron fence, he smiled. “All right, come on, turn around for me.”
Extricating his arm from her deathly grip, he gently took her by the waist and slowly turned her toward the skyline. He peeked at her and saw she still wasn’t looking. She was a stubborn little thing, he thought to himself. What fun it was going to be breaking her of that habit. He planned on teaching her a lesson she’d not soon forget.
