by Tonya Brooks
Now that he'd met him, he'd fight tooth and claw to be the father that he deserved. And he was the boy's father, without a doubt. Bryce's scent was a combination of Reece and Jolie's that he had instantly recognized. His wolf was ecstatic and in a frenzy to meet their cub. He wanted to romp and play with the boy just as much as the man did.
Bryce idolized Iron Man and was overjoyed to discover that he owned the DVD collection. The two of them joined Jolie on the couch and they settled in to watch the movie. He'd been shocked when the child clambered into his lap and settled comfortably against him. Choked with emotion, Reece had to fight not to crush his son against him and never let go.
It appeared the boy's boundless energy had finally run out and within minutes, Bryce was sound asleep. In no rush to relinquish him, Reece just sat there holding him and staring down into his face until he realized that the movie had ended. Glancing over at Jolie, he saw that she had fallen asleep as well.
He carried his son into the master suite and settled him onto the bed, unable to resist trailing the backs of his fingers down the boy's tender cheek and over his silky hair. He carried Jolie in and placed her beside their son and she instinctively curled protectively around the sleeping boy. Bryce squirmed even closer and a contented smile curved both their lips.
Reece just stood there staring at them in the semi-darkness. His mate and cub. Those damned emotions that he had shut himself off from for so long bombarded him again and he was unable to bear the onslaught. Love, happiness and a sense of peace stole over him and he bowed his head in reverence, his tearful gaze practically worshipping them.
The hell he'd lived through in the first thirteen years of his life had turned him into a completely ruthless beast filled with rage. He had learned to control it by shutting down his feelings and over the next sixteen years, he had become a cold, emotionless bastard. Then Jolie had come into his life and made him feel things he hadn't realized he was capable of.
And now he had her back. Not like he wanted, but at least she was back in his life again. She was giving him a chance to earn her trust, to prove that he was more than the bastard who'd hurt her. A chance to get to know his son. My God. He had a son. His chest swelled with so many emotions he couldn't contain them.
Reece slipped quietly out of the room, walked over to the bar and poured himself a measure of scotch. Moving over to the wall of glass, he looked out at the view of the city. A million lights twinkled all around him and blurred by tears they took on the hazy appearance of snowflakes. He closed his eyes and welcomed the memory that played through his mind.
He and Jolie had been practically inseparable for weeks and she had shyly invited him to attend a dance recital. He had been completely entranced by the stunning performance that she had given. Well versed in the arts, he recognized true talent when he saw it and Reece knew that with his connections, he could easily get her a role on Broadway.
Once he finally had the guts to tell her who he was.
He had still been enjoying the anonymity far too much to even think about confessing the truth. For the first time in his life, he'd found a woman who saw him as a man and it was obvious that she liked what little she knew of him. The thought of revealing the truth and destroying that sent a cold chill down his spine.
Once the performance was over, Reece made his way backstage and saw the male lead with his arm around her. The way she leaned so comfortably against the other man assured him that they were close, their bodies familiar with each other. Were they lovers, he wondered and everything male within him rejected that idea.
His wolf did as well. Seeing the other man's hands on her while they danced had been hard enough and the beast he'd kept a tight leash on had threatened to rear its ugly head. When it came to Jolie, he was far too possessive and territorial to share her with anyone else. She was his. "Mine," the wolf insisted forcefully. "My mate."
When Jolie saw him, a brilliant smile lit her face and she broke free from her dance partner to hurry across the crowded room to him. That appeased the beast greatly and Reece pulled her into his arms for a searing kiss, publicly displaying his claim for everyone to see. Her partner had looked extremely pissed, which pleased both man and beast.
Jolie melted against him like warm honey and her eyes were slightly dazed with passion when he finally ended the kiss. "You were incredible," he said huskily.
"Wow," she breathed. "I'll have to dance for you more often."
"How about dancing with me instead," Reece suggested and knew the time had come to reveal his identity. Being rich and famous might give him an edge over the other man and he was not above exploiting his reputation to get what he wanted. The ruthlessness that had propelled him to the top of the pack was too deeply ingrained to ignore.
"Dancing?" She asked and those big blue eyes sparkled with life and vitality.
"After dinner," he added and lifted her hand to his lips to feather kisses across her knuckles. "Let me show you off."
Bemused, Jolie had agreed and while she changed, he'd called for his car. Once his driver arrived, he'd led her outside and she'd stopped on the sidewalk and stared up at the snowflakes falling around them in delight. He thought he had misheard her when she invited, "Dance with me."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Dance with me in the snow, Reece," Jolie had laughingly invited. "It's so beautiful."
Thinking her to be drunk on euphoria over her performance, he'd indulged her whim and swept her into his arms to begin waltzing her across the sidewalk to where his car and driver waited. Jolie had laughed happily and the absolute joy shone on her face and in her eyes. That was the moment he lost his heart forever.
Reece twirled her around and around, snowflakes falling all around them, dusting her hair and melting on her flushed cheeks. She was the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen. So perfect and pure, filled with such joie de vie, and he knew that he was hopelessly lost in the wonder of her. He also knew that he would do anything to make her his. Forever.
Because wolves mate for life.
When they reached the car, his astonished driver held open the door and he seated Jolie inside before sliding in beside her and pulling her back into his arms where she belonged. As of yet she hadn't paid any attention to the limousine and was staring up at him in adoration. He wanted to see that look on her face every day for the rest of his life.
"I think you may be the most perfect man I've ever met," she said softly and lifted a gloved hand to caress his cheek.
Elated with the comment, but knowing that he was far from perfect, Reece queried, "What would make you think that?"
"Because you danced with me in the snow," she said as if he'd accomplished some miraculous feat. "You're either the man I've been waiting my whole life for or a complete lunatic."
From the way he'd been behaving lately, the latter was far more likely, though he liked the sound of the former better. "Jolie, you are the only woman I would dance in the snow with," he assured her.
"Because I'm the only one you know crazy enough to do such a thing?" She teased.
"Because you're the woman I love," Reece admitted solemnly and saw the look of wonder that covered her face.
"Reece," she breathed as tears filled those expressive eyes. "Oh, Reece, I love you so much."
His frozen heart melted and Reece kissed her with a reverence he'd never shown another. "Jolie, my Jolie," he whispered against her lips before the ever present hunger took over and their mouths fused together in the act their bodies craved. When the car stopped, Reece regretfully ended the kiss. Her dazed expression and the hunger in those too blue eyes damn near snapped his resolve.
When the driver opened his door, Jolie seemed to come out of a daze and looked at their surroundings for the first time. "This is a limo," she gasped and raised huge, luminous eyes to his.
"Nothing but the best for my sunshine girl," Reece assured her as he exited the vehicle and extended his hand to her. He assisted her out of the car and she stared at
"Reece," she hissed quietly as he led her to the door. "This place is outrageously expensive and I'm not dressed…"
He silenced her protest with a gentle kiss and replied, "You look stunning." That said, he nodded at the doorman, stepped inside and led her past the line of waiting people, directly to the host. Normally he used his private entrance, but tonight he wanted everyone to see the beautiful woman by his side and know that she was his.
"Good evening, Sir," the host greeted cordially. "Your table is ready."
Jolie had stared back at the diners who were avidly staring at them as he guided her through the room to the private alcove that was always reserved for him. Once they were seated, he turned his full attention to the woman at his side. She looked completely perplexed and her brow had an adorable wrinkle.
"How did you do that?" She asked in confusion since it was a well-known fact that the restaurant was booked months in advance and getting a table on short notice was impossible.
"I'll let you in on a little secret," he said with a devilish smile as he leaned closer to whisper, "This is my favorite restaurant, but getting a reservation was a pain in the ass. So I bought the place." He leaned back a bit until their eyes met, and felt as if he'd jump out of his skin waiting for her reaction.
As usual, Jolie surprised him. She clapped a hand over her mouth to hide her laughter. "Okay, I deserved that for being nosey," she admitted in amusement and it was obvious that she thought he was joking. The possibility that he was Reece Lassiter had never even occurred to her.
"Good evening, Alpha Lassiter," the head waiter said as he materialized beside the table and handed over menus.
Jolie's quiet gasp and huge, rounded eyes assured him that she no longer thought he was kidding. Never looking away from the woman beside him, he said, "Give us a few minutes." The man disappeared as unobtrusively as a shadow.
"You're Reece… Lassiter?" Jolie asked in a shaken tone and stared at him as if she'd never seen him before. That was not the reaction he'd been hoping for and it scared the hell out of him.
"I am," he admitted.
The woman he loved visibly paled. "Oh my God," she whispered in an appalled tone. "You're Reece Lassiter."
His anxiety growing by the second, Reece took her cold hand in his and said soothingly, "I'm the same man you danced in the snow with, sunshine."
If anything she looked completely mortified at the reminder and actually moaned as if she were in mortal pain. "I made you dance in the snow."
Reece couldn't help grinning at that. "No one makes me do anything I don't want to, Jolie," he assured her.
That did not appease her at all and those big blue eyes got even larger when she gasped, "You own this place and I cooked you dinner!"
"Best meal I ever ate," he confirmed and it really had been. The woman was an amazing cook.
"Oh my God," she moaned again and buried her face in her free hand.
Reece slid his arm around her shoulders and was shocked that she was actually trembling. Tilting her chin up with his other hand, he met her horrified expression and said, "Jolie, please tell me this isn't going to be a problem."
She stared at him as if he'd sprouted another head. "Not a problem?" She repeated. "Reece, you're the freaking supreme alpha! You're rich and famous and, well… you. I'm no one."
Red hot fury zapped him at hearing her belittle herself and he fought to hang onto his temper. "Don't ever say that again," he growled as gently as possible. "You're the most genuine, honest, caring person I've ever met. My world is filled with artifice and lies, but you're real, Jolie, and that is absolutely priceless."
She stared at him in amazement before finally saying, "You really believe that, don't you?"
He nodded in confirmation, his face a mask of seriousness. "I told you before that you were too special to ever be considered insignificant, and I meant it," Reece assured her. "You're perfect."
"I thought you were just a regular guy," she admitted and looked embarrassed at not having recognized him.
"A really hot regular guy," he teased and color rushed to her cheeks as she smiled sheepishly.
"Even then I wondered what you saw in me, and now…" Jolie shook her head as if to clear her muddled thoughts. "I'm more confused than ever."
"You're the woman I love," he replied gently. "Simple as that."
Tears filled those huge eyes. "Can it really be that simple?" She asked hopefully and looked afraid to believe.
Reece was a powerful man and he could make things happen according to his whims. For Jolie, he'd drain a fucking ocean if it would put the sparkle back in her eyes again. "It will be anything you want it to be," he promised and raised her hand to his lips to place a reverent kiss in her palm.
"I just want… to be with you," she confessed and his heart filled to overflowing.
"That's good, sunshine," he assured her and placed a tender kiss on her lips. "Cause I'm never gonna let you go."
Reece opened his eyes and stared out at the night sky again. But he had let her go. And he'd almost destroyed them both in the process. It was a well-known fact that once a wolf shifter lost his mate, his lifespan shortened considerably. Some grieved themselves to death while others reverted to their animal state permanently.
Because it appeared that he had successfully walked away from Jolie without suffering any ill effects there were those who did not believe that she had been his true mate. They were wrong. He had suffered a living hell, and so had his wolf. But he was an expert at masking his emotions, so no one had a clue that he'd been more dead than alive.
If a wolf showed weakness, he became prey for other predators. As the Supreme Alpha, showing any sign of weakness was not an option. Which was exactly why he'd been seen with a revolving door of beautiful women. To create the illusion that not even the mating bond was strong enough to break him.
The women he escorted thought he had refused to share their bed because they were somehow lacking, which meant none of them would ever admit that he hadn't. No one knew that he had remained faithful to his mate for four, long years. No one except Jolie ever would. And somehow, he was going to have to convince her of the truth.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Reece opened his eyes and stared into turquoise eyes. Bryce was standing beside the couch staring back at him anxiously. The child's face split into a brilliant smile and he announced happily, "You didn't sweep for a wong time again!"
Realizing what his son had thought, he figured he'd have to explain the euphemism and dispel the notion that he had Rip Van Winkle syndrome so the boy didn't panic every time he slept. "Of course not," Reece teased as Bryce climbed up to sit astride his chest. "We've got a big adventure planned for today."
Those big eyes got even bigger as he asked, "We do?"
"Absolutely," he readily agreed and placed his hands on the child's waist to make sure he didn't fall. And because his wolf needed the physical contact as much as the man did. "Remember we talked about visiting the planetarium and looking for Iron Man in the sky?"
Bryce's mouth dropped open. "Can we weawwy?"
"If your mom agrees," he replied and realized he should have discussed it with Jolie first. The boy was off of him and the couch like a shot and hauling ass to the master suite yelling for his mother. Reece couldn't think of anything he'd rather do than spend the day with his mate and son and he hoped like hell she agreed.
***
Jolie was exhausted. Unfortunately, her son was not. Bryce was wide open and still had more energy than any three children should have. She knew it was all the excitement and as soon as she got him still for a few minutes, he'd be out like a light. So would she. Reece, on the other hand, seemed as energized as the boy.
It had been quite a day and her son had loved his big adventure.
She should have known that her ex would make it a day that their son would never forget. They'd started at the planetarium and after that, it became a blur of activity while Bryce discovered one fascinating thing after another. His little mind was like a sponge, soaking in everything and his curious questions had been endless.
Now that they were finally back at the penthouse she had every intention of availing herself of that glorious soaking tub, a glass of wine and then collapsing into bed. If she could get father and son off of the elevator. Bryce had been fascinated by the machine and his father had been happy to explain the workings to him. In detail. Their third trip up, she'd insisted they let her off before they descended yet again.
Jolie stepped off of the elevator and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the mountains of bags and boxes stacked neatly around the foyer and right on into the living area. A sigh of resignation escaped her. It looked like Reece had ordered a wardrobe for her and Bryce and had it delivered while they were out.
Good lord. It would take a truck to move all of this. Which reminded her that she needed to start looking for a place to live. Too bone weary to care about any of it right then, she strode into the master suite and froze mid-step. Sprawled across the bed in a provocative pose wearing a seductive smile and little else, was Clarice Duvall.
Shock held her in place as the other woman looked her over and then said haughtily, "You must be the new maid."
Maid? Her ex-husband's pregnant lover thought she was the fucking maid?!
"Bring the bags in so I can see what my darling Reece has bought me," she informed her in that same snotty tone as she rose languidly and preened in front of the mirror.
Enraged beyond any measurable means, Jolie turned on her heel and walked out of the room without a word. She was going to kill Reece for this. How dare he allow that… that woman into his home while she and his son were there? The elevator doors opened as she reached the foyer and she scooped Bryce into her arms while leveling his father with a murderous glare.
"You have a guest," she all but snarled and marched into the kitchen to fix her son a cup of juice and pour herself a glass of wine. Jolie downed it in one large gulp and poured a refill.
-->
