by Clara Cody
Jason’s eyes were wide. “Jesus. Good thinking.”
I nodded. “Thanks.”
“Let’s get out of here.”
Jason
“You can sleep here,” I said, opening the door to the guest bedroom. It was the biggest one, with a nice, comfy bed and a big closet. “I’m right next door.”
She put the bag on the bed, and turned towards me. “Who was she?”
Shit. I was surprised that she hadn’t brought it up in the car ride over. “Jenny?”
“She said her name was Gina.”
“Probably is. Jenny, Gina, whatever. She’s just someone from town. At least I thought she was. I was clearly wrong.” How could I not have seen that? Some Alpha I was turning out to be. Not only had my clan abandoned ship, but I couldn’t even see the danger hiding just under my nose. Hell, I’d even gone out and fucked that danger. Damn her.
“And what the hell does she want with me?”
The more she knew, the more danger it would put her in. And myself. If I told about who I was, who my family was, our lives would be in her hands. Trusting the wrong person could be the end of our family. Of our kind. It wasn’t something we bear shifters took lightly.
“Just tell me the truth. I’m not a fan of being kept in the dark.”
I sighed. “Do you want something to drink? Tea?”
She nodded. “Thanks.”
I walked to the kitchen and started boiling water. Grateful for the moment to think, I racked my brain about how to lay it out for her without giving too much information. I heard her light footsteps behind. I turned and began. “We used to have something valuable. It was in the Thorne family for generations.”
“Like a painting?”
No. “Sure. It doesn’t really matter what it was, because it’s not here anymore.” I looked away momentarily, hoping she didn’t see the deception in my eyes. I wasn’t lying exactly…just omitting. “But other people, like Gina or whoever she’s working for, they still want it.”
“So, what does that have to do with me?”
“They’re still after it. They won’t or can’t let it go. And they’re sure that we still have it. I figure they saw you hanging around my property and were suspicious. Unfortunately, the fact that I saved you is only going to convince them more.”
“What?” She cocked an eyebrow, putting her hands on her hips defiantly. “Saved me? Who hit the chick with the book?”
“And who stormed in, finding her on top of you?”
“I think it’s safe to say we both pulled our own weight in that little tussle.”
“She would have killed you. Literally. First torture, then she would have shot you in the head.”
Her face fell. “Shit.”
Maybe I shouldn’t have been so specific.
She looked over her shoulder, through the window. “Do you think she’ll try again?”
“You’ll be safe here, whatever she tries next. I promise.”
Suddenly, the sounds of crashing furniture sounded. My ears perked up.
“What was that?”
“Stay here,” I said and ran into the living room. Something else crashed, followed by deep moans. Jesus Christ, Sean.
“What is it?” Elise asked, coming up behind me.
A cry of “Oh, yes!” came from the house next door.
“Oh!” she said. She chuckled, breaking the tension. “I thought it was…nevermind.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Sorry about that. It’s my brother and his mate—I mean girlfriend.”
“Your brother lives next door?”
“He’s just visiting.
“Well, uh…wow.”
“Are you blushing?” I chuckled. “I thought you were a biologist.”
She scoffed, her cheeks getting redder. “I’m not blushing, but it’s your brother. Isn’t that weird?”
I shrugged. “Not really. My parents used to be worse.”
Her jaw dropped. “You heard your parents having sex? Oh, God, that would be traumatic. Actually, I doubt my Dad and Carolyn ever had sex. They probably reproduced with a turkey baster.” She looked around uncomfortably, probably praying for a way out of the room where Lacey’s cries of delight could still be heard. “I—uh—”
“It’s been a long day,” I started, “if you want to call it a night, feel free. Like I said, you’re safe here.”
“Oh, no, it wasn’t that. I’d kill for a drink, though.”
A warm excitement spread through me. “That, I can do.”
Two rum and cokes later and I could tell she was feeling a bit tipsy. She sat on my couch, curled up in the corner, and grinning like a fool. “I don’t know why you’d want to.” She pulled the elastic from her brown hair which fell around her shoulders elegantly.
“What?”
“Live with your family. Ugh, I couldn’t get away from mine fast enough. And you want them all here under one roof…or three roofs. God, I would kill someone if I had to live with Margo and her little princess. Or even my dad for that matter.”
“So, why’d you come back then?”
She shrugged. “I thought maybe it’s been too long. I don’t know, I guess I was just feeling…lonely.” She scoffed, casually wiping her eye with her thumb. “So stupid.”
“It’s not. A be—I mean, a person shouldn’t be alone. That’s why I’m trying to get my family back together.”
“Somehow I doubt you’ve had many lonely nights.”
“Why do you say that?”
She cocked an eyebrow. “Because…look at you!”
I liked where this conversation was going. I grinned, draping an arm over the back of the couch. “What about me exactly?” This should be good.
She only rolled her eyes. “Please, like your ego needs anymore stroking.” She looked down into her glass of rye and coke. “I’m sure Gina didn’t let you feel lonely for long.”
I grinned. “She did her best, that’s for sure.”
Elise pursed her lips, trying not to laugh, as she shook her head. “Men are ridiculous.”
“I only slept with her a few times, and it was a long time ago. I promise.”
“It’s none of my business,” she said. “I don’t care who you sleep with.” I could smell the lie, see it in her eyes. Fuck, she was beautiful. She had a soft, round face, a sexy little cupid-bow mouth, big green eyes. “Excuse me,” she said, setting her glass down on the coffee table. “I need to use the bathroom.” She stood and immediately stumbled over the rug underneath the table. I lunged to catch her before she smacked her head on the corner, and she landed square in my lap.
“Nice catch,” she said, her voice breathless.
I noticed my hand on her hip, my other hand behind her back. She looked up at me, her eyes hot. I flexed my fingers on her hip, kneading her flesh. Her lips parted, letting out a soft breath.
My heart thundered in my ears as I leaned in and met her lips. She tasted so sweet. It lit a fire in my belly and I slipped my tongue between her lips. Her tongue pushed back, massaging mine. I felt myself getting lost.
Just then Sean and Lacey started back at it again. The bed thumped against the wall, both of them moaning and calling the other’s name.
She pulled away, sitting up. “Jesus, don’t they sleep?”
And just like that, the spell was broken. Fucking Sean! “I’m going to kill him in the morning.”
She blushed, looking away. Goddamn she looked sexy when she was embarrassed. “They must be—uh…really good at that.”
In that moment, I had the urge to show her how good it could really be. I wanted to pick her up and carry her back to my room and make her scream louder than Lacey ever could. My dick twitched. I grinned, despite the awkwardness of the situation as Elise downed the rest of her glass. The moans grew louder and the thumping more rapid. “Okay,” I said, pulling off a boot. I threw it, bouncing it off the wall. “Keep it down over there!” I yelled.
Laughter from the other house. I heard the win
dow open next door. “Sorry ‘bout that!” Lacey called and slammed the window shut again. They started up again but much quieter this time. I could still hear it, but to a normal person like Elise it would be barely audible. One of the joys of super-human hearing.
“Thanks,” she said, tucking her hair back. “But, I should go to bed before I do anything stupid.” She stood. “Thanks for the drink.”
I nodded, cursing Sean. I watched her perfect, round ass as she walked down the hall to the guest bedroom. She stumbled, bracing herself on the wall. Okay, so it was probably better that nothing more happened tonight, I thought, trying to ignore the ache between my legs.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Elise
Two quiet knocks at the door.
I turned in bed, my head protesting. Ugh, I shouldn’t have had that third drink last night. It was a minor hangover, though. It would be gone in an hour. “Yes?” I called out to whoever was behind the door.
“I got breakfast on,” Jason said, opening the door. “Come out when you’re ready.”
The memory of the night before came flooding back. Oh, shit! I kissed him. And it was good, I thought, biting my lip. Amazing, even. Hell, if a man could kiss like that, imagine what else— No! I commanded myself. No imagining anything else about Jason!
“Elise?”
“Okay, be right out.” I jumped out of bed and pulled on a pair of jean shorts. I tried my best to comb the tangles out of my hair and took a quick look in the mirror. I played with my hair a few times, putting it up and letting it down again. Knock it off, Elise. How do you think this is going to end? I tied it up in a ponytail before stepping out of the room. The smell of bacon and coffee wafted into the room, surrounding me.
Despite the events yesterday, I felt surprisingly at ease. I could have been killed yesterday in my hotel room, but there was something about being here in Jason’s house that made me feel safe. If I were still at the motel or even in my dad’s house, I’d be a wreck. But not here, not with Jason.
As I got closer to the kitchen, I heard a voice. One deep and similar to Jason’s. Then I heard Jason answer, “I’m going to take care of it, don’t worry. I’m the alpha, remember?”
Alpha? What the hell does that mean?
When I entered Jason sat at the kitchen table, an empty chair next to him. “I forgot to say good morning,” he said when he saw me. “So, good morning.”
“Good morning.”
On the other side of the table sat a curvy, beautiful woman with a heart-shaped face and a man that was clearly Jason’s brother. They shared the same dark hair, square jaw and eyes.
“You must be Elise,” the woman said. “I’m Lacey, and this is Sean.”
Sean nodded a hello.
I grinned, avoiding eye contact. So, these were the two making all the racket last night. “I feel like I know you already.”
Jason snorted into his coffee.
“Aw, that’s sweet.”
I sat down next to him. A feast lay on the table. Crispy bacon, just the way I liked it, eggs, toast, jam, honey, hashbrowns. It looked wonderful. I grabbed some toast and bacon while Jason poured me a cup of coffee.
“How did you sleep?” Lacey asked.
“Like a rock.” Despite the numerous and increasingly filthy sex dreams I had. “I don’t think I’ve ever slept that well.”
She nodded. “I don’t know what it is, but these Thorne boys know how to pick a comfy bed.”
I bit into the bacon. It was extra thick and crispy. The salty goodness made my eyes roll back.
“What do you do, Elise?” Lacey asked, sipping her coffee.
“I’m a professor at Northern University. I study passerine birds.”
“Oh…is that…interesting?”
I shrugged, somewhat uncomfortable with so much attention from someone I just met. “It suits me, I guess.”
Lacey raised an eyebrow. “You don’t sound very convinced.”
I blinked at the forwardness of the statement. Everyone at the table seemed to be staring at me, waiting for me to say something. But what was I supposed to say? What kind of question was that, anyway? It was work. Who liked work? And who was this woman, anyway? I just met her and already she’s digging into my professional life. “It’s a job,” I said with a shrug. “It is what it is.” I said it with enough flippancy that I hoped she’d get the point and drop it.
“Don’t mind Lacey,” Jason said. “She’s a journalist. Nosy by trade.”
“Yeah,” Lacey said with a nod. “Just tell me to mind my own business if I’m intruding. I don’t always realize.”
“That’s what I always do,” Sean agreed, finally speaking.
Lacey scoffed. “When have you ever said that?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Maybe you just weren’t in earshot.”
She tossed a chunk of bacon at his face, but he caught it in his mouth with lightening speed.
“Whoa,” I muttered, dropping my fork. “That was fast.” Every face around the table fell. “What? He’s got good reflexes, that’s all.”
Jason broke a smile. “Right, yeah. Good reflexes.”
These people were almost as bad as my family. I mean they actually talked, and they sure seemed to like each other a whole lot more, but there was still something very off about them. And whatever it was, it was obvious that I wasn’t going to be a part of it. I finished my toast and stood up, taking my coffee. “I think I’m going to go finish this in my bedroom.”
“What?” Jason stood, following me down the hall. “Did we say something?”
“No, I just like to read while I drink my morning coffee. It’s my routine.”
“Your routine?” He stepped back, away from my door. “Uh, okay, if it’s your routine then I guess there’s nothing you can do.”
I looked away, ignoring the sarcasm. “Okay, I’ll see you later.” I closed the door behind me. All this family stuff was getting weird. At least with my family, as messed up as we are, I knew what to expect. I set my coffee down and took out my bird book and started flipping through the pages as I sipped, trying not to think about Jason or the hurt look on his face as I closed the door.
An hour later, my coffee long gone and my legs cramping from sitting on the bed, I decided to venture back out into the rest of the house. I hadn’t heard a sound for the past twenty minutes or so. I wondered if they’d left. The hall was quiet when I stepped out of my room. “Jason?” I called.
No answer.
I walked into the kitchen. The house was empty. A little yellow post-it note on the kitchen table fluttered with the breeze coming in through the open window. Go to the river. The river? I walked to the back door and stepped out onto the porch. Voices carried over the field. I heard a woman shriek. Lacey! I must have been her. I took off, not worrying about my bare feet. Had that woman come back? Caught Jason off guard? I ran across the soft grass, praying not to catch a stick or anything else sharp in my foot. As I approached, more voices joined Lacey’s. But not shrieking like she was. Laughing. Through the trees, the river and the three of them came into view. I slowed down, catching my breath. They were standing in the river, horsing around. Sean splashed water at Lacey, who gave another yelp. “Stop it!” she said with a laugh.
Jason turned as I approached. He wore a white shirt, loose over his muscled chest and arms. Damn he was hot. I bit my lip, trying not to think about jumping him right there in the river. He waved, wadding through the knee high water. “Come on, the water’s great.”
I crossed the rest of the distance between us, curious. The current was moving pretty quickly. Not rough, but not a gently, bubbling brook either. Further into the river were more people and one of the oddest set-ups I’d ever seen. A young woman with long, curly brown hair and a flowy white skirt sat on a lawn chair right there in the water. Several more chairs sat around her, with weights on the seat, holding them down so they wouldn’t get swept away. Then, downwind from the woman, there was a barbecue sticking out from the water. �
�What are you guys doing?”
“Redneck River BBQ. You coming, or not?” He held out a hand for me to take.
I inhaled deeply and took it. His skin was warm and sent a shiver through me. A smile crept up to my lips.
“What?” he asked, as I stepped into the water.
“Nothing. Oh my God! That’s freezing!”
“Yeah, it is. When the sun peaks, you’ll be thankful for it, trust me. Do you like barbecued River Trout?”
“Trout?” We began wading through the water to where the chairs were. The rocks under foot were slippery with algae. In bare feet it was nearly impossible to grip. “I can’t say that I’ve ever eaten trout. Barbecued or otherwise.”
“Seriously? Well, don’t worry. You’re gonna love it. The Thorne boys make the best barbecued trout in the world. Secret family recipe.”
I didn’t think it was possible, but out here, the sun shining on his face, his wind-tussled hair, Jason looked even more handsome. And happier. His lips were particularly nice. Good kissing lips. He caught me staring and flashed a smile. Just then, my foot caught a particularly slippery rock. “Ah,” I cried as I tumbled back.
In a flash, Jason’s arms were around me, holding me. “I got you.”
My heart raced. “Thanks,” I said, breathlessly.
“You know, I’m starting to think you’re falling on purpose just to get me to catch you.” His arms tightened slightly, holding me closer. My heart raced. Is he going to kiss me? Am I going to kiss him? With a laugh, he pulled me back to my feet. “Come on, let’s go get you a beer.” I followed behind him, surprised by the gnawing disappointment in my stomach.
We walked up to the woman with the long brown hair that sat in the lawn chair. My stomach twisted on itself. I didn’t like meeting new people at the best of times, but what with everything that was going on, I felt especially self-conscious. Especially with women. The problem was, you didn’t know right off the bat what they were going to be like. Would they be bitchy like Margo, or overbearing like Lacey, or just selfish like Chrissy? You had to wait and find out.
