Amber got to the third floor and found the door with “Perfect Pairing” in gold lettering staring back at her. Was she really going to do this? What if she hated the guy they matched her with? What if they couldn’t find her the perfect match?
We can, have no fear about that.
Amber had been pretty sure that was Sadie’s voice inside her head and not her own. Perhaps she should check her blood sugar. Oh come on now, what have I got to lose? Sadie might have a guy who’s tall, dark, and handsome just waiting for me?
She walked across the hall to the office, pushed the door open, and went inside. No one was around, but the door to what was obviously a side office was ajar and she could hear two people talking.
“Hello,” she called out.
Sadie appeared a few seconds later.
“Amber, so nice to see you again. Now you sit yourself down on the couch and I’ll get my forms and questionnaire so we can go through all the paperwork. Can I get you something to drink? I have tea or some fresh-squeezed lemonade.”
“Tea sounds good, no sugar though.”
“You make yourself comfortable and I’ll be back before you know it.”
Sadie sang as she walked away and pushed the door to the side office open just a little more. She didn’t go inside but continued walking to the back of the office. Amber looked at the photos on Sadie’s desk—lots of babies, cute ones. Babies were so cute. Hopefully, she’d have one of those while she still had her sight so she could see what her child actually looked like.
“Here you go, a nice herbal tea.”
She took it from Sadie and placed it on the coaster in front of her. Sadie sat on the chair beside her and thumbed through some papers.
“I’ve highlighted our policies. Please read it and then sign this for me, as my accounting department requires all my paperwork be in order.”
Amber took it from her and skimmed through it. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary so she signed her name and dated it. Sadie took it from her and slipped it into a folder.
“What do you do for a living?” asked Sadie.
“I teach first grade.”
“Educating the next generation, that’s very commendable. Now to our questionnaire. I’ve already filled in your name. My first question is, what qualities do you like best in a man?”
Amber took a sip of tea before answering. “Sense of humor is a must for me.”
Sadie smiled and wrote that down. “Anything else?”
“Reliability, and in my case, someone who will be there when times get tough. I know that’s asking a lot, but I’m hoping there might be at least one man out there who doesn’t mind getting involved with someone with medical issues.”
“Of course there is, sweetie. Now, physical characteristics, any particular look you like?”
“Tall, dark, and handsome. Does that sound shallow?”
“Oh, I think we can find someone who fits the bill. In fact, I’m thinking of one gentleman in particular as we speak.”
“Really?”
“What are your favorite types of dates?”
“Movies and hiking. Oh, and I love camping.”
“My goodness, this is getting better and better.”
“It is?”
“I think I might already have someone in mind.”
Amber smiled, too. Maybe coming here had been the right thing to do.
****
Gabriel’s heart missed a beat. He’d felt it, he’d actually damn well felt it. He took another look at the young woman talking to Sadie. There it was again—missed heartbeat. Thump. It was back to normal. It happened the first and second time he’d looked at her.
He pressed his back against the wall and squeezed his eyes shut. He could smell her, too. Not just the perfume she was wearing, but her own scent. It was downright sexy, it made his nose twitch, and his cock sit up and take notice.
Gabriel needed another look just to satisfy his craving. He peeked around the door. She was pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Thump, thump, thump. No missed beat this time, just his heart working double-time to send the blood around his body. He’d read that wolves know straightaway when they find their mate. Maybe that’s what was happening here because he’d never been the type of guy who believed in love at first sight. Now he did. The wolf in him had found its mate.
His head thumped as well as his heart.
Was he about to shift?
He wasn’t sure. Gabriel still couldn’t quite believe that Mavis White had been a witch and that he’d been foolishly lured into her twisted game.
This time he didn’t feel woozy and lightheaded like the day before, but he was scared nevertheless. He’d focus on the pretty young woman and try to forget about what was happening inside him.
Her scent was getting stronger. Or perhaps it was his detection of her getting stronger. Maybe the wolf was about to spring forth. She crossed her legs, flashing very curvy thighs. His cock grew harder.
He’d never liked skinny women, ones you took out who were afraid to eat anything but a lettuce leaf. He bet this young woman was cuddly and soft to hold. She’d keep him warm just like the wolves had done when he’d been naked and cold that night in the canyon.
With his nose in the air, he took a deep breath. He felt the urge to join his body to hers. Wow, that was a weird way of thinking about having sex with her.
Maybe the wolf within him was now only focused on mating. What would sex be like now that he was part man, part wolf? Better? Or not so great? He hoped the latter was true.
She shifted on the couch. Such pretty hair, the way it cascaded over her pretty shoulders. Could shoulders be pretty? Maybe not, but hers were.
His brain was spinning, his mind turning over too many thoughts almost simultaneously. He could hear them clunking around in his head. When you made a deal with the devil, or in this case a witch, there certainly was hell to pay. He might just lose his mind and go crazy.
She licked her lips. He wanted to taste them. He licked his own. His cock pulsated, causing him to rub his hand along his crotch, the thick material of his jeans scraping the palms of his hands, adding to the sudden and scary sensory overload.
Gabriel wanted to unzip his fly, slide his hand inside, and go to work on his cock while he watched her through the crack in the door. Highly inappropriate to jerk off here in Sadie’s office. Shit, what if that’s what he did from now on, jerked off in places like restaurants, even at work?
Gabriel slid to the ground, hearing his heart pounding in his ears. He wanted that young woman so bad and he was going to have her—because a wolf always gets his mate.
****
Amber liked Sadie. Despite every bad thing that was happening to her, spending the last twenty minutes with her had brightened Amber’s day. She’d arranged for Amber to travel with her to meet Luc and Katey. Both were former clients, and best of all, Luc knew what Amber would be facing because he’d also lost his vision. Katey could probably help her with obtaining a guide dog. Plus, Sadie had told her she had a client who might be a perfect match for her. Yeah, she felt a whole lot better than when she’d first entered the building.
She got in her car and looked up at the window of Sadie’s office. Sadie stood there looking down into the parking lot. A dog stood beside her, his paws resting on the window ledge.
No, wait a minute, that wasn’t a dog. That was a wolf. She knew a wolf when she saw one.This wolf was beautiful with his grey and white markings, the most beautiful one she’d ever seen. But what was Sadie doing with a wolf in her office? Amber had to admit Sadie came across as a little eccentric, so maybe she kept one as a pet.
She glanced up at the window again. Sadie was gone but the wolf was still there watching her. Yes, she was sure he was spying on her. Not eyeing her as prey, but looking at her in a seductive way.
Amber burst out laughing, realizing how ridiculous that sounded. Had she really imagined that a wolf was eyeing her seductively? Maybe it was the new medication s
he was taking.
****
Sadie stroked his head. “Okay, Gabriel, nice, deep breaths. Just relax and let the wolf retreat.”
Would he ever get the hang of this shifting between man and beast?
“Count to three—one, two, three,” said Sadie.
The woman was great. He wasn’t panicking this time but he was still scared out of his mind. What if he couldn’t change back?
He went to the ground, shaking, feeling the fur on his back gradually retreat, his canines grow shorter, and miraculously his paws were becoming hands again. Gabriel, the man, was back, and damn, he had no clothes on. He put his hands in front of his private bits and looked up at Sadie.
“You think you could fetch my clothes for me?” he asked her.
“I sure can, but don’t be afraid of being buck naked around me. I’ve seen a lot worse in the Other Realm.”
He sat up while she went to the other room and then came back with his underwear, T-shirt and jeans. She set them on the ground and she turned around without being asked. He dressed quickly, zipping up the jeans as relief washed over him. He had a thumping head again but at least this time he wasn’t in the middle of the canyon, and the bottle of aspirin was in his back pocket.
“So what’s this Other Realm like?” he asked.
Sadie turned back. “Similar to the mortal world.”
“There was me thinking you’d say it was like ‘Never Never Land’.”
“It’s not quite that, but it’s not boring, which reminds me I have a 2:00 p.m. meeting there to discuss your situation.”
“You can tell them I’m pissed at the rogue witch. I smell and hear everything tenfold. And my head feels like someone’s taken a hammer to it.”
“I know, you poor dear, but I’m going to take care of everything. Now I did see you eyeing Amber while she was here. Yes, I spotted you through the crack in the door. Nothing gets by Sadie. And when you were watching her from the window, your fur stood up.”
Gabriel coughed. At least she hadn’t spotted something else that had stood up on his body.
“Amber, that’s a pretty name,” he said quickly.
“She is going through a transition, like you.”
“Transition? Don’t tell me she also made a deal with Mavis White.”
“She’s a diabetic and the doctor thinks she’s going to lose her sight.”
“Geez, that has to be scary for her.”
“She wants to find her ideal mate before that happens.”
“And you’re thinking of me?”
He usually protested when people tried to play matchmaker, but in all honesty the wolf in him was convinced that the pretty young woman called Amber was indeed his mate.
“I think someone is more than interested,” said Sadie.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Remember, I’m a witch. Now all I need is for you to sign here to say you’re officially a client of Perfect Pairing.”
“I’m not signing over my soul, am I?”
“I’m a good witch, always remember that. Now the Board told me to leave Maris be, but I’m going to find her and I’m going to make her remove that curse from you.”
He took a depth breath, suddenly realizing his headache had improved.
“You’d be my hero.”
“I’m taking Amber to meet two former clients in Twin Falls tomorrow. I don’t suppose you’d like to tag along so the two of you can have your first, well, informal date.”
“Just tell me what time and I’ll be there,” said Gabriel. He’d been seeing his mate in person, in the flesh, and he couldn’t wait.
Chapter Five
Amber had no idea that Sadie had invited someone else along for their trip. Not just anyone, but the most handsome guy she’d ever seen. Tall, dark, and handsome. She’d finally met her dream man. She wondered if this was the one Sadie had mentioned.
“Gabriel, say hello to Amber Maxwell. Amber, this is Gabriel Miller, who’s also coming along for the ride. I thought it would give the two of you a chance to get to know one another.”
So this was the man that Sadie had picked for her. The woman was a genius.
He put his hand out to her. She slipped hers into his. Firm grip. Her mom always said that was a good sign. He had beautiful eyes that reminded her of someone she’d recently met, but she couldn’t remember who it was.
“I’m happy to meet you,” he said.
She hadn’t realized she was still holding onto his hand until he spoke.
“Same here.”
He opened the passenger door for her—something else her mother had always said was a good sign—a man with old-fashioned manners.
“No, you sit there because you’ve got longer legs and need the room. I can sit in the back,” said Amber.
And muscular thighs. How could a woman not miss those?
“You sure?” he asked.
“Positive.”
He quickly opened the back door for her and she got in. He slid into the passenger seat. She looked at his hair and the slight wave at the back. She was almost tempted to run her fingers through it.
Sadie got in and started the car.
“You are both going to love Luc and Katey.”
“They met through Perfect Pairing?” asked Gabriel.
“Of course. Luc was set up by his two army buddies, both of whom, I should add, were previous clients, too. Katey was training a dog for Luc and didn’t quite catch on that she was a client, but I knew they were right for one another from the beginning.”
“How long have they been married?” asked Amber.
“Has to be close to two years now.”
“Any children yet?” asked Amber.
“Oh yes, the cutest little guy named Alex. I’m his Godmother. In fact, I’m Godmother to all the offspring of my clients. So I hope you guys remember that.”
Amber suddenly felt her cheeks burning. Was she referring to them individually or as a couple?
“So, Amber, what do you do for a living?” His voice was deep and his question caught her off guard.
“I teach first grade. How about you?”
“Paramedic. Well, it’s sort of temporary because I’m thinking of going to law school, but nothing’s for sure yet.”
He glanced at her in the side mirror. She rubbed her cheeks, hoping if he could see the burn caused by her blushing, she’d wipe away any evidence of it. His green eyes were gorgeous, the cleft in his chin adorable. She smiled and bit her lip. He was watching her, not taking his eyes off of her. Almost like that wolf in the window. Which reminded her…
“Sadie, do you have a pet wolf?”
Gabriel coughed.
“No, my dear, why do you ask?”
“I thought I saw one standing next to you when I drove away from your office yesterday.”
“Ah, that was my dog.”
“What sort of dog is it?” she asked
“Husky. I must admit from certain angles he does look like a wolf,” said Sadie.
“He’s gorgeous. I’ll have to see him sometime,” said Amber.
Gabriel coughed again.
“Sadie, do you mind if we stop for a minute. I have to relieve myself. Too much coffee at breakfast,” said Gabriel.
“Oh yes, nothing worse than when nature comes calling,” said Sadie.
Amber smiled. Sadie was quite the character, and the way she phrased things was a hoot.
Sadie pulled off to the side of the road, out of the stream of traffic. Gabriel barely gave her a chance to stop the car before he opened the door and ran out at full speed into the woods.
“Must be very urgent,” said Sadie. “You know how men are, very weak bladders.”
Amber smiled again, not seeing a trace of Gabriel, and thinking he must have gone deep into the wooded area. Maybe he was afraid she and Sadie would see him and he didn’t want to embarrass them.
“What do you think of Gabriel?” asked Sadie, turning around to look at her.
&nb
sp; “Cute, and he seems really nice.”
“A potential date perhaps?”
She wasn’t going to play coy.
“I think so, yes. Well, that’s if he’s interested in me.”
“Oh, he most definitely is, you should have seen…”
“Seen what?”
“He’s taking a long time so maybe I should go check on him. Sometimes the woods can be dangerous.”
“You want me to go?”
“No, no, you stay here and listen to some music while I’m gone.”
Sadie turned on the radio and then got out and ran into the woods. Amber watched her disappear between the trees. Just like her own mother, worrying about everyone. Amber sat back and listened to the music, as Sadie suggested.
****
Damn! Of all the times to feel like this. Gabriel walked deeper into the woods, fearing he was going to shift. He had that woozy feeling again. Sweat broke out on his forehead. At least he was beginning to sense when he was about to shift, which was a plus.
A tingle went through his body, setting his nerve endings on high alert. Someone was behind him. He turned to see Sadie standing there.
“For one awful minute, I thought you were Amber. I don’t want her to see me change like this.”
“I guessed what might be happening to you,” said Sadie.
“Am I ever going to be able to control this thing?”
“You already know when it’s going to happen so that’s a step in the right direction.”
But why now, when I’m getting to know Amber?
“Amber tells me she thinks you might be a good match for her. So what do you think?”
Blood surged through him and his heart beat faster at the thought that maybe someone out there would accept him as her mate. Gabriel finally gave in and slumped to the ground. The world was spinning around and he was going to throw up.
“Have you told her about me? I mean, my dilemma?”
“No, because once I find Maris, she’s going to be forced to reverse her spell, and no one need ever know about this.”
He closed his eyes. “But what if…”
“Amber’s going to like you for both man and wolf. You’re a good man and you have a good soul. Believe me when I say I can see it. It’s probably why Mavis targeted you. Sometimes good attracts evil.” Sadie got onto the ground with him. “Remember what I told you? What to do when you feel like you’re shifting.”
Falling for an Alpha Page 3
