Luc moved faster than she’d ever seen him. Sitting on the side of the bed, he lifted up her shirt, and practically tore the bandage off of her body.
The muscles in her stomach and side contracted again, and she nearly doubled over.
“Ouch. Slow down. You’re making it worse.”
The cool air hit her belly and he grazed his fingers lightly over the bruising.
“There’s nothing that looks out of place.”
His brow furrowed with concern as they both sat still on the bed.
Just as quickly as the discomfort had started, it began to ease.
“I think I’m okay now.”
His face turned up toward hers, and he eyed her warily as if he didn’t believe her.
“You can make the coffee,” she said turning away. “But hurry up. It’d better be ready by the time I get out of the shower. You know how I am if you make me wait for my coffee. Oh, and yes, I want sweets, but I also want eggs and bacon, really crisp. Oh, and if you have some of those biscuits you made the other day. That would be good.”
She’d started out trying to calm his concerns, but the more she talked the hungrier she became. Her hand was on the bathroom door and she glanced back to find him staring after her.
“Hello? Luc? You in there. Chop, chop, dude. I want my breakfast.”
With that she pranced into the bathroom as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Once she was alone again, the tears fell. The warm water helped to ease the aches in her muscles, but the ones in her heart, not so much. She missed her family, and when she saw the concern on Luc’s face, it hit her. Eventually, she’d leave Clarksville.
Then she really would be all alone.
Chapter Thirteen
Luc picked up a tray of bar glasses to wash and sat them down by the sink. He had a steamer that cleaned them in the kitchen, but it was a slow night at the bar. For last two weeks, Ainsley insinuated herself more and more into Luc’s life. She managed the books at the bar, something she was incredible at.
She’d gathered Chris, Jason, the twins and some of the others in town to help put a fresh coat of paint on the walls. She forced Luc to replace the toilets in the women’s bathroom, which she protested were the nastiest, most P-Gusting, her phrase for puke worthy, pieces of porcelain she’d ever seen.
She even convinced old Mr. Rankin, the best plumber in town, to do the work for free. In return, she went over his taxes and told him several places where he could save money.
The man very nearly worshipped her.
They all did. Never in his life had he seen a woman charm a town the way she had. Ian had bloomed under her care. She’d insisted he move into the loft across the street over the hardware store so she could look after him. He helped Luc behind the bar until the place was crowded and then he’d disappear.
Crowds had never been Ian’s things. The tiger worried that if he were to get too stressed or upset, he might revert back to his old ways.
Luc had to admit that he watched Ian carefully for any signs that he might be about to lose his face, as Ainsley called it. She didn’t like the word shifter, and preferred to give everything to do with his kind, human-like attributes.
Her night of kicking ass had become a legend in the town and the story now went that she punched out twenty of the toughest men, and cracked their heads together when they talked back.
Yes, she’d become such a part of his life that he could no longer imagine what it would be like without her in it.
“You should tell her how you feel,” Ian said as he washed the bar glasses.
Luc eyes followed Ainsley as she winked and flirted her way around the crowd. It was harmless; they all knew she was his.
At least for now.
“Can’t. I don’t want to make it tougher for her to leave when it’s time to go. She has to get back to her life eventually. And you know what happened to my family. I won’t ever go through that again.”
Ian shrugged. “She could have left a few days ago, but she stayed. As far as I know, she hasn’t said a single word about going back. They caught the guys who killed her brother and tried to kill her. But she’s still here.”
Luc’s lips thinned. “Let it go, friend.” He stressed that last word. “Like I said, she has enough to deal with and I’m not going to put any more on her.”
“You’re an idiot,” Ian whispered, but his friend knew Luc had heard him.
Maybe, but as he watched her turn and smile at him, he knew what was best for her. He had to get her out of this town and back to her life. She had an empire to run. The only reason she stayed behind was because she feared the future.
So did he. Without her in his life, Luc would be a painful, sorry mess.
But as long as he knew she was happy, everything would be fine.
At least, that’s what he kept telling himself.
Watching her carefully, he noticed that her face was even paler than usual.
When she returned the bar, he put a hand to her cheek. She was overly warm.
“Maybe you should take a little break.”
She patted his hand. “I’m fine. It’s all this testosterone in here. I can’t believe it’s almost time for another full moon. Time has gone by so fast.”
The wistful look in her eyes didn’t set well with him. They’d been at her brother’s funeral the last time there was a full moon. She’d taken a few weeks to allow herself to grieve, but the responsibilities of her family’s legacy weighed heavy on her. She hated that there was such a scandal hanging over her father’s business and her foundation.
As much as she’d helped him with the bar, he’d helped her with all the paperwork. Various lawyers had been in and out of the bar the last week. There had been a myriad of documents that went along with her father’s will and the company changing hands.
But he’d been amazed by her business acumen and how she handled herself with the lawyer. Any time one tried to patronize her or tell her what to do, she gave them what he now called the Ainsley glare. Even he’d grown wary of it. Her temper was always on edge and if anyone pushed her too far they were in trouble.
“Ains, overseeing a mult-billion dollar corporation and swinging tips at a bar, well, it’d be a bit much for anyone. You’re going to wear yourself down.”
Ainsley’s fingers tightened on the bar. “Luc, are you trying to get rid of me? Because if you’re sick of me, I can walk out the door right now.”
Leaving him, it was on her mind. He’d known it.
It would be best for both if she did walk out, though, Luc was certain the hole she left in his heart would never heal. Exactly the thing he’d been afraid of.
He smoothed a hand over her cheek. “I’m just worried about your health. You’ve been burning the candle at both ends. Eventually, it’s going to catch up with you.”
“I told you that I have to stay busy. I’m dealing with things one moment at a time. I’m—I’m not ready to go home to Beverly Hills. And I’m damn sure not ready to go to New York. At least, not yet. For now, there are people in place to help run the family businesses. I’ll have to go back at some point. And the lawyers are working on how to get the foundation out of trouble. Now, load my tray with three drafts and let me get back to work.”
Luc did as she asked. Sniffing her carefully when she turned. Something was off about her smell. He couldn’t place it. But she wasn’t feeling well. She’d gone a bit green while she’d stood there.
Probably ate another pan of brownies. The woman had a penchant for everything sweet when she was stressed, which was all of the time now.
The bar was crowded and there were some new faces sitting at some of the tables. They weren’t human, and Luc was always wary of the strays that came through town. Another sniff and he recognized them as bear shifters.
“Hey pretty woman, thank you for our beers. You treat us right tonight, and they’ll be a big tip in it for you.” One of the men said to her.
Luc was around the bar but Chris
put a hand on his shoulder.
“They’re from Texas,” he said of the bear shifters at the table. “That’s just the way they talk. Besides, watch.”
One of the bears reached out to touch her arm and she swatted his hand away. “You keep your paws off me and I’ll let you keep your hand,” she said as she gave him the Ainsley glare. “I don’t give a crap about your tips but if you touch me again, I’m not responsible for my actions. And after I’m done with you, that big bear of a man there in the corner will finish you off.”
The man lifted his hands as if in surrender. “No harm, darlin. No harm.”
She smirked and turned to walk back to Luc. “I nearly smashed his face into the table. I think I’ll take that break you mentioned.” She hung her apron on the hook.
“Take as much time as you need,” Luc said as she pushed through the swinging doors.
He heard the back door open and shut but he didn’t follow her. She needed air and space. She’d told him that more than once.
She was probably headed across the street to Patty’s. A few minutes with the babies and she’d calm down. He liked that they’d grown so close. Patty was like his little sister and she’d taken quite a shine to Ainsley. She was constantly warning him to treat her right. He had a feeling these friendships Ainsley had made in town were important to her in ways he couldn’t understand. Seeing her interact with the townsfolk made him realize he’d taken these relationships for granted for years.
It wasn’t until he met Ainsley that he realized how lucky he really was.
But one day soon, she would have to go. And his heart would go with her.
…
Back at the bar, Ainsley’s head pounded so hard that she wanted to rip the jukebox from the wall and smash it to bits.
Temper. Temper.
Playing with Patty’s twins hadn’t been enough to cool her foul mood. They were usually a balm for her raw nerves. And she needed a salve right now.
Lately, she’d had to keep herself in check constantly.
I’m probably just nervous about what I need to do.
She chewed on her lip as she cleared off one of the bar tables.
The FBI had given her the all-clear to return home, but she needed this place more. Her gallery was in good hands, thanks to Marco and the rest of her capable staff. Everything with the foundation was still tied up in the FBI investigation and stuck in a holding pattern. Her father’s company, however, had been more challenging since she didn’t have a real estate background. Fortunately, her father had surrounded himself with a fantastic executive team before he’d died who’d all stayed on when her brother took over, so most of the day-to-day operations were business as usual. As the lead shareholder and owner, Ainsley still had to be involved during this transitional period and there were still a number of decisions about the future to make. Every night she went to bed feeling completely overwhelmed. Then Luc would distract her, wear her out and she’d fall into a dreamless sleep. It worked. And she knew it was the only way she’d survived.
She glanced up at Luc as she wiped up the last booth. The crowd had gone home early since it was a Wednesday night. That would give them time to go over the latest round of paper work she’d received from the attorneys. As much as she’d helped Luc with his books for the bar, he’d helped her decide what to focus on first when it came to the business.
She had an MBA and certainly knew the business world, but between the emotional turmoil of running for her life, then the crushing blow of her family’s betrayal and losing her brother, she didn’t completely trust herself.
Despite the team of consultants, Luc’s advice was more valued than all of them put together. He had an unshakable logic—and no ulterior motive beyond just wanting to help. Focus on the people and the rest will fall into place, he’d said. When she had done that and stopped worrying about the financials, things fell into place.
The headache had her doubling over and at the same time she felt sick. Running for the bathroom, she fell to her knees and lost everything she’d eaten.
That’s what I get for trying those fried jalapenos with a plate of brownies.
Ian had bet her that she couldn’t eat three of the peppers in a row and she had. The mix of spice with the cheese was delicious, but not so much the second time around.
For the past several days, one minute she wanted to eat everything in sight, the next she wanted to throw it all up. Which was weird since they didn’t have things like the flu in Clarksville. Most of the shifters had incredible immune systems. But she wasn’t a shifter. And she’d met with a variety of the consultants from New York. Maybe someone had passed something to her.
She heaved again and she had to hold onto the toilet paper dispense to keep from collapsing.
“What’s wrong?”
It was Luc.
“Ian made me eat those damn peppers and now I’m sick,” she complained.
The stall door opened and he handed her a wet cloth. “Here. You shouldn’t let him get to you like that even though I know how persuasive he can be.”
She bent over again.
Flushing the toilet she sat on the floor and leaned back against the stall.
Luc knelt down beside her.
He sniffed the air, and then cocked his head as if he were listening carefully.
“Ainsley, are you pregnant?”
She stared up at him as if he were nuts.
“Luc–what the hell? I ate too many of the peppers. I told you.” She stopped. Staring down at her hands she counted on her fingers. “Fuck!”
…
Luc whipped out his phone. “I’m calling the Doc.”
Ainsley wouldn’t look at him.
She’d told him that she was on birth control. Had she lied?
“Ainsley?”
Her head hung low and she pulled away when he tried to touch her. “Are you pregnant?” he demanded again. She didn’t respond.
“You told me everything was fine, not to worry. Why did you say that if it wasn’t true? What the hell have you done? Answer me!” Luc bellowed.
She flinched.
“Sorry,” he apologized in a softer tone. Yelling at her wasn’t going to get him answers. But he heard the third and possibly a fourth heartbeat in the room and knew his worst fears had come to light. His child or children grew in her belly.
Most men would be ecstatic at the news, but Luc had lost a child once before and he swore he’d never let that happen again. He closed his eyes as he was taken back to the memory of his darkest days when he was nothing, consumed by drink and driven solely by his animal instincts. It had nearly ruined him emotionally and physically. He knew he cared for Ainsley, but was she worth putting himself through that possible hell again? He shuddered as he tried to repress his bear instincts from taking over.
Luc raked a hand through his hair. “You know what, don’t say anything. Doc will come over and we will figure this out. I could be wrong. It could be a mistake. I just…I can’t handle…”
Ainsley let out a small whimper and his protective instinct took over.
Luc scooped her up and carried her up the stairs. After he sat her on the couch and pulled the blankets over her, he drew away to the other side of the room near the fireplace.
Ainsley huddled in the corner of the couch. “You don’t have to worry about it Luc. I’ll pack my things up and be out of here by tomorrow. It’s time for me to go home anyway. And—everything will be okay. I promise. I have a lot of money, we won’t need anything from you.”
His shoulders flinched reflexively. If she’d hit him with a sledgehammer his heart couldn’t hurt any worse. She was leaving. And she wanted to take his child with her.
Luc couldn’t decide if it was a blessing or a curse.
Chapter Fourteen
The expression of terror on Luc’s face gave her the answer she had expected but didn’t want. She knew his past, his history… But this wasn’t just about him anymore. In the few minutes she had to
get used to the idea, she’d come to love the child that grew inside her. She didn’t care if it was a bear or a human. The baby was hers. Or babies. Dear Lord, twins? Patty’s twins had been such a handful. But they were also an incredible blessing.
A blessing Luc obviously didn’t want.
Luc still paced, tension rolling off him. “It’s not safe for you to have a shifter’s baby. Doc can take care of it.”
She wanted to punch him. “I’m as surprised as you are, maybe more so. I’ve been on the pill this whole time.” She let out a frustrated growl. “Trust me. I didn’t plan for this to happen. I didn’t want to have a baby or babies. But it happened. It’s my baby and I’m keeping it. You may not care for me the way I do you. That’s fine. But I’m raising this child. And having a baby is tough. Period. You want out, Luc? Fine you’re out.”
He sat there with his head in his hand. “How could you be so—”
“Stupid,” she bit out. “Yes, it’s all my fault that you have super bear sperm that penetrates birth control.”
Anger roiled in her. Pushing away the fear of what the hell she was going to do with a baby, she stood on shaky legs. Once she had her bearings, she threw the blankets at him and stormed out.
“Where the hell are you going?” Luc bellowed as he ran after her.
“You’ve made your stance clear. I’m sure as hell not staying here with you.”
“Ainsley, wait!”
She ran down the stairs and barged into the kitchen, almost running into Ian who had his hands full of fresh rolls that Luc had made earlier that afternoon. “Umm…these rolls sure are good,” Ian said as he buttered another and popped it in his mouth.
“Shut up Ian!” They shouted in unison as they stormed through the kitchen.
He threw his hands up in surrender dropping his buttered roll on the steel counter.
She yanked her coat off the hook and threw open the door. Another damn blizzard. Snow swirled so hard it flew into the kitchen.
Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears, Oh My! Page 11
