Aleck: Mating Fever

by V. Vaughn

  “Right. You’re a lifesaver.”

  I walk out of Link’s office and manage to keep my tone light when I reply, “I know.” And I do. I’m about to spend my evening making sure my boss comes out smelling like a rose, instead of hanging out with Aleck and the band. I wonder if I’ve lost my taste for French champagne and caviar.

  When I get back to my desk, I text Aleck that I have a work function I must attend and I’ll see him tomorrow. As much as I’d love to ask him to wait for me at my place, the reality is I have no idea when tonight will end. I stare at his reply that says no problem and that he’ll miss me. I trace the words with my finger before I text back. “I’ll miss you too.”

  * * *

  After a successful evening of Link treating me as if I’m the love of his life, an interview with the press, and even a lead on a new female sensation that is supposed to have chops better than Adele, I’m exhausted. I lean back against the seat of the limo, and the leather is cool on my bare back. I say, “I think we pulled it off.”

  “Me too.” Link lifts my leg to remove my shoe. He massages my foot, and I sigh as he presses hard on the muscles of my arch and pain subsides. High heels are brutal when you’re on your feet all night, and he always used to do this for me even before we were dating, so I don’t bother to stop him. “You were amazing with the press too,” he says.

  “They just liked my dress. Did you hear that woman nail the designer?”

  “She’s not the only one that noticed how beautiful you looked tonight. You’re a very attractive woman, Noel.”

  “Thank you.” A siren blares in the distance, and I glance out the tinted window to watch the flashing red lights pass by us on the other side of the highway.

  “You’re going to have to be careful with Aleck.” Link lowers my foot to switch to the other one. “That guy has it bad for you.”

  I sure hope so. I recall how Link told me not to get involved with him and realize he hasn’t been around to know I have. I’m not ready to deal with it, so I say, “I think he likes food and gas money. I’m kind of a fairy godmother to them.”

  Link leans forward and places his hands on the edge of my thighs. I sit up, uncomfortable with his touch, as he says, “I’ve been thinking. I made a big mistake getting into something with Sheila.”

  Oh no, you don’t. Link’s hands are cool in my fingers when I remove them from my legs and say, “Perhaps you did, but we were already in trouble.” I stare at him with intensity. “We’d have been broken up by now anyway.”

  He leans back and says, “You’re right. And this way we stayed friends.”

  I want to laugh at him, but keep it in check because it doesn’t matter. I made myself clear about my boundaries and let him back away with grace. Good PR is all about the spin of the details, and Link isn’t the only one that can play this game well.

  9

  The next morning I make myself strong coffee and regret the extra glass of champagne I drank last night in an effort to keep smiling. Link was overly affectionate, and by the end of the night his arm around my shoulders was almost too much to bear. A hanger scrapes against the metal bar as I make room in my closet for the elegant gown I wore. The beads on the bodice are smooth under my fingers as I stroke it. It may have been a long night, but I did get a gorgeous dress out of the deal.

  Steaming coffee splashes in my mug as I pour it, and I grab my phone to check the gossip rags to see what they’re reporting about Link and me. I open up to one about Sheila going to rehab, and my phone rings as I begin to read. “Noel Keating.”

  “Please say you haven’t left for work yet,” says Link.

  “Nope. Why?”

  “Because I’m on my way to give you a ride.” I sip on my hot drink, and it scalds my tongue as he continues, “Seems the press isn’t totally convinced I’m not cheating on you, so we have to make a show of you spending the night with me.”

  “What?”

  “It’s all arranged. Photographers will see me drop you off at work on my way to the airport.”

  It’s a small thing, but I need to have a little control in this, so I say, “You get me a poppy seed bagel on the way, and I’ll do it.”

  “Noel, really?”

  “Yes, really. This farce is getting ridiculous. So if I’m going to pretend to sleep with you, then the least I deserve is a bagel.”

  “Fine. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

  I’m outside by the time the town car arrives, and I climb in next to Link. He hands me a bagel wrapped in paper, and it’s warm on my palm. He says, “Heavy on the cream cheese, the way you like it.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I’m off to hold Raphael’s hand for a few days,” says Link.

  My bagel crunches as I take a bite, and I nod as I chew.

  “He’s taking the death of his mother hard.”

  “They were very close, but the fans are loving his tribute to her at the end of his concerts,” I say. “Not a dry eye in the house, I hear.”

  “Unfortunately he falls apart afterward, and I need to make sure he’s not back to finding ways to numb the pain.”

  I speak with my mouth full. “Smart.” I swallow and say, “Don’t forget Second Sound is going on tour next week, and I’ll be with them for the four shows.” I got them a spot to open for a headliner that’s finishing up their tour. It’s the perfect dry run to get Second Sound used to shows in big venues as well as giving them exposure before their first album releases.

  Link says, “Right. Knock it out of the park.”

  We’ve arrived at the studio, and a paper napkin is rough on my lips as I wipe my mouth. I say, “I will.” I glance out and see a few paparazzi waiting for us. I sigh. “Show time.”

  The driver opens the door for me, and I’m immediately accosted by a female reporter, who yells out a question in a shrill tone. “Ms. Keating! Is it true Link is on his way to Safe Haven to see Sheila today?”

  Link steps out of the car and says to me, “I’ve got this.” He slips his arm around my waist and tugs me close to his body as he says, “I’m not, but Noel and I treat our musicians as if they’re family. If Sheila needs either of us, we’ll be there.”

  A male reporter says, “You know he’s lying to you, Noel. How does that make you feel?”

  The stretch SUV that has been driving Second Sound around pulls into the drive to park behind our car as I say, “Thanks for the concern, but please let me worry about my relationships.”

  I glance at the car as the driver opens the door when Link surprises me. He grabs my face and plants a kiss on my lips. I react by grabbing his arms for balance, and when he shoves his tongue in my mouth I try to push against his chest as I use every ounce of willpower to keep from kneeing him in the crotch. He’s going way too far. Camera lights flash as Link slides his arm around my waist and lowers his hand. Before he can squeeze my bottom, I pinch his chest hard. He releases me, and my body heaves with anger as I try to calm myself with deep breaths. Heat burns my cheeks as rage roars through me.

  That’s not the only thing that roars. I swear I just heard an animal growl, and the press turns to a scuffle behind them. Adrian jumps over the hood of the car and gets in the driver’s seat as Ginny slams the passenger door shut just in time for the limo to peel out and drive away. I have no idea what just happened, but I’m thankful we have great security at the studio, because two men flank Ginny as they rush her into the building. Link and I follow as we ignore the questions the press yells out.

  Link asks Ginny, “What the hell just happened?”

  She glares at me and says, “Testosterone reaction to something Noel should have told us.” She turns to Link, and she shoots out words like a burning laser. “Cute couple. No wonder you two work so well together.”

  I close my eyes and groan. Poor Aleck. I say, “That was a PR thing, Ginny. It’s a long story, but Link and I are not together.” Link doesn’t say anything, and I hit his arm as I hiss, “Help me out here!”

&nbs
p; He tilts his head at me, and I think he has the nerve to be mad at me. “You got involved with him, didn’t you?” When I don’t answer, he shakes his head. “Unbelievable. You’re off the account, Noel.” He turns on his heel to walk toward the door.

  “No! Link, you can’t do that.”

  He stops and turns slowly back toward me. “I believe I’m your boss, Noel. I can do whatever the hell I want.”

  I swirl my tongue around my mouth as if I can wash out the flavor of Link’s kiss. I should be upset over what he did, but I have more pressing things on my mind. Imagining how I just hurt Aleck makes bile rise in my throat.

  The glass door shakes when Link storms out and slams it shut, and I turn to Ginny. She gives me the once-over with her gaze and says, “You haven’t got a clue what you’ve done, have you?”

  Tears fill my eyes as I say, “I was doing my job. I swear that kiss wasn’t what you thought.”

  Ginny sighs. “I believe you. But you’ve got one pissed-off b--” She scowls. “Aleck’s upset, and I’ll do what I can to help with this, but what just happened is not something he can tolerate.”

  I nod and say, “He shouldn’t have to.” I blink as a tear rolls down my cheek, and Ginny touches my arm. Her hand is hot like Aleck’s, and it’s as if she broke the dam that was holding my emotions in check as tears fall freely now. I’m not sure how, but in just a couple weeks I’ve fallen completely for Aleck, and the thought of losing him is making my heart shatter into a million pieces. I glance at her through blurry vision. “I’m in love with him, Ginny. How do I fix this?”

  She says, “Well, lucky for you, fate wants you two to be together. If Aleck is what you really want, you’ll get him.” She pulls her phone out of her back pocket as she says, “But there’s a few hoops you get to jump through first.”

  Ginny’s nails tap as she texts someone, and I ask, “What do you mean?”

  She glances up and smiles. “That’s for Aleck to tell you. They’re on their way back.”

  The growl I heard earlier sounds in my head, and I flash to the dreams I used to have as a little girl. A tingling sensation crawls along my scalp. My mother may have convinced me then that the visions meant nothing, but now I think I’m about to find out they were telling me something, and I wonder what it is Aleck is about to reveal.

  10

  Adrian comes through the lobby door first and hands the limo keys to the driver that waits as he says, “Thanks. That’s one sweet engine under the hood. That baby can go when you want it to.” He and the driver get into a conversation about the car, but I don’t listen as the rest of the band clears the way for Aleck. I walk up to him and say, “I’m so sorry. That kiss wasn’t what--”

  “I know. I could smell your anger.”

  My brow knits in confusion. “Smell?”

  “And it made me want to maul him.”

  I shake my head because maul is an odd word to use. Aleck says, “We need to talk somewhere private.”

  “Sure. Link is gone, so let’s go to my office.”

  I glance over at the rest of the band, and they quickly pretend they’re not watching us and scramble toward the elevators. Nessa glances over her shoulder to say, “We’ll just be in the studio. Playing and... stuff.”

  Aleck ignores her as we walk behind them toward the elevator. We let them go up before us, and I shift from foot to foot as we wait. Silence might be Aleck’s thing, but it’s not mine, so I begin to ramble. “Link and I used to date, and we broke up because”--Because I met you--“things just didn’t work out. He got involved with a singer from another band, and they had a fight that was caught--”

  Aleck grabs my arms and kisses me before I can say more. I come undone and meld my body to his as emotions swirl in a frenzy of relief, desire, and love for him. When he releases me I inhale sharply. He says, “It makes me crazy to think about you with anyone else. From this point on, our past relationship history is wiped clean. I don’t want to know anything.”

  I nod as I lick my swollen lips. The elevator doors swish open, and we step inside. When they close I turn to him with a smile. “So.”

  He grabs my hips and grins as he leans down to kiss me again. “So.”

  The elevator opens up too soon for my liking, and I lead Aleck down the hall to my office. He glances around at the waiting room and the executive assistant who smiles at us as we go by. She says, “Good morning, Ms. Keating. Can I get you anything?”

  “No. Thank you, Mara.”

  My door shuts with a soft snick, and I ask, “Should I sit for this?”

  “Probably.”

  I slide onto the top of my desk, and Aleck walks over to the window. He gazes down at the city before he turns to me. I notice how light his hair looks in the sunlight that streams in as he asks, “What do you know about your father?”

  “Nothing really.” I think about the growl I heard this morning and how it matched the one I used to hear in my dreams. I decide I can confide in Aleck. “But the noise I heard today. I’ve heard it before.”

  Aleck nods as he comes toward me. He pulls a chair over, and it creaks as he sits in front of me and takes my hands. “I’m going to tell you something you might not believe, but try.”

  “Okay.” I hold my breath as I wait.

  “I think your father was a werebear.”

  I sit up a little taller as I process his words. “You mean like a werewolf but a bear?”

  “Yes.”

  I recall the vision of the bear in my dreams and ask, “What does that mean?”

  “It means that you’re half werebear, and that’s why we can be true mates.”

  “True mates?” I pull my hands away and slide back farther on the desk until the edge digs into the back of my knees. “And you’re a--”

  “I am. Only I’m a full werebear, and you’re only half, which is why you don’t have the ability to shift yet.”

  “Hang on. You’re telling me that you can become a bear.” The growl I heard earlier today sounds in my head, and I inhale a deep breath before I blow it out.

  “Yes. You almost witnessed it today when I let anger get the best of me.”

  “You shifted?”

  He nods. “Aaron and Andre shoved me in the limo before I was done and anyone could see.” He plucks at his shirt. “I ripped my clothes, and Nessa ran into a shop a few streets over to get me new jeans and one of these horrible boxy shirts you don’t like.” He grins. “Having a cheap sense of style can be handy.”

  I let myself smile too, but my mind is racing with the news. I’m not sure what to do with it. True mates. I decide to focus on that part. “Tell me about true mates.”

  He grins with a sappy look that makes me melt a little. “It means that we’re meant to be together.” He places his hand over his heart. “I’ll love you forever, Noel. Even if you decide you can’t do this, you’ll be the one in my heart for the rest of my life.”

  God, he’s adorable. “But if we’re true mates, wouldn’t you be in mine too? Why wouldn’t I want to do this?”

  “Because you have to make a big decision. Right now your bear is dormant, but if you want to be with me, then eventually I’ll have to change you.”

  I hop off the desk and walk over to the window. The glass is cool from the air conditioning and chills my hand when I touch it as I stare out at the city. I have so many questions about what being a werebear means, but right now all I can think about is the fact that Aleck is meant to be in my life forever. I turn to him. “You love me.”

  He stands and comes to me. He holds out his hand, and I place mine in it. “I do. I have since the first time I saw you in Gideon’s Pub.”

  “When I touched you.”

  “Before that. When you lifted the tray over your head, it was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen.” He glances down at my lap. “And don’t ever stop wearing skirts like that.” He lets out a low rumble that’s part growl, and my insides twitch at the sound. His voice gets husky. “And god, the scent of you make
s me crazy.”

  “My scent?”

  He nods. “I can smell you want me, and it’s taking all my control not to rip off your clothes and taste you right now.”

  I drop his hand to press my back against the glass and put some distance between us. But it’s not because I don’t want him. It’s because I’m afraid of losing control where people might hear us. “We can’t do it here.”

  “I know. I won’t compromise your job, Noel.”

  I nod quickly. Although considering how mad Link was when he left, I might not have one. I inhale deeply. I can detect the faint odor of Aleck and imagine what he must smell on me. I say, “Okay, but can you back up a little? I’m kind of having trouble with that control thing.”

  He does as I ask and sits in the chair again. I move behind my desk to sit too, and I’m overwhelmed with joy. I grin at Aleck as I lean on my desk with my chin in my hand. “So you’ll love me forever.” My euphoria makes me think of the unconditional love a mother has for her baby, and I wonder if the reason I’m not freaking out right now is similar.

  “Pretty great, huh?”

  “Uh-huh.” I sigh. “I suppose you need to tell me about the werebear part now. How does the shifting thing work?”

  “We can shift at will, once you learn to control it.”

  “Except for an extreme emotion like anger?”

  “Yeah,” says Aleck. He leans forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “But I think that was probably my bear struggling with the need to claim you. Once--if--we bond, I believe I’ll be able to control the dominance thing better. I haven’t lost control of my shift since I was a teenager.”

  I recall Ginny saying I’d need to jump through hoops And say, “So all of you are werebear.”