She straightened in her chair and folded her hands in her lap. “I’ve never belonged to a pack. My parents were rogues, and I’ve been on my own since the change came.” Her gaze steadied, locking with his as if challenging him to judge her.
Luke held her gaze until she looked away. “All right. I’ve got all your info. Do you have a place to stay?”
“Yes. One of your pack members gave me the name of a boarding house. I’ll stay there until I get my feet back under me.”
“Good. I have to get to work now. If you need anything else…” He rose and motioned toward the door.
Alexis stood and stepped toward the exit. “Actually, I could really use a job.”
He blinked at her. Most rogues wanted nothing to do with the pack. They especially didn’t want help. Every now and then a needy one would pass through, but he never understood why someone so willing to accept pack support would want to be on her own. “What can you do?”
She shoved her hands in her pockets. “This and that. Mostly carpentry, plumbing, a little auto work. I can usually fix whatever I get my hands on.”
He raised an eyebrow. If she was telling the truth, this rogue could come in handy. “I’m a contractor. My crew is working on a remodel on Decatur. If you’re any good, we could use some help. I’m heading there now.”
“Oh, I’m good.” She grinned. “What’s the address?”
He scribbled on a scrap of paper and handed it to her.
“I’ll be there in half an hour. And…thank you.” She nodded her head and stepped through the door.
Luke did a few more things at the office, and by the time he arrived at the work site, Alexis stood in the parking lot, waiting for him.
“What took you so long, boss?” She grinned and playfully punched him on the shoulder. “Your boys here didn’t believe you’d offered me a job.”
“We didn’t believe a rogue would accept help her first day in town.” James approached Luke and lowered his voice. “Is she legit?”
“Yeah. I hired her.” Though her casual way of addressing him tempted him to regret his decision. She had a rogue attitude, and if she planned to stick around, she’d have to learn the pecking order. Still, something about her didn’t sit quite right with him. “Show her the ropes,” he said to James. “I’ve got to go over the plans with the client.”
“Sure thing.” James led Alexis into the building.
After his meeting with the client, Luke checked in on the rogue from time to time, but apparently he’d worried for nothing. She fit right in with his team, pulled her weight, and didn’t get in anyone’s way. Any doubts he’d had about hiring her had washed away by the day’s end. And her lack of…interest in him quelled his worry about his old man’s matchmaker games. Then again, his dad probably had another female waiting in the wing if Alexis didn’t work out.
As the crew put their equipment away and headed to their vehicles, Alexis dusted her hands off on her pants and strode toward Luke. “Same time tomorrow?” She flashed an anticipatory grin.
“Yeah. Good work today.”
“See you tomorrow, boss.” She turned and strode toward her beat-up Honda Civic.
Luke checked his watch. Seven fifteen. Macey would either be at home or the coffee shop she frequented in the evenings before work. She’d been on his mind all day; it wouldn’t hurt to swing by and see if she was out. Maybe he could get her to elaborate on her ability to read objects. Then he might be able to figure out exactly what kind of magic she possessed and whether or not it would be strong enough for her to be his mate.
Macey pulled into a parking space at her favorite coffee shop and slid out of the driver’s seat. After her dinner with Luke, last night had been alarmingly quiet. Nothing even remotely related to the case had required her attention, and while she didn’t wish for another incident, a break that led to solving the case would have been nice. She’d have to do some more digging. Maybe look into recent cult activity in the area.
She paced through the parking lot toward the entrance, acutely aware of a man following behind her. With everything that had happened the past few weeks…and being this close to an alley…her senses were on high alert. She turned to greet the man and assess if he presented a threat.
Her heart dipped into her stomach as she gazed into Luke’s bright-blue eyes. “What are you doing here?”
He grinned. “I felt like having a cup of coffee after work. You?”
“Same…but before work. My shift starts in two hours.”
His gaze traveled from her eyes to her mouth, and back up again.
She tugged on her bottom lip, trying to think of something to say to ease the tension. It had only been twenty-four hours since she’d seen him, but she’d thought about him so much it felt like days. “You keep showing up like this, and I might start thinking you’re following me.”
Luke inclined his head and opened the door. “How about that coffee?”
“Okay.”
A single barista stood behind the counter of the dimly lit shop. Sleek blue hair hung over her face, and a dozen earrings glinted in her ears. She put down her book and stepped toward the cash register. Macey ordered a decaf latte. Luke took his coffee black. They sat at a table by the window, and he reached across to take her hand. Tingling electricity shot up her arm, and his eyes gleamed devilishly as he gave her a knowing smile. She was getting used to the spark, but she would never get used to the way the rest of her body reacted to his touch. What was it about this man that got her so worked up?
“That’s a beautiful bracelet.” He ran his finger across the hammered copper band adorning her wrist. “I like the stones. Are they turquoise?”
“Yeah. It belonged to my biological mother.”
“Oh?”
Why did she tell him that? She seemed to dredge up her tragic past every time she talked to him. “I don’t remember her. I was three when my parents died.”
He laced his fingers through hers and stared deeply into her eyes. “What happened to them?”
“Car crash. That’s what I was told, anyway.”
“You don’t believe it?”
“I do. It’s on the official report, but…”
He raised an eyebrow, urging her to finish.
She let out a nervous laugh. “I don’t know what it is about you, but I always seem to spill my guts anytime you’re around. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to burden you with my life story.”
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “It’s not a burden. I want to know everything about you. So it’s on the report, but…”
“But I’ve always had this weird feeling there’s more to the story. I don’t know. I did some research, and everything checks out, so…” She shrugged. “At least I know why they’re gone. My sister…” She clamped her lips together. When would she learn to keep her mouth shut?
He leaned toward her. “You have a sister?”
She sucked in a breath and blew it out hard. She’d already opened the can; she might as well deal with the worms. “She ran away when we were in our third or fourth foster home. One day, everything was fine. Then she was just…gone. She didn’t even say goodbye.” A tear slid down her cheek, and she brushed it away. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone this. I didn’t realize it still hurt so much.”
Tightening his grip on her hand, he placed his other one on top of hers. She needed to pull herself together before she turned into a blubbering mess. Straightening, she wiped beneath her eyes. “My new parents adopted me not long after that, and they brought me here. All’s well that ends well, right?”
The concern in his gaze felt way too heavy. “Do you know where she is now?”
A familiar pang of sadness shot through her chest. “I’ve been angry with her for so long; I’ve never tried to find her. But let’s not talk about that, okay?” There were a million better ways to spend time with a guy as hot as Luke, and none of them involved crying over her tragic past. She locked the unw
anted emotions away in the vault in the back of her mind and forced a smile. “What about you? Tell me something I don’t know about Luke.”
He chuckled and stared at their entwined fingers. “Well, I—”
“Excuse me.” The barista approached their table. “Aren’t you that detective? The one they keep interviewing on TV?”
Macey pulled her hand from Luke’s and sat up straight. This was why she preferred to avoid the cameras. “Yes, I am. But I’m not at liberty to discuss an open case.”
“That’s okay.” The barista grabbed a chair and joined them at the table. “You don’t have to talk about it. Just listen. I have a theory.”
“A theory.” Macey looked at Luke who shrugged and crossed his arms. Everyone had a theory about it, and she’d have to hear this girl out if her time with Luke was to continue in peace.
“Yeah.” The barista’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Werewolves.”
Luke coughed.
Macey turned to the girl. “Your theory is werewolves?” She was nuts. There was no other way to describe her.
“Yes. See, all the women say they were raped, right? And that an animal or something killed the attacker. But what if the animal and the attacker were the same person? What if the werewolf assaulted the girl while he was in human form, and then he turned into a wolf and ran off?”
Macey had seen a wolf in the woods near that woman’s house. Could it be possible that…no. She’d have to be nuts herself to even entertain the preposterous idea.
“Would you look at the time?” Luke tapped an imaginary watch on his wrist. “I didn’t realize how late it was. I’ve got an early morning tomorrow, so we better get going.” He rose from his chair, stepped around the barista, and offered Macey his hand.
“Yeah. You’re right.” Macey stood and looked at the girl. “Thanks for the coffee.”
Luke led her out the door and around the corner of the building. Macey’s car sat alone in the lot. “Well, that was weird.” He ran a hand through his hair.
“Actually, I get that a lot. People with theories, I mean. Not werewolves. That was a first.” She leaned her back against the car door and gazed up at him.
A sly smile curved his lips as he took a step toward her. “Werewolves. That’s ridiculous.” He leaned in closer, resting a hand against the car near her shoulder.
Her pulse sprinted. “Crazy.” She could feel the heat radiating from his body. Her fingers twitched with the urge to run her hands up his chest and wrap them around his shoulders, but she resisted. She didn’t want to get involved with anyone, but she wanted Luke so badly she could taste it.
Oh, to taste him…
“I wonder where she’d get an idea like that.” He stroked her cheek with his thumb, and her breath hitched, her skin tingling where he touched her.
“I have no idea.” Her heart pounded harder as he lowered his face to hers, their lips mere centimeters apart. Should she do this? It had been ages since she’d been with a man, and the way Luke touched her had her aching for more.
“You’re so beautiful, Macey.” His warm breath tickled her skin, and his mouth took hers. His lips were soft, the kiss firm, determined. He started to move away, but she slid her hand behind his neck, urging him to stay. She needed to do this.
A low moan resonated from his chest as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her body close to his. She ran her hands over his arms and down his back, exploring every bulge and cut of his muscular frame. He broke away from the kiss to gaze into her eyes, his sapphire irises pooling with desire.
His voice was husky as he spoke. “I should probably let you get to work.” He brushed his lips to her cheek, her jaw, her neck. When he reached her collarbone, he inhaled deeply, as if he were drinking in her essence. She shivered as he kissed the dip at the base of her throat and glided his mouth up to her earlobe.
“I’ve got a little over an hour, so I was planning to head home first. My place is just a few blocks away, if you wanted to come over.” What was she thinking? This was only their second date, and she was already inviting him over? She needed to start thinking with her head and not her hormones.
Luke grinned wickedly. “Oh, I would love to, but...” He pressed against her, his arousal rubbing her hip. His lips brushed hers as he traced his fingers down her arms to hold her hands. “Not until we’ve had a proper date. A planned one.” He leaned in and touched his lips to her ear. “And I’ll need more than an hour with you.”
His words seemed to suck the breath right from her lungs. She swallowed the thickness from her throat. “You would actually have to call me then. To plan a proper date.”
He grinned. “I will tomorrow. I promise.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“I never break a promise.” He tugged her into a tight embrace. “I’ll see you soon, Macey.” The syllables of her name rolled off his tongue like music, weakening her knees.
Her chest ached at the thought of him leaving so soon. “Do you need a ride?”
“Nah. It’s a glorious night. I think I’ll walk.” He kissed her once more and strolled away.
Macey bit her bottom lip as he sauntered out of the parking lot. He turned to wave goodbye before disappearing around the corner, and she let out a breath. How had she won the affections of such a scrumptious man? Her whole body tingled with the thoughts of how their next date might end. In her bed. Or maybe in his.
She couldn’t wipe the grin off her face as she drove home and opened the front door. Her cat, Thor, greeted her with a hiss and darted under the sofa.
“Well, hello to you too, mister.” She bent down and tried to coax the brown tabby out, but he met her with a swipe of his paw. “Are you jealous, Thor?”
The cat mewed.
“Well, you’re going to have to get used to it. You aren’t the only man in my life anymore.”
Chapter Twelve
“Detective Carpenter, it’s so good to see you.” Macey’s father grinned as she approached.
“Oh, hush, Dad. I made detective years ago. How long is it going to take for you to get over it?” She skipped up the concrete path and threw herself into her father’s arms. He squeezed her in a bear hug and kissed the top of her head.
“I’m just so darn proud of you, daughter. I’ll never get over it.”
“And the neighbors never hear the end of it. Come here.” Macey’s mother, Jenny, gave her a hug, wrapped her arm around her daughter, and walked her inside the small brick house.
The scent of oregano and thyme mixed with beef and carrots made Macey’s mouth water. Her mom had made a pot roast—Macey’s favorite. She followed the enticing aroma into the kitchen and lifted the lid on the slow cooker. Steam wafted out, tickling her senses and making her stomach growl. “Mmm…How much longer until dinner?”
Her mom took the lid, closing the pot and shooing Macey away from the food. “Another fifteen minutes or so.” She took a large bowl out of the cabinet and handed her several bags of chopped vegetables. “Here, mix the salad for me and tell me what’s new with you. Any more trouble with…you know?”
Macey cringed. Her mother knew all about her ability, but she wished she hadn’t told her about the spirit trying to possess her—or whatever had happened. All it did was worry her. “No. I’m sure it was my imagination. Forget I said anything about it.”
Jenny pursed her lips and pulled a loaf of fresh, baked bread out of the oven. “Anything else going on?”
A grin curved Macey’s mouth as she poured the cucumbers into the bowl. “Well, I’ve had a couple of dates.”
Her mother paused and turned to Macey. “And how did they go?”
She dumped the bell peppers and carrots on top of the lettuce and tossed it around in the bowl. Her heart raced, and fresh adrenaline pumped through her body as she relived the surreal experience. “It was…weird. He’s so easy to talk to. I told him way more than I should have.”
“It’s about time you opened up to someone.”
>
“It’s scary, though. You know?”
Her mom smiled. “I know you have reservations when it comes to relationships, but you deserve to be happy. Go ahead and enjoy it.”
Macey grinned. Maybe her mom was right. She did deserve to be happy. Maybe it was time she opened up the gates to her heavily guarded heart and let someone in. “He’s such a gentleman. He’s got caramel-colored hair and gorgeous blue eyes.”
“What’s his name?”
“Luke Mason. He’s so—”
“How do you know Luke Mason?” A musical voice drifted into the room, followed by a rotund, elderly woman with curly gray hair and dark brown eyes. She glided across the kitchen as if her feet didn’t touch the floor beneath her long, burnt-orange skirt.
“Roberta! I didn’t hear you come in.” Jenny wiped her hands on a dish cloth and hugged the woman.
“William let me in. Your husband is such a charmer.” Her smile lit up her face, and her eyes twinkled as she turned her attention to Macey. “You must be Macey. Your mother has told me so much about you.”
Macey held out her hand to shake, but Roberta pushed it away, pulling her into a big hug instead. Macey tentatively hugged her back, patting her on the shoulder until she released her hold. She glanced at her mother, who smiled and busied herself with preparing the meal.
“Come. Sit.” Roberta motioned for Macey to follow her to the dining room table.
Macey hesitated, looking at her mother.
“Go ahead,” Jenny said. “Dinner’s almost ready. I’ll bring it to the table.”
She followed Roberta, settling into a chair opposite her at the table. The woman’s smile was so dazzling, she couldn’t help but smile in return.
Roberta folded her hands on the table. “How do you know Luke?”
Werewolves Only: Crescent City Wolf Pack Book One Page 8
