by Jessica Sims
Actually, there isn’t. I had to take a cold one this morning.
“Where’s Austin?” I ask Lily. I’m pretty sure two of the Primordials shouting upstairs are his charges. “And where are the others?” There should be more people here with so many Primordials, not just Ellis, because Lily’s here and Lily is easily scared.
“There’s a situation,” Lily says in a small voice, and throws away a half-eaten package of raw chicken. “Cahal’s missing and they think he stole a human woman. Beau and a few of the others are out tracking them.”
Oh, jesus. I rub my forehead. Of course Cahal did. Like most of the Primordials, he’s hungry for a mate and we’re trying to integrate them into society slowly. I’ve been worried that one day they’ll be tired of slow and just take matters into their own hands.
Seems like today is that day.
The utter chaos in the house crawls over me like irritation, and I clutch my belly as my baby kicks in protest. Babies. Whatever. I thought I wouldn’t mind the Primordials living with us. After all, I’ve lived in a house with all my cousins ever since I was in high school and it’s never bothered me. But there’s mass chaos that seems to follow the Primordials around wherever they go, and there’s no rest here.
It makes me tired just being around them.
I think of the extra set of keys in my purse. The address is two towns over, but not a long drive. “Hey, Lily? Want to get away from here?”
She straightens, and the moment she does, a bloodcurdling scream of outrage erupts upstairs, followed by howls of laughter.
“Dammit, Bevan! When I said he should give you the soap I didn’t mean that you should attack him with it!” Ellis’s voice is a full-fledged shout now.
Lily cringes and nods at me. “I want to leave.”
“Cool. Get your purse and go wait in my car. I’ll tell Ellis I’m rescuing you.”
She nods and races out of the room, relief on her face. Poor Lily. People freak her out, especially noisy people. Noisy shifter people are pretty much her worst nightmare. Something about some PTSD from being locked in a vampire’s basement for six months. Only Ellis knows the full story, and he’s so protective of his mate that he won’t share details. I head halfway up the stairs and yell up to Ellis. “Lily and I are going out!”
“Tell her I’ll text her later,” Ellis shouts back. “Thank you!”
I head out to find Lily waiting in my car. I get in and start the car, noticing the stressed lines on Lily’s face are already disappearing.
“So where are we going?” She asks.
“First, we’re getting something to eat,” I tell her, and my stomach rumbles in response. “Then, we are checking out a house.”
“A house?”
“Yeah. Someone gave me one as a gift,” I say, and dangle the keys.
“Do you want to live in a free house?”
“Today? Or in general?” I give her a wry look. “Because today? If it means I don’t have to go back to that madness? Yes, yes I do.”
Lily’s soft smile is whisper-thin. “You have a point.”
A half hour later, Lily and I have scarfed some fast food and are parked in front of a gated farm entrance.
“Is this the place?” Lily asks.
“We’ll find out soon enough,” I tell her, and get out to open the gate, leaving the car running. No one comes out to chase us off, so I double-check the address on the mailbox and yup, it’s the same place.
Okay, then. I expected some small house in the suburbs. The fact that it’s a private property with some land gives me a prickle of excitement or two. I get back in the car and drive forward, trying not to get too excited at the winding driveway that snakes through the trees.
“This is nice,” Lily breathes, peering out the window. “Where’s the house?”
“Somewhere around here, I think.” I’m peering too, trying to see everything I can. There are mimosa trees lining the driveway, their pink blossoms raining down. I love mimosas. Actually, this entire place is pretty. Pretty and secluded….and not close to the Anderson land at all. They’re on the other end of the metroplex.
This place, however, is close to my family.
That can’t be coincidence. It does, however, improve my mood toward Connor.
And then the house comes into view. I gasp because maybe I was expecting a trailer or something.
This is…an adorable farmhouse. It’s two stories with a metal roof and wood-beam supports for the porch. There’s a curving walkway of stepping stones from the gravel driveway to the house, and the lawn is manicured and well-tended. There are rosebushes around the house and a flowering arch in the backyard. Everything’s so cute. It looks….perfect.
“Is this the free house?” Lily gasps. “I thought it’d be a single wide or something. It’s so sweet!”
“Let’s go inside,” I tell her, trying not to get too excited. I’m not keeping the place. I’m not. I’m just…checking things out. That’s all.
The key fits in the front door lock perfectly, which lessens the feeling of intrusion, and there’s even a fresh new welcome mat.
And the interior is…gosh, it’s perfect. I take a few steps inside and gawk. The inside is open and spacious, with a lofting white ceiling. There’s a stone fireplace off to one side, and on the other side, the living room opens up into the kitchen. The back wall is nothing but windows, and the floors are burnished wood.
“This is a free house?” Lily asks in a small voice. “Really?”
I’m too shocked to reply. This place is perfection. I move into the kitchen, noticing the granite countertops and the new stainless steel appliances. My goodness. There’s a small dining room off to one side, and there’s a side hall tucked off to one side. I head in that direction. The master bedroom is enormous, empty of furniture but full of potential. Off to the side, I see a large en suite bathroom and a huge tub with claw feet.
Oh wow. That would be perfect for soaking my swollen feet.
I’m not falling in love with this place. I’m not.
I leave the master bedroom behind and notice there’s a room right next door. It’s smaller and has a beautiful window overlooking the backyard. It could easily be an office…or an nursery. I even like the shades of blue that the rooms are painted.
Upstairs, there are three more bedrooms, another bathroom, and there’s one more bathroom off by a laundry room downstairs. Everything’s picture perfect, adorable, and clearly recently renovated.
Connor must have put all the work into this house. There’s a room upstairs with yellow walls and a Winnie-the-Pooh ceiling fan that I imagine is for a baby.
My stomach flutters, as if the kids are telling me how much they like the house. I like it too. It’s so…quiet. Homey, relaxed, and quiet. Lily peers into one of the backyard windows and I move to her side. There’s a deck out back and then a short distance away, a charming white gazebo that’s slightly overgrown with vines, because of course there’s a gazebo in the world’s most perfect country house.
“Are you keeping this place?” Lily asks in an awed voice.
“I wasn’t going to until I saw it,” I admit to her.
“If you don’t want it, Ellis and I will buy it off of you.”
“Mine,” I say with a mock growl. I clutch the keys in my hand. If Connor’s giving up the place…what’s the harm in moving in?
He’d want me to have a comfortable, quiet home with the babies, I think. I pace around the big living room again, imagining it filled with furniture. Some overstuffed plaid couches, maybe a throw rug. No end tables because the place will need to be baby proofed, but oh, the potential.
I’ll have to buy it off Connor. Then I won’t feel so guilty about taking it. But until then, I look over at Lily and smile. “Wanna help me move in?”
Chapter 11
SAVANNAH
It takes three days for me to move my things in. Lily helps, and Austin and Ellis, too. They’re all a little chagrined I’m moving out, but when
I explain I need time for myself and the babies inside me, they understand. Life’s become more than a little chaotic since the Primordials moved in, and everyone understands my need for a little ‘alone’ time. The Primordials are still learning so much, and they’ve still got a long way to go. It’ll be nice to go to the bathroom without worrying what’s going to happen the moment my back is turned.
And having my own place after years of living with Beau, Austin, and a bunch of cousins and brothers? God, it’s so nice. I hang a few pieces of art on the living room walls and mentally think of pieces to get for additional decor. I fill my fridge with things I like to eat that won’t get snatched by Primordial hands right away. There’s room for all my stuff, and to set up exactly how I want.
I don’t even have to share a bathroom anymore. The seat will always be down.
This is heaven.
I set up the kitchen, my bedroom, and the living room with the help of the others. A guest bedroom and the babies’ room can wait a bit longer. For now, I just want to be comfortable.
I should know that it’s too good to last.
By Saturday night, I’m feeling a little itchy in my skin. I haven’t shifted in what feels like forever. Dr. Lamb doesn’t recommend it for pregnant women, but I’m going to go stir-crazy if I don’t have a late night run through the forest to burn off some of the week’s stress. I peek out the screen door. The evening is unseasonably pleasant and there’s not a cloud in the night sky. I can see stars, and the full moon shining down.
Of course, the moon makes me think of Connor. Not that werewolves are really a slave to the whole moon-phases thing, but it doesn’t take much to make me think of Connor. I shake thoughts of him out of my head and strip out of my long, breezy sundress. My clothing has gotten simpler the larger my belly gets. I figure by the time the babies arrive, I’ll be down to nothing but a sack with holes for sleeves. I shuck my maternity panties and bra, step out of my flip flops, and then head down the steps into the night air.
It won’t be a long run, I tell myself. Just enough to get it out of my system.
I crouch low in the grasses and begin my shift from human to cougar, watchful of my body as it twists into an entirely different form. As I shift, I mentally keep vigilant - there’s no kicking from my belly to indicate that they’re uncomfortable or responding to my shift. A good sign. I finish my shifting with ease, and then I’m a long bodied, sleek cougar.
With a big, pregnant belly.
I scratch my ear with a hind paw and scent the air, testing for prey. Now that I’ve shifted, my senses are keener, and I can smell a few interesting things. There’s a skunk somewhere, something that smells rodent-like, and something off to the west that smells pretty dead.
Being a cat and curious, I immediately head off for the dead things. Not to eat, of course. Just to peek at. I lope into the woods - my woods - with an easy, relaxed gait. I’m in no particular hurry. It feels so good to be in my cat form. I’ve missed this. I don’t think it’s nearly as bad for the babies as Dr. Lamb says it is. It’s certainly great for the mother. I feel invigorated, my paws picking up the pace until I’m racing through the nighttime forest, exhilarated.
My smelly dead thing turns out to be an armadillo on the side of the road a mile or so away, which is a shame. Dead armadillos in Texas are a dime a dozen and uninteresting. I immediately head deeper into the woody brush in search of more interesting things. My cat’s feeling playful.
Two hours later, I return to my house, the hot stink of skunk in my nose. I’d narrowly managed to avoid being sprayed, but the stench was still lingering in the air, making my eyes water. I’d toyed with the idea of nabbing a squirrel or two as a snack, but my stomach wanted real food after expending all that energy, and all the real food is at my cute new house.
My house. Just the feeling makes me lash my tail with pride.
I complete the slow change back to human, and yawn. The effort - and the run - has made me exhausted. Time for a hot shower and a snack, and a nap. I love naps. My babies kick at my stomach as if to agree. I climb up the steps and head through the back door into the kitchen. I open the fridge…and then pause.
The shower’s running upstairs.
I tense, terror ripping through me. Intruders? I have to protect my children. I grab a knife out of a nearby drawer to defend myself.
Then I pause, because what kind of burglar breaks into a house way out in the country just to take a shower? I sniff the air, but my senses are askew from the stupid skunk. Crossing the downstairs of the house, I flip on the light switch to the front porch. There’s a familiar truck parked in the driveway.
Connor.
Damn it.
My terror gives way to anger, and I storm up the stairs to the master bathroom. Sure enough, a dirty pair of jeans and a t-shirt are on my floor, shoes thrown aside. The bathroom door is ajar and I can smell the scent of my favorite body wash in the air, mixed with the intoxicating scent of wolf shifter.
That jerk should not smell nearly as good as he does.
Ignoring propriety I fling the door open and push my way inside. “Connor Anderson,” I bellow. “What do you think you’re doing?”
It’s Connor all right. I’d recognize that taut, tanned backside anywhere. It’s like two tiny globes of muscular perfection attached to a rippling, strong back. Both of which are currently covered in streams of water and soap. He slowly turns around, his hair in a soapy mohawk. And damn it, he looks amazing. There’s not an ounce of fat on him. He’s all thick muscle.
And I feel fat and dumpy and utterly pregnant.
A slow smile crosses his handsome face at the sight of me. “Savannah.”
“Don’t you ‘Savannah’ me.” I wave the knife at him, still pissed despite his naked, wet glory. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
His brows lower in confusion. “I’m taking a shower? I had a long day.” He steps under the spray and more suds go cascading down his rock-hard abdomen.
Not that I’m looking. I jerk my eyes back up to his face.
He raises an arm and carefully lathers under it. “My latest flip house had water damage in the ceiling so I had to knock a good chunk down and replace it. This new one’s a damn money pit.” Connor finishes washing his arms, then rubs a hand over his face, brushing away the last vestiges of soap. Then, he turns off the water and holds a hand out. “Give me a towel?”
I stare at him. Even as I do, I see the erection growing as a result of me being in his presence. Jesus. I shouldn’t be looking at that. Shouldn’t be wondering what sex would be like with him if there wasn’t the awful compulsion of the heat involved…
I fumble for a towel on the counter and thrust it out to him. “Cover up!”
“You want a turn in here? I saved you some hot water.” He mops at his face and then rubs his hair with the towel, completely ignoring the parts of him that I specifically wanted covered. “I’ll even wash your back for you.” His voice is a casual, slow tease that makes my nipples harden.
Stupid nipples.
I am sweaty, and I did want a shower after I ate, but it looks like that’s gone out the window. Hot water or not, I have to be on my guard around Connor. Wolves are sneaky. I cross my arms to hide my protruding nipples and glare at him again. “Connor, answer me. What are you doing here in my house?”
That gets his attention. He gives me an oh-really look and rolls back the glass shower door, then steps out. Still mostly naked. Still toweling his hair. “Your house, huh? I told you I bought this place for us.”
Now I’m confused. “But…you gave me a key.”
He lifts his head and gives me a playful look. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t be living here.”
Frustration and fury blast through me. “You’re kidding.”
“I’m not. I see you’ve taken the master bedroom, though. I would have put the bed against a different wall, but that’s just me. At least you were thoughtful enough to get us a King sized bed.”
“Us?”
The word squeaks out of me. “You can’t live here.”
“Sure I can. I bought the place.” He gives me a slow smile and then moves to my side and picks up my comb. “Just ignore me like you always do.”
I watch him in silence as he combs his wet hair. My mouth works, but I can’t think of a thing to say. “I’ve been here for three days,” I finally protest. “Where have you been?”
“Had some pack stuff that came up. Saw the lights on over here and thought I’d stop by and take a shower. Maybe curl up for the evening.” He grins at me and then saunters out of the bathroom, leaving his wet towel on the floor.
The damn jerk is still naked.
And…wait. Saw the lights on? The house isn’t visible from the main road. You’d have to open the gate and drive down the gravel road a ways before you’d see the house. He was checking to see if I was moving in.
What a freaking manipulator. I’m trapped here, now, for at least a day or two. I can move all my stuff out again, but it seems like such an overwhelming ordeal. And I really, really like this house. I’m sad and frustrated all at once. And pissed. Irritated, I bend over to scoop up his wet towel—
And black out.
CONNOR
Seems like being a manipulative dick runs in the family, I think smugly to myself. Am I happy that Savannah’s so pissed that I’ve more or less let her know that if she lives here, I’m here too? I’m not mad she’s angry, but I also noticed that she was checking me out.
I saunter down the hall, buck-ass naked, because I know it irritates her. Instead of her shouting after me, all I hear is a crash in the bathroom and the sound of something heavy tumbling to the ground.
Did she throw something? “Savannah?”
There’s no response.
Oh god. I whip around and race back to the bathroom, and my heart stops at the sight of her, unconscious on the floor.
“Savannah!” I kneel beside her and take her in my arms, cradling her. She’s unconscious, but breathing evenly. Jesus. I hug her against me and run a hand over her arms and legs, then her swollen belly, trying to figure out what’s wrong. Do pregnant women faint? Is that a thing? Is there a problem with the baby?
