Even at 6:00 p.m., the sun was warm, so she headed back inside to the cages. There were a lot of little fellows that needed some loving, and today she happened to have some extra love inside that needed to get out. One of the dogs had given birth a short while ago, and she picked up one puppy and stroked its little head. He was so sweet and innocent and deserved to have a loving home.
“I thought I might find you here.”
She turned around and her breath caught. “Cavon. What are you doing here?”
He shrugged. “I needed some Amy time.”
He looked almost as forlorn as the animals in the cages. She held up the puppy. “You want to hold him?”
He smiled and took the wee thing from her. Immediately, the animal gave a small yelp and tried to jump on Cavon’s chest. “Aren’t you a cute fellow?”
“Animals seem to take to you naturally.”
“That’s because I love them unconditionally.”
“It shows.”
Cavon spent a few minutes petting the animal and then returned him to his mother. “I stopped by to see if you wanted to get a bite to eat. When you weren’t at your house, I guessed you might be here.”
“That would be wonderful. You’re worried about Malik, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
She said good-bye to a few of the other volunteers as she left. As much as she loved being with Cavon, it wasn’t the same when she knew Malik might never join them ever again. She wouldn’t bring up his name again until they were seated in the restaurant. She’d purposefully avoided going back in to the High-Country Inn for fear of running into Will, Gage, or Sella. Having to explain why Malik wasn’t with them anymore would be too painful.
“How about going to the Spirit Café?” It was closer to the animal shelter and only a few blocks from Gardners, where their love affair began to bloom.
“I haven’t been in a long time, but I’m game.”
Once they stepped inside, she was surprised at how crowded it was. The tourist season had a different clientele during the summer months, but it was almost as busy now as in the winter.
The waitress showed them to one of the few empty tables. “Not that I’m not thrilled, but why did you stop by?” Amy reached out and placed a palm on his hand to show him she was happy he’d shown the initiative.
“I’m sure you can guess. I could go back to Anterra and try to talk some sense into my brother, but I wanted to know what you want.”
She blew out a breath trying to find the words. “I want you both, but if all Malik wants to do is hang out, then maybe I won’t be having two men in my life.” She’d let Cavon decide how he wanted to handle things.
“I wish he’d given me warning.” He stabbed a hand through his thick, light-brown hair.
From the way it curled up at the end, it didn’t look like he’d had it cut since he’d come here. “Does he do this sulking thing often?”
“Never.” He leaned forward. “You don’t understand. Sure, my brother loves to joke, but he was totally dedicated to protecting the citizens of Anterra. If anyone died, he often took it personally.”
“Maybe the stress finally got to him.”
“Maybe, but we’re bred to fight. I could see if we fought as humans, the stress of always being on guard might tire us, but when we’re in lion form, our natural instinct takes over.”
The words natural instinct made so much sense. “I can see that. Even humans have a natural instinct. Mine, I think is to nurture others. I can’t help myself.”
“And Malik is a born leader and teacher. His need to protect goes deep, which is why I think he’ll come to his senses.”
“If he were still on Earth, I’d say we should stage my kidnapping to make him come to my rescue.”
That got a laugh out of Cavon. “Don’t we wish.”
The waitress came by for their orders, but they had to ask her to give them another few minutes. “So how long are you going to wait before you go back?”
He leaned back in his chair. “If he doesn’t appear in two weeks, I’ll go.”
Knowing there was a plan helped calm her. “Thank you.”
* * * *
Cavon had to be going crazy. While he still hadn’t seen his brother in close to ten days, there was something odd going on in the room. Malik’s suitcase sat on the luggage rack, but every time he came back from work or his class, it seemed someone had moved it. At first he chalked it up to the maids, but the toothpaste appeared to be dwindling, too. Certainly, a maid wouldn’t be brushing her teeth in their room.
Malik, can you hear me? Are you still here?
He felt a little stupid trying to communicate with his brother, knowing full well he was in Anterra, but there were infinitesimal clues that implied Malik had been back to the room. He couldn’t for the life of him figure out why he would return and not let him know. If Malik had changed his mind and stayed in Spirit, why not spend the night in his bed? He surely wasn’t staying at Amy’s house. She would have been the first to let him know.
He had to settle this once and for all. He opened the suitcase and counted Malik’s shirts, briefs, and socks. He planned on doing that each day until he could figure out why he got the sense that Malik was still here. It seemed a futile exercise, but if he couldn’t be sure his brother was in Anterra, he wouldn’t take the time to go back. Hell, maybe he wanted his brother to be around so much that he manifested these insane ideas.
His ability to concentrate had started to deteriorate, and if it continued it would be really bad if he failed his certification test to take customers into the woods. He needed to have his mind clear for at least another few days. It was hard enough being in the same hotel as Amy and not making love to her, but he knew it wouldn’t be fair to her until he was positive he wanted to stay on Earth without his brother, messed up though he might be.
The next day at work his skin prickled as if something was happening, but he couldn’t figure it out. By the time lunch rolled around, he had to get closure.
“Hey, Cal? Do you mind if I take my lunch a little early today? There’s something I have to take care of.”
He nodded to his brother, Jake. “Sure. Since Jake showed up today, I have all the help I need, actually.”
“You got a brother who isn’t always reliable?”
He chuckled. “You don’t know the half of it.”
“Don’t be so sure.” He didn’t want to get into a one-on-one with his boss, but he bet Malik was a more carefree spirit than Jake.
He didn’t know why he headed toward the hotel. He didn’t get the sense that Amy was in danger, but there was something odd going on. The hairs on his neck were doing something funny, but he didn’t sense any shifters around.
As he was about to enter the lobby, he caught sight of Jeremy’s dad coming out of the bookstore next door. That’s who must have caused him to get the sensations. The man waved and came trotting over.
“Hey, Mr. Mitchell.”
“Call me, Jankon, please.”
“Jankon.” From the way the man was shifting side to side something was bothering him. “Something you need to ask me?”
“I just wanted to tell you what a fabulous job Malik is doing in converting the warehouse. The transformation is fantastic.”
He understood all of the words, but none of them were computing. “I don’t get it.”
“You don’t get what?”
“What do you mean Malik is converting your warehouse?”
“It was a surprise to me, too, but he said he wanted to work with the boys and train them. In order to get them into shape, he’d need gym equipment. I couldn’t be happier that my son will have the chance to work with your brother. I was able to get a few investors involved. I’m thrilled that old warehouse will finally be put to good use.”
“So Malik is still in Spirit?”
Jankon quirked a brow. “Yes. I’m not surprised you haven’t seen him. I swear he’s working so hard he must be sleeping there.”<
br />
“Can you give me the address of the warehouse?”
“It’s on Woodside Drive, about four miles from here. Just go down High Country Boulevard and hang a left. You can’t miss it.”
“Thanks.”
Jankon walked to the corner and crossed the street. Still in a daze, Cavon went inside the inn to see if Amy wanted to take a drive.
Chapter Thirteen
“Malik is here? In Spirit?” Amy didn’t know if she should start cheering or be furious. The two emotions collided and she planted her hands on her hips. “How long have you known?”
“I just ran into Mr. Mitchell and he told me.”
“You had no idea?” She had to admit he seemed as confused as she was.
“No. You want to check it out?”
She motioned to the chair in front on her desk and motioned he sit. “Do you think he wants us to know just yet?”
His mouth opened then closed. “I’m not sure I care what he wants. He lied to me about going to Anterra, though I am not my brother’s keeper. He has the right to come and go as he pleases.” He told her about the suitcase being different each day.
That got a smile out of her. “You actually counted his underwear?”
He shrugged and looked away. “Yes. I knew something was up, but I couldn’t figure out what it was.”
“Why do you think he changed his mind about helping the kids?”
“I gave up trying to figure out Malik a long time ago. If you’re free, I say we check out what the hell is going on with him.”
She pushed back her chair. “And us.”
“Come here.”
Cavon opened his arms, and his strong chest never looked better. She stepped into his embrace and inhaled. When he wrapped his strong arms around her, her broken heart began to heal. For the longest time, she held on tight and tried to absorb all of his goodness and hopefully some of his forgiveness.
She leaned back and looked up. From the way his eyelids were half closed, he, too, had craved the closeness. When he leaned down and kissed her, the dam broke and every part of her body rejoiced. She cupped his face and held him near, not ever wanting to let him go. All of the frustration and disappointment of this last week caught up with her, and she poured out her love in that one kiss.
When his big cock pressed against her stomach, she pulled back. “I so would love to fuck you right on my desk, but I’m afraid my yells of passion would reverberate into the lobby.”
His lips pressed into a grim line. “I get it, but as soon as I have you alone, I’m not going to take no for an answer.”
She prayed the next time would involve all three of them. “Then let’s see if your brother is interested in a ménage.”
Cavon adjusted his cock and grinned. “Did I tell you lately that I love you?”
“Hmm. I don’t recall. Maybe you’ll have to tell me again.” She reached down and picked up her purse, ready to check out if the ghost of Malik had really returned.
As soon as Cavon told her the name of the street, she remembered seeing that building. It was in a rather run-down part of down, but she didn’t worry with Cavon by her side. They first had to walk to her house to get her car. In her heels, she couldn’t walk four miles there and four miles back.
“You know, you should learn to drive.”
He laughed. “I know how to drive. We do have cars in Anterra. I’m quite good at going over rough terrain. It’s the highway traffic that would be trickier. Your people don’t always pay attention from what I’ve see on television.”
“I’m sorry to say you are right. Regardless, you need to get a license.”
“I’m not sure they give licenses to illegal aliens.”
He was an alien in the truest form. “Don’t ask me for details, but I might be able to get someone to make a birth certificate for you.”
His brows pinched. “That’s illegal.”
She did love how honorable he was. “I know, but it’s hard to integrate yourself into our world without making some concessions.”
She clicked open the doors to her car and slid in. Cavon squeezed himself in the front seat. If she, Malik, and Cavon were to become a threesome, she might have to break down and buy a large SUV. Huge men didn’t fit well in a compact car.
He fiddled with the side levers. “How do I move this seat back?”
She laughed. “It’s the bar in front of the seat. Press down on it.”
She bet it hurt his pride to have to ask, but hey, she’d be more lost in his world. Once he got situated, they were on their way and arrived in less than ten minutes. A large delivery truck stood open in front, and a slew of construction vehicles were parked to the side. The activity boggled the mind.
“Is Malik always so secretive?”
Cavon shoved open the door. “I’m about to find out.”
She jumped out, too, but managed to grab Cavon before he charged in. “Wait.”
He spun around. “Don’t worry, kitten, I won’t hurt him. Much.”
“Maybe he wants to surprise us.” She didn’t quite believe that, but she wanted to throw out all options. Too often when she’d jumped to conclusions, she usually got burned.
He ran a knuckle down her cheek. “Okay. For your sake, I’ll hear what he has to say first.”
She chuckled. “Knowing you two, you’ll scream and berate each other in silence and all I’ll hear is the nice stuff.”
He kissed her on the forehead. “That’s the way we like it.” He tugged her close. “Come on.”
Inside the noise was deafening from the banging and electric hammers that were going full force. The entire warehouse was a series of walls, as if this truly was going to be a gym.
“How are we going to find him?”
Cavon smiled down on her. “Don’t worry. He’ll find us.”
“There he is in the back.” Cavon took a step closer, but she stayed him with a hand. “Let’s just watch.”
While it was next to impossible to hear what he was saying to the kids, it was clear he loved playing the role of teacher. He’d direct them to move to the side then make funny faces at them, which they tried to emulate.
She turned to Cavon who was silently laughing. “You can hear what he’s saying?”
He nodded. “He’s trying to get them to act ferocious. He’d growl and ask them to growl back. When their attempt came out rather pathetic, Malik told them to do better. It’s priceless.”
She couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. “He did it, didn’t he?”
“What?”
“He figured out what made him happy. He’s truly living in his essence.”
He probably heard her sigh because he suggested that they leave Malik in peace and let him have his time with the kids.
She couldn’t agree more. Once they got into the car, she started the engine, but didn’t put it in gear. She faced Cavon. “Do you think Malik will forgive me?”
“For what? For telling him how you really felt about the relationship?”
“I think I was too direct.”
“Maybe if you hadn’t been, he never would have realized what he wanted to do with his life.”
She prayed that was true. “You know if you and Malik want to stop over tonight, perhaps—”
“What time?”
She chuckled. “Does six work for you? I could get something to eat.”
“Oh, you already have all we need to eat right here.” He glanced down at her pussy.
She loved when he talked dirty. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I guess you’ll just have to show me.”
Since the car was so small, Cavon only had to lean over a little to kiss her. If the gearshift hadn’t been in the way, he might have gone farther.
“Do you really think Malik will want come over tonight?”
“Do lions shift?”
She wet her lips, put the car in gear, and drove back to town as fast as she could. As soon as she dropped Cavon off at
his job, she called the night manager and asked if he could come in a few hours early. After all, when he’d been out sick, she’d taken half of his shift for days.
“Sure. I know it must be important if you need to ask.”
She giggled. Damn. She had to learn to curb her enthusiasm. “Absolutely.” If he hadn’t been married to the same woman for the last twenty years, she might have shared what tonight’s surprise might be.
As soon as she hung up, she parked in front of the sex shop and went in. Given the misery she’d suffered at Malik’s hand, she was tempted to buy a collar for him and chain him to her bed. Knowing him, he’d shift and free himself in seconds. It was so hard to keep a good man down.
The erotic back wall snagged her attention. Lorna was helping another customer, which allowed her to peruse the tantalizing delights in private. One thing she knew she didn’t need to buy was a vibrator. There would be enough cocks already for her to handle. The lube jar was still full and the condoms plentiful.
The nipple clamps still intrigued her. Some were meant to be tugged on while others actually vibrated. Maybe if the men were busy some night, she might be able to reach a climax without them. The vibrating nipple clamps won. She picked up the package and read the directions. Just the explanation of what it could do turned her on. The paddles and whips fascinated her, but if she was going to have a cock in her pussy and one in her ass, as well as have her nipples electronically stimulated, maybe that would be enough for one night.
She brought her purchase to the front and paid. Thankfully, Lorna was in the middle of helping the other customer, and rang up her purchase without chatting much. However, Amy caught the wink as she walked out.
Oh, my. Tonight was going to be some event.
Chapter Fourteen
Everything was set. She’d picked up a meatless lasagna and a vegetable casserole from the Happy Buck restaurant. As soon as the men arrived, she’d toss the food into the oven. By the time they finished their reunion, the food would be ready to eat. The bedroom was perfect and ready to go.
Rogue Shifter [High-Country Shifters 3] Page 12
