“My eyes are up here, baby.”
“If you want me looking at your face, you shouldn’t park that so close.” Tara let her eyes slowly travel up the man’s body, and what a gorgeous body it was. She licked her lips before she could stop herself.
“We could get closer,” said Jason. He struggled to keep his bear in check. It wanted to grab the woman and mark her as theirs. The luscious beauty was his mate, and his second chance at the happiness only a mate could give him, if he could get past his lingering doubts.
Tara stared into the guy’s beautiful, liquid green eyes. The desire she saw there sent her heart racing. She took a deep breath and slowly released it. Tara looked away from the man. She stared down at the table, making sure her hair covered the bruises on the left side of her face. It was bad enough Lisa and her mate had seen them and questioned her before this guy arrived, but she didn’t want him to see the bruises. Everyone in the diner probably saw the bruises and they were thinking she was running from an abusive husband. How many times had she seen women with bruises and thought the same thing?
She peeked up at the guy without moving her head. He stood there, staring at her. Tara bit her bottom lip. Andrew, her deceased husband, loved her, but he never looked at her with lust and hunger the way this stranger looked at her.
Her nipples hardened and her breast felt heavier. Her pussy quivered. Moisture pooled between her legs. Tara cursed her traitorous body. This was not a priority in her life. With Donald chasing her, keeping Hailey safe and staying alive were her only priorities.
She did not have time for anything else. Tara pressed her legs together and told her body to cooperate.
A warm hand gently pushed her hair out of her face. Tara winced when he brushed her bruised cheek.
Jason heard her sharp intake of air and felt her jerk away from his touch. He frowned. He smelled her arousal. He knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her, but something was not right. His touch should not hurt her, just the opposite. She should be leaning into it. Jason lifted her hair away from her face.
Jason’s gums ached. He felt his teeth lengthen. His bear growled and pushed toward the surface. Jason’s skin itched with the need to shift. Someone had hurt his mate. Someone would pay for the marks he had left on her face.
“Jason, get control now!” David stood up and put his hand on his older brother’s shoulder.
Jason barely heard David over his bears growls and roars of rage. He shoved his bear, forcing it back. We have to find out who did this before we can make him pay, he told the bear.
Reluctantly, his bear retreated. It snarled at him, but did not say anything.
Jason stared at the ugly bruise marring his mate’s face. “Who did this to you?” he asked Tara.
Tara knocked his hand away. “It doesn’t concern you. In fact, why don’t you go away?”
“That’s not happening.” Jason grabbed an empty chair from the table behind him and sat down next to Tara.
She frowned at the guy. “I think I told you to leave me alone.”
“You did, but I don’t listen very well.”
“That’s obvious.”
“Who hit you?” Jason put his hand on the back of her chair.
Tara turned to Lisa. “Do you know who he is?”
“Unfortunately, that’s Jason, my older brother and Ben’s dad,” said David before Lisa could answer.
“Has he always had the hearing problem?”
Ben and Lisa laughed.
“I don’t have a hearing problem,” said Jason.
“Obviously, you do, because I told you to go away and you didn’t listen.” Tara crossed her arms.
Jason’s bear made several clicking noises.
Would you shut up, Jason snapped at his bear.
Mate knows you. You do not listen.
I do too listen.
“Was he dropped on his head when he was a baby?” asked Tara.
“What did you say?” asked Jason.
David snorted. “Mom may have dropped him a time or two. I’ll have to ask her.”
“I wasn’t dropped on my head as a baby. Quit changing the subject,” said Jason. He scooted his chair a little closer to Tara. “You know my name, but I don’t know yours.”
“You didn’t bother to ask my name. You decided to use that crappy pick-up line instead,” said Tara.
“Jason, what’s your probl—”
Lisa elbowed David. When he looked at her, she motioned her head toward Tina and then toward Jason.
David frowned, but sniffed the air and took a good look at his brother and the woman Lisa found on the side of the road. A huge grin spread across his face. He leaned back in his chair and put his arm around Lisa.
“Tara, this is Jason Anderson. Jason, this is Tara Wilson, and the cute little girl Ben is holding is her daughter, Haley.” Lisa winked at David as she snuggled up against him.
“Tara? Like the plantation in that old movie?” Jason grinned.
“Now you’re going to make fun of my name? Unbelievable!” Tara felt the tears forming. It had been years since anyone had made fun of her name, but during her junior and senior years in high school, the football team started calling her Plantation Tara and Tara the Cow, all because she refused to go out with Tucker Goodman, the star quarterback and the biggest jerk in high school.
Jason saw the unshed tears glistening in Tara’s eyes. The scent of her pain wrapped around him like a vise. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“You didn’t hurt me.” Tara wiped her eyes.
“Yes, I did, and I didn’t mean to. It may sound cheesy, but the movie with Tara and Scarlet was one of my favorite movies.”
“Yeah, I’m sure it is. Go away and leave me alone.” Tara wanted Jason to go away almost as much as she wanted him to pull her into his arms kiss her while he plunged his cock deep inside her.
“I’m not leaving.”
“Fine, I’ll leave,” said Tara. “Lisa, is there a motel or something around here?”
Lisa’s cheeks turned pink. “I’m sorry, but the only motel in town is filled.”
Tara frowned. “It’s filled? How do you know it’s filled?”
“Family and friends have been arriving all day. They’re coming here because of my wedding. I’m sorry,” said Lisa.
“Absolutely, fricking great! Can my day get any worse?” Tara folded her arms across her chest.
“I’m sorry,” said Lisa.
Tara looked at the other woman. “You have nothing to be sorry about. This is my problem and I have to deal with it.” Tara gave Lisa a quick smile. “Congratulations on your upcoming marriage, and I mean it.” Tara looked over at Haley.
Ben was still feeding her French fries. It was odd. Haley didn’t like people she did not know, but she was sitting in Ben’s lap and eating the fries. She reached over and ran her hand through her daughter’s hair, causing Haley to giggle.
Tara smiled.
Haley was her bright ray of sunshine. Tara had to keep her safe.
Jason watched Tara’s whole face light up when she looked at her daughter. He knew that look well. Every time he looked at Ben, he got the same look on his face.
Our mate likes cubs.
She may like cubs, but right now, she does not like us.
Not like you. She will like me. She will want more cubs.
We will just have to wait and see.
Mate wants us. She is smart. She needs to know we will protect her and her cub. Our cub is pretty and special.
Jason snorted. His bear claimed Tara’s daughter as its cub, even though they had yet to claim the woman. Jason knew there was no way his bear would let the woman go for any reason. He glanced at her left hand and saw no ring.
“I’ve got your orders.” Joy appeared at the table with a huge tray of food.
“Joy’s burgers are the best.”
Joy rolled her eyes. “You like them because I comp them for you.” She placed a basket with two burgers in front of him.
“And I put extra bacon on Lisa’s.”
Lisa smiled. “You remembered.”
“I have to watch out for my baby cousin.” Joy put the other baskets on the table. “And this little cutie needs to eat something besides all those fries. Here’s a small cheeseburger for her. I took the liberty of cutting it into quarters so that it’s easier for her to handle.” Joy winked.
“Hey, Joy, you’ve got a phone call.” A male’s voice bounced across the room.
“Thanks, Marty. I’ll be right there,” Joy called out to the guy behind the cash register. “I’ll be back in a few minutes with refills for your drinks.” She turned and left.
“Here Ben, let me take Haley so you can eat your burger.” Tara reached for Haley.
“I’ve got her. You eat.” Ben grabbed the basket with the small burger and put it next to his burger basket. He picked up one of the quarters and handed it to Haley. She immediately took it and started chewing on it. “See, we’re good.” Ben flashed a grin at Tara.
“Okay, but give Haley to me when you get tired of feeding her.” Tara watched Ben take care of Haley. He was a great older brother. Haley needed siblings.
“You need to eat before your food gets cold.” Jason pushed a red basket closer to her.
Before Tara could say anything to Jason, Joy came back to the table. “Tara, Eddy’s on the phone. He’s got your car back at the garage, but he said he needs to talk to you.” She handed Tara the cordless phone.
Tara felt her heart beat pick up when she took the phone. “Hello?”
“Mrs. Wilson, this is Eddy at the garage. Your car is here and I’ve done a quick diagnostic on it.”
Tara frowned. She had a gut feeling what he had to say wasn’t good, but she crossed her fingers and hoped for a miracle. “Can it be fixed?”
“Based on the age of the car and the number of things I’ve already found wrong with it, the car isn’t worth repairing. The parts alone are expensive, and then there’s the labor for doing the work.”
“This isn’t good.” Tara closed her eyes and bit down on her bottom lip.
“No ma’am, it isn’t, and I’m afraid we’ll find even more wrong when we actually tear into the engine,” said Eddy.
“Is there any way you can temporarily patch the major problems? I just need the car to make it to the other side of San Antonio,” pleaded Tara. She knew the car was not fixable, but she had to ask.
“Even if I could just patch it, there would be no guarantee if it would even work. It would be a waste of time and money.”
“But, couldn’t you—”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Wilson. In all honestly, you would be better off buying another car and sending this one to the junkyard,” said Eddy. “If you really want to try to repair it, I’ll try, but there won’t be anyway it can be patched. Parts have to be completely replaced.”
“I need to think about this.”
“I understand,” said Eddy. “Why don’t you sleep on it and either call me or come by the garage in the morning.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Tara turned off the telephone and put it down on the table.
“Are you okay?” Jason fought the urge to pull her into his arms. He knew she was not okay. There was a lot more to her story than just the broken down car.
Our mate is running. Someone hurt her.
That’s obvious just looking at the bruises on her face. Jason mentally shook his head at his bear.
We need to take care of her and our cubs.
Her cub doesn’t belong to us. Jason reminded his bear.
I claim. Cub is mine. Ben is mine. I will protect my cubs.
Damn stubborn bear! Jason knew his bear was right.
Tara drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, in an attempt to control her emotions. The last thing she needed was for everyone to see her crying. “I have to get to the other side of San Antonio. The sooner Haley and I get there, the better it will be for us.”
Jason’s bear growled. Mate does not need to go into cat territory.
Jason agreed. Their mate had no business in cat territory. “Why the urgency to get to San Antonio?” he asked.
“I have to get to Stone Ranch.”
“Noah Stone’s place?” David frowned. Not only was Noah Stone one of the toughest lawyers in Texas, he was the alpha of the pride claiming the San Antonio area.
“Yes.”
“And why do you have to go there? It’s not like you’re a—” Jason closed his mouth before he said she was not a cat. The last thing he needed was Noah Stone angry with him because he let out Noah’s secret.
Tara stared at Jason. “I’m not like what?”
“I just didn’t think you were into chasing married men.” The second the words were out of his mouth, he realized he was in huge trouble. Tara’s stare turned into a glare. Jason swore he saw steam rising off her.
Jason glanced at his brother and sister-in-law. Both were shaking their heads at him.
Bad Jason! Mate not like stupid woman you insisted on having around us, snarled his bear.
I didn’t mean to say it.
You made mate angry. You made me angry because you made mate angry.
I didn’t mean to make her angry.
“For your information, I have never chased after a married man.” Tara used her fingers to emphasize the married man part of her statement.
“I didn’t mean to say what I did. I was just wondering why you were going to his ranch when he’s a married man.” Jason tried back peddling out of the mess he created with his mate.
“It may not have been what you meant, but it’s what you said. I know Noah Stone’s married. He and his brother are mated to my mom.” Tara couldn’t believe what Jason told her. No one had ever accused her of chasing after anyone, let alone a married man. “I think it’s time for Haley and me to find a place we can stay for the night.”
“The only motel in town is full,” said Lisa.
“There’s always the chance of a cancelation,” Tara tried sounding hopeful.
“I’m sorry, but there haven’t been any cancellations. In fact, with every room booked, we had to put some of our guests up at David’s parents’ home.” Lisa shrugged her shoulders. “I’m sorry.”
“Is there a shelter or a church?” Tara’s chin trembled. She blinked several times. The past few months, she had struggled, but she always had shelter for Haley. The unshed tears burned her eyes. She and Haley were homeless. If her car had not broken down, she would be at Stone Ranch. She and Haley would be safe and have a roof over her head.
Jason watched the emotions play across Tara’s face. Three things hit him hard. Tara knew about the shifter community, because she said her mom was mated to Noah Stone and his brother. Tara was running from someone who scared her, but the third thing was worse. He was being a jerk toward his mate, and he was sure she was his mate. Whether he wanted her to be or not, he had no right treating her bad. Tara had not done anything wrong.
“We don’t have a shelter and I haven’t heard of any of the churches doing any type of shelter work,” said Lisa.
Haley chose that moment to reach for Tara. “Potty,” she said in her soft voice.
“I’ll be right back.” Tara grabbed Haley and her bag. She retreated to the bathroom in the back of the diner.
CHAPTER 4
“What is your problem?” David reached across the table and smacked Jason on the back of his head.
“I don’t have a problem. I just said something really stupid.”
“From where I’m sitting, you have a problem and being stupid is only part of it.”
Ben put his hand on his dad’s arm. “Dad, Great Mother Bear brought Tara and Haley to us.”
“We only get one mate. That’s the way it has always been,” said Jason.
“I know,” said Ben. “But the Great Mother Bear sent you another mate. Tara and Haley need you as much as you need them, and don’t tell me you don’t care. If you did
n’t care, you wouldn’t be fighting your attraction to Tara.”
“Jason, you’re being given a second chance with another mate. In our world it’s something that doesn’t normally happen.” David picked up Lisa’s hand and kissed it. “I don’t know what I would do if I lost Lisa, in that way I understand your feelings about Allison. No one’s asking or telling you to forget her, but you are throwing away your second chance.”
“Mom wants you to be happy.”
Everyone sitting at the table quit talking and stared at Ben.
Jason’s heart skipped a beat. His hands trembled. “Ben, what did you say?”
“Mom wants you to be happy. She said Tara will make you happy.”
“You talked with your mother?”
“Mom can’t return, at least not in a physical form.” Ben stared at his food. “Mom and I talk a lot.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Jealousy crept into Jason’s voice.
Ben looked up at his father. “You and everyone else already worry about me and my connection with the Great Mother Bear. If I had told you I talked with mom’s spirit, you and everyone else would have gone ballistic. Look at how you’re acting now.”
“What have you and your mom talked about?” asked Lisa.
“Mom and I talk about all kinds of stuff.” Ben’s eyes sparkled when he looked up from his food. He looked at his dad. “Mom’s glad Tina is finally out of your life. Tina was not right for you. She lied about everything.” The sparkle left Ben’s eyes and a dark sadness took its place. “Tina lied about the baby.”
Jason paled. “What do you mean?”
“Tina didn’t have a miscarriage. When she found out about us, she didn’t want to have an animal for a child.”
Lisa gasped. She wrapped her arms protectively around her unborn child.
The muscles in Jason’ face twitched. “She didn’t have a miscarriage?”
Ben shook his head. “Tina didn’t want to be a mother. She wanted money and an easy life.”
Jason leaned back and ran his hand through his hair. “How could I have been so stupid?”
Chasing Tara (Bryant Station Curves) Page 3
