Diamond Dust tw-3

by Vivian Arend

  “I feel guilty for dragging you into this, but I still fail to see why being with me isn’t a plus. I’m not more work.”

  “Ha.” The derision in her tone rippled across the room like a cold splash of water. “You’re one of the worst types. You don’t think you’re a lot of work, but what you really want is everything. All my attention, all my focus. Admit it. At least acknowledging it would be one step in making a difference in this conversation.”

  “You want honesty?” Tyler moved in on her. “I didn’t want to ask you to be my date for real because I was afraid I was too attracted to you. If it’s just business, I could tell myself it’ll be all over in a week. That I don’t have to worry about getting attached, falling in love, and then losing you.”

  Caroline’s legs wouldn’t hold her any longer. She collapsed on to the couch and stared at Tyler in shock. “Are you ever leaping to conclusions there, bucko. From a date to falling in love in three easy steps. That’s not normal.”

  He was the one pacing the room now, frustration in his every move. “Maybe not for a human, but I’m a bear.”

  He continued to stride back and forth, much like her thoughts bounced in her brain. That tropical-island beach was looking better and better all the time.

  “So…bears fall in love fast?” And why hadn’t she been warned?

  Tyler clasped the back of the easy chair, his big hands fisted in the fabric. “We’re emotional creatures. Violence, passion, all shades of the spectrum. It makes sense. And as my family demonstrates, losing our life partner is more devastating for us than most.”

  She shook her head. “Let me get this straight. You’re afraid you’ll be attracted enough to fall in love, because when I die in some horrible accident in a few years you’ll go off the deep end, so you’d better not get involved with me in the first place.”

  His mouth twisted with resignation. “Not the most logical thing I’ve ever done.”

  “I’d say.”

  He came around the chair and sat beside her, reaching for her hands. She allowed him to take hold, and that’s when she noticed she was still wearing his ring.

  The sensation of him twisting the ring gently made something twitch inside her stomach, and it wasn’t the midnight dinner they’d just eaten.

  She cleared her throat. “So. What’s changed between now and, oh…four hours ago when you first decided hands-off was a better policy?”

  Because she was getting whiplash.

  Tyler lifted her fingers to his mouth, his lips tender on her skin. “I changed my mind.”

  Drat. He’d echoed her words from earlier. She couldn’t even snarl at him for being unreasonable. “That quick, huh?”

  He nodded, sincerity in his eyes. She blew a stream of air out in the hopes it would clear away some of the cobwebs.

  “If we can put the awkwardness behind us, I think we can come to a compromise that suits both of us.”

  “You’re back to sounding like a businessman.” Caroline looked him over carefully. In the short time she’d known him, they’d covered a lot of territory. Maybe it was because he was a shifter, and she was so used to spending time with people who were “other” than she was. An internal check put her at the not-mad-at-him and still-interested-in-him stage.

  A yawn escaped before she could tug a hand free from his grasp and cover her mouth.

  He grinned. “I would take that as an insult, only I’m ready to hit the sack as well. But first, Caroline, I’d like to ask you again. Will you spend the next week with me? Help me politically, but to get to know the real me more as well.”

  She leaned into his side, sleepiness rising as she relaxed. “So we’ll date while you’re in town?”

  “And longer, if that’s what we decide. I might not live here in Whitehorse, but I’m not that far away. Not with planes, and phones and the internet.”

  This was…different. She stared into his face as she considered.

  “What’s that expression for?” He cuddled her in closer.

  “The last relationship I was in, I orchestrated it.” She paused. “Come to think of it, I probably set up most of my first dates.”

  He brushed her hair. “Well, this time you’re being pursued. You’ll have to tell me how I’m doing.”

  “Like I have trouble speaking my mind. You’ll know how you’re doing.” She twisted, draping her arms around his neck. “Carry me to bed.”

  He kissed her cheek. “Does that mean yes?”

  “I’ll tell you in bed.”

  Okay, totally wrong of her, since being carried about was the exact opposite of what she’d told him about women being strong and capable. But this was what she wanted, damn it. A tiny moment of being cherished and cared for, in spite of her extreme independence.

  Besides, not many guys could haul her around like she weighed nothing, and it had been a hell of a day.

  She turned off lights as he made his way back to the bedroom, reaching from side to side and rubbing against him shamelessly at every opportunity. His amusement rose, his expression softening as they approached their destination.

  “Which side of the bed do you want?” she asked.

  He lowered her to the floor and slipped off her T-shirt, his eyes lighting up. “The left.”

  Caroline smiled as she pivoted, giving him plenty of time to admire her as she crawled on the bed and settled.

  On the left.

  He lost the sweatpants in an amazingly short timeframe. The last thing she saw before he flicked off the overhead light was his have-my-wicked-way-with-her grin.

  Evan paced by his unlocked door, his phone in his pocket, one eye on the computer. When Shaun or Caroline called, he would be ready if they needed him.

  Sending a guard with her had seemed appropriate after hearing fighting had broken out twice within a couple of hours, during what was supposed to be a peaceful vote.

  Peaceful, his ass. Bears had no sense of propriety. Fighting in the hall had been bad enough, but out in the street? And not all of them had stayed human, a faux pas which would end up his ball of shit to deal with.

  Rumours were already floating through the human population regarding bears being spotted within city limits. The local news station was broadcasting reminders for people to keep their garbage cans locked in garages until pickup day. Which meant so far the sightings were explainable, but if they kept escalating he’d have to take action to keep the secret of shifters from slamming all over the front pages of the national newspapers.

  The computer beeped, and he rushed across to check the email.

  Only it wasn’t the hoped for “we’re fine” response he expected. Instead there was a new screen with a blinking line of text. What the hell did Caroline call this? Oh right, instant messaging.

  Are you there, Evan?

  Oh, oh, oh. The mysterious Miles Canyon member Caroline had warned him about. He sat in the chair and rolled into position, making a rare wish he was better at computers. It took a moment to figure out where to click to add his response. Yes. Who is this?

  Amy. Is everything okay over there?

  Interesting. She was concerned about them? No problems here. How can I help you?

  I’m…worried. Heard a rumour today there’s something big planned by the bears in a couple days. The pack is planning to take advantage of the chaos

  The pack. Your pack?

  Yes. Tell Caroline I need to talk

  Evan cussed. She’s busy. Will you talk to me?

  Dead silence greeted that suggestion. Not that he’d expected much more. I can’t risk it. I’m sorry. I want to help, but you understand the problem

  Evan could use his shifter power to make her sing like a bird. And he couldn’t even promise he wouldn’t, because the truth was he’d snatch up whatever advantages he could to protect his pack. Then tell me like this. What do they have planned? Can I stop it?

  The little curser blinked, then the note Amy is writing appeared. Evan waited impatiently for her to finish.
<
br />   When she finally hit send, he wasn’t sure what to make of her message.

  Details were really fuzzy. I’ll try to get the file I saw and send a copy to your email. It’s all I can do

  Evan had never been in this situation before. His protective instincts skyrocketed. Are you in danger, Amy? Because if you get worried about anything, you come on over to the Takhini pack house, or my place. I promise to help you and keep you safe

  The flickering line blinked again. Finally, she responded. Well, I didn’t expect that. Thank you

  He fumbled on the keys, nowhere near as gifted as most people. Heck, he was crap on the computer—Caroline bailed him out every time he crashed the stupid machine. I mean it. I’m glad for your help, but I don’t want anyone hurt, not in the Miles Canyon or the Takhini packs. The goal is to bring us together without trouble

  Caroline told me. I have to go. I’ll try to send information as soon as I can

  Then she was gone, and Evan sat staring until the instant-message program faded and a screen saver turned on—a series of pictures of the pack on the day he’d rented the local ski hill for a private event.

  Wolves flying down the side of a mountain on inner tubes was something every person needed to see at least once in their lives.

  “Boss?”

  Evan shook himself alert. Shaun stood in the doorway, obviously just shifted from his wolf form as he was stark naked.

  “Is everything okay?” Evan asked.

  “Bears are crazy.” Shaun strode in and leaned over the back of the couch. “Caroline is fine, but there was a fight at the party. Fur flying everywhere. Tyler and I got her out pretty quickly. I escorted them home, but when she took him to her sister’s apartment I figured they were good for the night.”

  “Stupid bears. Wish they’d have picked some other city to host their little jamboree. Guess it can’t be helped. What’s on your agenda for tomorrow? Can you keep an eye on her again?”

  Shaun shook his head. “Caroline’s got me flying to grab people from all over hell and back.”

  Evan frowned. “She didn’t tell me.”

  “She sent me a text earlier today. Suggested if things went ass-up tonight, it might be nice to have a few extra bodies in the area on our side. I figured you’d approved it.”

  Evan grimaced. Had he lost all control in the past day with his concentration gone? Or hopefully, it was Caroline being her usual hyper-efficient self. “Who does she want you to get?”

  “Her sister and Chase, first off.”

  A doctor/vet who knew about shifters, and her partner, who was a powerful shifter in his own right. “Makes sense. Who else?”

  “You know Nadia Lire? The lynx who lives in Chicken?”

  Evan whistled. “Shit, why didn’t I think of her?”

  “Caroline said you’d say that. Her comment was ‘this is why you pay me the big bucks, so I think of everything’. Well, actually she told you to chill out, but I thought I’d be nice.”

  “Har-har.”

  Shaun stood and stretched his arms. “So, you approve?”

  “Definitely. Bring in the reinforcements. I’ll take over guard duty on Caroline myself.”

  Shaun gave a salute and headed for the door. “Sleep tight. My mate is waiting to hear all the details. This night is never gonna end.”

  Evan waved his Beta out then sat back to sort through the new information. Having additional visitors in town who were Takhini supporters would be useful. Once again, Caroline had anticipated beyond the call of duty.

  She also seemed to be seriously interested in the big bear dude. Which he’d have no issues with, as long as Tyler was good enough for her.

  Evan’s skin itched with want for his mate, but he couldn’t afford to be less than on his game. He had to put his cravings out of his mind as much as he could, and focus on the pack during the day.

  But right now there was no denying the wolf. It was time to hunt.

  Evan shifted, nosing the door of his apartment shut, then headed into the darkened city in the hopes of finding a clue that would put him out of his misery.

  Somewhere nearby his mate waited, unaware he existed. The need for secrecy stilled his voice as he padded down the streets in the shadows, but inside?

  His wolf howled with longing.

  Part Three

  They have cradled you in custom,

  they have primed you with their preaching,

  They have soaked you in convention through and through;

  They have put you in a showcase; you’re a credit to their teaching—

  But can’t you hear the Wild?—it’s calling you.

  Let us probe the silent places, let us seek what luck betide us;

  Let us journey to a lonely land I know.

  There’s a whisper on the night-wind,

  there’s a star agleam to guide us,

  And the Wild is calling, calling…let us go.

  “The Call of the Wild”—Robert Service

  Chapter Thirteen

  Waking for the first time in bed with a new lover was always a learning experience. Caroline smiled. It was even weirder when the lover wasn’t human.

  A furnace of heat at her back combined with the soft tickle of fur gave enough warning that she didn’t scream when the first thing she saw when she rolled over was a grizzly bear hogging eighty percent of the bed.

  Tyler’s eyes were open, and he was watching her.

  “Good morning.” She ran her fingers through his fur, sitting up to examine him closer. “I never got a chance to admire your bear last night. Let me look before you shift.”

  He rested his chin on the mattress, plate-sized paws to the side. She lifted one, and it took both hands for her to raise it off the bed.

  His rumble of amusement echoed through the room.

  “Yeah, yeah. You’re a big brute.”

  He really was, though. Thick fur, muscular legs. She might have once owned a small car the size of his torso. There was a trace of silver in the fur around his muzzle, another lighter dusting on the telltale grizzly bulge on his back.

  The wolf shifters she’d spent her life around were on the big side. Northern wolves tended to grow larger than their southern counterparts, but your average bear/wolf side-by-side comparison meant she was sitting next to one of the biggest beasts in the north.

  Dating him kind of ensured she’d never freeze to death in the winter.

  She straddled his furry back and dug her fingers into the muscles of his neck and shoulders, guessing where the right spots might be on grizzly anatomy.

  Tyler melted under her touch, stretching his neck to one side and letting his satisfaction rumble out until there was a steady roar in her ears.

  She fought the urge to giggle as she remembered scratching one of the wolves just right and having him go off into doggie-like leg spasms. She wondered if there was a bear equivalent.

  After a few minutes, though, he squirmed and she stopped the rubdown. She rested on top of him and soaked in his warmth, the beam of light shining on the bed making her feel lazy this morning. “Just one more minute, then I’ll get up.”

  Under her, fur and bulky muscles shifted to smooth skin and…well, still lots of muscles. She was fully stretched out on top of a very human Tyler, heat of a different sort flashing over her.

  “Who said anything about leaving the bed?” He rolled far enough to tip her to the mattress then bundled her into his arms, nuzzling her neck and dropping kisses on her face.

  Well, this was sweet. “Okay, I know guys are usually, well, up in the morning, but you’re, like, way affectionate.”

  Tyler adjusted position to look into her eyes. “You were nice to my bear. He appreciates that.”

  “Your bear gave me a lift last night. He was pretty awesome.” She laughed. “And it’s a good thing I understand shifters, because talking about your shifted self in the third person is kind of weird.”

  “He’s a big part of me—no size jokes—so I like to keep h
im happy. That keeps me happy.” Tyler pulled her on top of himself, arranging her so he could pet her hair out of the way. “Do you have any plans for the day we need to work around?”

  She sat up, placing her knees on either side of his body as she rested her weight on her shins. Her lips pulled into a smile as his gaze fell to her chest. “I’m off work for the next week. Whatever we need to do to get conclave in line, that’s my focus.”

  He drew a wavy line up her torso, goose bumps following his touch. “Not the only focus, I hope.”

  The tip of his finger circled her nipple, and the peak tightened as if well trained.

  Concentrating as he played with her breasts wasn’t the easiest thing to do. “When’s the next bear social event? I’d like to be better prepared this time, please.”

  “Three nights from now. A music recital at the Nakai Theatre.”

  “That’s…different than I expected.” He was doing wicked, wicked things to her with his thumbs. “And everyone will simply show up, as if the fight last night didn’t happen?”

  “Exactly. See? You understand bears.”

  Incredible. Take the least comprehensible action and, voila, bears. “What if I wanted to get together with a few people before then, can we do that?”

  She’d surprised him. Tyler paused in mid-caress, a crease between his eyes. “Get together with who?”

  “The ladies, of course. They get to vote, right? Maybe I could meet them all for lunch or something. Invite them out and see where things are at. I never got a chance to talk to that one clan you wanted me to sound out. Nakusp?”

  Tyler’s face lit up. “You’re a genius. Of course, it’s perfect. We have to pick a place that’s easy to defend, though.”