by Multiple
She dropped her head and squeezed her eyes shut. “Holy shit,” she said under her breath. The thought that she hooked up with a member of royalty was really throwing her for a loop. Panic set in as she went over what they did last night, and how she treated him after. Did she have anything to worry about? She didn’t say anything wrong did she? Shit, shit, shit.
“Hey,” her brother said startling her. “What the hell is wrong with you? You’ve been acting kind of weird all morning.”
Her head shot up, eyes popped open. Sam was staring at her with a narrowed look, suspicion written all over his face.
She forced herself to smile. Pushing thoughts of Jett and her away. “Its just a little freaky to find out a member of one of the founding families lives in town. He moved here not too long ago you said?” It would account for why she hadn’t seen him before when she went into town. She and MJ took turns heading in to pick up supplies. The past couple times when it was her turn, MJ begged to go instead. Corrine was more than happy to let her.
I wonder why MJ did that? Maybe she knew there was a new shifter in town and she had set her sights on him. Oh no!
The smile she worked so hard to keep on her face faded away. Frowning at the turn of her thoughts, she bit her lip to keep from saying more.
“Why are you frowning? Something going on that I don’t know about.”
“Hmm, oh, no. Nothing’s going on. I just thought of something for Tuesday. No biggie. Why have I never met Jett?” Carefully she took a sip of her coffee. Just to have the mug cover part of her face.
“The only time you would have met him would have been graduation and you couldn’t come remember.”
She did remember. That was when she had just opened her bakery. There was no way she could get away. Everyone knew that the first year was the hardest. Corrine just couldn’t risk leaving.
Sam said he understood and a few weeks later visited with Bitsy the Bitch. The one time MJ didn’t scurry off at the mention of Sam and she ended up getting hurt. Things after that were strained between them all. It was only in the following six months that life began to go back to normal. Except for Sam never coming to visit.
“So what do you think?” he was asking.
“Think about what?”
“You were off in la-la land again weren’t you, and I wasn’t even talking about football.” He laughed, slinging his arm around her shoulder, giving her a quick squeeze. “I said, what do you think about having Murph come out sometime.”
“Sure why not.” The words slipped out of her mouth before she thought better of it.
“Great. I think I’ll give him a call. I’m sure he’d be thrilled for the invite. We didn’t cook much back then, and I doubt he’s learned much since. A great meal from you would probably be a welcome change. We should do it today. Grill some steaks and potatoes. Follow it all up with a night run.” Sam had jumped up from the bench and was pacing before her. Suddenly he stopped and pivoted toward her. “It is safe around here right? You haven’t had any issues with neighbors or animals?”
Her brows furrowed in irritation, “Of course it’s safe or I wouldn’t be doing it. Go give your friend a call and tell him not until later this afternoon. Like two or three. I’ll see what I have in the fridge.”
“You’re the best,” he said, before dropping a kiss on the top of her head and heading inside.
Corrine couldn’t believe what an idiot she was. Stupid brain and loose lips. Tipping her cup up, she sucked down the last few drops of cold liquid, grimacing. She shoved off the bench making her way inside and straight to the coffee pot. She definitely hadn’t had enough of the necessary elixir yet.
Chapter Five
Jett rolled his sensible four-door sedan to a stop next to the familiar vintage 1969 black Charger. A slow smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he remembered all of the good times he and Sam used to have driving around town in the powerhouse car. When they weren’t playing ball on the field, they were chasing women and racing in the sleek, dangerous vehicle.
The door to the house burst open scattering the memories of his not so distant youth. His eyes drifted from the car to the man who owned it. Sam loped down the few steps of the porch and was next to his car before Jett could cut the engine.
“What the hell is this?” Sam exclaimed, arms akimbo. “I hope this is a rental and not what you really drive. How the hell do you expect to pick up any women in this thing?” Amusement glinted in his eyes.
Jett snorted while popping the trunk, “Not a rental.” He swung the door open making Sam jump back a step. Slamming the door shut, he walked to the back of the car grabbing out the two bags of groceries Sam asked him to pick up. He shoved one in Sam’s direction. “It really is my car. I needed something reliable and good on gas. It’s my grown-up car.”
Sam shook his head in mock disgust, taking the bag and turning toward the house. “It’s boring is what it is, you always were the slightly more sensible one.” Sam looked at him over his shoulder, good-natured laughter shining in his eyes. “Good to see you Murph.”
“It’s good to see you too, man.” He chuckled, a sense of contentment and home settling in his soul. He didn’t know if it was seeing his friend again, a man who was like a brother to him. Or if it was being back on the property, close to the woman he was beginning to think held his future.
“You didn’t have any problems finding the place did you? It’s a bit out of the way.”
Jett followed behind Sam, taking the time to reign in his Tiger who was dying to get out and find his mate. Once he felt more under control, he answered his friend. “Nah, no problem at all. I’ve actually been here once or twice. And it’s only on the edge of town, not in Timbuktu. You can’t miss the pink and white Sweet Confections sign pointing the way.”
A light breeze kicked up bringing with it the scent of jasmine. His Tiger perked up again, checking the surroundings for his feline friend. Counting backwards from ten, Jett worked to calm the beast down. He cleared his throat stifling the growl that was working its way to the surface. “So this is your sister’s place? I’ve only ever seen the bakery at the bottom of the driveway.”
“Yep, this is it. You never mentioned going to the bakery before. You must have seen my sister there then. I can’t think of a time when she isn’t working.”
“Uh, I might have caught a glimpse. Like I said, I only went a couple of times.”
Sam turned and stared at him. His eyebrow cocked and a look of suspicion crossing over his features. “Actually you said once or twice.”
“Once, twice, a couple times. What does it matter? The cupcakes were delicious. Someone brought them into work. They brought back memories of college and those boxes you used to get.” Jett shrugged and did his best to smooth over his slip like it wasn’t a big deal. He wasn’t quite ready for Sam to know he was interested in more than the cupcakes. He knew he would have to talk to him sooner or later. A decision he had come to in the middle of his sleepless night, but knowing and doing were two different things.
Sam seemed satisfied with his explanation, enough to turn and keep walking. “Anyways, she built up quite the business from what she's told me. I just wish it wasn't right next to her home though. It can’t be safe having everyone know where you live. I plan on doing whatever it takes to convince her to open a shop in town. Then I can start my business next to hers, and scoop up all of her sugar addicted customers.” Sam chuckled before opening the door.
The aroma of baking bread hit Jett the second he crossed the threshold. As he walked further into the house an undertone of jasmine drifted over him. He wrinkled his nose, like his big cat would, pulling the scent in. Corrine. It was the same whiff he got outside but stronger. He remembered it well. He could still smell her on his skin hours after he left her place earlier. He spent the majority of the morning dreaming of her. Her taste. Her feel. Her scent. It was intoxicating. Catnip for the Tiger lurking within. It was only interrupted when
he caught an undertone of roses. It was faint but he could still detect it. The scent was forever ingrained in his senses. He hated it with his entire being.
Releasing a deep breath, he took tiny sips of air, relieved when jasmine filled his lungs. He took a deep breath as Sam’s words sunk it. “Wait, you’re starting a business here in Cascade? Does that mean you’re moving here?” Jett didn’t know if he was happy his friend would be nearby, or annoyed that Sam would be moving to town. All of his plans to play it cool and feel Sam out about dating his sister went up in smoke.
He needed to ease into the relationship. See where everyone stood and make sure he wasn’t getting in bed with another psycho. Though deep in his heart he knew Corrine wasn’t, but his brain was taking a little longer to get on board.
Walking into the kitchen, Jett stopped dead in his tracks. The woman he dreamed about during the night stood with her back to them kneading dough on a marble counter. She swayed back and forth shaking her ass, humming under her breath. He could see the cord of a headphone snaking out of her ear.
Wearing a pair of tan Capri pants that hugged her beautiful curves and a light pink top, she was the picture of comfort and ease. Her hair was pulled back into a braid, to keep it out of her way as she worked.
Visions of walking up behind her to nuzzle her neck while wrapping his arms around her waist as she worked danced in his head. He could practically hear the family of his future playing around them.
An initial panic tried to set in, but his Tiger wouldn’t let it. The Tiger knew what the human was still too scared to admit; he was home. It was too overwhelming for the human to deal with still. Jett was completely unable to move, encased in fear and hope, and no idea what to do. It was the second time in less than a day that she’d brought him to this point. Complete brain and body failure.
Sam walked into the kitchen to the counter opposite his sister. Setting his bag down, he pulled everything from it and looked up to see Jett standing stock-still staring at the back of Corrine.
He looked back and forth between the unsuspecting pair, both oblivious to their surroundings. Jett looked dumbstruck. Like he’d never seen a woman before. Which Sam knew was completely untrue. They’d both had their fair share of run-ins with the opposite sex.
Sam turned his attention to his sister who was lost in her own little world with music plugged into her ears, and beating the snot out of the dough ball in her hands. Ever since he called Jett up, Corrine had been in the kitchen baking up a storm. She claimed to be experimenting with new recipes, but he knew she only got like this when something was bothering her or she was nervous as hell.
He knew something was off when he got to the house this morning. He vaguely recalled scenting something on her. A scent that belonged to the man staring at her back.
What the fuck! Realization and shock rippled through him. He didn’t know if he should beat the shit out of Jett or be happy that two people he cared about were somehow involved with each other.
His gaze swung between Jett and Corrine a couple more times. A slow grin kicked up the corner of his mouth. He couldn’t wait to see what happened.
This was just the thing to help him forget the nagging emptiness that had been plaguing him for the past few months. For the moment, he’d just hang out with his sister and his best friend. Relax and watch the show.
Sam drew his mind back to the present, focusing on his friend again. “So Murph, how do you like living in Cascade?”
Jett shook his head and looked over at him. He slid the bag across the counter as he spoke. “I like it. The new job is great, and I like the small town feel without it being too small. Plus, the scenery is fantastic.”
Sam saw Jett’s gaze move back to his sister as he said the last part.
Interesting.
Corrine had yet to notice they were in the kitchen with her. Sam couldn’t decide if he should alert her to the fact, or see if she would ever figure it out.
A minute later the decision was taken out of his hands. She picked up the ball of dough, raised it in the air and slammed it down onto the counter. Letting out a whoop, she picked the poor battered ball up and spun around. She saw Jett standing there and screamed at the top of her lungs.
Sam was laughing so hard he failed to notice Corrine whipping her head toward him. Before he could react, she nailed him in the chest with the dough hard enough to knock the air from him. The dough plopped to the ground as he doubled over to catch his breath.
“You ass!” she yelled before growling and stomping off into the laundry room connected to the kitchen.
A few seconds passed before he could stand up straight. Jett was still standing in the same spot, a look of shock plastered across his face.
“And that, my friend, was my sister Corrine. As you can tell, she loves me dearly.” He started to laugh again.
“I heard that you jackass. I only love you cause we’re related and Mom would beat my butt if she heard otherwise.”
Corrine walked back into the kitchen with a shirt in her hand. She tossed it on the counter next to him and moved back to the spot she vacated moments ago crossing her arms and glared.
Sam ignored the clean shirt she brought him, brushing at the flour splattered across the one he was wearing. With his free hand he motioned to Jett.
“Corrine this is Jett Murphy, college roommate and good friend. Murph, this is my little sister, Corrine Hart.”
Jett glanced at Corrine, her face an unreadable blank mask, and then shifted his attention to her brother who was absorbed in cleaning his shirt.
“Thanks, but I guessed that. I have seen about a million pictures of her, and feel like I already know her based on all of those stories you used to tell.” But stories and reality were two different things, and he wanted to get to know her up close and personal. Find out what reality was like.
“Oh man, if you think you know me based on what my brother has said then I doubt you know me at all. There’s no telling if he told you the truth. I know how he is,” she said.
Sam finally looked up at his sister. “Hey now. I didn’t tell anything embarrassing. At least I don’t think I did.” He bent down and scooped up the dough, tossing it to Corrine who caught it neatly. “You dropped something.”
Jett leaned his hip against the counter and watched the siblings interact. They were a lot like him and his sisters, Jessie and Jamie. Biting at each other playfully. He could easily tell how much they cared for each other.
“Whatever.” Turning around, Corrine grabbed a trashcan sitting nearby and chucked the ruined dough in. “It’s nice to meet you Jett. Or should I call you Murph like my brother does?”
Jett couldn’t understand why she kept her back to him. Maybe she was regretting last night and couldn’t face him. Shit. He wished she would turn around and look him in the face.
“It’s nice to meet you officially. I’ve caught a glimpse or two of you at the bakery. Your sweets taste delicious.” Without meaning to, his voice dipped. Thinking of sweets reminded him of licking her skin, the honey taste filling his mouth. He quickly cleared his mind and gathered his senses. “You can call me Jett. I haven’t gone by Murph since college.”
“Too grown up for that now?” Sam asked. His eyebrow raised, a queer look on his face.
Damn it! He was beginning to think Sam was feeling the undercurrent in the room. Jett vibrated with the need to get close to Corrine, but with his friend standing practically between them, it was impossible—unless he wanted to put on a show and put his intention of courting Corrine out there. That was the last thing he wanted to do, or thought he wanted to do. Seeing her again had need coursing through his body. Without knowing what was going on in her head, he knew it would be better to stay back and stick to his plan. Scope everything out; see how Sam felt about him seeing his sister. See if Corrine still wanted him. Maybe she couldn’t face him now because she felt the same. Maybe she wanted him as much as he wanted her, and having Sam in
the room was stopping her.
“Murph?”
“What? No. I only grew up a little. Though I have to admit, whenever someone calls me Murph, I’m immediately thrust back into our college football, beer-chugging days. For some odd reason they like you to be a bit more professional than that at work.”
A snort echoed in the room. Corrine was shaking her head, sending her braid brushing side-to-side caressing her back. Jett’s gaze fell to her curves. The need to grab and never let go arrested him. Small tremors shook his hands as he attempted to keep himself under control.
Suddenly, Sam clapped his hands together, the loud noise causing Jett and Corrine both to jump. “I’m gonna get the grill going so we can get the food on. You got it handled in here right Rini?” Sam sidled up next to Corrine and planted a kiss on her cheek.
Corrine shooed him away. “Of course. Why don’t you grab some beers and put them in the cooler I put out back. I’ll finish cleaning up and be out in a bit. I need to call MJ real quick and see how things are going. That should give you guys a little time to catch up without having to gloss over the gory details.”
Sam moved past her, grabbed the case of beer and headed out the slider. “Hey man, grab the steaks on your way out,” he said before slipping through the door.
Jett stood staring at the back of Corrine’s head. He hesitated to move from the spot he was rooted in. Afraid she would bolt if he did what his body and Tiger were screaming to do—to get close and touch every inch of her. He wanted the scent of her back on his skin, clinging to him. More importantly, he wanted his scent on her. Branding her as his to anyone who might think about getting close. Clearing his throat, he tried to get her attention. When that didn’t work, he called her name. “Corrine.”
Her body tensed. Back straightened, hands fisted at her sides. “Turn around and face me kitten.” He waited a few seconds before adding ‘please’.
