A Faire in Paradise

by Tianna Xander

  “Well that’s some kind of sign, now, isn’t it?” Sarah asked with a laugh. “You or Ryker haven’t kept your love for that sweet a secret, have you?”

  “No, ma’am, we haven’t.” Wade grinned as she set an empty cup in front of him and filled it with coffee strong enough to wake his cat and make him scream. Picking it up, he took a sip and sighed. “Just the way I like it.”

  An hour later, Wade still sat at the counter nursing his fourth cup of coffee.

  “Who paid for our lunch?”

  Wade turned, ready to wave and smile at the women when two men in a booth next to one of the front windows stood up and said, “We did.” The taller of the two stepped forward. “We’d like to welcome you to Paradise.”

  He growled, the sound loud even in the noisy diner. What in the hell are those two doing buying my mate a meal? He glared at the two men. Luc Martin and Gabe Frey ran the general store in Paradise—or at least they would when it re-opened next month. Most of the townsfolk couldn’t wait. It meant fewer trips into Mason for groceries.

  Both his cat and he settled down when he realized that the men weren’t looking at his mate, but one of the other two women at the table.

  So this year’s faire has brought at least two mates to town. Wade smiled. Things just kept getting better and better in Paradise.

  They had new, viable mates now that they knew humans were just as compatible as their own kind. The old, corrupt council had almost convinced them that taking a human for a mate would dilute the gene pool. It took Adam and his men discovering the hidden archives below Alpha House to debunk that and other myths about their people.

  At least he wouldn’t have to worry about their children not growing up with social skills. With all of the newly mated triads in town, there should be a lot of children on their way soon. He leaned back against the counter and watched as his woman stood, settled the strap of her purse over her shoulder, and thanked the men who paid for her lunch.

  Yes, indeed. Things were definitely looking up in Paradise.

  Chapter Seven

  Alexa didn’t feel comfortable sitting at the table eating her decadent shortcake that must have a million calories in it when she knew that gorgeous man sat watching her as though she was his dessert.

  Every cell in her body stood up and took notice the very second the man darkened the doorway. He didn’t notice her at first, she could tell. Then, as his gaze wandered over the people in the dining area, she felt his gaze like a touch when it landed on her.

  Warmth stole through her, her stomach clenched and her nipples tightened to hard peaks. Since when did merely looking at a man turn her on so much?

  She watched as he sauntered into the diner, sat at one of the stools at the counter and talked to the waitress. The woman brought him a coffee and he took a sip, closing his eyes as though the drink was ambrosia itself. Perhaps it was. It had surely taken her to heaven with the first sip. She’d been a tad disappointed when he hadn’t even looked her way after that.

  Her insides quivered just at the sight of the man. It was a surprise that her entire body didn’t go into meltdown the way every part of her seemed to reach for the man as he sat at the counter sipping his cup of coffee.

  After thirty-five minutes, she’d been ready to give in to the urge to approach the man. That was when her dessert arrived. Sarah, the waitress, was right. It was delicious. She’d never had such fresh-tasting shortcake and she’d eaten in restaurants and dives all over the country.

  After another fifteen minutes, the urge was back. Her appetite for sweets taken care of, her other appetite came back with a vengeance. She had developed a need for Mr. Tall-Dark-And-Handsome that bordered on obsession and she didn’t even know the man.

  What is wrong with you?

  When the waitress announced that someone had paid for their meals, she’d been certain it had been him. He had said something to the server about them. She knew it. She wasn’t sure how she knew, she just did.

  A strange fit of disappointment filled her when she found out that two other men were the ones who paid for their meal. She glanced their way to smile her thanks and almost laughed when she noticed that they both seemed to have eyes only for Nadya.

  “Don’t look now, Nadya, but I think those two have the hots for you. Maybe you should take a good look and see which one attracts you.”

  “What do you mean, which one?” Nadya asked with a chuckle. “Why can’t I have them both?” She grinned and took a sip of her ice water.

  “There’s nothing saying you can’t have them both,” Milla said as she stood and pulled the strap of her purse over her shoulder. “As a matter of fact, that is one of this town’s secrets.” She shrugged. “Though, I suppose that it’s not really much of a secret when you see the townsfolk walking around.”

  “What are you talking about?” Both Alexa and Nadya asked at the same time. They smacked each other on the arm. “Owe me a pop.”

  “It’s a tie and besides, you both just had a drink.” Milla grinned as she led the way out of the diner. “This isn’t something I can tell you here, but follow me and we’ll find someplace private where I can let the cat out of the proverbial bag.”

  Nadya turned to her and shrugged. “What do you think that was about?”

  “I have no idea.” However, the truth was, she was dying to find out.

  “Okay,” Milla said after they exited the restaurant. “This seems like a wonderful place to live. No single female ever pays for anything at the diner. The men pay for everything. In fact, this is like some throwback town. The men open doors and protect the women. Heck, you’d be hard pressed to find a woman who mows her own lawn around here. I’ve already found out that much and I’ve only been here a few hours.”

  “That’s insane.” Nadya shook her head. “If that’s true, why doesn’t every woman in the world head this way?”

  “Apparently, it wasn’t always this way. I read it in my guys. Things around here got really bad until the new leader took over and changed it. They had some sort of war here. A real life good against evil battle and good won.”

  “You’re not kidding, are you Milla?” Alexa asked. She turned when the bell on the diner door jingled. Mr. Perfect walked through the door followed by the two men who couldn’t seem to stop watching Nadya. “Don’t look now, Nadya, but your groupies are headed this way.”

  “My what?” Nadya turned to look as the three men headed their way.

  “I’m not kidding,” Milla said with a chuckle. “I think you’re about to find out about the men in Paradise first hand. The only thing I can tell you is, whatever they say to you…go with it. You won’t be sorry.”

  Alexa glanced over at Milla, wondering what their friend knew that they didn’t. It went without saying that she knew a lot just by touching the people who live here. They wouldn’t even have to know, but knowing Milla, she told them what she could do before she made contact. She’d always been honest with people about her gift.

  Thankfully, Alexa didn’t have a gift to tell anyone about, or lie about, if needed. She just had a healthy desire to put down some roots and have a life of her own.

  The man who was with Milla returned. “Hello, ladies. Did you have a good lunch?”

  “Yes, we did. Thanks for asking,” Nadya replied. She moved to Milla’s other side and took her hand. “Did you say something about needing approval?”

  “Oh! I forgot.” Milla turned to the man at her side. “Jonas, would you and Mel mind asking Mr. Greer if they can stay here, too?”

  The man looked them over, then turned his attention back to Milla. “Can I tell him that he has nothing to worry about as far as acceptance goes?” He raised a brow and stared at Milla for a moment.

  “Yes. They will be fine with your secret. I haven’t told them, though. However, they know me and know I’d never lie to them. If he says it’s okay, we can tell them. It might take proof, though.” She bit her lip. “Do you think
that will be a problem?”

  Jonas flashed a smile at her. “Not the way I see it. I see three men that look as though they’d love to show them something.”

  “It’s probably not what you’re thinking.” One of the men said. He wore his blond hair down to his shoulders and eyes as blue as the water at the Blue Water Bridge in Michigan. His thick arms flexed as he folded them over his chest, showing off a set of spectacular biceps and pectoral muscles under his too-tight t-shirt.

  “That’s Lucas Martin. The Neanderthal next to him is Gabriel Frey. They own the soon-to-open general store.” Jonas leaned over and shook their hands. “I’d just like to say thanks for that and hurry the hell up. We’re all tired of shopping in Mason.”

  “We’re doing our best.” Lucas said as he turned his gaze back to Nadya.

  “The other jerk off to their right is Wade Remington. He owns a ranch just on the outskirts of town. In fact, you’ll be setting up on his land.” He leaned close, and in a stage whisper said, “So you might want to be nice to him and his partner Ryker Herrick.” Then he grinned. “But you don’t really have to be. They’ll treat you right even if you call them everything but a decent human being. Treating women and children with the deference and respect they deserve is the way we roll here in Paradise.”

  Alexa barely resisted the urge to pinch herself, because, surely, none of this could possibly be real…could it?

  Chapter Eight

  “Ladies,” Wade said as he tipped his hat. “Welcome to Paradise.”

  “Thank you for allowing us to set up on your land. You have no idea how huge this is.”

  Ryker rode up as the woman who smelled just like Sarah’s peach cobbler shifted her gaze to the ground and blushed.

  Is that one our mate? He asked Wade. She had to be, she smelled delicious and, if his cock had anything to say about it, she was the one. She has to be, she smells just like Sarah’s peach cobbler.”

  I know, right? Wade replied. Who could have guessed that our mate would smell so delicious?

  Maybe that was the reason they both loved that peach cobbler so much. It smelled just like their mate. Ryker’s mouth started to water. Would she taste the same?

  She glanced up at him, her face red. “Most people would charge us a percentage of the take or a flat fee. I don’t recall anyone ever allowing us to set up for free.” She smiled at Wade. “Yours and your partner’s generosity will buy a lot of clothes and shoes for our children.”

  “You’re welcome,” Ryker replied for the both. He didn’t know why, but he wanted her to know that he was Wade’s partner, probably because she had stars in her eyes and he wanted them directed at him as well as Wade.

  Ryker tried not to look as self-conscious as he felt, drawing her attention the way he did.” He hated it when people pointed out that he was a nice guy. If he were, he would have led the revolt long before the alpha matured.

  “Oh!” She nervously licked her lips. “You must be…Ryker?”

  Reaching up, he tipped his hat back and smiled. “Guilty as charged, ma’am, and you are?”

  Her blushed darkened. “I’m Alexa.” She indicated a lovely dark-skinned woman to her right that Jonas had latched onto. “This is Milla, and this,” she said, waving to the redhead on the other side of her, “is Nadya.” She pressed her lips together. “Nadya and I are with the carnival and…” She paused to take a deep breath, before continuing on a rush. “We wish to petition your leaders for citizenship.” She lifted her chin in the air as though daring them to say something about their decision.

  With a smile, Ryker dismounted and stood in front of the horse. His beast urged him closer to his mate. He’d never once given in so quickly to the desires of his other half, but on this they were in agreement.

  Just one whiff of her sweet scent drove his metabolism into overdrive. His heart raced, his stomach repeatedly clenched and released and his balls burned with the need to push his cock deep into her silken flesh.

  Jonas pulled Milla closer to his side, leaving no doubt that she was his mate. “Mel and I have already talked to Adam and nick about Milla staying here. He and his mates said something about taking the rest of the day off. You’ll have to wait for tomorrow to ask them about it.”

  “But he agreed.” Ryker knew the alpha really had no choice in the matter.

  “Of course he agreed. What else could the man do? You know how we can get when denied our women.”

  Ryder glanced at Luc, who stood close behind Nadya. He suspected that they, too, would be standing on the steps of the building first thing in the morning. It was almost certain that she would turn out to be his and Gabe’s mate, if the way they acted was any indication.

  Ryder moved close to Wade’s beat-up old pick-up and looped the reins around the door handle. “Are you sure they’ve left? Why don’t we all walk over there now, just in case?” Hell, it wasn’t as though it was a mile. It was two blocks.

  “They aren’t there. They followed us out. I think they were anxious to get home to their family.”

  “Oh.” Well, hell. “I guess we’d all better get busy with the set up, then. The Faire starts first thing in the morning.”

  Chapter Nine

  Alexa watched as Milla took people into a small shed that her men erected for her to do her readings. It was all she could do to keep herself from asking what went on here in this town with its three-way relationships.

  Even though she and Nadya had their own trailers, someone paid for them to stay in rooms at the Paradise lodge. She couldn’t complain. The rooms were large and clean and she didn’t have to cook! Breakfast and dinner came with the day’s lodging, just so long as a person showed up in time to eat it.

  Apparently, the men here were so protective of women and children that they feared for them while the carnival was in Paradise. Milla had told them about Perry and his relentless pursuit of her and they naturally assumed that he would do the same with Nadya and herself.

  Alexa wasn’t so sure. At least not where I she was concerned. Perry shouldn’t have any interest in her. She had no gift to speak of. She walked through the busy fairway and watched as men, women, and children ran through, playing games. Tickets streamed out behind the children as they ran from attraction to attraction and Alexa wondered how the entire community could have so many people with what seemed to be endless supplies of money.

  Turning, she glanced toward Natalie’s stand. Her show hadn’t started yet, but people had gathered around to watch her swallow her swords. Natalie’s gift was a changeable throat. Apparently, she could swallow a watermelon if her stomach would hold it. Her gift was an elastic throat—not that Alexa saw that as much of a gift.

  She gathered with the crowd, wanting to see the show one more time before she left. Who knew when she would ever see these people again? They had been her family for years. She would miss them.

  Standing next to a tall man with a small boy sitting on his shoulders, she accidentally brushed up against the man and he turned to gape at her as all of a sudden, he changed from a man to a leopard in front of her.

  Reaching out, she grabbed the toddler before he hit the ground, snatching him away from the wild animal that suddenly stood in the place where the boy’s father had just been. She screamed and dropped her precious burden when the boy turned into a leopard cub.

  “What’s happening?” she backed away from the large cat that stood staring at her as though she had done something wrong. “Help me. Someone help me!”

  Milla came running from her small shed and pulled Alexa from the crowd that had stopped to stare at her and the wildcat that stood in their midst.

  “Why aren’t you doing something?” She screamed as Milla pulled her away from the crowd.

  “Remember when I told you that the people of this town had their own secrets?” Milla held her wrist in an iron grip. “Well, that’s their secret.” She lowered her voice. “They’re shape shifters. Now please, try not to draw an
y more attention to them.”

  “But—but…”

  “But nothing.” Milla turned and shook her. “Listen to me. If you can’t accept that about them, you won’t be able to stay here.” She cast her gaze around. “Hell, I might not be able to stay here. I vouched for you. I told them that you’d be able to handle this.” She shook her again. “Now, pull yourself together, Alexa. Anyone can understand that you were overwhelmed. You didn’t expect that. But now that you’ve seen it, you need to calm down.” She stressed the last two words. “They won’t hurt you.”

  “How can they do that?” Alexa glanced back to the crowd. The man and his son were back to normal. The man held his son on his shoulders once again, but they weren’t watching Natalie. The man had turned toward her, watching her with an expression she couldn’t read.

  “It’s what they are.” Milla bit her lip as she paused at the line outside her little shed. “I’ll be right with you.” She gave them a brilliant smile. “Please wait here.” Turning to face Alexa, she frowned. “What I don’t understand is why did the man decide to do that?” She waved her arms. “Anyone could have seen him.”

  “I—I don’t know. I was standing there minding my own business when the man suddenly changed into an animal.” She lowered her voice. “That’s not normal, Milla. Even you have to admit that.”

  “No. It’s not normal for us, but it is normal for them. It’s what they are.” She led her to a bench. “Here, sit here, while I call Jonas and ask him to come sit with you.”

  “There’s no need to call your man over here to watch me. I’m fine.”

  “Yes, ma’am. You are fine.”

  Goose bumps rose on Alexa’s arms and she felt her face heat in a blush as she turned to see Ryker standing to her left. He gazed down at her with eyes the same color as dark chocolate and his lips kicked up in a grin, showing off his white teeth.