Then, Brand released her and she lost her hold, on reality, on her mate. She whimpered, fatigued muscles protesting her attempt to reach for him. “It’s okay, just settling you into bed.”
Soft cotton covered her, wrapping her in its warmth. But when Brand’s hands weren’t there anymore, Cougar pushed at Simi’s mind, nudging her back awake. “No, don’t go.”
“Hey, hey…shh. Just gonna get ready for bed. Can’t get in with you, not all grimy and bloody, little one. Give me ten minutes to wash off.”
Ten minutes. She supposed she and Cougar could wait that long. Not a minute longer. Snuffling, she burrowed into the soft sheets that smelled of her mate. Simi crawled toward the other side of the bed, chasing his essence. She wrapped herself around a pillow, hugging it to her chest, burying her face against the smooth surface, sighing in contentment.
Time ticked by, though she wasn’t sure just how much, but it wasn’t long before the bed dipped, and a body, warm and hard, slipped in behind her. Earth and animal surrounding her, their body heat worked to increase the potency of their scents. Warmer and warmer she grew, until sweat formed along her skin.
She huffed, “Hot…too hot.”
Simi tossed her portion of the blanket off and wiggled out of her sweatpants, then her socks, followed by her shirt. She exhaled a breath of relief as she threw her clothing aside. Better.
She pulled the covers back over her and inched closer to Brand. Thankful for having met him, Simi found comfort when she backed herself into his warm body, stopping when she felt his face buried against the back her neck.
He rubbed his nose over her skin, inhaling, huffing, and then settled with a rumble. “Mine.”
Yeah, she was his. And he was hers. The timing of their meeting had caught her completely off-guard, but she was too tired to make sense of anything that had transpired today, least of all the hows and whys of having found her mate so quickly and unexpectedly.
If she weren’t so damn exhausted, Simi would like nothing more than to…
Not now, but maybe later. No, most definitely later…
Simi closed her eyes, and before she knew it, she was opening them to light streaming into the room, filling it with the sun’s golden glow.
Chapter Four
Blinking the sleep out of her eyes, she looked around the room, body still, cautious. She was alone in a bed that had Brand’s unique smells all over it. Only he wasn’t there with her. Sensing no threat, she sprang up, realizing her nakedness for the first time since she’d awoken, her memory foggy on how she’d lost her clothes the night before. Then she remembered. And it wasn’t for the reason she would’ve liked.
She smiled, a feeling of contentment washing over her. Even though they hadn’t yet mated, she knew that Brand was hers. She couldn’t explain it, but she and Cougar trusted the man, implicitly. Actually, she could. He was not only kind and caring, but he’d protected her without question. Then there was her instinct, her gut feeling. Cougar’s intuition that told her everything about him was right, regardless of the short time spent together.
Easing from bed, she padded to the window, absorbing the heat and marveling at the view before her. The backyard vast and its lawn manicured, the entire spread of land was surrounded by a high, concrete fence she presumed was well over eight feet tall. Beyond that protective barrier was a forest of trees, stretching tall and wide for as far as she could see. But what really caught her eye was a large pond, with plants and small trees lining its edge, and the inviting water within. Visually appealing, she was quite sure Cougar would freeze her ass off if she were to take a dip now. She sighed, just imagining how beautiful the scenery would be in the spring, with those plants and trees in full bloom.
No matter. Cougar still wanted to explore and run and play across the land.
Maybe… But what if the house wasn’t Brand’s? She hated to assume, but he worked at the shelter, had a small apartment there, so how could he afford such a beautiful house built on this gorgeous piece of land? Well, she supposed the rest of the house was beautiful, if the look of the bedroom was to be any indication. Whoever the owner was, would they let her and Cougar play? Just a little? Did she need permission? She hated the way her mind worked sometimes, the way Malcolm had trained her to think. It bothered her to recall the past, but most of her life had revolved around Malcolm.
Turning away from the window, she hurried through washing and dressing, anxious to explore. After what had transpired the previous night, she felt somewhat rejuvenated. Though, it bothered her to think that much of the change in her mood had to be attributed to finally being free of Malcolm.
Wearing the same clothes Brand had dressed her in the day before, she made her way through the enormous house, walking silently on sock-clad feet. She followed the delicious scent of breakfast…of eggs, sausage, ham and bacon…dragging her along as if it were tied to her grumbling stomach. She trotted down the stairs, through a very formal dining room, then a corridor or two, until she pushed past a swinging door, and voilà, right into the kitchen. One that was roughly the size of Brand’s entire apartment at Satisfied. Maybe even bigger.
He looked up from his plate, smiled around a bite of food, then pushed away from the counter, reaching her before she could get to him. Whether this place was Brand’s or someone else’s, Simi was certain she was in over her head. This fancy, hoity-toity scene just wasn’t her. She’d be too afraid to touch anything. Malcolm had always yelled at her for being clumsy and uncoordinated. That she was so fucking stupid…
No. She couldn’t keep thinking of him or his cruel words. He’s dead. She’d killed him. Gone forever. If only it were that easy.
“Morning.” Brand planted a kiss on her forehead while he held her in a tight hug. “Ready to eat? I’ve got Gemmie making tons of food.”
“Gemmie?” Simi rubbed her face against him, scenting him, warning others off.
Gemmie and she silently acknowledged one another, trading nods and awkward smiles as they did so. Cougar could sense that the woman was a mated wolf, so she didn’t need to worry about her—as much. The animal in Simi was on full alert, and it seemed as if Cougar’s protective instinct was getting the better of them.
“Mmm-hmm. I’m ready. Starved.” He touched the side of her face with the palm of his hand, and though she thoroughly enjoyed it, the hunger pains in her stomach were getting the better of her. Sniffing the air, the wonderful smells warming her, she wiggled away, adding, “’K. Food.” Her stomach grumbled and so did Cougar.
He sighed. “Okay, food it is. Then maybe we’ll go outside for a little while?”
Cougar perked up. “A run? Play? Hmm?” Though they’d only met, Brand seemed to have no trouble reading her.
“Yes, I believe Cougar would love to run and play, but I think the pond’s too cold to go in. Even for you,” Brand replied, moving the strands of hair out of her face, tucking them behind her ear.
Simi and Cougar didn’t have to be told twice. She pulled out a stool and sat in front of the counter. She smiled her thanks to the bustling woman who placed a plate full of food before her. Eggs and lots and lots of meat. All hers and so much of it. Yum. Another plate quickly joined the first, this one with buttered biscuits and toast. Perfect breakfast for a starving cat. A large glass of apple juice followed a short bit later, with a stern look from a female wolf narrowing her eyes and giving orders.
“Now, missy, you eat that. Every bit. There’s not enough meat on those bones, and Mr. Brand brought you in here half dead.” Gemmie shook her head at Simi and clicked her tongue. “Being his mate, you’re my responsibility now.” Gemmie sighed and glared at Brand. “She’s not gonna die from starvation. Not on my watch, you hear?”
“Aw, Gemmie, come on…” Brand shook his head as if he were trying to defend himself.
Simi relaxed a little, knowing she didn’t have to worry about this woman stealing her mate or her plate of food.
On instinct, she pushed her stool back and stood, star
ing at the female wolf. “You’re wrong. Wrong. He’s taking good care of me. Protected me. Saved me from—”
“Hey, hey, Cougar, Simi, she’s kidding. Just joking with me, okay?” He tugged on her hand, guiding her back to her seat.
Face pale, Gemmie came around the counter and wrapped her plump arms around Simi’s shoulders. “Oh, sweetie. Somebody did a number on you, huh? Don’t worry, Gemmie’ll take care of you. Just as I did for both of my wolves when their momma died. Now, I’ll just add a baby cougar to the mix. That’s all.”
Gemmie pulled back and stared into Simi’s eyes. Whatever the woman saw in them seemed to satisfy her, and she hurried back around, returning to her cooking as she hummed along to what was playing on the radio.
Brand nudged the plate toward her, then picked up his own fork and began digging in at the feast before him. Frowning, Simi picked up a piece of bacon and bit into it, savoring the salty flavor.
“What’s with the sad face, little one?” he mumbled around a mouthful of eggs.
She glared at him. “You keep pushing food at me.”
He snorted. “That’s because you’re too skinny, for one reason, and two, hungry as all get out.” She opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off. “Don’t deny it, Simi. You know it’s true. You haven’t eaten a decent meal in I don’t know how long. And no, I don’t count what you ate yesterday as a proper meal.” He focused on her, really looking at her as if he were searching her soul. “I want you and Cougar to feel safe and cared for here, Simi. Happy. Right now, I know that Gemmie’s cooking will do that for you. That letting Cougar out to play, having her run wild and free, will make you even happier. The rest…well…can wait.” He harrumphed, continuing, “Really getting to know one another will come in good time, which we’ll have a lot of, if I have any say about it.”
She thought he was going to say something else. About the subject that weighed heavily on her heart and shoulders: her miserable past. Sighing in relief for the time being when he didn’t, Simi picked up her fork and used it to cut out a piece of ham, then shoved it into her mouth. Delicious didn’t even come close to rightfully describing how good the succulent piece of meat tasted. Thanks, Gemmie.
Appetite aside, he was right. She was underweight, and besides, filling her belly always made Cougar very happy. Simi wondered why it was so hard for her to accept the help he offered. But, she would. It went against her grain, but she knew she needed it.
It would be nice for once…to feel full, safe and cared for…all at the same time. And the run outside wouldn’t be half bad either. It’d been years since Cougar last let her legs fly, eating up the ground with her powerful strides. Too bad it was so cold out, because she’d also fancy a swim. Then again, she could always splash around in the upstairs tub later. Not the same, but she could make it work.
Bite after bite left her plate and went into her mouth, filling her stomach more and more as time flitted by. The apple juice soon disappeared, only to be replaced with another, by the ever-efficient Gemmie.
Simi finished off all the meat first, then the eggs, before turning her attention on the biscuits. She glanced at Brand’s plate, noticing a slice of bacon just sitting there on the edge, calling out to her. Beckoning her…to…to eat it. Cougar wanted to snatch it from him. Simi thought better of it, and told her they should leave it be. But…but…the mouthwatering piece of bacon had Cougar’s name written all over it. Before she’d finished mulling it over, Brand was easing the sliver of meat toward her with his fork, inching it along until it touched the edge of her plate.
Smiling wide, Simi struck out with her hand, and before it could be reclaimed by her teasing man, she shoved it into her mouth, barely tasting the meat as it settled down into her soon-to-be gorged stomach.
She knew by her animal’s action that Cougar was coming out of her shell, but nevertheless, Simi blushed, her embarrassment bordering on shame. Simi stared down at her empty plate, and offered, “Sorry.”
Brand reached over, a finger beneath her chin forcing her to look up at him. “For what? For being hungry? For Cougar wanting something that I’m fortunate enough to provide for the both of you? Simi…all you have to do is ask and anything you want is yours. No need to inhale your food or protect yourself here. But you’ll learn that in time. Your past, your time on the streets were hard on you, I can see that. But you survived. That’s what matters now. You’re in good company here. I can’t say that enough. You have nothing to be afraid of.”
She nodded and blinked, and with her food all but gone, Simi chewed at the inside of her lip. “Okay. I’ll do better. I’ll be—”
“You’ll just be you, Simi. My beautiful cougar, my sweet mate. That’s all I’ll ever need.”
She curled her lips up into a hesitant smile, the nervous gesture spreading to the bobbing of her knee as she weighed his kind words. Sifting through Cougar’s thoughts on what those words meant to her partner in crime, Simi wanted to make sure they were both in agreement. Certain that they were, she replied, “Okay, Brand.”
“Good. You still hungry? Thirsty?”
Cougar whimpered, tail flicking, wanting to be set free to run and play.
“Play now?” Simi held up her hand, thumb and index finger about an inch apart, then, “Just a little while?”
He laughed, smile warming his handsome face, and ruffled her hair. “Absolutely, Coug, let’s go.”
Brand pushed away from the counter, picked up their plates, then carried them to the sink. Simi moved to follow, snagging a rag hanging nearby. Cougar was impatient, but Simi tried to reason with her. Just a little longer to cleanup, and they’d be dashing out the door in no time. She bumped into Brand, their fronts pressing together when he turned around.
He frowned, saying, “Outside’s thataway.” He pointed toward a door on the other side of the room.
“Great. But I’d like to help you with the dishes first.” She’d always done the chores. Malcolm had seen to that. She cursed herself for thinking about anything that had to do with him. And yet, she continued to do so.
Gemmie butted in, with impeccable timing in Cougar’s mind, and said, “No, no, sweetie. I handle taking care of y’all. You just go and have some fun, let Cougar stretch her legs.” The woman came toward her and leaned in close, mouth to Simi’s ear. “Pounce on him once or twice for me.” The woman pulled back and winked, and Simi would be lying if she were to say that Gemmie wasn’t growing on her. Almost as quickly as Brand had. And the fact that Gemmie seemed to care so much for her mate, like a mother’s love for her son, well, only made it that much easier for Simi to take her kindness at face value.
“Hey now. No turning my girl against me.” Brand’s face tightened, but it was easy to see that he was joking. Such an opposite to her ex. So refreshing. He snagged Simi’s hand and led her to the door, opening it for her as he’d done from the time that she’d been lucky enough to have met him. “Run free, Simi. Let Cougar have some fun for once. I’ve got, I mean, we’ve got, about thirty acres or so fenced in, with approximately another hundred outside.”
Shock stole over her as she walked out onto the screened-in back patio. “This?” She waved her hand at the colorless, but manicured lawn, the surrounding forest, and the large house that she’d just stepped out of, then added, “You’re telling me that this is all yours?”
He shook his head. “Ours. We’re mates, remember? We’ll get all the legalities sorted out this week. Need a little time for my lawyer to draw up the paperwork to add you to everything.”
“What? Why? So soon? I don’t understand why you—”
“Shh, little cat.” Brand sidled closer, nudging her with his hip. “Talk later, play now.”
Cougar didn’t have to be told twice. Simi dashed across the grass, tossing clothing aside as she ran, the cold lawn squishing beneath her feet, giving and flattening to the weight of every step she took. By the time the last of her clothing dropped from her fingertips, she was already in the middle of her sh
ift, going down to all fours in moments, eating up the ground with her lengthy strides on the expansive yard.
Woo-hoo! A yip behind her signaled Brand’s change, Wolfie following, but hanging back a bit to let her explore. Echoes of his paws pounding the earth along with hers made her realize that this was the happiest she’d been in a very long time. So much so that she never wanted to let the feeling go.
When a large space appeared in the concrete barrier, she sprinted toward it, wondering who had opened it for her. Gemmie.
Soon, Simi and Cougar were in the forest, the scent of earth and live wood assaulting her senses, the smell of other animals wafting to her nose. She loved it. They both did. This was so soothing…so healing. She took it all in, reveling in everything that nature had to offer, all as she inhaled deep and let Cougar run wild and free. Squirrels scattered through trees and Cougar was hard-pressed not to give chase. The hunter inside was getting the better of her. But she held back for now, because she was having so much fun, just taking it all in as her animal ran like she was meant to.
Suffering & Salvation Page 4
