He had seen someone he knew die, was now probably the police’s main suspect, and he was thinking about her. Her guilt was because having him worry about her, think about her, made her happy. And given the situation, her gaze shouldn’t be dropping to his lips. It was inappropriate and ill-timed and…
Her jaguar mewled, urging her to kiss him. She looked away and her jaguar leaned in harder, insistent. It had been such a long time since it had insisted on anything that it caught her off guard.
Before she even knew what she was doing, her mouth was brushing against his.
To her surprise, Eneko kissed her back. At first the two of them were rigid, as though not quite certain what to do. But then as Jasmine started to pull back, he wrapped his hands around her skull and drew her in closer. Her eyes fluttered closed and a sigh escaped her lips. His tongue teased open her mouth and one of his arms wrapped around her waist. He pulled her over to lay atop him. Her legs fell to either side of him and she could feel his body pressing against hers…
He tensed beneath her. His hands moved to her shoulders and he gently pushed her away. Jasmine’s face flushed with heat as she scrambled off him. Her skin felt tingly and she looked away, embarrassed by how readily she had allowed herself to be carried away. He had just been through something traumatizing. What was she thinking, taking advantage of him like that?
“I’m sorry,” he said gruffly. He looked away as he sat up. “I shouldn’t have done that. It was grossly inappropriate.”
“I wouldn’t say grossly,” Jasmine mumbled, looking down at the floor. “Unexpected but not gross.”
Eneko shook his head. “I didn’t mean to say that it was gross, I meant—”
“It’s okay.” Jasmine released a deep breath and smiled up at him. “What you meant is that given the situation it was inappropriate. With what you witnessed and everything else.”
Eneko chuckled slightly. “I was thinking more along the lines that you’re my employee. But yeah, that other stuff too. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, and you’re not the one that should be saying that. I am sorry. I’m the one that kissed you. I shouldn’t have. It’s a… a confusing situation. Um… I’m going to go now. If you need me for anything, just call, okay?”
Eneko nodded and Jasmine gathered her things quickly. Her hands trembled by the time she got into the car and was on her way. What was wrong with her? She couldn’t go around kissing people like that! Especially not in this situation, with their working relationship… No, that had to be the very last time.
Her jaguar snarled at her.
The last time, she told it again.
It paced in her chest, letting her know that it wasn’t going to be the last time, not if it had any say in the matter.
Chapter Six
Two days passed.
On the third day, he received a call from the matriarch to say she was coming over with the police. Eneko was grateful that Jasmine could come take the children away on such short notice. Whatever this was going to be about, he didn’t want them to be witness to it.
They had only been gone for a couple of minutes when the matriarch’s car pulled up with a couple of the detectives that he now knew.
His shoulders tensed when he saw them, but he opened the door for them to enter before they reached it. The two detectives sneered at him but he ignored their looks. Instead, he greeted the matriarch, a fierce-looking woman with deep wrinkles in her face and keen, piercing eyes. She nodded at Eneko as he led them to the sitting room.
“Dr. Alava, I understand that this is a difficult time.”, the matriarch started. “But given the situation I’m afraid that there is no rest for any of us. There have been many accusations thrown around as of late. I’m here to officially request that you cooperate with the police to the fullest.”
“I have been cooperating.” Eneko resisted the urge to curl his hands into fists. “I’m sorry, where is my lawyer?”
One of the detectives scoffed. “You call that cooperating? Won’t tell us anything without a lawyer there. You know who does that? Criminals. You’re—”
The matriarch cast the detective a look that had him faltering. Eneko almost smiled. He would have liked to have added that the people who asked for lawyers were people who don’t want to get burnt at the stake for crimes they didn’t do, but didn’t speak. He didn’t want to make the situation worse, not when the matriarch had managed to make the detective shut up. Eventually the matriarch shook her head.
“Detectives, please wait outside for a moment so Dr. Alava and I can speak alone.”
One of the detectives spluttered.
“Now.”
The two looked at each other, glared at Eneko, and stood. They left the room, although they talked loudly to one another from the kitchen. Possibly to hide that they were snooping around. Eneko wouldn’t put it past them. He growled low in his throaty as he glared at the closed door, but his attention was quickly pulled back to the matriarch, who stared at him with an expression that was less than amused.
“This is a witch hunt,” Eneko hissed at her. “You know it is. A non-shifter protesting the fact that shifters are allowed to live their lives is killed, and now everybody who agreed with her, those cops in there included, are looking for a shifter to pin it on so that they can go home and talk about us filthy beasts.”
The matriarch’s expression didn’t change. “Are you finished?”
He sat back, slightly embarrassed and cowed.
“Good,” the matriarch continued as he nodded. “Listen Eneko. I know that this is them wanting to place the blame on a shifter.”
Well, there was that at least.
“You wouldn’t hurt a fly, let alone that woman. But this is a tricky situation, for all of us. Especially with the anti-shifter sentiments riding so high in town right now. I thought that having Shifter Pride parades and other things would ease the tensions but they’ve only raised. We need to cooperate in this case and make sure that the public see us cooperating.”
Eneko opened his mouth then closed it again. His first reaction was to accuse her of throwing him to these vampires. However, he understood that it wasn’t that simple. This wasn’t a matter of simply standing by the truth. She had to stand by him while also proving that the guilty party wasn’t going to get away with it if they ended up being part of the clan.
“I’ve talked with Isaias, and we’re going to get my nephew, Clifford Boone, to come represent you.” The matriarch studied him for a moment. “Clifford is very good at what he does.”
“Okay,” Eneko said eventually. “But I’m not going to talk to the cops without a lawyer. I’ve known too many people who are condemned by what they say because the cops twist things around to make them seem guilty.”
The matriarch stared at him for a long moment before inclining her head. She called the detectives back in, and told them that this talk would have to be continued at the station later, with lawyers in attendance. The two sneered at him, but Eneko forced himself not to pay attention to their remarks as they left.
Once they were gone, he called Jasmine and asked her to come home. It felt odd not to be working, even on a Saturday, and he was getting antsy. What he really wanted to do was go out to the woods and have a run… but unfortunately the only safe woods were near the Durant mansion, and he didn’t want to drag his children all across town.
The day passed uneventfully from here, although Jasmine did stick around to help him with the kids and in case he was called away. After dusk had fallen and the kids were in bed, he collapsed onto the couch. Jasmine joined him with a tub of ice-cream and two spoons.
Eneko rose a brow. “Ice-cream? Really?”
“You look like you need a pick-me-up.” She shrugged as she settled down next to him. “It was this or wine and I didn’t want to give you the wrong impression.”
The kiss they had shared flashed through his mind. He could almost taste her on his lips and had to look away. If he had known how much that one kiss woul
d haunt him, then he wouldn’t have let it start. Or maybe he would have. It had been a long time since he’d felt this way about anybody. Although it was a mystery to him as to why she hadn’t found her mate yet. She was so beautiful and kind. But then again, when two people were mates it wasn’t like just falling in love. It was something deeper, an attachment at the cellular level…
I never had that with Sadie. He shook his head. So, what do I know about destined mates?
“They have to be insane,” she suddenly said.
Eneko scooped up some ice-cream. “Who?”
Jasmine shrugged, a sour expression on her face. “Whoever those idiots are that think that you’d actually kill someone.”
Ah. Them. Eneko shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter. I didn’t do it and they’ll catch the real killer.” Hopefully. “I gave them the video footage from that night. We’ll just have to see how that happens. It’ll work out in the end. I know it will.”
Jasmine didn’t respond to that, the scowl still on her face.
“Listen, I’m very grateful to you for all your help. You’ve done more than you had to and I… I don’t know how to thank you.” He swallowed thickly. “About the kiss…”
Jasmine held up her hand. “Can I talk first?”
Eneko nodded, relieved to have the burden off his shoulders.
“I don’t care if it was inappropriate because of our employment situation. It was a good kiss. I liked it.”
Eneko laughed softly and ducked his head. “Uh… well, I did too. And honestly if it wasn’t this situation, maybe I’d even ask you out to get to know you better. But it’s like this. I already had my mate. Maite and Luken’s mother, Sadie. I loved her deeply. At least, I thought she was my mate. She left me, so maybe she wasn’t. But I… I think that you deserve to find your own mate. Someone without my level of baggage.”
Jasmine poked at the ice-cream, a slight blush rising in her face. “You know, I always thought that so-called ‘fated’ mates were overrated.”
Eneko frowned. What did she mean by that?
“I’m not looking for my mate. I’ve met people who found their one true mate and then realized that they can’t stand the person they’re with. They love them more than anything but they’re miserable with them. I don’t want that.” Jasmine poked her spoon into the ice-cream. “And even if I did want a mate, what’s wrong with a little fun?”
Eneko wasn’t sure how to answer to that. “I… I’m your employer. And there are the children to think about…”
“Of course.” Her face turned the same color as a cherry tomato. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that it… I’m sorry. Of course you need to think about them and even if they weren’t in the picture you’d have to think about yourself, too. I mean, if you don’t want to… I, never mind. Oh, I’ve embarrassed myself pretty bad now. I’ll just…”
She stood and patted her pockets, then laughed nervously and shrugged. She quickly headed for the door, brushing her hand through her long, dark hair.
Eneko wanted to call her back and tell her that it didn’t matter; any of it. But he kept his mouth shut. It might not matter now, but what about tomorrow? So what if they could be quiet and secretive so the children didn’t find out. Sleeping together, even just fooling around a bit, would influence his relationship with Jasmine. He couldn’t do that unless he was absolutely certain it wouldn’t end up hurting his children somehow.
Eneko jumped to his feet and hurried after Jasmine as she headed for the front door. “Jasmine, wait.”
She turned.
“I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for.” She gave him a small smile and opened the front door. She gasped softly and froze. After a moment, she closed the door again. “Uh… There’s a problem.”
“What?” Eneko joined her and peered through the window at one side of the door.
Out on the street were three news vehicles. Reporters, each standing at different angles, looked seriously into large cameras. Eneko let the curtain fall shut, his heart pounding in his chest. What the hell was that? Now he had reporters camped outside his home? Were they going to come to the door next to shove a camera into his face and demand he answer incriminating questions?
A growl rose out of his throat. It was bad enough that he was going to be treated as though he was a murderer who was let free on the world. Bad enough that his practice was in jeopardy because they couldn’t believe that a shifter wouldn’t be a mindless killer. But now, they were outside his home, putting his children at risk. What if someone figured out where he was living and decided to take matters into their own hands? Andy had already followed him to this street. If he saw this, he’d know which house to go to.
“I’m calling the matriarch,” Eneko growled as he patted his pockets for his cellphone. “This is inexcusable. I am not going to let my children get caught up in this media frenzy. I’m not…”
Jasmine wrapped her arms around him. The unexpected tenderness made the anger die in his chest, leaving behind only fear. Fear that he was going to be condemned for this. Fear that his children would be hurt or taken away. Fear that there was no happy ending for him and his family.
Just… fear. And she was the only one grounding him.
“Stay the night,” he whispered.
She nodded. “Yes. I’ll stay as long as you need me.”
Chapter Seven
Jasmine sighed as she laid her head against the pillows on the couch. It wasn’t as though she was uncomfortable. The couch was wide and long, just a little narrower than a single bed. The sounds of the house weren’t bothering her, either, since she had her phone sitting on the coffee table playing white noise.
It was the situation.
This late at night she should be safe to leave the house and go back to her apartment without worrying about reporters. Without worrying about what bloodsuckers were out there waiting to pounce on her and this family. Those reporters… she wanted to tell them all to mind their own business and remind them about the whole innocent until proven guilty thing. Of course, she couldn’t.
Her phone started to ring and she rolled over. Blinking in the sudden bright light, she saw that it was Lori phoning her. Jasmine frowned. She’d texted her sister to tell her that she wasn’t coming home tonight. She answered.
“Hello?”
“Jazz, I just got your message.” There was the sound of heavy music in the background. “What’s up with you not coming home? You got a hot date or something?”
Jasmine sighed. “No. It’s not like that. I’m…” The music increased and she pressed a hand to her forehead. “You know, I’ll tell you tomorrow. It’s late and I just need to get some sleep. But you need to be careful, Lor. Don’t get drunk. If you do I want you to call me, but I’m just… I’m really tired.”
“Sure, sure.” Lori hummed a moment. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah.”
Lori continued to hum, then she let out a deep sigh. “So, if you’re not home can I bring a guy back to the apartment? There’s this really cute redhead who’s got these glasses and is rocking the nerd look. A bit skinny but he looks like he’s got stamina, if you know what I mean.”
“Ew!” Jasmine made a face, but even as she did so she had to wonder if her instant, rising anger was because Lori had no sense of dignity or if it was her own jealousy.
Her body felt like it was on fire, and she’d been like this since her talk with Eneko earlier–or, if she was honest, since she had kissed him. Her jaguar paced and growled, all but demanding that she get up and go to his bedroom. She’d never felt it this keyed up before. Never had this intense desire to be with a specific man. His smell was so strong in the room, musky yet clean.
“So, can I?” Lori continued blithely. “I promise, we’d be in my bedroom.”
“No,” Jasmine said shortly. “No, you can’t take him home. If you’re that horny get a vibrator. They won’t strangle and scalp you.”
Lor
i made a choking noise. “Now who’s ew? Honestly, girl, you got issues.”
Jasmine snorted. Her sister had no idea. The music in the background got louder again and Lori shouted goodbye. Then there was silence. She turned off the white noise maker and stood, stretching her back. Her throat was a bit dry, so maybe a gulp of water would help put her to sleep…
Rubbing her eyes, she padded to the kitchen. Only to find Eneko there, leaning against the counter with a glass of milk in his hand. He was shirtless, his bounteous muscles bulging against his smooth skin. In this light he looked so edible that it made her mouth water. She dropped her gaze as she went to the cupboard for a glass.
“Can’t sleep?” he gave her a tired smile.
“Yeah. I mean, no. Can’t turn off my brain.”
Eneko nodded grimly. “Yeah. Same here.”
Jasmine gulped some water and shook her head. “It makes me so mad.”
He didn’t respond, just looking into his glass of milk. Jasmine internally winced at her lack of tact. He was the one having to deal with all this crap, the last thing he wanted or needed to do right now was try to make her feel better. She finished off her glass of water, trying to think of what to say.
“Sorry,” she murmured. “It’s just that this is reminding me so much about the times I was in foster homes and something happened and I was blamed simply because I was a shifter.”
Eneko slowly looked up at her. “Foster homes?”
Jasmine bit her lip and nodded. She hadn’t told anybody in this town about her upbringing. Partly because she didn’t want to drag up the past, but also because even the people she considered friends weren’t close enough to share such intimate pain with.
“I thought you said you grew up on a farm,” Eneko said.
“I did. Or at least, I eventually settled on a farm. But for most of my life I was bounced between a lot of foster homes. They never really wanted to keep me. There were a few of them that thought that I just needed a harsh hand and strict guidance to rise above my shifter roots.”
The Bear Shifter's Nanny (Fated Bears Book 3) Page 4
