by Jenika Snow
“I don’t think I’ll be able to move for a very long time.”
A chuckle left him, and he wrapped his arm around her. The fact that she snuggled right into him had his heart racing. How surreal was it that there was this tiny female who meant more to him than anything else in the world, even after such a short amount of time?
Whoever said finding a mate would leave a person’s head reeling so they wouldn’t know right from left was pretty damn spot-on. They’d also forgotten to mention that it had him in a constant state of arousal.
Even after just fucking her until neither could move, his dick was still hard. Although he just wanted to hold her and forget about the world right outside her hotel door, he wanted to clear the air about Mina.
Ford had sensed Talia’s jealousy, her hurt. It had been thick enough that even a human could have picked up on it. And he hated he’d been the cause of Talia feeling it.
“I want to talk about the relationship I had with Mina.” Ford made sure to emphasize on the past tense part of that statement, but he felt her tense regardless.
She rolled onto her side and then sat up. He frowned when she reached for the comforter to cover her body, but he gave her the modesty she so desperately wanted.
“I haven’t spoken to Mina in ten years.”
Talia didn’t move, didn’t even blink as she listened to him. She showed no outward emotions, but they were tangible as they thickened the air and slammed right into him.
The sooner he got this out, explained that she was his world, the sooner they could start their lives together.
“She called me a week or so ago, told me she was coming to Sweet Water to get married, and that was that.” He ran his hand over the back of his neck. “It wasn’t until I saw her in the café and she talked to me that I realized the connection between you and her… and your brother.” He looked away and tried to figure out how he was going to tell her. “The relationship didn’t last, because we were never meant to be together, and after we parted ways, I hated myself for not waiting for the woman who was meant to be mine.” He exhaled, feeling those emotions rise up again. “I hated myself that I threw my life into work, drinking away the pain, numbing everything outwardly.” They stared at each other, and he couldn’t form his next words as he waited for her to say something. “It took me ten years and you coming into my life for me to get rid of that self-hatred darkness that was a living entity inside me. I am just telling you all this, because I want nothing between us, and there never will be.” God, he cared about Talia so fucking much. “It should have always been you, my little fox.”
Talia was quiet for a very long time, but then she asked him the question he had been waiting for. “Do you still love her?” The raw pain in her voice cut him deep, and all he wanted to do was take it away.
He stared into her eyes. “There was never any love there, Talia. There was companionship to dull the loneliness of the world.” He cleared his throat, because suddenly it had closed up. Ford wished she wasn’t so unsure.
He watched the emotions behind the tranquil blue depths of her eyes and finally decided to reach out and take her hand. And then she gave him the sweetest fucking smile.
“Your personality throws me for a loop, and all I can picture is seeing us together years down the road. It’s okay if what I say scares you, because fuck, it scares the shit out of me, but at least tell me you feel the same crazy-ass need I do.”
Her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink, and she cleared her throat. “It’s crazy and doesn’t make any sense,” she said and dropped her gaze to her hands, which were bunched in her lap.
When she lifted her eyes back to his, he held his breath.
“I can’t think of leaving Sweet Water, because that would mean leaving you, and that does funny, painful things to my chest. I trust my fox, and ever since meeting you, it has told me this is where I’m supposed to be… with you, Ford.”
His heart was beating double-time at her words.
“I like being spontaneous with you, love that you don’t make me feel like I have to hide within myself.” Her expression was so… vulnerable as she stared at him. “You make me feel like I couldn’t live with never seeing you again.”
And that last sentence had his heart stopping.
He couldn’t help the smile that grew wide across his face. Everything she just said made him so damn happy he knew his euphoria was probably choking her. “You are my mate, Talia. It’s fast, intense, and doesn’t make any sense, but hell, it feels so damn right. There isn’t anything on this planet that could tell me this isn’t what was supposed to happen.”
With that, he didn’t wait for her to say anything, just took hold of her face between his hands and kissed her until they were both panting.
Resting his forehead against hers, he stared into her eyes. He’d never felt so complete before, but with Talia it was overflowing.
“All I can promise is that I am who I am. I have a tendency to start fights, to get drunk, and may even say some things that might piss you off. Despite all those flaws, I can also promise I will never let anyone hurt you, that I will treat you with the respect you deserve, and that I will always be the male who will protect you.”
He kissed her again, and again, and on the third time, he pulled away. His lips were tender, but he would have kissed her until his lips were numb.
“Do you understand what I’m saying, Talia?”
“Yes.”
“You’re mine, and the human and bear in me won’t let you go.”
16
Talia left the hotel room the following day after spending the entire evening wrapped in Ford’s embrace. He left early that morning, telling her he would be at the construction site the majority of the day, but they were to meet up at one of the small bar-and-grills located right on the edge of town.
She had to meet with Luke and tell him what she sensed from Mina. What her brother did with that information was up to him, but at least she wouldn’t feel as if she hadn’t just sat back when it was clear the woman still had feelings for another male.
Twenty minutes later and she was pulling into the long driveway that led up to the massive estate that was owned by Mina’s parents. The yard was being manicured to perfection, pristine white tents were being set up, and equipment was being assembled for the wedding that would be held the following day.
Every time she thought about her brother marrying Mina, a knot formed in her belly, and her fox snarled in distaste.
Talia could chalk it up to just not liking the woman but knew it was so much more than that. How her brother put up with the constant bitching, demands, and overall snotty attitude was beyond her, but it was clear love did strange things to people.
Talia just hoped Luke didn’t take offense when she told him about the attraction she felt from Mina when Ford had come into the room.
Just thinking about Mina and Ford together had a sour taste filling her mouth, and although it was so long ago and way before Talia was even in the picture, she couldn’t help but think about it.
She parked the car off to the side and made her way into the house. The foyer was an impressive combination of crystal, marble, and dark oak. The staff Mina’s family always seemed to have on hand bustled around, but it was the raised voice of
Luke that had everything else drifting away. Following the noise to a small study at the end of a long hallway, she found her brother in a very heated discussion with Mina.
Talia didn’t want to intrude on their private conversation, but when she went to turn and leave, she heard Luke comment on how untrustworthy Mina was.
Everything inside Talia stopped. Had Mina finally dug her own hole? Would it be Mina who ultimately ruined her own relationship with Luke?
“I think you’re blowing this way out of proportion, Luke.”
Talia’s interest was piqued, and she moved closer so she could see through the slightly open door. Mina sat on one of the leather chaises and appraised her nails.
Unconcerned attitude wafted from her, and Talia gritted her teeth, because she could feel Luke’s hurt and anger.
“Blowing this out of proportion? Are you serious right now?” Luke paced the length of the room and came to a stop in front of her. It was clear his anger was clouding his other senses, because he didn’t even realize Talia stood right on the other side of the door. “I have to hear from your gossiping friends that you were with another man only months ago?”
Talia felt her eyes widen at the admission.
“Luke, honey, that was two years ago. We had just started seeing each other, and it was far from serious.” Mina glanced up at Luke and gave him a sugary smile. “You know I love only you. The past should be just that, the past, honey.”
Luke opened his mouth, most likely to let his anger spew forth in the form of words, but her brother didn’t say anything and instead ran a hand over his mouth.
“How am I to know you didn’t do the same at some point in our relationship?” Mina asked.
“Are you fucking serious right now?”
“Luke, watch your mouth in my parents’ home.” Mina stood and smoothed her hands down her too tight skirt. For someone who had supposedly come from such class, she looked pretty trashy at the moment. “Listen, the wedding is tomorrow, and you are acting like a lunatic. I don’t doubt the whole house can hear you right now.”
Talia could feel her brother’s ire growing by the second and moved away from the door. Was there any need to even tell him about Ford? Before she could answer her own inner questions, Luke started talking again.
“You say you love me, yet I can smell your desire for another man coming off you like cheap fucking perfume.” Silence followed, and Talia knew this was not a time for her to speak with her brother.
She headed out the same way she came in, and just as she slipped back into her car, she saw her brother storming out the front doors. He stopped on the top step and shoved his hands in his front pockets.
With his head downcast, he looked like a broken male. Before she could get out of her car to go to comfort him, Luke glanced up at her. He made his way toward her in long strides, got into the passenger seat, and stared out the front windshield.
Talia didn’t know what to say, so she just kept her mouth shut and waited for him to say something.
“I know you were right outside the door and heard everything.”
Talia kept her eyes trained ahead and watched as men and women in black-and-white attire moved back and forth in preparation. There was no accusation in Luke’s words. She shouldn’t have thought Luke was too upset to realize she was there. Nothing got by him.
“I didn’t mean to spy or anything. I just came over to talk to you, and I should have left when I first realized you were in an argument with Mina.” He didn’t respond, and when she looked at him, she could see the muscle under his jaw ticking. “I’m sorry.” Talia didn’t know what else to say.
“I’m not mad at you, Talia.” He looked over at her and smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Want to hang out with your older brother today?”
Without responding, she nodded and started the car. She had plans to meet Ford later on tonight, so she headed over to the bar. It didn’t matter if she spent all day there with Luke. It was clear he needed to get away, and she was going to be the person to help him ease some of his pain.
After they were at the bar and seated, they spent the next several hours drinking beer and talking about everything that didn’t have to do with Mina.
The sun was starting to set, and although he hadn’t broached the topic of Queen Bitch and whether or not the wedding would progress, it was something they would have to discuss. Her brother’s turmoil was a living entity, and she wanted him to unload his problems on her.
“I know you don’t want to talk about it or you would have already, but Luke, you should get whatever you’re feeling off your chest.” She watched him, and although he stayed silent for several long moments, his emotions were written clearly on his face. “If you really have second thoughts on marrying Mina, we should address them.”
“It isn’t really your problem, Talia.” His words were clipped. He stared at her for several long seconds and then brought his beer to his mouth and took a long pull from the bottle.
“This isn’t the first time she’s done this to a guy.” By the look on his face, this didn’t come as a surprise. “She did it with another guy more than ten years ago.” Again, he showed no emotion over this. “Luke, are you even hearing what I’m saying?”
“Yeah, Talia, I’m not fucking deaf.” The sound of him using such crass words didn’t make her flinch, but it did sound strange coming from him. He never swore in front of her. “This isn’t news to me. Hell, it seems anywhere I’ve gone in this fucking town, someone was talking about Mina and her ex, whoever the fuck he is.” He leaned back in his seat and scrubbed his hand over his hair. “I don’t even care about that shit. That was before I came along.” He held her eyes, and she grew uncomfortable, because it was clear he had other things on his mind. “How about we not talk about her and instead you tell me about this bear shifter.”
Well, she certainly hadn’t planned on talking about this with him tonight. “What are you talking about?”
He finished off his beer and gestured to their waiter for another one. Talia looked down at her bottle and started picking at the label. He didn’t respond, just gave her that look that said “don’t play dumb.”
“Okay, so you know I’m seeing someone.”
“Yeah, I can smell him all over you and can see his fucking mark on your neck.” Talia lifted her hand to the bite mark in question and felt the tender wound right under her fingertips. Surprisingly, there was no anger laced with her brother’s words. “So you and that Ford guy, yeah? Damn, Talia and a bear... fucking crazy shit.” The waiter gave them a fresh round of beer, and Luke finished half of the new one in two drinks. “He’s the same one who is Mina’s ex.” It was a hard statement, one in which she thought he might have been warning her about something.
“Yeah, I know, actually just found out yesterday when Mina’s arousal for him nearly choked the shit out of me in the café.” Luke nodded slowly, and she could smell his acceptance in all of this. Just looking at him told her that he was already aware of who Ford Wylde was and what he had been to Mina.
“Yeah, I found out about his connection to Mina when she started talking about him today and her lust was off the charts.” Luke shook his head, and all she wanted to do was comfort him, but he was drinking heavily and needed his space no doubt. She didn’t bother telling him he needed to go easy on the alcohol.
Her brother hardly drank, but it was times like these some people just needed a little something to help numb the pain. They didn’t speak for several more moments, but finally Luke went on.
“He claimed you pretty hard, Talia. You do realize that, right?” He leaned back in his seat, and although it was bizarre talking about this with her brother, it also felt right to discuss something so serious and important with him.
“Yeah.” She cleared her throat and took a small sip of her beer. She had only two prior to the one she was drinking now, so she was pretty clear on her thinking, but looking at her brother, she could see he was three sheets to the wind. “I care about him… a lot. I don’t want to leave Sweet Water.” Luke showed no reaction, and she was surprised.
“Even if you ran, it’s clear the bear would chase after you. No shifter male will let their mate go once they find them.”
“Is Mina your mate?” She hated asking him, but there really wasn’t a good time for that anyway.
“No, but it isn’t like I’m getting any younger. A shifter doesn’t always find his mate, and I didn’t want to be alone, knowing she might never show up. That’s not to say I didn’t care about Mina, because I did. She was sweet in the beginning, but I never felt the urge to mark her, and that had always left an empty feeling inside me.” He gave a humorless laugh.
She could kill Mina for the pain she caused in Ford and now in Luke. He looked around the bar, but his gaze was emotionless.
“It’s strange to see all these people going on with their lives as if they don’t have a care in the world, but here I am heartbroken, knowing I have no future with her.”
“But isn’t it best that way?” Talia didn’t want to rub salt in the wound, but he had to know he was better off without her.
“Yeah, it is, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt like hell.” He stared at her and chuckled humorlessly again. “Here I am, with everything I could possibly want, and yet I can’t have the one thing I ache for.” He didn’t need to say “a mate” for her to know what he meant. “The wedding’s off, if you haven’t already figured that out.” He finished off his beer and snagged the waitress’s attention as she passed by. “It wasn’t just what you heard today that made everything come to light though. I have always had this feeling that being with her wasn’t the right thing to do, but I was a fool to be ignorant of the way she treated me and others.” He lowered his gaze so he was looking at the table. “I should have broken it off with her a long time ago.”
He smiled, even though he didn’t look up at her.
“I’ll tell you what. There are going to be a lot of pissed-off people when they find out the wedding is off.”
Talia’s heart broke even more for her brother, because although he tried to act strong, there wasn’t an emotion that could be hidden from her. Instead of saying anything more about that, she got up and gave him a hug. They might be adults, but even her big brother needed a hug every once in a while.
They sat there for a while longer, and Luke continued to drink with no end in sight. Her back was to the front doors, so she couldn’t see him enter, but instantly she sensed Ford. He smelled crisp and clean with a hint of citrus and wilderness mixed together.
