Hunter pointed to himself, and mouthed the question, “Me?”
Chelsea nodded, and giggled, as Amber stepped into the kitchen. She froze when she saw Hunter.
“Who’s this?”
“Umm, this is my new friend Hunter.”
“Huh.”
Hunter stood and held his hand out. “Nice to meet you.”
The woman recovered and shook his hand. “How did the two of you meet?”
Chelsea licked her lips. “He…”
“She was sick at her Dad’s restaurant earlier, I gave her a ride.”
Amber looked from one to the other, trying to figure the situation out. Her short dark hair fluttered slightly as her head whipped back to Chelsea. “Yeah, I called to see if you needed a ride. Tommy said you were already gone.”
“I better get going. It’s late.” Hunter nodded to Amber. “Nice meeting you.”
Amber watched him with wary brown eyes. “Yeah, you too.” She shot Chelsea a look as she also stood and followed him to the front door. They stepped out into the humid night.
“I don’t think that woman was happy to see me.”
Chelsea made a dismissive gesture. “She’s just still freaked out about last night.”
Hunter’s face sobered. “Are you ok?”
Chelsea nodded. “I think so. Sometimes his face flashes through my mind.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “Do you think he died?”
“No, but I bet wherever he’s at, he has one hell of a headache. I wish I had called the police afterwards…you know…after I was back to being a human.”
“Yeah, I kind of wish that too. I guess none of us were thinking straight.”
Hunter shook his keys and smiled. “See you later, Chelsea.”
“Will you?”
Hunter opened the driver door, knowing he wanted nothing more than to see her again. “Tell you what, I’ll come by in the morning and see how you’re feeling.”
Chelsea Ratliff smiled, and for Hunter it looked like the sun blazing at noon.
“Did it ever occur to you that he might have been the one who attacked you?”
Chelsea gave Amber a patient look. “No, because I saw that guys face.”
“Oh.”
Chelsea ran a finger lazily around the rim of her mug. “I let him kiss me.”
Amber swiveled from the kitchen sink, making an open mouthed horrified expression. “Chelsea! He could have herpes!”
Chelsea crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “Maybe I’ll remember to remind you of such things when you bring some guy home, and I can hear your antics through the wall.”
Amber snapped her mouth shut. “That’s different.”
“How?” Chelsea laughed.
“I always use a condom.”
“On your mouth too?” Both women laughed at the same time.
Amber’s shoulders still shook as she looked back at her friend. “So…can he kiss well?”
Chelsea blushed slightly and nodded. “Yes, I’d say so.”
Amber sat down at the table with her friend, her face serious. “Just be careful, ok?”
Hunter was back at Chelsea’s apartment before nine the next morning. Much to his surprise she was already up and dressed for the day.
“‘I wasn’t sure if this was too early since you normally work nights.”
“I’m a morning person by nature. The job with my Dad is hopefully a temporary thing.”
Hunter shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. “Would you like to have breakfast with me? My treat.”
“Yeah, that would be great. Just let me get some shoes on.”
Hunter didn’t want to go to IHOP again, so he took Chelsea on her word that the pancake house style restaurant down the street from it was good.
The interior was a jumbled décor of all things vintage and antique, but it was cozy and the pancakes were thick and fluffy.
“Wow, these portions are huge!” Hunter said as he poured blueberry syrup over his second plate of hotcakes.
Chelsea looked at him amused. “Good thing it’s all you can eat day.”
“How’s yours?”
“Great, but I’m getting full.”
“So tell me all about yourself, Chelsea.”
“There isn’t much to tell.” She pushed cut up pancake around a river a syrup on her plate. “I graduated from William and Mary last year with a degree in Global studies, but unfortunately there isn’t a huge demand for that here. I’m still on a waiting list to try to get in the Colonial part of Williamsburg. I guess my true passion is cooking. I should have gone to culinary school instead.”
“You like to cook?” Hunter smiled.
“Yep. I’ve been cooking since my little sister was born. After mom number two walked out, someone had to take care of Karlee. My father certainly didn’t know what to do with her.”
“Where’s your Mom?”
Chelsea sighed lightly, laying her fork down beside her plate. “She died when I was too small to remember her. My father opened Papa’s about the time she got sick. Karlee’s mother was one of his first waitress’s.”
“It didn’t work out?”
“I don’t know. I was five when they married, and seven when she walked out, leaving Karlee motherless while she was still in diapers.” Chelsea laughed without mirth. “I guess she didn’t realize that my Dad is married to his restaurant, and everything else falls in with the status of mistress.”
“You had a lot on you from an early age.”
“I did, but I don’t regret it. It’s shaped me into who I am.”
“What about boyfriends?” Hunter attempted to keep his voice unobtrusive, like he didn’t care, but he wanted to hear about the boy who had broken her heart.
Chelsea’s face darkened. “I didn’t have time for boys until I went to college. I met Jude there. Everything was great until we graduated. I had no idea his major was philandering instead of anthropology.” She looked away. “We had rented an apartment, but I left after I found out what he was doing.”
“Is that how you ended up with Amber?”
“Yes. We were friends at William and Mary. I had only intended on staying with her for a few nights, but she made me an offer I couldn’t refuse: two hundred a month plus half of the electric.”
“That was generous.”
“Yes, considering the rent there is nearly nine hundred dollars, but she can afford it. She majored in business, and has a great job managing a store at the big outlet center. Coach to be exact.”
Hunter’s face was blank.
Chelsea laughed. “I forget that some men don’t appreciate the finer name brands in women’s hand bags and such.”
“Is Coach expensive?”
“Let’s put it this way. My little black handbag from last night was a birthday gift last month from Amber. Even after clearance and her discount, it was still over a hundred dollars.”
“For that tiny thing?”
“Yes.”
“She makes good money then.”
“She does, especially considering its retail. She’s trying to get on with one of the Coach stores in New York.”
“What will happen to you?”
“Either get a second job, or move in with my Dad again.”
Or come home with me. Hunter began choking on the forkful of pancake as the thought entered his mind. Chelsea looked at him with concern and tried to hand him her glass of water.
“Thanks.” He mumbled and drank the entire glass. Where did that come from?
“I’m taking a few days off from Dad’s.”
“That’s probably a good idea.”
“I think so too. I don’t want another incident like last night. Plus sleeping isn’t really happening right now anyway.”
Hunter looked at her with pity. He couldn’t imagine what it felt like for her. “I’ll give you my cell number. At least while I’m still here, you can call if you’re having a hard night.” At least while I’m here. The thought punched him in the gut. It was dangerous, b
ut he was already attached to Chelsea.
The pair drove out to Tommy’s house after breakfast, so Chelsea could talk to him about a few days off. The look of surprise on the man’s face when Hunter stepped out of the truck put him on edge.
“Uplander!”
“Hello, Tommy.” Hunter looked around the side yard they were parked in, admiring the blooming flowers and neatly kept lawn. “Nice place you have here.”
“Well, I serve whiskey and beer by night, but during the day I have a green thumb.” He looked at the two of them awkwardly. “So, what are the two of you up to?”
“Hunter took me out for breakfast.”
“Oh he did, did he?” Tommy’s face relaxed into a grin. “That’s real nice.” He turned his attention to Chelsea. “How’re you feeling, baby girl?”
“Better. I need a favor though. I need a couple of days off.”
Tommy took his baseball cap off and scratched the back of his head. “Why?”
Chelsea told her father the Reader’s Digest version of her attack. She left out Hunter’s involvement. By the time she was finished, her father was reduced to tears.
“My God, Chelsea! Why didn’t you tell me? We could have…we could have called the law!”
“I know, Dad, but I wasn’t thinking straight.”
Tommy looked at Hunter helplessly. “Do you think it was that strange fellow who sat at the table by himself? He didn’t come back last night.”
Hunter nodded slowly. “Could have been.”
Tommy seemed to be struggling with the news he had just received. Karlee wandered around from the back of the house clad in cut off shorts and a bikini top. The young man Amber tight on her heels.
“Hey, I recognize you!” She beamed and tugged at her pony tail. She squinted at Chelsea. “Finally picking them up from the bar, huh?”
Chelsea rolled her eyes and ignored her sister. Amber sized Hunter up and stood even closer to Karlee. Hunter watched him with mild amusement. He was intimidating to some, standing at 6’1” with broad shoulders and dark hair and eyes. Some could just instinctively detect something animalistic about him. His mentor had told him it was the Alpha blood they were unconsciously smelling; either way, it had stopped many a loud mouth from crossing the line, and he had no doubt that Amber was a loud mouth.
Tommy looked at the pair impatiently. “Aren’t the two of you going to some pool or something?”
“Fishing on the James, old man.” Amber said cheerfully and took Karlee by the hand.
“Old man, my ass!” He called after them, earning him only laughter.
“Is she officially dating him now?”
“Yes.” Her father growled. “Not that anyone talked to me about it!”
“She’s nineteen, Dad.”
“So?” His eyes were skeptical and large. “In the olden days a boy would ask to court a girl!”
Chelsea exchanged a look with Hunter. “He owns a bar, but thinks things should be the way they were in the olden days.”
“Wait right here.” Tommy said and disappeared into the house. He returned minutes later and placed something into Chelsea’s hand.
“Dad, this is two hundred dollars! I can’t take this!”
“Of course you can.” He replied gruffly. “If you’re going to be off for the next couple of days, you’ll be missing the money.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Chelsea said and kissed his cheek.
Tommy looked at Hunter. “I don’t guess you’ll be in the bar tonight?”
Hunter smiled and shrugged. “Depends on if your daughter allows me to hang out with her.”
“Oh I bet she will.” Tommy said with a wink. “Now you go on somewhere and have a good time.”
“So, why are you in Williamsburg?” Chelsea asked, as they got back in the truck.
Hunter considered a lie, but knew she deserved better.
“I have a…a pack.” He began slowly. “I’m sort of…well, I am their leader. I’m what’s called an Alpha.”
“Like in a regular wolf pack?” Chelsea asked, her hair whipping around her head from the open window.
“Yes, like a regular wolf pack. They wanted me to travel to find a mate.” Hunter laughed in spite of himself, rubbing a finger along his upper lip.
Chelsea laughed too. “Why?”
“Some of the pack are single men, and they need mates too.”
Chelsea shook her head. “I don’t get it.”
Hunter sighed. “We live a long time. My kind does, see…and they are willing to…”
Chelsea made a face. “To wait until your offspring are grown?”
Hunter nodded.
Chelsea covered her mouth. “Yuck!”
Hunter snickered. “I compared them to pedophiles.”
“I bet that went over well.”
Hunter looked at her briefly before turning back to the road. “You sure are comfortable with all of this.”
“I might not have been if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. I don’t believe in fairy tales.” Chelsea hesitated before continuing. “So, are you still going to find a mate?”
Hunter didn’t know how to answer her. He didn’t want to find a mate. He really just wanted to spend time with her. He gave her the most honest answer he could.
“I don’t know.”
Chelsea looked out of the window. “Why does it have to be one of your kind? You’re already an Alpha. Isn’t that enough?”
“Yes and no. They want strong blood. They want no chance of a human being born.”
“I guess it’s 50/50 otherwise?”
“Pretty much.”
Hunter was sure she looked disappointed. He knew he should take her home and start his hunt right then for his wolf mate, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. Her shoulder length blonde hair shone like sunlight on water. Her blue eyes were deep and beautiful. She was beautiful. Period. She was smart… Hunter stopped his mental listing of Chelsea’s assets. He knew what he wanted. He wanted her to be his mate. He had heard of many Alpha’s knowing their mate’s on sight. It hadn’t been quite that quick for him, but it was damn close. He glanced at her and smiled lightly. She seemed to like him.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just thinking.”
“About?”
“About where we should go now.”
“Oh.”
There it was again, the disappointed sound.
“Would you like to see Colonial Williamsburg?”
Hunter liked history. “Yeah, I would like that.”
“I have a season’s pass, and I’ll get you one too.” She smiled sadly. “You know, in case you want to visit again.”
Sealed deal. She did want him.
Chapter 3
Hours later, Hunter and Chelsea were laughing as they drove out of Colonial Williamsburg. Night was once again falling, and Hunter couldn’t remember when he had a better time. The tour guides for certain buildings were well spoken and informed, but nothing compared to the wealth of information that Chelsea let flow as a constant stream from her mouth.
“I guess you’ve been here a lot?” Hunter asked at one point during the day.
“I have. At least a dozen. I enjoy American history. My father and I traveled to Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania a few years ago to see all of the Civil War memorial spots there.”
“Karlee didn’t go?”
Chelsea shook her head. “Uh…no. She stayed with one of our friends and his wife.”
The evening air was cooler than it had been all week. He guessed it was a brief reminder that summer was beginning its wind down. Hunter was surprised that Oscar hadn’t called his cell again, but was glad he hadn’t. He didn’t want anything to spoil his time with Chelsea.
“Hungry?” He asked as they found their way back to Richmond Rd.
“A little. I have some frozen pizzas at home, and some salad mix.”
“Sounds like a feast.”
Hunter watched Chelsea as she fixed their dinner. I could make t
his work! I could convince the pack!
Chelsea turned from the counter where she was chopping onion and tomato.
“Why are you growling?”
Hunter blinked. “I was growling?”
Chelsea pursed her lips and nodded slowly.
“Sorry.” His lopsided grin caused Chelsea to laugh out loud.
“It’s ok. Growl all you like. I was just making sure you weren’t upset.”
Growl all you like. “No, I’m fine.”
After dinner, Chelsea walked Hunter to his truck. She didn’t want him to go so early, but they were both tired. She more than him.
“It was a great day, thank you.” Chelsea smiled up at him, her hands slid into the back pockets of her jeans.
“Thanks for the season pass.”
“Do you think you’ll use it again?” Chelsea visibly winced. She didn’t want to seem too desperate. She didn’t want to seem desperate at all, but there was something about this man that begged her attention. There was something about him that made her want to fall to the ground and grab him by the ankles, begging for him to stay. She winced again. This was nothing like her usual self.
Hunter frowned. “Are you sick? You keep making faces.”
“No. I’m just having a war with my own thoughts.”
Hunter completely understood. “I’ll call you in the morning.”
“You kind of need my number first.” Chelsea held out her hand, moving her finger tips until he handed his phone over. She quickly programmed her number in.
“Thanks.” He said as she handed back. “Remember, if you can’t sleep, call me.”
Chelsea nodded and stepped away from the truck.
“Goodnight.” Hunter called after her, but she was already closing the front door. She’s trying to shut me out. Hunter thought glumly. Not going to happen.
When he approached his hotel room, a man was sitting on the concrete looking down at the empty pool. He stood as Hunter warily approached. It was one of his kind. An Alpha of his kind. The man didn’t smile, he only acknowledged Hunter with a single nod of his head.
Hunter swiped the room card and left the door open for the man to follow. He flicked on a couple of lights and sat on the edge of the bed.
“Why haven’t you presented yourself?” The man asked as he crossed his large arms. Pale hair that matched the hairs on his head blanketed his forearms.
She Wolf and The Detective: (Suspense, Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Fantasy) (Book 1-3) Page 14
