Kismet Dating Agency Box Set: Fated Mates Romance

by Haley Weir

  "That's it? No magical advice or something?" Rina sat down in the only chair that wasn't piled with books or dirty laundry.

  "Did you want a fairy godmother to pop out of thin air or something?" Balor snorted. "It doesn't work the way they make it seem in the movies. If you really are Sarina's reincarnated soul, then you need to listen to what she's telling you."

  "How?"

  "I think you know how."

  Rina looked over at Caleb and felt a burst of warmth in her heart. It was as if she was looking at him for the first time, but she knew the feeling inside of her was Sarina. "I have to bond with Caleb."

  Balor nodded and showed her the book. "The mating bond will help you find a distinction between Sarina and yourself. Instead of feeling like an actor playing a role, you'll be more like a member of the audience. Observing and not feeling."

  "What should I expect?"

  Balor glanced between them and shook his head. "Unbelievable."

  "Please, Balor. Don't be difficult," Caleb pleaded.

  "Fine. But she should know that if she fulfills the bond, she'll most likely become pregnant."

  "I can't have children."

  "You couldn't have children," Balor corrected. "Your body isn't meant to breed with males who aren't your mate. With Caleb, you're all but guaranteed to pop out a few cubs."

  ~*~

  The wheels were turning in Rina's head. Caleb could tell by the way she leaned against him and thrummed her nails on the dining table. He placed his hand on top of hers to still the movement. The doors opened, and Damien joined the family at the table. Giddeon shook his friend's hand and sat beside Rina. Caleb tried not to growl too loudly. He was ashamed of how he had behaved towards Damien. Whatever conflict he had with Rina, Caleb missed the days when Damien was like a brother.

  Rina pulled away from him long enough to share a few whispers with Damien. When she turned back to him, there was a slight smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. "Meet us in the study. Damien has good news."

  They scampered off, and Caleb apologized to Giddeon before excusing himself. He opened the doors to the study and closed it quietly behind him. "All right. What did you learn?"

  Damien handed Caleb a stack of papers. "Her real name was Victoria Gable. She was arrested twice for identity theft and three times for fraud."

  "You found her?"

  "She was in Mexico sweetening up a new husband. I found a judge in California to nullify your marriage, and it's taken care of," Damien announced. "Victoria is behind bars with extortion added to her list of charges."

  Caleb set down the papers and shook Damien's hand. "Thank you. I appreciate it so much."

  "Don't thank me. I did it for Rina. I hope someday you and I can be friends again, but I need time to sort a few things out." Damien exited the study, and Caleb ran over to Rina.

  He lifted her off of her feet and spun around. "I can hardly believe it! I'm finally free after wondering for so long if I'd ever be rid of her completely."

  "I'm glad you're happy."

  "What was the deal you made with Damien?"

  "I told him that I would quit modeling and try to find love."

  "Oh..." Caleb set her down and shoved his hands in his pockets to keep from touching her. "I wasn't aware you were looking for love."

  "I wasn't," she said candidly. "Because I think I already found it. I've been enjoying the time we spend together and I miss you when I sleep alone. But I need to see how I feel about you without Sarina's emotions clouding mine.

  He kissed her softly on the lips. His thumbs stroked her cheeks as he backed her up against the bookshelf and lifted her up. Rina braced her foot on one of the shelves, and he rocked against her. Caleb grazed her thighs with his knuckles as his hands glided up the soft flesh of her thighs. Rina's skirt was hiked up onto her hips, and Caleb sucked in a harsh breath when he felt her bare sex. "Let me worship you..."

  "How?"

  "With my mouth, tongue, lips, hands, cock...whatever you want," he breathed into the crook of her neck. Caleb kissed down her chest, leaving behind a wet trail as he inched his way towards the deep crease of her cleavage. He tugged the lace trim of her blouse with his teeth. "Please."

  He felt her answer more than he heard it. The motion of her head caused her tantalizing breasts to jiggle. Caleb wasted no time as he fell to his knees before her. Rina raised her arms and gripped the highest shelf that she could reach on the bookshelf. He lifted one of her legs onto his shoulder while the other was propped on a low shelf. Caleb smelled the heat of her arousal.

  He licked his lips and spread her open for the first touch of his tongue against her clit. It was just a quick taste, but the sweet nectar of her succulent flesh made him painfully hard. His erection pressed against the rough zipper of his jeans, so he reached down to free himself. Caleb wrapped his fingers around the shaft of his member as he kissed her clit. Every inch of Rina was beautiful, but this...he could spend the rest of his life on his knees.

  "Don't tease me..."

  "Why not?" he chuckled mischievously. "You're already dripping, baby. I think you like my teasing." Caleb slid his tongue along her slit and dipped into the trickling well of delicious juices. He pushed his tongue in as far as it could go, like a bear searching for the last drop of honey in the hive. Caleb pressed his tongue upward and dragged it along her sensitive walls before he toyed with her clit once more. Rina's hips began to thrust as little helpless whimpers filled the study. Caleb trapped her legs and placed them on his shoulders.

  "What are you doing?"

  "Let go," he ordered, and her hands dropped from the shelf. Caleb grabbed her bottom and leaned back until he was flat on the floor and Rina straddled his head. He licked his lips and met her stare. "Ride my tongue."

  "I'm too big for that..."

  "You're perfect," he growled. "Look behind you. I'm dripping seed just thinking of these thighs squeezing me. I want you to sit this delicious—”

  "Don't be vulgar."

  "Rina, stop stalling. I want you right on my mouth and riding my tongue until you can't stand it anymore." Caleb's smile opened his mouth wide with his long tongue laying flat on his chin. Rina squeezed her eyes shut and lowered herself onto his mouth. Caleb smacked her rump and pressed her down harder until he was practically smothered.

  His hips jerked off the floor as she began to move. At first, it was just subtle wiggling motions of her hips, but he gripped her firmly and set the pace. He alternated between licking every wet fold and crease between her thighs to fucking her with his tongue. Rina attempted to crawl away, but his grip on her legs was relentless. She screamed as he drank in the fresh flood of slick that filled his senses with her. Rina was everywhere. He was overcome by it. Caleb rolled them over and pushed two fingers into her tightly clenched channel.

  Rina's legs spasmed as she ground against his fingers. Another orgasm sent her sprawling to the floor. Caleb rocked his hips, rubbing his erection against the plush rug until he came. He breathed against her heated flesh, lazily cleaning her with his tongue until a knock came at the door.

  "My study better be spotless when I return," Giddeon snapped. "You should be ashamed."

  "And you should be ashamed of getting caught with Casey in the courtyard last week."

  Chapter Sixteen

  "I need to tell you something," Rina said as she knocked on Balor's door late in the night. She heard rustling on the other side before he allowed her entrance to his sanctuary. Rina hurried over to his books and searched for the name that she heard in her vision. "I had another glimpse into the past. Someone tricked Sarina. I think she was being used by some sort of spirit that could shapeshift."

  "Rina, what are you doing here? This has nothing to do with me. You should be talking with your mate," Balor huffed.

  "I overheard Giddeon and Caleb talking. You're a sage, aren't you? The gods blessed you with the knowledge and wisdom of your ancestors."

  "Yes, that is true, but I'm not much of a teacher.
I tend to hoard knowledge for myself."

  "Well, I need you because I can't get this voice out of my head that keeps saying something about Atë."

  Balor spun around and stabbed out his cigarette. He climbed a thin ladder up to a stack of books on top of his shelves. "Atë is not a spirit. She is a goddess, and one that must be dealt with carefully."

  "Why would Sarina try to tell me about a goddess?"

  Balor slammed a book onto his work table. Bottles and trinkets shook with the weight of the tome. "Everything is starting to make sense. God, Rina, I could kiss you if you weren't mated to my brother! I've been trying to figure out why my family seems destined for great ruin."

  "I'm glad to help, but can you please tell me what's going on?" Rina leaned over the book, but she couldn't read it. The writing was in what she assumed was Ancient Greek.

  "I had thought it was Dolos, for he is known for trickery and deception, but I was wrong. Atë was a goddess who was associated with delusion, mischief, and ruin. She toyed with humans and her fellow gods without care for the consequences. But I believe Atë was wise, that her cunning meant more than foolish trickery like Dolos." Balor pointed to a picture of a woman who had pale skin and dark hair. "Atë is used to describe a pivotal decision made by great beings that leads to their inevitable ruin."

  Rina began to see the pieces of the puzzle fitting together. "Do you think your father's decision to abandon Madeu at birth started all of this?"

  Balor nodded. "If Madeu's desire for my father's downfall was great enough to spark Atë's interest, then it's possible that the goddess set things in motion that cannot be undone."

  "Then why are all of you finding human mates?"

  "Another great mystery I've been trying to solve," he laughed bitterly. "No one of our lineage has had a fated mate before Giddeon. My father saw Madeu as a risk to the purity of his bloodline. He hadn't wanted our legacy tainted by humanity's weaknesses. It's possible that Atë planned for us to mate with humans out of spite."

  "As much as I would love to be a giant middle finger to your father, I doubt it's that simple."

  Balor smiled. "I agree. It's my belief that Atë wasn't working alone."

  "But if her goal is to bring ruin to your bloodline, what are you supposed to do?" she asked.

  "Let it happen."

  "What?"

  "We've ruled for long enough. Why not let Madeu take his place as king? It's his birthright, after all, and the four of us can live normal lives with our mates. Maybe—in this case—ruin doesn't mean death and destruction, but a necessary change before a new era can begin."

  Rina shook her head.

  "But Madeu wouldn't rule; Octavius would. He's only using him to get the throne for himself. If Madeu is blindsided, then the kingdom would fall to ruin," she argued. "I've looked into his eyes. Whatever happened to Octavius that made him that monster...it took all of the goodness out of him. There was no soul in his eyes. It was like seeing a demon."

  "Then what do you suggest? That we talk to Madeu?"

  "I think we should take a page out of their book," Rina replied. "Storm the island with a few dozen fighters and take Madeu. Get him away from Octavius while they're still recovering. They won't be able to risk coming after him."

  "What about Seth? Madeu tortured him. He won't see this as a strategy of war, but a betrayal."

  "Seth isn't here," she pointed out. "He doesn't have to know. I'd say he has earned some peace of mind after all he's been through. Don't you think?"

  "And which one of us is going to tell your short-tempered mate and my stubborn eldest brother?"

  Rina winced and stared up at Balor with as much pitiful innocence as she could muster. "Maybe we could tell Caleb and Giddeon together?"

  "You think I'm going to be manipulated into this madness? It's suicide!"

  She amped up the adorableness and poked out her bottom lip. "Please, Balor?"

  "Fine! Gods help me when there are four women in this palace."

  ~*~

  Caleb awakened to the sound of Rina climbing into bed. He watched silently as she attempted to appear as if she had been with him the entire night. His hand shot out and grabbed her. Rina screamed and hit the floor with a thud. She smacked his arm and glared over the top of the bed. "Why did you scare me like that?" she whispered harshly.

  "Why were you sneaking around?" Caleb hoisted her up into the bed and she settled against his chest.

  "I had to see Balor."

  "Oh?"

  "Face it, your baby brother has more answers than you or Giddeon. I just needed to know more about my situation," she explained. "We're having a meeting once everyone wakes up."

  "A meeting?"

  "Yeah, you'll have to be there to know what it's about." Rina smoothed down his brows with the tip of her finger. "Did you know that you speak primarily in the form of questions first thing in the morning?"

  Caleb frowned and kissed her hand. "Do I?" he asked, causing her to smother a few giggles into his shirt. "For real, though. Have you considered the bond? It's much more than making love, Rina. There's a surge of magic that happens to unite us as one."

  "I'm thinking about it, but one thing at a time. We have a date later, and you promised to show me your favorite place in Destiny before the snow melts."

  Caleb tucked her head beneath his chin as she snuggled closer. She smelled of old books and the fading fragrance of her shampoo. There was so much about Rina that was different from Sarina, but he couldn't deny their similarities. They were both fierce women with good hearts and beauty beyond measure. Caleb had lived long enough to see what lovely women had graced the world with their image, but none of them compared to Rina. She was the brightest star in night sky, the most brilliant rose that ever bloomed. "I love you."

  Rina lifted her head. "What?"

  "I said that I love you. I can't hide it anymore. It's just a statement of fact. Do with it what you please." Caleb brushed his thumb along her bottom lip. "Whether you love me or not, Rina, I'm not the same man you met on that mountain. You've changed me in ways I never imagined. And the happiness that I feel in my heart is because of you."

  "I...thank you for telling me, Caleb. I've changed too. If you had said anything like that a month ago, I would have been on the first flight back home."

  "So, when you think of your future now, what do you see?"

  Rina kissed his jaw and the dimple in his left cheek. "I see myself standing on top of a mountain, looking down at the rest of the world. I'm not sure where I belong or who I am anymore, but...I think I want you with me when I figure all of this out."

  "That's more than I could have hoped for." Caleb kissed her on the lips. He tasted the uncertainty in each breath that passed between them, but life itself was rather uncertain. There was no way to truly predict what the future held when the world was constantly changing. Caleb felt Rina climb on top of him, and he ran his hands down her back. She broke the kiss before she crawled out of bed.

  He threw back the sheets and followed her lead to get the morning started. Caleb shuffled into the kitchens for a cup of hot coffee before he met with the others in the study. Giddeon snatched a cigarette out of Balor's mouth before he could light the end and tossed it into the trash.

  Casey bounced the baby on her knee as Caleb sat beside her, and Rina stood beside Balor. Giddeon grumbled under his breath and sat in his wingback chair. "I assume this is important or else you wouldn't have pulled me away from my work."

  Balor slung his arm around Rina's shoulder and winked at Caleb tauntingly. "Rina and I came up with a rather brilliant yet dangerous counter-attack against the Reckoning."

  Giddeon arched a skeptical brow. "And what would that be, dear brother?"

  Balor stepped back and gave Rina the floor. She squared her shoulders and met Giddeon's stare boldly. "A Trojan Horse."

  Caleb burst into laughter, for her choice of words was more appropriate than she realized. Rina smiled and clarified. "The Reckoning is weakened a
fter I sort of blew up their lower level and flooded the main corridor...they'll be camped in the forest and working hard to recover their data. I'll walk right into the camp and present myself as a traitor. They'll most likely want retribution, but they'll be too distracted to notice the fighters coming in on the boats. We attack the camps while another team sweeps in and takes Madeu. Bring him to the palace dungeons and keep him secure until I return with the others."

  "And why would I agree to any of this?" Giddeon asked.

  Caleb didn't like the idea of Rina walking into a camp of angry shifters...again.

  "Because the key to all of this is Madeu," she replied just as sharply as Giddeon. "Either you can convince him to surrender and end the rebellion or you can force Octavius's hand. Octavius needs Madeu to take the throne. Without him, the members of the Reckoning who are still loyal to your father's heir will refuse to fight."

  Giddeon stood up. "I am my father's heir."

  Rina scoffed. "You call Caleb selfish and dishonorable, but all you care about is securing your place as king! If you truly cared about your people, you wouldn't force them to fight in a meaningless war."

  "Meaningless? The legacy of our ancestors is meaningless to you?" Giddeon shouted. Casey left the room as Sam began to cry. She cast a look over her shoulder that he couldn't decipher.

  "Not at all! It's your blind arrogance that is keeping you from seeing Madeu's perspective."

  "I don't care about his perspective. He betrayed his people and tortured my brother."

  "And, in his eyes, you're no better than your father," she hissed. Giddeon fell silent, and Rina stepped toe to toe with him. "Think about Sam, Giddeon. Think about your son—who you named after your father—and imagine walking away from him. Imagine killing his mother in front of him and leaving him to survive on his own."

  "It's...different..."

  "No, it isn't. Sam is half human like Madeu. Your father used him to fight his battles while spitting in his face for simply being born."