Kismet Dating Agency Box Set: Fated Mates Romance

by Haley Weir

  “Hey! I’m sure people make assumptions about you because of your size and strength. But when you’re with me, I see a teddy bear with a grumpy frown, not an alpha shifter.”

  Seth scoffed. His voice lowered to a deep rumble and Diana shivered. “Then I’ll have to show you just how much of an alpha I really am. I’ve been gentle with you, Diana, but it would be a mistake to think that I’m always...gentle. There’s a beast beneath this smile, and you should never forget that. He might just decide to show himself to you someday.”

  “What if I don’t want you to be gentle? Not all the time, anyway.”

  “How do you want me, then?”

  Diana felt the vibe in the room change and waved her hand to poof her doppelganger out of existence. She shuffled into the bedroom and locked the door before slipping beneath the covers. Seth chuckled darkly as if he knew what she was up to. “My dates have been horrible lately. Is it bad to say that I compare all of them to you?”

  “Not at all. I’m thinking about giving it one more run and then calling it quits.”

  “Then let’s make a pact.”

  “What did you have in mind?” he asked.

  “If our dates don’t work out...we try...us.”

  Seth was quiet for a moment before he responded. “So, am I no longer an untouchable?”

  She plucked up all of her courage and shoved aside the insecurities that blared in her mind. “Actually, I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on you. Lately, I’ve thought that you’re very touchable,” she whispered. Diana had never been very good at seduction but she hoped Seth took pity on her and didn’t misinterpret her meaning.

  His answer came in the form of a growl that caused her to squeeze her thighs together. She heard rustling on the other end before the sound of Seth’s movie disappeared. “What are you wearing right now, Diana?” The distinct echo of a zipper came over the line. Diana rolled onto her back and looked down at her oversized t-shirt and black panties. She snapped a quick picture with her phone and sent it through a text. Seth’s shuddering breath told her exactly how he felt about the image—though she hadn’t done anything particularly sexy.

  Diana came to realize that it was her that Seth found sexy, not her clothing or behavior. Just...her. It was strange to think of herself as anything other than average after spending years in Los Angeles with movie stars and models. “What are you wearing?”

  Her phone beeped and Diana swiped open the picture. She nearly dropped her phone when the image became clear. The lower half of his face took up the bottom right corner, showing off his dimples and the shadow of a beard growing in. His long, muscular torso was lightly dusted with a trail of hair that disappeared beneath the white sheet that pooled around his hips. Diana’s jaw dropped, and she half-expected to start drooling when he spoke. “I’m not wearing anything.”

  “So I see…”

  A deep chuckle turned her bones into liquid. “You sound breathless, Diana.”

  “You sound a little on edge too.”

  “Then let’s stop playing games,” he replied. “Are you alone?”

  “Olivia won’t be back for a few hours.”

  “Good.” His voice was laced with a dark promise that sparked a fire inside of Diana. She kicked her blanket away and settled in for whatever he had in store for her.

  ~*~

  Destiny Falls,

  Alaska

  Seth's large hands brushed his abdomen, but it felt wrong. He wanted Diana's hands on his body. He wanted her delicate fingers trailing along the contours of his muscles, taking pleasure in his body as if he had been born to please her. The sound of her breath through the phone was more stimulating than any of his dates had been. “Do you want to know what I would do if I was there with you right now?” he asked as he licked his lips when the memory of her picture resurfaced in his mind. “I would crawl towards you and pull you beneath me.”

  A breathless gasp filled his ears, and Seth smiled.

  “I want to feel that gorgeous body and worship you like the goddess you are. Kissing along your neck as I breathe you in...tasting you for the first time as my hands caress your sides.” Seth imagined Diana lying in bed with her hands on her body. “I would dip my head and seal my lips around your nipple through the fabric of that t-shirt. Biting and flicking my tongue against it until you arched beneath me. I would grip your hips and grind into you, letting you feel how much I ache for you...are you touching yourself, Diana?”

  “Y-yes.”

  “Put the phone on speaker and set it on the table,” he ordered. “I want you to relax.” After a moment, he heard the sounds in the room more clearly. Every brush of her leg against the sheets was as distinct as if she was lying beside him. “Now, tease your nipples and imagine it’s me touching you. Don’t be afraid to tell me what you like.”

  Diana moaned softly and Seth wrapped his fingers around his shaft. His large body trembled with the need to thrust inside of her. “Gods, what I wouldn’t give to be there right now...kneeling between your thighs as I kiss my way down your stomach and push your legs wide enough to lift them onto my shoulders. I’ve smelled your arousal, Diana. At the time, I was foolish enough to believe it was for another male. But you have always wanted me, haven’t you? I would bathe in your scent if I could.”

  “Seth…”

  “I want to suck the flesh of your thighs until you’re marked with the evidence of my lust, sliding my tongue closer and closer to where you desire me most,” he said with a growl. “I would kiss your clit through your panties and suckle the delicious juices from the fabric. But I am not a patient man, love. I would shred them with my teeth and gaze upon your beauty until I knew nothing but the sight of glistening lips.”

  “Oh, god.”

  Seth stroked himself to the rhythm of her heartbeat. He continued to describe exactly what he would do to her. In his mind, Seth licked a hot stripe along her folds and pressed the flat of his tongue against her clit firmly. He sucked and slurped until slick coated his neck and chin. Seth could practically taste the delicious nectar. Never before had he craved anything with such a ravenous hunger. He wanted her juices to flood his senses and wash away all memories of the lovers who came before her. “Yes, Diana, I would devour you, and you would love it.”

  He heard the wet motions of her fingers and thrust into the tight circle of his fist.

  Seth listened to the sounds of her desperate moans until he couldn’t hold back any longer. The springs of the hotel bed squeaked as Diana screamed out in ecstasy. Seth gripped the pillow behind his head and seed erupted from the ruby crown of his erection. Ragged breaths filled the air until a lonely silence reminded them that it had only been a fantasy. “Hurry home, Diana.”

  “Goodbye, Seth.”

  In the aftermath of his pleasure, Seth felt empty inside. He jumped up from his bed and headed into the shower to clean himself up. The day started out promising, but as he worked diligently, Seth began to dread his dinner date. He thought about his pact with Diana. It wasn’t fair to hope for the others to fail. Seth wanted to give everyone equal opportunities to capture his heart, but he feared the beautiful Diana Kelly had already claimed it for herself.

  Megan arrived at the diner ten minutes early. Seth greeted her with a warm smile and a friendly hug that wasn’t as forced as he anticipated. She was beautiful—just as beautiful as the others had been—but there was something about Megan that enticed Seth instantly. Long, flowing locks touched the center of her spine, luscious curves filled out her dress nicely, and flawless porcelain skin were just the beginning. There was an aura of kindness that Seth was enamored with. "I was surprised to hear that we had an eighty-three percent compatibility score," he said honestly.

  "I don't put much faith in the numbers. At the end of the day, it's about connecting with someone. Whether we share the same hobbies or not isn't really all that important."

  "I couldn't have said it better myself."

  "Have you connected with anyone so far?" she aske
d.

  "No. In fact, a friend and I were just talking about our poor luck at finding someone. If our dates fail today, then we'll try dating each other." Seth felt an overwhelming flare of hope in his chest. He wondered if his brothers had felt the same way when they first met their mates...mate. Seth was startled by the thought. Was Megan his mate?

  Chapter Ten

  The Underworld

  Diana slid across the marble floors of her father's throne room. Hades had pulled his hair back into a low ponytail and donned some athletic wear for their training session. She appreciated his attempts at trying to relate to her humanity, but she wished he'd pull his punches a bit more. "All right, I'm done for the day," she panted, feeling as if her chest was on fire. "We've been at this for hours and I'm not getting any better at blocking your spells."

  "That's because you aren't concentrating!" Hades hurled another wave of energy at Diana and she dodged out of the way. "What is distracting you?"

  "Pain."

  "You are a goddess," he barked. "You can choose whether you feel pain or not."

  "It isn't that simple."

  "I'm trying to help you—”

  "Well, you're over twenty years too late for that!" Diana slapped a hand over her mouth when Hades flinched. She hadn't meant to hurt his feelings. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that...I know you sent me away to protect me. I just can't stop thinking about other things right now, and it's upsetting me."

  "You mean Seth?"

  She scoffed bitterly and wiped the tears from her eyes before they fell. "He's engaged. I got the text last week, that's why I've been here so often. Being up there...it's too much. I really thought we had something."

  "I wish I could spare you this heartbreak." Hades sat on the edge of the platform where his throne was perched high above the rest of the room. He pulled Diana up to sit beside him. "Talk to me, Diana. You will soon learn that you can tell me anything."

  She worried her bottom lip between her teeth and dabbed away the sweat from her forehead. "They've only known each other for three months," she replied. "She knows nothing about him. I know the real Seth...the Seth who has a VHS tape collection of his favorite Marx Brothers moments and makes burritos every Saturday night. She doesn't have to deal with his mood swings or his night terrors. If he loves her, why does he call me every hour of the day hoping to tell me about a new case he's working?"

  "Has he told you that he loves her?"

  Diana nodded sadly and leaned against Hades' shoulder. "He says she's his mate. Now, I just get to play the role of the supportive friend."

  "You are Seth Black's mate."

  "No, I'm not," she argued. "She has his mark. It's on her back."

  "That's impossible, Diana—”

  "Why?"

  Hades tilted her head up and forced her to look into his eyes. "I have spoken with the fates. Though I wished it wasn't true, they have written it in the stars. You and Seth are bound by heart and soul."

  "Then...why is he marrying Megan?"

  "Something isn't right about all of this. We should get to Destiny right away. Go pack your things." Hades snapped his fingers and a servant appeared. "Ready the chariot and tell my brother that I'm heading to the surface."

  "But, my liege—”

  "Now!"

  Diana bounded to her feet and ran for the doors. She hurried up the stairs, taking two at a time until she reached the top. Her bedchamber was at the end of the hall, so she ran for it. Diana packed her bags without much care before meeting her father outside. A black chariot shaped like a dragon was pulled by undead winged horses with glowing red eyes. Hades offered her hand and helped her onto the seat beside him. They flew into the sky as lightning crackled in the distance. A portal opened up ahead.

  The chariot tore through the clouds and bright light blinded Diana for a moment. When she opened her eyes, she looked down at Castle Black. Screams echoed through the courtyard as the chariot landed just outside of the gate. Diana banged on the door to the guard's post and requested entrance. A second later, Giddeon and Balor appeared with their weapons in hand. "What's the meaning of this?" the king demanded.

  "We need to see Seth."

  "Forgive us if we're a bit hesitant to trust the gods," Balor retorted. Hades' eyes flashed, and the young alpha collapsed.

  "What did you do to him?"

  "I...punished him for his insolence," Hades hissed. "I've given him council for millennia, and this is how I am treated?"

  "Wake him up!" Giddeon raised his sword, ready to fight Hades to protect his brother.

  Diana stepped between them. She pleaded with her father until he relented and removed the spell from Balor. Giddeon still hadn't lowered his sword, however. "We need to see Seth, Giddeon. It's important."

  "Why should I let him near my people?"

  "He's my father. He won't hurt anyone."

  "I know better than anyone how blind a child can be to their father's cruelty," Giddeon replied.

  Diana squared her shoulders and Hades stood beside her. "Giddeon, I don't want to fight you, but I will if you force my hand."

  "Seth is finally happy. I can't let you ruin that."

  "You don't even know him!" Diana screamed. "None of you do. I've learned more about Seth in less than a year than you've ever known. Something is wrong, Giddeon. If you cared about Seth at all, you would let me talk to him."

  Giddeon lowered his sword. "Shut the gate. We're done here," the king declared. "Go home, Diana. Let Seth be with his mate."

  "I'm his mate!"

  "No, you're just upset that he didn't choose you."

  The gate closed in her face, and Diana feared her father would tear the castle apart with his bare hands. She pulled him away and climbed inside the chariot. "I just want to go back to my apartment." The chariot flickered before it transformed into a 1933 Bentley with a juiced-up engine. Hades brushed his hand across the dashboard with a smile. "Never miss an opportunity to show off, sweetheart."

  Diana wasn't so sure her father could master the art of subtlety, but she supposed teaching him would be entertaining. They drove to town as if the laws of man didn't apply to them and parked in the alley. The pothole belched as a demon crawled out of the darkness. Hades spoke with the creature in a language she assumed was ancient Greek before tossing him a few drachmae. The demon soared up to the roof and crouched like a gargoyle.

  "A guard dog?"

  "Two." Hades snapped his fingers and Cerberus appeared much smaller than he had been in the underworld and with only one head. He resembled a blue nose Pitbull mixed with a Rottweiler. Diana looked at the dog that was about the size of an English Mastiff and wondered how he was going to fit in her little apartment.

  ~*~

  Destiny Falls, Alaska

  Morning came with gray skies and dampness clinging to the windows. Seth felt warmth pressing against his side. He rolled over and pulled Megan close. She smiled up at him and brushed a gentle kiss to his lips. The ring on her finger sparkled in the faint light. An emerald sat nestled in a bed of diamonds embedded in a band of white gold. Seth knew Casey and Rina were skeptical of Megan, but he hoped his new sisters would grow to love her as much as he did. “I have to get to the station,” he whispered. “I’ll call you later.”

  “You mean after you call Diana.”

  “We’re just friends.” Seth felt that wall erect between them once again and climbed out of bed. “I don’t know why you’re so threatened by her.”

  “I’m not threatened by your old crush, Seth.”

  He rolled his eyes and pulled on his slacks. “Then why do you sound so bitter about it?”

  “You’re always on the phone with her. If you aren’t talking, then you’re texting.”

  “So?”

  “What are you telling her that you feel you can’t tell me?” Megan asked. “I’m not unreasonable, Seth. I’m your fiancée—your mate—and I care about you.”

  “Diana and I just tell each other about our day and talk about t
he case.”

  “You can talk to me about those things.”

  “It’s different,” he sighed. “Sometimes, you just need to talk to a friend.”

  Megan pulled her knees to her chest and pouted.

  Seth buttoned the shirt of his uniform. “I’m not trying to be difficult. Diana understands what I’ve been through and how much my life has changed. I wouldn’t even know the truth about my family if she hadn’t told me,” he explained before leaning down to steal a kiss. “I love you. I’ll see you at the castle tonight for dinner.” Seth snagged his jacket as he walked out the door. Deputy Harris waited beside her car with two cups of coffee on the hood beside her.

  “Thought I’d give you a ride today, Sheriff.”

  “Thanks.” He took the first sip of coffee and let it hit the back of his throat. The bitter liquid was more of a force of habit than an essential part of his day. Coffee and alcohol didn’t affect his kind unless magic was involved. “What’s on the agenda today?”

  “Pretty standard stuff, actually. You have a meeting with the mayor and then we have to follow up with that missing persons case from last week. Deputy Lopez wants to know if you want to arrange a search party or—”

  “You’re nervous.”

  “W-what? No, I’m just tired. I had a long shift yesterday.”

  Seth squinted at Harris and waited for her to crack under the pressure. “Out with it, Deputy.”

  She glanced around before pulling out her phone and opening the camera roll. “This was seen flying over the mountains. That look like Hades’ chariot to you?”

  “Hades…” Seth looked down at the photos of the horse-drawn chariot and felt his heart clench. Why hadn’t Diana called him when she got into town? And what had been so important that she needed to be escorted by her father? “She’s back. If she didn’t tell me, there must be a good reason. Let’s go.”

  “Wait,” Deputy Harris said as she took her phone back. “Don’t you want to go see why she’s here? Hades hasn’t been topside since the fall of the Romans, Sheriff. Isn’t this just a little bit suspicious?”